I am looking to buy a car with a budget of around Rs. 8 lakh. My monthly running will be approximately 500 km, along with occasional long-distance trips during vacations. Could you please suggest suitable options?

Autocar India

•2d

Stay with the Kia Seltos HTX IVT. Given you enjoy the Swift for its light clutch and ease of driving in city traffic, a big SUV, the Harrier or Safari, will feel cumbersome to drive. Their pedal effort and travel are noticeably more than a Swift's, the bite point sits higher, and the gearing needs more throttle to get moving, so crawling stop‑start is not as easy. Add their size and width, and you will work harder in tight lanes and parking.The Seltos is the easier daily driver. It's smooth, automatic takes the pain out of commutes, the steering is lighter, and the car’s smaller footprint is friendlier in crowded cities. You still get more than enough space and a more mature ride than a hatchback. The downside is that the IVT will not feel as engaging as a manual, but for mostly city use, it is the more sensible and stress‑free choice.If you really want a manual, you could look at the Seltos manual instead of switching to the Tata twins. It retains the light controls you’re used to and doesn't feel ungainly around town.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Tata Harrier

Tata Safari

Autocar India

•2h

Of the models on sale today, Rs 20 lakh and 300km are an intersection that very few electric cars meet. Your two strongest options are the MG Windsor Pro and the Tata Curvv EV LR, both of which have their pros and cons.The MG Windsor offers a more spacious and airy interior, with soft and plush rear seats and easy ingress and egress, which should be beneficial for your parents. It's also got a very smooth and refined powertrain, although downsides include a slightly firm suspension and the fact that MG's network isn't quite as wide as other brands.The Tata Curvv's swooping roof and high ground clearance mean getting in and out is not as easy, but once you're in the car, space is ample. Quality is not as good as in the MG, and though silent and strong, the powertrain is not as smooth. It has better ride quality and a longer list of features than the MG, though, while it has a wider service network, it doesn't have the best reputation for its after-sales quality. Test drive both, ideally with your parents, and see which one they prefer to sit in the back of.If you can stretch your budget by 2-3 lakh, two even better options are the Hyundai Creta Electric and Kia Carens Clavis EV. Their range is comfortably more than the Windsor Pro or Curvv EV, and they offer far better ride quality and rear seat comfort. The Kia, being an MPV, also offers easier entry and exit for the elderly.While VW-Skoda will eventually bring out EVs for India, likely in 2027, they will be far above this budget, positioned in the Rs 50 lakh plus range. Honda's EV is due to go on sale later this year and will be a rival to the EVs we have highlighted above. If you don't mind waiting, it could be an interesting proposition, though little is known about its specifications or price at this time.

Tata Curvv EV

MG Windsor

Hyundai Creta Electric

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Autocar India

•3h

With a budget of Rs 20-22 lakh, a preference for strong safety credentials and a real-world range of over 400km, the Mahindra BE 6 fits the bill perfectly. It combines impressive efficiency, strong performance, a modern feature-rich cabin and enough range to comfortably handle your daily commute while remaining well suited to longer journeys.If you're not in a hurry, it may also be worth waiting for the Tata Sierra EV, whose launch is just around the corner. It promises to be a spacious and practical family EV, and could be a compelling alternative in this price bracket.

Mahindra BE 6

Tata Sierra EV