Hello team. I’m selling my old i20 and planning to buy a new car. I’ve shortlisted the Tata Altroz, Maruti Baleno, Toyota Glanza and Maruti Dzire. My priorities are an automatic transmission, good mileage, 4/5-star safety, an armrest and a rear wiper. I’m attracted to the Glanza for its styling and the UV-cut glass on the top variant. My maximum budget is ₹10.5-11 lakh on-road in Telangana. Please suggest which is best.

autocar.india

•15h

For your usage, a petrol hatchback is the more sensible choice. Your running is low, and while you do two long trips a month of 250-300 km each, that is still well within the comfort zone of a petrol car. EVs make the most sense when daily running is high and predictable, and when home charging is available and used regularly.On long trips, electric cars require planning around charging stops, which can add time and complexity, especially if you are not keen on managing charging infrastructure. A petrol hatchback will give you complete flexibility on your highway trips, with no range anxiety or charging considerations. It is also easier to live with in the long term, especially at your age, where simplicity and ease of ownership matter more than fuel savings.If you are specifically looking at hatchbacks, the Maruti Suzuki Swift or Hyundai Grand i10 Nios are both excellent options, offering reliability, comfort and low running costs. If you are open to a slightly higher budget, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno or Toyota Glanza offer more space and comfort while still being easy to drive. Overall, go for a petrol hatchback and enjoy hassle-free ownership.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Toyota Glanza

autocar.india

•2d

For a first-time buyer with a Rs 4-5 lakh budget, city use and occasional long drives, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno or Toyota Glanza automatic is the safest and most sensible choice. Both use a simple AMT gearbox, which is not the smoothest but is reliable, easy to maintain and well-suited to city driving. Maruti's service network is the strongest in the country, and Toyota's service experience is also excellent, so long-term ownership is unlikely to throw up surprises. The Baleno and Glanza are also among the most spacious premium hatchbacks, with good rear seat comfort and easy ingress and egress for elderly parents.The Hyundai i20 Elite automatic is also a good option, and it has a CVT, which is smoother than Maruti's AMT. However, the Baleno/Glanza's lower running costs and wider service reach give them the edge in this budget.The Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger are not bad cars, but their service networks are not as extensive, and long-term ownership confidence is not as strong as Maruti or Toyota in this price range. If you want a slightly higher seat for your parents, consider the Maruti Ignis AMT; however, the Baleno is roomier inside. Alternatively, consider a slightly older Brezza.Overall, the Baleno or Glanza automatic is the best fit for your needs. They are reliable, easy to maintain, comfortable for family use and well supported across the country.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Toyota Glanza

Hyundai i20

Nissan Magnite

Renault Kiger

autocar.india

•1d

Given your age and your current ownership of a Wagon R VXI CNG, the priority should be ease of driving, reliability and low running costs. Since you specifically want a CNG automatic, the Tata Punch i-CNG AMT is the most sensible upgrade. It retains the same strengths you are used to: low running costs and a tall driving position, while adding the convenience of an automatic gearbox.The AMT is not the smoothest automatic on the market, but it is simple, reliable and well-suited to city driving. In fact, Tata Motors is currently the only brand offering AMTs with CNG models, with the Altroz, Tiago and Tigor also available with this combination. However, given its tall seating position and ease of ingress and egress, we recommend the Punch CNG. It's feature-loaded too, and thanks to its dual-cylinder CNG storage, you don't sacrifice on boot space either.

Tata Punch

Tata Altroz

Tata Tiago

Tata Tigor