Hi Team, I am thinking of buying my first car. I am on a tight budget under 8 lakh (on-road price) and can stretch to 10 if it's value for money. I need good mileage and a CNG option if possible. Plus, I also want Boot space and good safety. I drive mostly city rides to the office and occasional trips in the mountains with family.

autocar.india

•2h

Between the Tata Punch and Tata Altroz, the Altroz petrol is the better fit for your needs. With a family of five and very low monthly running, a petrol car is the right choice - CNG cars only make sense when running is high to justify the extra cost. The Altroz is the better family car here: it offers a more comfortable ride, a wider rear seat and a more spacious cabin than the Punch, which matters on longer journeys with three at the back. On ethanol blending, there is no need to worry. Modern petrol cars are engineered to handle E20, and there is no official roadmap for E25 or E30 in the near future. Go ahead with the Altroz petrol.

Tata Altroz

Tata Punch

autocar.india

•6h

The Hyundai Exter is a very sensible first car, especially for a new driver. This Hyundai car is compact and easy to manoeuvre, which makes city driving and parking far less intimidating. The H8 variant is well-equipped with essential features, so you are not missing out on anything important. Hyundai’s service network is extensive, and ownership costs are generally reasonable, which is reassuring for a first-time buyer.The Exter’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and predictable, making it easy to drive in traffic and forgiving for someone still building confidence behind the wheel. The ride quality is comfortable for a car of this size, and the cabin feels well put together. It also offers a decent amount of space for a small family, so it can comfortably serve as your primary car for several years.

Hyundai Exter

autocar.india

•8h

With a budget of Rs 25 lakh and a monthly running of just 350- 400 km, petrol is the clear recommendation. At this usage level, the cost savings from diesel simply will not materialise, and petrol engines are quieter, smoother and generally easier to live with in the long term. As for transmission, go for an automatic. Modern automatics are smooth, stress-free in traffic and make everyday driving far more comfortable, especially in city conditions.Now, on the car itself. At Rs 25 lakh, a strong recommendation would be the new Skoda Kushaq, which has just been refreshed. It gets a lot more features, like ventilated seats in the front, a panoramic sunroof, massage seats in the back, and a decent amount of room as well.However, it is also very nice to drive, and since your priorities are performance, it will definitely do the job perfectly for you. Driving between cities and on highways, it is extremely stable. It is light and convenient in the city, and it is planted on the highway. The 1.5-litre TSI engine is the one we recommend, which blends performance and refinement. In your budget, you can get the top-spec Monte Carlo trim that comes loaded with all the bells and whistles and still save a good amount of money. However, if you want an even bigger car with a lot more power and three rows of seating, then the Mahindra XUV700 in its AX7 guise is a good consideration. It comes with a more powerful engine, a lot more features, and a lot more space as well. If you don't mind a large car, then that is a good choice, but if you want to stick to the compact dimensions, then the Kushaq is a preferred option.

Skoda Kushaq