I own a Hyundai Grand i10 and I’m happy with its comfort and smooth driving experience, but its ground clearance is low. I want to buy a compact SUV within a budget of ₹8–10 lakh. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•6h

The Nissan Magnite CVT is worth serious consideration. For a relatively new driver in Mumbai, its light steering, compact dimensions, and smooth CVT automatic make it easy to manage in traffic and simple to park. The turbo-petrol has enough pull for the Pune, Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar ghats, so it cruises on the expressway without feeling strained with family and luggage. It rides well on broken roads, has useful ground clearance, and the cabin and boot work fine for a small family. With only 300-350 km a month, petrol keeps costs simple, and the Magnite fits your Rs. 10-12 lakh budget.The flip side is the cabin feels a bit basic, and Nissan’s service network is smaller than Maruti or Hyundai, so check how close your nearest service center is.If you like sedans and want an even silkier automatic for the city, the Honda Amaze CVT is also worth a look, but you will give up some ground clearance and the SUV-like view you get in the Magnite.Alternatively, you could look at the Maruti Suzuki Fronx turbo petrol automatic, but it will need you to stretch your budget to about Rs 13 lakh.

Nissan Magnite

Honda Amaze

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•2d

Go for the Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT automatic. Your running is low, and this is one of the few petrol non-AMT options that stays close to your Rs. 12 lakh budget, while being genuinely easy to drive every day. The CVT automatic is smooth in traffic, the steering is light, and the high ground clearance makes speed breakers and rough patches stress-free. It is sized right for the city yet fits four adults comfortably, and the boot is usable for weekend runs.Your 8-year-old, low-mileage Baleno should fetch a fair exchange, which keeps the upgrade cost sensible. Service costs on the Magnite are also friendly, so long-term ownership should be easy.Do note, the cabin plastics and refinement levels are not as nice as pricier rivals. If you prefer a hatchback instead of an SUV, the Hyundai i20 IVT is nicer inside and equally smooth.

Nissan Magnite

Hyundai i20

Autocar India

•16m

Yes, sedans still make a lot of sense in 2026, and for your 80% highway use, the Hyundai Verna 1.5 turbo with the automatic is a great option. Its low, slippery shape helps you get better fuel economy at a steady cruise than most SUVs, and the turbo engine has enough punch for quick overtakes without needing a downshift. At highway speeds, it sits stable and quiet, and the boot is big enough for long trips.Driven calmly on open roads, you can see mileage in the mid to high teens, but if you drive with a heavy foot, it will drop. In slow, stop-go traffic the automatic can feel a bit hesitant, though your usage is mostly highway so that’s a small worry. If mileage edges out performance for you, the non-turbo Verna with the manual does better on fuel but is nowhere near as quick. For your brief though, the Verna turbo DCT hits the sweet spot.

Hyundai Verna