I am looking to buy a dual-fuel (CNG/Petrol) car mainly for city driving, with only a few instances of 300-350 km highway trips. My budget is around ₹10 lakh on-road in Ahmedabad.

autocar.india

•2d

Buy the Honda Elevate, since you have back trouble, seat comfort would be a high priority, and in this regard, the Elevate does well. The seats set a benchmark for comfort and have a finely judged foam density, which is not too hard and not too soft, so they should provide your back with good support. Under-thigh support is also generous. However, we would recommend you sit in it and test drive it yourself to make sure it suits your body type. Within your budget, you would get the mid-range automatic version, and we would recommend you opt for an automatic as it would reduce your left leg strain in traffic, which would also help alleviate some of the back pain. Ride quality is also good; it is on the firmer side, but the long travel suspension with well-judged damping means it can soak up bumps and potholes well without jarring you too much. If you would like to stick to something small, you could consider the Tata Punch. The entry and exit height is just right, the ride is well-damped and comfortable, and the seats are well cushioned and supportive enough. The top-end version would also come in well under your budget, and you would enjoy some top-end features too.

Honda Elevate

Tata Punch

autocar.india

•3h

Go for the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI, preferably the manual. Your usage is light, so the smaller turbo petrol keeps costs sensible, gives better city mileage, and still has enough pull for a full family on that monthly highway run. The Kushaq is comfortable over rough roads, and its 5-star safety adds peace of mind on long trips.For low to average maintenance, stick with the 1.0. Routine service once a year is typical, parts are now more reasonable than they used to be, and fuel costs stay in check if you drive smoothly. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic, the automatic is easy to live with, but it will cost more upfront and use a bit more fuel.One thing to be aware of: Skoda’s service network is smaller than Maruti or Hyundai, and costs won't be quite as affordable either. If you often drive fully loaded on highways or climb hills, the 1.5 TSI is stronger, but for 2-3 short trips a week and one family trip a month, the 1.0 fits better.

Skoda Kushaq

autocar.india

•4h

There are two good options at your budget and with your requirements, and those are the Skoda Kylaq and Maruti Suzuki Brezza. Both have sunroofs, and both use smooth 6-speed torque-converter automatic gearboxes. The Kylaq has the stronger 1.0 turbo engine, tougher feel, 5-star NCAP rating and more premium feeling interiors. However, the Brezza has lower running costs, including mileage, and is a bit more spacious overall. On balance, we think the Brezza suits your needs better as it is the better all-rounder and isn't all that lacking in performance either. However, if you can wait for a bit, a facelift for the Brezza is due very soon, and it would make sense to wait and see what updates that brings.

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Brezza