Autocar India
1d

Which car to buy under 15 lakhs? EV/CNG/Diesel/Petrol, and which model to go for?

Verified
8m

Get the Maruti Suzuki Fronx petrol. It fits under Rs. 15 lakh easily, is very easy to drive in the city, and gives good real-world mileage, so your running costs stay low without the fuss of CNG or charging. Maruti’s huge service network also keeps ownership simple for many years. The flip side is it isn’t very exciting to drive, and the rear isn’t the widest, but as a first, no-drama car, it just works.

If your daily drive is mostly city and you have a private parking spot with power, an EV will save the most per km. Look at the Tata Tiago EV for the cheapest entry, or the Tata Punch EV for a more solid small SUV feel. If you do long highway trips or 1,000+ km a month, diesel makes sense - the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and  Mahindra XUV 3XO diesels are the pick. If you only want rock-bottom fuel costs and don’t mind slower performance, CNG works - Maruti Wagon R CNG for city or Ertiga if you need 7 seats.

 

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

More questions on similar cars

5d

I have been driving Datsun Go for almost 7 years now and I feel it's time for an upgrade. I drive around 400 km every month and I may take it out for outstation trips maybe once or twice every year once I upgrade. Datsun Go had a peppy engine and I would love something similar. Mileage is important but it can be a tradeoff if there are no options available. I am looking for a sporty looking feature rich car in the budget of 10-13 lakh. I can extend it by a lakh more if it is worth it. Please suggest all types of cars considering my priority for space, safety and drive comfort.

Verified
9h

Pick the Mahindra XUV 3XO; it gives you the most fun performance in your budget while staying safe and comfy for city runs and the odd highway trip. Pick the 1.2 MPFi which feels eager and makes it easy to manage traffic and highway overtakes and is also more efficient than the direct injection 1.2 litre engine, do note it still will not be as efficient as something like the Hyundai Venue. Ride comfort is mature for broken roads, steering is light in town yet steady at speed, and the cabin now has the space you wanted. You also get a proper safety kit and a solid body, so it feels reassuring compared to your Datsun. Features are modern and the cabin looks sporty enough without going over the top.As an option consider the the Nissan Magnite, its turbo engine is peppy and it is a great value pick with good features and space, and is safe and has a comfortable ride too and will return a better mileage than the Mahindra car.

VehicleNissan Magnite
VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO

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Popular discussions right now

1w

Which would be the better choice among the BYD Sealion 7, Mahindra XEV 9e, and Vinfast VF7? I currently own a Skoda Superb, which is 6 years old, and my ownership experience has been good so far. However, I am considering switching to an EV as a replacement, mainly because I am concerned about potential mechatronics-related repairs and higher maintenance costs as the car ages, even though I have not faced any issues yet. My heart says the BYD Sealion 7 would be the ideal replacement or upgrade for the Superb because of its build quality, premium cabin, and overall feel. However, my mind wonders whether it truly offers good value for money considering its premium price tag, although budget is not a major constraint for me. My daily driving is around 20-30 km, mostly within the city, with only occasional outstation trips. Considering my usage pattern and expectations, which of these EVs would you recommend?

Verified
2d

Pick the BYD Sealion 7. It comes closest to your Superb in the way it feels inside and the calm, premium way it goes down the road, and BYD’s EV tech is well proven here. For 20-30km city usage it is smooth, very efficient, and the cabin quality, quietness and ride will feel like a real upgrade that's on par with luxury cars in the same price range.The Mahindra XEV 9e and Vinfast VF7 do sound like good value with the amount of performance and features they offer, but they both belong a size and segment down on the BYD, and that's reflected in the price too. Plus, though feature laden, their cabins will not give you the same plushness you enjoyed in your Skoda Superb. One catch with the Sealion 7 is BYD’s smaller network as compared to Mahindra. But with budget not being a big worry and your usage being mostly in the city, the peace-of-mind of mature EV hardware and genuine upmarket feel makes the BYD the right call for you. Charge at home and you will need to top up just once every few days.

VehicleBYD Sealion 7
VehicleSkoda Superb
VehicleMahindra XEV 9e
VehicleVinfast VF7

Posted on: 21 Jun 2026