Please suggest a good value-for-money car under Rs.16 lakh that is suitable for a family of five. I am looking for a family-oriented car, preferably similar to the Hyundai Creta or Honda Elevate.

autocar.india

•2d

Go for the Volkswagen Virtus GT with the 1.5 TSI engine and DSG gearbox. Since you are upgrading from a Hyundai Aura 1.2 Petrol and find it boring to drive, it's clear that driving experience matters to you. Among your shortlisted cars, the Virtus is the most engaging to drive, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a genuinely enjoyable chassis.It would also be worth waiting a few months for the facelift. It is expected to bring more features, sharper look and an improved air-conditioning system.The Renault Duster is quite engaging too, while offering the practicality and ground clearance of an SUV. However, it is not spacious for its size and nor is it very fuel efficient. The Honda Elevate is the most sensible long-term ownership choice, but it is not as exciting to drive as the Virtus and is due to receive a facelift soon.As for E20 fuel, do not wait. All three cars are E20 compliant, and there is no confirmed official roadmap beyond E20 at the moment. Modern engines are designed to run on E20 fuel, and the impact is limited to lower fuel efficiency, regardless of the model.Regarding a new versus pre-owned car, your budget is sufficient to buy a top-spec Virtus or a well-equipped Duster. There is little reason to compromise on a used car. Moreover, there are not too many engaging options in the segment above that make a compelling used-car buy within your budget. Buying new gives you the full warranty, and an ownership experience that is likely to be more satisfying in the long run.

Volkswagen Virtus

Renault Duster

Honda Elevate

autocar.india

•31m

With a daily running of 50km, fuel efficiency and long-term running costs become important, so a diesel or a strong hybrid makes the most sense. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXI Strong Hybrid is the best fit here. The strong hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency in both city and highway conditions, and the ownership experience is backed by Maruti’s wide service network and low maintenance costs. It is also a comfortable car with a well-balanced ride, making it easy to live with daily. However, you may have to stretch your budget a bit.If you prefer a diesel, the Hyundai Creta EX(O) diesel manual is a strong alternative. The diesel engine of this Hyundai car is smooth and reliable, and delivers excellent efficiency on your daily commute. The Creta also has a spacious cabin and comes well-equipped, and the EX(O) variant falls under your Rs 17 lakh budget.The choice comes down to fuel preference, as both are excellent choices for your use case.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Creta

autocar.india

•1d

Given your requirements, the Tata Sierra Turbo is a good option to consider, but it may not be the best fit for your usage pattern. Your monthly running of 700-800 km, mostly in the city with only occasional highway trips, means fuel efficiency and ease of driving are more important than outright performance. The Sierra Turbo is a spacious and comfortable SUV with a modern design and a premium feel, but its turbo petrol engine is more performance-oriented and may not deliver the best fuel efficiency in city conditions.A better fit for your needs would be the Kia Seltos with the 1.5 litre petrol engine and the CVT automatic gearbox. The powertrain is smooth and easy to drive and perfect of cities and even on the highway the performance and overtaking ability is adequate. With the new generation Seltos, Kia have improved cabin space - especially at the rear - and the ride quality too. These are not class best but good enough and something you should be happy with. Being a Kia reliability is also good and the service network is quite wide spread.

Tata Sierra

Kia Seltos