Hi, I’d appreciate a suggestion for an automatic car within an ₹11 lakh budget that offers a good safety rating and mileage. I typically drive 1,000-1,500 km per month, split evenly between highway and city use.

Autocar India

•10m

Regular trips to remote villages on rough roads with seven people and lots of medical gear call for something tough first, then roomy. In that brief, the Mahindra Scorpio N diesel manual, 7-seat, is the better fit for you. It sits high off the ground and feels strong on broken roads, so you can reach camp sites that softer city SUVs may avoid. The diesel will use less fuel on long days, and Mahindra has service in most small towns, which helps when you are far from the city. For your boxes, tables and chairs, the third row folds in parts, so you can keep five or six on board and still open up a large, useful space.Two things to note: with all seven seats up, the boot is small, so plan to fold part of the third row or add a carrier. Also, the third row is best for short stints for adults.If you must keep all seven seats up and still need real boot space, consider the Toyota Innova Crysta. While not an SUV, its tough construction makes it feel hardy and well-suited to rough road use.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Mahindra Scorpio N

Autocar India

•2h

Your use is mostly city driving with one long trip a month, so switching to the Tata Punch EV 40kWh as your only car makes sense. In daily traffic, it feels smooth, quiet and easy to drive, while the instant response makes gaps in traffic easy to manage. On the highway, it feels stable and cruises comfortably. Expect a real-world highway range of around 220-230km, which means you will likely need just one fast-charging stop depending on your speed and load. If your route has enough fast chargers and you can charge overnight at your destination, this should not be an issue, and overall, it is a better solution than keeping your Renault Duster and buying a smaller city car.Two things to note versus your Duster: the Punch EV’s cabin and boot are smaller, and range can drop sharply if you are travelling fully loaded with luggage on longer trips.If that does not suit your usage, then keep the Duster for the monthly highway run and get a Tata Tiago EV for city use only. Do remember that even if the Duster is used only once a month, it will still need regular upkeep. Choose this option only if the running costs and parking needs of owning two cars are not a concern.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Tiago EV

Autocar India

•15h

The Hyundai Venue diesel is a good option for your needs. It offers the ground clearance, boot space, and cabin space you are looking for. Its smooth diesel engine is one of its highlights, and the ride quality remains comfortable even over broken roads and rough patches.If cabin space is top priority, the Kia Syros is worth a look. It is incredibly spacious and also offers added flexibility with sliding rear seats, allowing you to make more room for luggage when needed. Cabin quality is very impressive too. However, the Syros does deliver a firm ride, and that takes away from the comfort experience. You should also look at the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The cabin is roomy, and ride comfort is impressive. There is a toughness to the Mahindra that you will appreciate over bad patches of road. However, the Mahindra offers the least room for luggage.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Syros

Mahindra XUV 3XO