I am planning to buy a new car which will be my first car, with a budget of ₹9 lakh to ₹11 lakh maximum. Can you please suggest the best variant in terms of fuel efficiency, ride experience, safety, and value for money?

Autocar India

•1d

In your case, a diesel engine is a no-brainer given your high daily running. The Tata Altroz diesel would be an ideal upgrade. It is newly refreshed, gets a trusty diesel engine, 5-star safety, and planted, confidence-inspiring handling.Your commute is mostly smooth highway, so the Altroz feels steady at 100-120 km/h and the steering weights up predictably, which reduces fatigue over 120 km days. The diesel is frugal, so fewer fuel stops and its torque make mid‑range overtakes easy. A thing to note is that the diesel engine is audible at idle and there’s mild turbo‑lag below about 1,800 rpm, so quick bursts may need a downshift.Your budget allows the Accomplished S variant, which is the top of the line that is feature-packed with a 360-degree camera, wireless connectivity, sunroof, cruise control and ambient lighting, among others.

Tata Altroz

Autocar India

•2h

Choose the Renault Duster 1.3 Techno MT if you specifically want a tough, manual SUV and like driving.The new Duster’s suspension is one of its big strengths: it rides beautifully over broken roads, has 212 mm of ground clearance, and feels robust, which really suits Indian conditions and frequent highway use. It has a very large boot and is well-equipped for the price, making it a solid family and touring car.The 1.3 turbo-petrol is among the most powerful engines in the segment, so performance is strong once the turbo is on boost. However, in the manual, you will feel some turbo lag at low revs, and you do need to downshift to keep it in the meat of the powerband, especially in slow city traffic or on inclines. The gearbox itself is light, with positive shifts, and the clutch effort is friendly enough for daily use.

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•3h

For your daily 120 km highway run requirements, with priorities of automatic transmission, low running costs, and safety, the Tata Punch EV Long Range is a strong and sensible choice. It offers the ease of an automatic, very low running costs with home charging, and a solid safety package, which aligns well with your needs. The Long Range version can comfortably handle your daily commute on a single charge, making it practical for everyday use.On the highway, the Punch EV feels stable and composed at typical cruising speeds, so it won’t feel out of its depth for your kind of usage. However, being a smaller car, it will not feel as effortless or as relaxed as a larger vehicle over long distances, especially when it comes to space and overall comfort.So yes, it is a good fit if your focus is on economy, ease of driving and safety. However, if you prefer a more relaxed and spacious experience for daily long highway runs, you may also consider upgrading to something like the Tata Nexon EV Long Range.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Nexon EV