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

•1m

You can consider the Tata Altroz. While it may not be as fuel-efficient as something like a Maruti Swift, it is efficient enough, and if driven well, it should get you low double-digit real figure KPL figures in the city.

Moreover, its ride quality is very good, and it soaks up road imperfections with ease and while always retaining good control. In terms of safety, there's a host of features like 6 airbags and ESP standard, as well as a 5-star BNCAP crash rating. Within your budget, you should get the higher-end petrol variant, and you would thus enjoy some nice-to-have features too. We would say the 'Creative' variant would do you well.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Altroz

from ₹7.18 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Swift

from ₹6.44 Lakh

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Latest questions people are discussing

Dhaval Kothari

•1w

I want to buy my first car with a budget of up to ₹10 lakh for a family of four. My daily commute is around 70 km, and the car will be driven by both me and my wife. Which would be the best option considering fuel costs, comfort, low maintenance cost, and long-term reliability?

Autocar India

•41m

Buying your first car is always an important decision, and it pays to err on the side of practicality, ease of driving and a brand with a strong reputation for reliability and after-sales support.For a small family, the Honda Amaze CVT is a very solid option. Its 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is efficient. The CVT automatic is seamless and relaxed to use in traffic, and Hondas are known for their dependability. For a long daily commute like yours, that smoothness really helps reduce fatigue. The Amaze VX CVT, priced at just under Rs 11 lakh on-road, is worth stretching to if you can.If going beyond Rs 10 lakh isn’t possible, you could consider the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. It, too, is reliable, inexpensive to maintain, and well-suited to family use. However, it comes with an AMT (AGS) rather than a CVT. An AMT is convenient, but it isn’t as smooth or as intuitive as a CVT, and in heavy traffic, you will notice the gearshifts more. Over a 70km commute, it may require a bit more attention from the driver.The Baleno Zeta AGS, at around Rs 9.6 lakh on-road, fits neatly within your budget while still delivering the low running costs Maruti is known for.

Honda Amaze

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Amudan

•2w

Hi Autocar, I heard that the Verna Turbo facelift coming in March 2026 could offer a hybrid powertrain. Is this true? Also, is there any ICE performance car coming in 2026 below ₹40 lakhs that will be faster than the Verna Turbo?

Autocar India

•55m

Yes, the Hyundai Verna facelift is coming in the second week of March, but it will get only cosmetic changes. There will be no changes in the engine, which means there is no hybrid coming anytime soon.As things stand, there isn’t an ICE car below Rs 40 lakh that is significantly quicker than the Verna, which does 0-100kph in a brisk 8.8 seconds. If outright performance is what you’re after, one car worth stretching for is the Audi Q3. While its list price is around Rs 50 lakh, attractive discounts are often available, bringing it much closer to your Rs 40 lakh budget.The Q3 uses a 2.0-litre TFSI turbo-petrol engine producing a healthy 190hp, and that’s enough for a 0-100kph time of 7.3 seconds - comfortably quicker than the Verna. Beyond straight-line speed, the Q3, being a compact luxury SUV, plays in a different league altogether in terms of interior quality, badge value and overall experience. Perhaps it makes the best upgrade for you if you can extend your budget a bit.

Audi Q3

nia

•1w

I am 61 and wish to buy a new car. My wife and I, sometimes along with friends, plan to travel extensively within India. Please advise a good, comfortable, and reliable vehicle with service centres all over India in case of issues. The same vehicle will be used for daily use in Mumbai and surrounding areas.

Autocar India

•1h

You have not specified your budget, but since you currently own a Maruti S-Cross, we assume you want nothing less than a mid-size SUV. Our default choice is the Hyundai Creta, which has been a tried-and-tested product for over a decade. It can be easily serviced across the country, giving you confidence for the many road trips you are planning. Besides, the Hyundai Creta is a comfortable, spacious and feature-packed vehicle and is easy to spend long hours in. If you plan to do a lot of road trips, consider the 1.5 diesel variant. It is efficient and smooth when paired with a 6-speed auto.You can also consider the Kia Seltos, which doesn’t have as good a sales network as Hyundai. But the Seltos, in its new avatar, is better than the Creta as a product. However, given your concern for a good service network, we would still advise you to go for the Creta.

Hyundai Creta

Kia New Seltos

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