I am looking to buy a car within a budget of ₹13 lakh (on-road) in Mumbai. My usage will be around 80-90% in the city and 10-20% on highways. The car should be well-equipped with all essential interior and exterior features, offer good comfort for my parents, and ensure low maintenance along with reliable, hassle-free ownership. I may also use it occasionally for long trips. I am specifically looking for an automatic variant and have shortlisted the Honda Elevate V AT. Could you please advise if this is the right choice or suggest better alternatives within my budget?

Autocar India

•4h

Consider getting the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. The Brezza is easy to get in and out of, and it has a comfy ride quality, so your parents should be comfortable travelling in this SUV. It also comes with a refined 103hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine that offers decent fuel economy and can be had with either a manual or a torque converter automatic gearbox. There's even a CNG option, should your daily running be high. Furthermore, it is a Maruti product so maintaining it will be an easy and stress-free affair.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Autocar India

•4h

The ride quality on the Kia Sonet is a weak spot. With its relatively short wheelbase and firm suspension tuning, the Sonet’s ride can feel lumpy over uneven surfaces and sharper potholes. In our real-world test, the Sonet DCT managed 11.6kpl in the city and 16.5kpl on the highway, which is respectable for the segment.The DCT gearboxes in Hyundais and Kias have generally proven to be quite reliable and are a good choice in this segment. However, it is worth noting that they use a dry clutch pack, which will wear over time and eventually require replacement. Heavy use in stop-and-go traffic, slowly creeping up slopes, and letting the car sit in D while stationary can accelerate wear, and replacing the clutch pack can be expensive. For added peace of mind, you could opt for an extended warranty, but ensure that it covers the DCT and its internal components, such as the clutch pack.If you still have reservations, then consider the Skoda Kylaq, the Mahindra XUV 3XO, and the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, all of which can be had with torque-converter automatics.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•5h

Considering your annual mileage, it's safe to assume you do a lot of highway driving. If that is indeed the case, we'd recommend you opt for a diesel car.Electric cars have their USPs - smooth power delivery, strong performance, excellent refinement, low running costs and more. However, while the products are very desirable, it's the charging network that could be the spoiler for someone with lots of highway running. The charging network on highways isn't dense enough, and existing chargers aren't entirely reliable.The question mark on charger availability and charging times can really spoil a long distance journey. As city vehicles, EVs work superbly, especially if you have the option to set up a charger at home. For highway use, we'd recommend a diesel.The good news is that today's diesels are very refined and far removed from the crude image many still associate diesels with. The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel-AT is a great choice within your budget and the one we'd recommend.

Mahindra XUV 7XO