Autocar India
37w

I am a police officer and want to buy an SUV with a budget of around ₹11/12 lakh. My job involves some rough driving, and about 80 percent of my driving is on the highway. I plan to keep the vehicle for at least 5-7 years without selling it. I want a diesel car with good mileage, and my daily running is 50/60 km.

Verified
37w
Given your requirements for rugged and tough suspension, the Mahindra Bolero Neo will be a good option to consider. It has a torquey diesel engine that has good power delivery, and thanks to the rear-wheel drive layout, it is a bit better in hilly areas as well. The N10 (O) variant will fit in your budget and gets a decent kit like a reversing camera, cruise control and a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The other option that is good over rough roads and highways is the Tata Nexon diesel in the Pure Plus variant. It has more power and is more modern-looking, but it isn't as tough as the Bolero, and in this price range, you won't get many features. Also, its front-wheel drive layout puts it at a disadvantage when it comes to driving uphill and in challenging terrain.
Mahindra Bolero Neo

Mahindra Bolero Neo

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Is the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS a Good Buy for Long Trips and City Use?

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6d

Given your usage pattern of 40% city and 60% long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS is actually a sensible upgrade from your 2015 Celerio AGS. The Baleno offers a more comfortable cabin, better highway stability and a more refined driving experience, which will make those long trips far more enjoyable. The AGS gearbox is also well suited to your occasional city use, keeping things simple and efficient.On the E20 front, there is no reason to worry. The Baleno is E20 compliant, and modern engines are engineered to handle this blend without any long-term reliability concerns. Maruti has also stated that their E20 engines are built for a material tolerance of slightly more than E20, so on the material front the car should be good for something like E22 for example. The main impact of a higher blend would be a reduction in fuel efficiency.The only thing to consider is whether you want to stick with AGS or move to a more conventional automatic. If you are happy with how AGS behaves, the Baleno is a solid choice. If you want a smoother and more premium automatic experience, you could look at something like the Hyundai i20 IVT or the Honda Amaze CVT instead. Both offer a more refined automatic gearbox, which can make a difference on long highway drives.Overall, the Baleno AGS is a good fit for your usage and there is no E20-related reason to avoid it. The decision really comes down to whether you are happy with AGS or want to move to a more conventional automatic.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
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Posted on: 27 Nov 2025