Hi, I am a new driver and want to buy a car which would be suitable for my family of 6. I generally do not buy second-hand stuff, but maybe that doesn't work with cars. Is it advisable to buy a new car or should I buy a second-hand car? My budget is 16-17 lakhs. My daily commute on average would be 35kms within the city and occasional long highway drives. Which car do you recommend?

Autocar India

•2d

Your use is mostly long highway runs with the third row folded for your Labrador, plus a clear need for space in all three rows, parking aids and a 360 camera, and you don’t want it to feel weak when fully loaded. In that situation, the Toyota Innova Hycross 2.0 petrol automatic (non-hybrid) 8-seater is the one from your list that fits best overall. Its third row is the roomiest here, and when you fold it, you get a long, flat floor that is easy for a big dog and luggage. The CVT automatic, makes city work easy, but on the highway it has to work a bit hard to build up speed. Keep speeds steady, and you should see double-digit fuel efficiency on the highway, which matches your requirement.A couple of watch‑outs. The non‑hybrid Hycross does not get a factory 360 camera, and front sensors are limited to higher trims, so you may need a dealer‑fit 360 setup to meet that must‑have. Also, performance with a full load is just about adequate but not as strong as big‑turbo rivals if you push hard.If you must have a factory 360 camera, from your list, the Kia Clavis in a higher trim with the 1.5 turbo DCT gives you that and has a usable third row. Although your concern on DCT in heavy traffic is fair. Given your light city use, that risk is low. If you’re open to diesel, the Safari diesel AT also ticks power, highway comfort and 360 camera, but its third row is not as roomy as the Hycross. Overall, for your highway‑led use and dog‑friendly space, the Hycross non‑hybrid lines up best if you’re okay with adding a 360-camera via the dealer.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Safari

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•58m

For a ten-year ownership period with strong reliability, mostly short city runs with the occasional highway trip, the Honda Elevate CVT is a good fit. Given your usage is fairly low and largely limited to the city, a petrol would be a better choice than a diesel. Being naturally aspirated, it won’t have the same grunt as the Nexon’s turbo-petrol, but among naturally aspirated midsize SUVs, it feels one of the most energetic.Test drive it to see if the performance feels adequate, but if you miss that turbo punch, then consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT instead. It comes with an 8-speed torque-converter automatic, which avoids your DCT concerns, though overall upkeep cost will be higher than Honda’s.If you want the least hassle with many short city trips, pick the Honda Elevate.

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•14h

With a long city commute, some short highway runs, a Rs.10-17 lakh cap and a clear dislike for non‑turbo motors, the Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo petrol automatic suits you best. It gives you the strong low‑speed pull you want without any diesel DPF worries in stop‑go traffic. The front seats, steering reach and height make it easy for a 6‑foot driver to get comfy, and the cabin feels roomier than the Kylaq and Duster you found tight. It is also one of the nicer cars to drive in this price range, with direct steering and a calm, stable feel at speed, and it packs the safety features you’d expect.One thing to note: the DCT can hesitate a bit at slow speed. If that is an issue then consider the Sierra turbo petrol AT. It is also one of the roomiest in class so you should find it comfortable. Overall for your needs, the Seltos is a good fit.

Kia Seltos

Renault Duster

Skoda Kylaq

Tata Sierra