I have been using a Wagon R CNG for the last 11 years with around 97,000 km on the odometer. I would now like to upgrade to an automatic. My preferences are safety, power and comfort. My budget is Rs 15 lakh, but I can stretch it to Rs 18 to 20 lakh. I am considering the Tata Sierra. Please suggest if there are any other alternatives.

autocar.india

•20h

For your usage, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the best fit. Your 40 km daily run with 70% city driving makes a strong case for a hybrid, and the Victoris Hybrid delivers excellent fuel efficiency in stop-start traffic while still being comfortable and easy to drive on the highway. It also offers ADAS safety features and a proven ownership experience, which is important for long-term peace of mind.If you want a more premium feel and a slightly larger, more comfortable cabin, the Tata Sierra is a strong alternative. It is a very comfortable family SUV with a spacious interior and a premium feel, but it will not match the Victoris Hybrid on fuel efficiency in city driving.Overall, the Victoris Hybrid is the most balanced choice for your requirements.

Tata Sierra

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

autocar.india

•14h

Firstly, ask yourself whether you need the third row seating. If yes, then the Tata Safari is your best bet - it is a spacious three-row SUV. That said, its manual gearbox is not the smoothest, nor is its clutch as effort-free as that of most other smaller mid-size SUVs. Also, to extract 10-11kpl from your short city runs will be difficult. These are trade-offs you will have to make for its road presence, performance, as well as cabin space.If you don't need the extra row of seats, it makes sense to opt for the Tata Sierra instead. Do note, it isn't an efficient turbo-petrol-automatic combination, so be prepared for higher monthly fuel bills. The good news is that the 1.5 Turbo-Petrol's performance is strong, and the 6-speed automatic gearbox works smoothly. It is a spacious, sturdy SUV; you can choose from the multiple variants on offer.If you plan to keep the car for an 8-10 year period, it could be worth stretching your budget a bit and getting all the bells and whistles.

Tata Sierra

Tata Safari

autocar.india

•18h

Given your usage, the key requirement is a larger boot for your son's folded wheelchair, along with a comfortable and hassle-free city driving experience. With 90% city driving and around 50 km a day, an EV can make sense if you have reliable home charging, but the premium is only justified if you are committed to keeping the car for the full lease period and maximising the running cost savings. Otherwise, a petrol automatic car is the more straightforward choice.ADAS and tech features are nice to have, but they should not be the deciding factor. In city driving, features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist are not as useful as they are on highways, and auto emergency braking tends to be too sensitive to pedestrian crowds; thus, it's only better out on the highway, not so in your case. Focus on a car with good visibility and a comfortable driving position instead. For your shortlist, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Swivel seat could be an ideal option. The front passenger seat swivels out fully to enable people with mobility challenges very easy entry. The boot is also large enough to store a folded wheelchair. You will have to order this from select Maruti dealers, so check with a few in your area. Being a company approved and provided system, there is a warranty for the swivel seat as well as the entire car. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is another option. It offers a large, square boot that should also take a folded wheelchair and the ride is very comfortable, especially at low city speeds. If you are looking for a slightly larger car, the Kia Seltos IVT or the Hyundai Creta IVT are worth considering for their bigger boots and more premium feel, but make sure the step in height is comfortable for your son.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta