While both the electric cars you have shortlisted are capable, they will both be outside of your budget. Besides, given that half your driving - while not excessive - is on the highway, we would recommend sticking with a petrol or diesel car for now.The Tata Harrier and Safari are good cars, and have just been updated with Tata Motors' new 1.5-litre Hyperion turbo petrol engine. With 170hp and 280Nm, it's powerful enough, if not outright strong in feel, and impressively smooth and refined.While the diesel versions are also good options, the new petrol versions will suit your budget better. The Tata Safari and Harrier are spacious and comfortable vehicles with long equipment lists and premium-feeling interiors.

The new Kia Seltos uses the previous car's 1.5-litre turbo direct injection petrol engine and is coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch autobox. The powertrain works well, delivering on performance and refinement.The Tata Harrier petrol uses Tata Motors' newly launched 1.5-litre turbo direct injection engine, which is also refined and delivers a good drive experience.Thus, in this regard, both cars deliver well; however, since you are looking for a car with low maintenance, we would recommend the Kia Seltos as Kia's are known to be generally more reliable and with the Tata engine being brand new, its service record is yet to be ascertained.

There are some interesting electric cars expected to be launched in the next few months, so if you can wait, you will get a wider choice. Cars like Honda's mid-size electric SUV and the Tata Sierra EV will arrive in the later half of 2026.If you cannot wait until then, you could look at the Hyundai Creta Electric, which is a good all-rounder and will do well in the city and on your occasional highway runs too.

Buying a car close to a facelift has both pros and cons. Facelifts usually bring cosmetic updates to the exterior, which means the car you buy may start looking dated sooner. You may also miss out on new technology or equipment introduced with the update. Sometimes, these are minor, but in many cases, they do improve comfort and convenience.That said, facelifts often come with a price hike. A clear advantage of buying just before the update is that you avoid paying more for what is essentially the same car, often with only visual changes. Just before the launch of the newer model, manufacturers and dealers also tend to offer discounts to clear existing stock, and if inventory is available, you can negotiate a good deal.Resale value can take a hit once the facelift arrives, but this is usually offset by the lower purchase price and discounts you receive upfront. In the end, it comes down to your priorities with the Hyundai Verna, whether you value having the latest features and design, or getting better value for money at the time of purchase.