Mumbai

•20h

Dear friends, I do not currently own a car and am not driving one yet, but my dream is to own a Hyundai Creta. Is this car comfortable for a beginner driver, or should I go for a small and portable car instead?

•58m

The Hyundai Creta is a perfectly fine car for a first-time driver. It is not a large SUV by modern standards, and it is actually quite easy to drive thanks to its light controls, good visibility and comfortable seating position. The automatic versions are easier to live with in city traffic. The only thing to keep in mind is that the Creta is a midsize SUV, so parking in tight spaces will require a bit more attention than a hatchback, but with all the parking aids, it will not be very intimidating once you get used to the dimensions.

If your dream is to own this Hyundai car, there is no reason to compromise on a smaller car just because you are a beginner. The key is to take a proper driving course, spend time getting comfortable with the car and start with quieter roads before tackling busy city traffic. The Creta is a well-rounded, comfortable and easy-to-drive SUV that will serve you well for many years.

You could also consider waiting for the new-gen Creta expected in the first quarter of 2027.

Explore cars mentioned

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.88 Lakh

•10m

@autocar.india thank You very much sir, for this valuable suggestion. It's very encouraging to beginners like me to buy the dream cars which they are thinking, yes I will have to take proper driving course before go to busy roads. Thanks a lot once again Autocar India🙏

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More questions on similar cars

•2d

Hello Team, could you please help me select a family car for two adults and two kids in the Rs. 15-20 lakh price range? I am new to the Indian car market and will be relocating from abroad. My current location is Bangalore and I only know how to drive an automatic transmission (AT) car and would prefer one. Please advise.

•1d

For a family of two adults and two kids in Bangalore with Rs. 15-20 lakh budget and preference for automatic, the Kia Seltos IVT is the most sensible recommendation. The IVT automatic is smooth and easy to drive in Bangalore traffic, the car is spacious enough for a family of four, and Kia’s service network is strong in the city. The Seltos also feels premium inside and offers a good balance of comfort and features without being overwhelming.If you want something slightly more affordable with a similar driving experience, the Hyundai Creta IVT is a very close alternative. It shares the same engine and gearbox, but the Kia car feels a bit more premium and spacious. If you want to maximise value, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic is worth considering as well. It is a very well-equipped car with a strong safety package, but it is smaller than the Seltos and Creta.Overall, the Seltos IVT strikes the best balance for your needs. It is easy to drive, comfortable for a family, and well-supported in Bangalore.

I am looking to buy a mid-size SUV with a diesel automatic powertrain and a budget of up to Rs. 20 lakh. I am currently confused between the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos. Could you suggest the best variants, along with any other good options available in the market? I have also heard that the Creta facelift is expected in late 2026 or early 2027. Should I buy the current Creta, or go for the Seltos, which was launched 5-6 months ago? I currently own a 2017 Hyundai Creta Diesel Automatic and am looking for a worthwhile upgrade.

•1d

If you want a new car immediately, go for the Kia Seltos diesel automatic. Since you already own a 2017 Creta diesel automatic, the Seltos will feel like a proper upgrade with a more premium cabin, better feature set and a fresher overall package. The Seltos and Creta share the same 1.5 diesel engine and 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, so the driving experience will be familiar, but the Seltos feels more upmarket and better finished inside.The Hyundai Creta is still a very good car, but with a new generation expected early 2027, it is not the best time to buy one. The Seltos was updated just a few months ago, so you are getting a much newer product. Of course, if you can wait, the new Creta will feature everything that the Seltos offers, and compared to the outgoing version, it'll feel far more modern.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

•21h

Hi Autocar, I am looking at the XUV 7XO base diesel variant. I do not want heavy features like a sunroof, ventilated seats, etc., as they are a waste of money in my opinion. Please suggest whether it is a good choice or if there are any alternatives in the Rs 18-20 lakh on-road budget. Also suggest whether I should go for petrol or diesel, and whether any other 7-seater options are available in this budget.

•28m

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel base variant. It is one of the best value-for-money 7-seaters in your budget range, and the base variant is actually a smart choice because it offers the strong fundamentals of the car without paying extra for features you do not want. The diesel engine is the right choice here; it is a strong, refined unit with plenty of torque, and it makes the most sense for a large 7-seater SUV, especially if you do a mix of city and highway driving. The petrol is a good engine too, but it won't be as efficient as the diesel.If you are open to alternatives, the Kia Carens Clavis is worth a look. It is a more practical, family-focused 7-seater with a genuinely usable third row, but it does not have the same SUV appeal or road presence as the XUV 7XO.Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel base is the best fit for your requirements. It gives you a strong engine, a genuinely spacious 7-seater layout and good value for money without paying for features you do not want.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Carens Clavis

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Popular discussions right now

•5d

I am looking to upgrade from my Hyundai Creta to a 7-seater SUV. My annual running is only around 6,000 km, and my budget is up to Rs. 25 lakh. Is the Hyundai Alcazar a good option for my usage? I have also considered the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari, but I am concerned about their relatively low fuel efficiency. Which 7-seater SUV would you recommend?

•4d

With a yearly running of just 6,000km, petrol is the sensible choice, and the Hyundai Alcazar is a good option. It is a comfortable, easy-to-drive family SUV with a hassle-free ownership experience, and the 1.5 turbo petrol engine paired with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is powerful enough and relatively efficient too. Plus, since you're coming from a Creta, you'll be familiar with the Hyundai network and could even ask for a loyalty discount. However, the Alcazar’s third row is not as spacious as some larger cars in the segment, so if you genuinely need a proper 7-seater, it may not be the ideal solution. What's more, if your Creta is the 2020 or newer model, you'll find the Alcazar perhaps a little too familiar on the inside.The Mahindra XUV 7XO, Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus are good options that offer more space. However, as you have noted, they're not fuel efficient at all, and moreover, in your budget, you will only get a low to mid-spec variant, whereas you will get a fully-loaded Alcazar. Another option to consider, though not an SUV, is the Kia Carens Clavis. Its MPV shape is more space-efficient, and you actually get more passenger and luggage room than the Alcazar, with the same efficient engines, for around the same price.

Hi, I am a teacher and a first-time female driver with a budget of Rs. 11.5 lakh. I am looking for an automatic car that I plan to keep for the next 15 years, but I am confused about whether to buy a petrol AMT, CNG AMT, or an EV due to the uncertainty surrounding ethanol blending. My daily commute is 46 km, of which 22 km is on the highway, 18 km is on normal roads, and 6 km is on bumpy village roads in poor condition. Please recommend the most suitable fuel type that will keep my overall cost of ownership low.

•5d

We'd recommend a petrol automatic. With a daily running of around 46km and an ownership period of 15 years, it offers the best balance of low ownership costs, reliability and ease of use for a first-time driver.We wouldn't let E20 fuel influence your decision. Modern E20-compliant petrol cars are designed to run on it, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20. It isn't a reason to avoid buying a petrol car today. A CNG automatic will certainly reduce your fuel bills, but the higher purchase price, reduced boot space and limited automatic options make CNG car less attractive unless fuel savings are your overriding priority. An electric car will have the lowest running costs, but at your budget, you'll have to compromise on size or features, and recovering the higher upfront cost will take time.Given your budget and usage, we'd look at the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift automatic which will launch soon if you can stretch slightly, or the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta+ AGS if you want to stay within budget. Both are easy to drive, have good ground clearance for the 6km of rough village roads and come backed by Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network. If you prefer a smoother automatic, the Hyundai Exter SX AMT is also worth considering.

Hi, my brother and I are planning to buy a new family car. Our budget is RS. 10 lakh, and our maximum monthly running will be around 500 km. Our priorities are a reliable engine, good performance, and fuel efficiency. Please suggest the best all-rounder car within our budget.

•2d

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is the most sensible recommendation here. It is spacious enough for family use, has a proven and reliable engine, and is one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment. Maruti’s service network and low maintenance costs also make it a very easy car to own over the long term.If you prefer a sedan, the Honda Amaze is worth considering. Honda’s engines are known for their reliability and refinement, and the Amaze is a comfortable and well-built sedan.Overall, the Baleno is the most balanced choice. It offers the best combination of space, efficiency, reliability and low running costs, which is exactly what you need given your usage and budget.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Honda Amaze

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