Hi, I am planning to buy my first car. My budget is under Rs. 8 lakh, and I am looking for a petrol manual. I am considering the i20 Magna, as I am getting it for Rs. 7.25 lakh on-road, including an infotainment system. Would you recommend the i20 Magna, or are there any other cars I should consider in this budget range?

Autocar India

•2d

The Hyundai i20 iVT Sportz is the best fit here. Its smooth automatic gearbox, refined cabin and proven ownership experience make it particularly well-suited to Bangalore's traffic while remaining comfortable on highway trips. It may not be the most powerful car in the segment, but it delivers the most polished overall experience.The Renault Kiger CVT would be the second choice. The CVT is smooth in city driving, the higher seating position is appreciated in urban conditions, and the turbo petrol engine feels more energetic than the naturally aspirated units in the Altroz and i20. While cabin quality and refinement are not quite at Hyundai levels, it offers good value and a more SUV-like experience.The Tata Altroz DCA takes third place. The gearbox is far superior to an AMT, and the car feels solid and planted on the road. However, the naturally aspirated petrol engine lacks the punch of the Kiger Turbo, and the overall ownership experience is not as polished as the Hyundai.

Hyundai i20

Renault Kiger

Tata Altroz

Autocar India

•6h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Swift VXI (O) MT, because of your low monthly running of 500 km and occasional highway trips suit a simple, easy-to-maintain hatchback. The Swift's compact dimensions mean its easy to drive and park in the city and it has a comfy ride quality and a spacious enough cabin for four, making it ideal for highway runs too. The 1.2-litre petrol engine is peppy, refined and fuel efficient too, while the 5-speed manual gearbox is smooth and effortless. It also comes backed by Maruti's widespread service network which will give you a stress-free ownership experience. Do note though, the boot is fairly small to those highway trips will require some planning.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Autocar India

•9h

Of the models on sale today, Rs 20 lakh and 300km are an intersection that very few electric cars meet. Your two strongest options are the MG Windsor Pro and the Tata Curvv EV LR, both of which have their pros and cons.The MG Windsor offers a more spacious and airy interior, with soft and plush rear seats and easy ingress and egress, which should be beneficial for your parents. It's also got a very smooth and refined powertrain, although downsides include a slightly firm suspension and the fact that MG's network isn't quite as wide as other brands.The Tata Curvv's swooping roof and high ground clearance mean getting in and out is not as easy, but once you're in the car, space is ample. Quality is not as good as in the MG, and though silent and strong, the powertrain is not as smooth. It has better ride quality and a longer list of features than the MG, though, while it has a wider service network, it doesn't have the best reputation for its after-sales quality. Test drive both, ideally with your parents, and see which one they prefer to sit in the back of.If you can stretch your budget by 2-3 lakh, two even better options are the Hyundai Creta Electric and Kia Carens Clavis EV. Their range is comfortably more than the Windsor Pro or Curvv EV, and they offer far better ride quality and rear seat comfort. The Kia, being an MPV, also offers easier entry and exit for the elderly.While VW-Skoda will eventually bring out EVs for India, likely in 2027, they will be far above this budget, positioned in the Rs 50 lakh plus range. Honda's EV is due to go on sale later this year and will be a rival to the EVs we have highlighted above. If you don't mind waiting, it could be an interesting proposition, though little is known about its specifications or price at this time.

Tata Curvv EV

MG Windsor

Hyundai Creta Electric

Kia Carens Clavis EV