I wanted to buy an automatic SUV within my budget of 17 lakhs. I consulted Autocar, and they suggested the Kia Seltos to me. After test-driving it 4 times, I booked the Seltos HTK IVT and finally took delivery of the car on 13th May. To be honest, the car is very comfortable and good. I have been driving it in all possible ways, and it has not disappointed me at all. The mileage is also decent. I have no problem overtaking, neither on the highway. The more I drive this car, the more I love it.

Autocar India

•4h

Before committing to an EV, it is advisable to speak to electric car owners in the complex to know about the ease of charging. Public chargers in easy access are a plus, but the ideal and often most reliable solution is a charger in your own parking. Many housing complexes do not allow this, making it all the more important to research public charging options in the vicinity. In general, Bengaluru does have a wide network of chargers, so a weekly plug-in shouldn't be a hassle. Further, major highways south and west of the city have regular fast chargers, so planned roadtrips are very workable.Of the cars, the Hyundai Creta Electric is a sensible buy for your usage. It's a good size for Bangalore's traffic yet offers comfortable seating for five passengers. It won't match your Tesla's wow factor, but the Creta does pack in all the features that you would need and use over your short commutes. You can buy the 51.4kWh battery pack version, which offers ample range for your city drives. If you'd prefer a larger vehicle with more interior space, options include the Mahindra XEV 9S (the 70kWh battery pack is a good pick but just out of your budget) and the Tata Harrier EV with the 65kWh battery pack.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV

Autocar India

•6h

Since you are not in a rush to replace your Maruti Suzuki Dzire, it's worth your while to wait for the updated Volkswagen Virtus. The model will get styling tweaks, a few more features, as well as the new 8-speed auto gearbox, which makes the car better suited to low-speed city driving. However, the bigger upgrade comes in terms of the new air conditioner, which addresses one of the big weaknesses of the current Virtus. Do note that new launches are usually accompanied by a price hike, so the deal might not be as sweet as the one you are getting now. If AC performance and gearbox characteristics aren't deal breakers for you, there is merit in opting for the current Virtus Topline for a discount. You’ll feel a big step up from your 11‑year Dzire in cabin quality, safety feel and features right away, without paying the higher launch price a facelift will bring.One thing to keep in mind. VW service costs can be higher than Maruti, though your low running will keep bills spaced out.

Volkswagen Virtus

Autocar India

•8h

Your use is mostly city driving with one long trip a month, so switching to the Tata Punch EV 40kWh as your only car makes sense. In daily traffic, it feels smooth, quiet and easy to drive, while the instant response makes gaps in traffic easy to manage. On the highway, it feels stable and cruises comfortably. Expect a real-world highway range of around 220-230km, which means you will likely need just one fast-charging stop depending on your speed and load. If your route has enough fast chargers and you can charge overnight at your destination, this should not be an issue, and overall, it is a better solution than keeping your Renault Duster and buying a smaller city car.Two things to note versus your Duster: the Punch EV’s cabin and boot are smaller, and range can drop sharply if you are travelling fully loaded with luggage on longer trips.If that does not suit your usage, then keep the Duster for the monthly highway run and get a Tata Tiago EV for city use only. Do remember that even if the Duster is used only once a month, it will still need regular upkeep. Choose this option only if the running costs and parking needs of owning two cars are not a concern.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Tiago EV