Mumbai

•36w

I want to buy an automatic car under ₹10 lakh. My body-type choices are Hatchback or SUV. I’ve shortlisted the Tata Punch, Citroen C3X, and Maruti Baleno. I drive mostly in the city, with occasional weekend highway trips. I’m also open to other options. Kindly advise.

•36w

Most of the automatic cars under Rs 10 lakh feature an AMT gearbox, which is cost-effective, but not the best when it comes to smoothness. However, the Citroen C3X with the turbo-engine option is a considerable hatchback that features a torque-converter automatic that is a lot better. The turbo-petrol engine of this Citroen car is excellent when it comes to power delivery and punchy performance, and the ride quality is very good too.

Where it loses some points is in Citroen's dealer network, which isn't as widespread as other brands. This small drawback aside, the C3X is a very good option that gets good ground clearance, compact dimensions and good drivability.

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More posts on similar cars

•14h

I am currently confused between the Hyundai Creta King Diesel AT and the new Kia Seltos Diesel AT. After discounts, the Creta King Diesel AT costs around Rs. 21.6 lakh, while a similarly specced Seltos Diesel AT is around Rs. 25 lakh. I may also be able to negotiate a further discount on the Creta, whereas Kia is not offering any discount as the Seltos has been newly launched. The Seltos is based on the K3 platform and has a 5-star safety rating, while I am not clear about where the current Creta stands from a global safety perspective. I have also heard that a new Creta based on the same K3 platform as the Seltos could arrive within the next 12 months. I am unsure how that might affect its pricing, features, and discounts. Considering the Rs. 3.4 lakh price difference, safety, long-term ownership, resale value, and the possibility of a new Creta arriving soon, which one would make more sense? I am confused about whether I should take the heavily discounted Creta now or spend more on the newer Seltos.

•3h

Go for the Hyundai Creta Diesel AT at Rs 21.6 lakh - and potentially less after further discounts. The Kia Seltos Diesel AT at Rs 25 lakh is simply too much more expensive for what is essentially a very similar car underneath. Both cars use the same diesel engine and the same 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The new-gen Seltos does have a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, while the outgoing-gen Creta has not been tested by BNCAP yet, but is not an unsafe car by any means. Hyundai has a strong global safety record, and the Creta is a well-engineered product. The next-gen Creta, built on the same K3 platform as the Seltos, is at least a year away from going on sale, and will see a similar - if not greater - price jump as seen on the Seltos. Similarly, these discounts you're getting on the current model will disappear, and frankly the benefits you're getting today are too good to ignore. If you simply must have the latest tech and a bit more space, get the Seltos, but the Creta with the same features at a far discounted price gives you far more bang for your buck.

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•1d

Hello all, I am looking to buy a new car with Rs. 10-12 lakh budget. I am confused between i20 IVT hatchback and mini SUV like the Kia Sonet DCA or Tata Nexon AMT. Most of my driving is 3000 to 4000km per month on the highway. I am in Bangalore.

•9h

Given your high running of 3,000-4,000km a month on the highway, the priority should be a car that is comfortable, stable at speed and easy to live with over long distances. The Hyundai i20 IVT is a good hatchback, but at that kind of running, a compact SUV makes more sense because of the higher seating position, better ground clearance and generally more comfortable ride over broken patches. Between the Kia Sonet DCT and Tata Nexon AMT, the Sonet DCT is the better fit for your usage. The DCT is a proper automatic gearbox, which is smoother and quicker to respond than an AMT, especially on highways where quick gear changes matter during overtakes. The Sonet also feels more refined, more premium and better put together overall. The Nexon is a solid car, but the AMT gearbox is not as smooth or as enjoyable on long highway runs. The only caveat with the Sonet DCT is that dual-clutch gearboxes can get a bit jerky in heavy stop-start traffic, but on highways, they are in their element. Overall, the Sonet DCT is the best fit for your usage and budget.

Hey, We are planning to buy a sub-4-metre SUV, and our main requirement is good suspension for Bengaluru’s pothole-filled roads, especially as my wife is pregnant. We have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Mahindra XUV 3XO, and Tata Nexon. Which one would you recommend for our requirements? I was also considering a larger SUV like the Honda Elevate, but a well-equipped variant costs around Rs. 18 lakh on-road, which is beyond my budget. Could you suggest some good options in both categories? I can stretch my budget up to around Rs. 15 lakh on-road if required.

•2h

Given your priorities, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is the best fit. It has the most comfortable ride in the segment, with a suspension that deals with broken roads and potholes better than the Brezza or Nexon. The wide rear seat and good cabin space will also make a difference for your wife and family. The Brezza is the more reliable long-term ownership proposition, but its ride is not as plush as the 3XO. The Nexon is a good all-rounder, but the 3XO has the edge on ride comfort and rear seat space.On the Honda Elevate, it is a solid, reliable SUV with a comfortable ride, but at Rs 18 lakh on-road for the well-equipped variants, it is not worth stretching your budget for. The 3XO gives you a better ride and more features for less money.Overall, the 3XO is the best balance of ride comfort, space and value for your requirements. Go for the petrol automatic variant for the smoothest city driving experience.

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

I want to buy my first car, and I have a strict budget of Rs 10 lakh. I will not use the car on a daily basis; I will drive it occasionally, and I live in Kolkata.

•5d

For a car under 10 lakh budget and occasional use, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno makes sense. It is a genuinely spacious hatchback with a comfortable ride. It's easy to drive in the city and has a proven ownership record. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and reliable, and Maruti’s service network in Kolkata is excellent, which keeps long-term running costs low.For occasional use, you want a car that is easy to live with, dependable and does not demand much attention, and the Baleno fits that brief perfectly. It also offers a good balance of features and practicality within your budget.If you prefer a slightly higher seating position, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is worth considering.

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•6d

I am planning to buy the Tata Harrier Adventure X Plus Dark Petrol Manual, and I booked it two months ago. However, I am not sure whether I will receive the car within the promised timeline. Should I continue waiting, or should I start looking at other available options? Also, could you tell me the expected waiting period for the above-mentioned Harrier variant? My annual running is roughly 6,000 km, and the Harrier's size and space suit my requirements well.

•6d

With a running of just 6,000 km a year, a petrol engine is the right choice, and the Harrier petrol is a good fit if you like the size and space. The bigger question is the waiting period. Tata’s official waiting periods can vary by city and dealer, but for the Harrier petrol, it is not unusual to see waits of 2-3 months depending on demand and allocation. If your dealer is already saying it may not arrive on time, it is worth checking with other Tata dealers in your city to see if they have a shorter queue or a cancelled booking in the same variant.If you are happy with the Harrier’s space and comfort, it is worth waiting a few more weeks rather than switching to a different car. The only reason to change would be if you need the car urgently. In that case, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol is the closest alternative.

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•1w

Hello, I'm planning to buy a scooter. Can you suggest the best petrol and electric scooter options with a stylish design, high mileage, and excellent suspension? Also, where should I buy it? I live in a district in Telangana. Should I buy it from Hyderabad or from my local area to get a better price?

•2d

In the petrol scooter space, the frontrunners are Honda Activa 110/125, TVS Jupiter 110/125 and Suzuki Access 125. All three are proven, comfortable, fuel-efficient and very practical, so whichever one you choose, you can't realistically go wrong. In the Electric scooter space, our top recommendations are TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Vida VX2 and Ather Rizta models. Again, these are proven and reliable machines from top-tier brands with good service reach across India, so pick the variant that suits your needs best. It would be prudent to wait a couple of months for the upcoming EL platform-based family electric scooter, which will give you the slick experience Ather scooters are known for but at a more digestible price. If you have secure charging at home, then an EV will help you save on your running costs greatly compared to an ICE scooter. Depending on your preference of powertrain, we'd recommend a test ride of the options recommended before you go ahead with your purchase to see which one suits your needs best.

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Posted on: 26 Nov 2025