Hi, I used to drive a Tata Indigo Manza for around 15 years and then disposed of it. I am retired and looking for a low-budget car, with an average usage of 200-300 km per month. I am interested in a solar EV, but there are not many options available. Please suggest.

autocar.india

•1d

The MG Comet is a genuinely well-packaged city EV - its compact size, tight turning circle and ease of parking make it ideal for urban use, and it is one of the few cars that truly embraces the city-car brief. MG’s battery management system is well-calibrated for Indian conditions, and the brand has not faced any widespread battery health or calibration issues in the market. There is no clear “best” or “worst” brand in battery optimisation – most mainstream manufacturers now have robust BMS systems, and the differences are marginal in real-world ownership. The bigger factors are usage patterns, charging discipline and thermal management, all of which the Comet should handle well. Given your low annual running and city-focused brief, the Comet is a sensible and well-timed purchase.VinFast has still not officially confirmed the VF3 for India, which is a micro electric SUV very popular in its home market, Vietnam. Besides that, there is nothing scheduled to be launched that is as convenient and compact as the Comet.

MG Comet

autocar.india

•3d

Given your father's usage and budget, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno is the most sensible upgrade. It is a significant step up from the Wagon R in terms of comfort, refinement and overall driving experience, while still being easy to drive and inexpensive to maintain. The Baleno's spacious cabin, smooth petrol engine and light controls make it ideal for city driving, and Maruti's service network ensures a hassle-free ownership experience.If you want to move to an SUV, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is the better option. It offers a higher seating position, better ground clearance and a more premium feel, while still being compact and easy to drive in the city. The Fronx shares the same reliable petrol engine and benefits from Maruti's strong service network.Between the two, the Baleno is the more practical and value-for-money choice, while the Fronx offers a more SUV-like experience. Both are excellent upgrades from the Wagon R and will serve your father well for years to come.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

autocar.india

•3h

The bigger uncertainty is whether the 2027 Creta will retain the diesel at all. Current reports suggest Hyundai is developing the next-generation Creta with the existing 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre diesel, while also working on a strong-hybrid version. However, the final powertrain lineup and variant structure have not been confirmed.So, if the hybrid is prioritized by Hyundai, the diesel could potentially be dropped or restricted to fewer variants. That makes trying to predict the price of a new-gen Creta diesel MT versus today's top diesel MT somewhat speculative.The current top-spec Creta diesel MT is around Rs 18.94 lakh ex-showroom. The new generation will move to the K3 platform, grow in size and get more equipment, so some price increase is likely, but there is no reliable number yet.

Hyundai Creta