Hey I want to buy a family car which is spacious for atleast 5 peoples and comfortable even for long trips. My budget is around 12-13 lakhs. I want a car which is reliable, low maintenance cost and most importantly safe.

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the Honda Elevate VX MT. Within your ₹15-16 lakh on-road budget, it balances easy city driving and occasional hill trips with dependable performance and simple ownership.Your usage is 60-70% city and 30-40 km daily (roughly 900-1,200 km/month), so a straightforward petrol manual keeps things hassle‑free without turbo/DPF complexity. The Elevate’s upright seating and good visibility reduce fatigue in traffic, and its compact footprint makes tight parking simpler than bigger SUVs. For weekend runs to the hills, the manual’s engine braking and predictable throttle response give steady control on descents and hairpins.The one thing you give up is brisk turbocharged punch. Fast uphill overtakes will need a downshift, and the features list isn’t as flashy as some rivals at this price.If you want an automatic to ease your 60-70% city commute, consider the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi AT instead. It’s smooth in traffic and climbs hills without fuss. However, between the two, the Elevate is a notch up in terms of comfort, fit-finish and refinement.

Honda Elevate

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Autocar India

•1d

For your usage, which is mostly short daily city runs with occasional highway trips, the Tata Nexon Creative Petrol AMT does make a lot of sense. It offers the convenience of an automatic, a comfortable ride and a slightly higher driving position, which helps build confidence for a first-time driver. It also fits well within your ₹13 lakh budget, making it a sensible and practical choice for your needs.However, you should be aware that the AMT gearbox can feel a bit jerky at low speeds in stop-go traffic, which is something you will experience in your daily 6-7 km runs.The Skoda Kylaq is also worth a serious look. In fact, you can get the automatic in the Signature variant at a similar price to the Nexon Creative. While it misses out on a few features, nothing feels like a deal breaker, and it still comes with all the essentials. More importantly, its torque converter automatic is smoother and easier to drive in traffic. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is another strong option, especially for a first-time buyer, as it is very easy to drive, smooth in traffic and known for low running and maintenance costs.So the choice comes down to priorities. If you want to stay strictly within budget and are okay with a slightly less smooth automatic, the Nexon is a good pick. If you want a smoother and more effortless driving experience at a similar price, the Kylaq Signature automatic is a very strong alternative, while the Brezza remains the most fuss-free option overall.

Tata Nexon

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Autocar India

•5h

The XUV 3XO MX3 diesel is a solid choice at Rs 12 lakh. As you pointed out, the handling of the Mahindra XUV 3XO is among the best in its class, and the engine delivers punchy performance along with good fuel efficiency. It has a five-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, so it meets your requirements on that front as well. Mahindra has also done well to make the cabin feel premium, though the layout is starting to show its age. The cabin is comfortable, particularly in the rear seat, but boot space is less than what some rivals offer.If you would like a more modern interior and a bigger boot, then the Hyundai Venue diesel HX5 is a good alternative. It is not as engaging to drive as the Mahindra car, but its diesel engine is very refined, and if you are considering an automatic, it uses a smoother torque-converter unit.Test drive both cars and assess ride comfort, handling and engine responsiveness.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Hyundai Venue