I would like to buy automatic petrol car with 10 lakh budget. Should be economical, comfortable,easy to maintain. I mostly drive on sundays around 20-40 km. Please suggest a car for my needs. Will be disposing my maruti Dzire.

Autocar India

•2d

Consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.0 turbo-petrol automatic in Zeta trim. In Hyderabad traffic, it is easy to drive, the steering is light, the automatic keeps stop-and-go stress low, and you get hill-hold and a clear rear camera that makes ramps and tight parking simple. It is a turbo-petrol and returns good mileage for daily use – expect roughly 10-11kpl in the city and 16kpl on the highway. The 308-litre boot takes airport bags and weekly shopping without fuss, and the cabin is well built and comfortable. Ground clearance is higher than that of a hatchback, so speed breakers and broken patches are less of a worry.Your budget should cover the Zeta automatic in Hyderabad, but if it feels like a stretch, the Fronx is also available with a naturally aspirated 1.2-litre engine and an AMT. This combo won’t have the highway performance of the turbo-petrol and the AMT shifts with a slight pause between gears, so it won’t be as seamless as the turbo's torque-converter automatic. However, it will deliver higher mileage, in the region of 13-14kpl in the city and 18kpl-plus on the highway.For a first-time buyer, Maruti’s reliability and stellar service network make the most sense. However, if you want an alternative, the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX3 turbo-petrol automatic is also a good choice. It has a more SUV-like presence, and the cabin feels more premium, but the boot is a bit smaller, and efficiency won’t be as good as the Fronx’s.Overall, the Fronx fits your needs best.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•2d

For a first-time buyer looking for an automatic in your budget, we would actually pick the Maruti Fronx AMT from your shortlist. It gives you the raised seating position and SUV-like feel that many first-time buyers appreciate, while still being easy to drive, fuel-efficient and inexpensive to maintain. It also feels a bit more special than the Baleno and Glanza.The Baleno AMT and Toyota Glanza AMT are mechanically identical, and if rear seat comfort, ride quality and value for money are your priorities, they remain excellent choices. Between the two, we would lean towards the Glanza because Toyota's warranty packages and ownership experience can be an advantage.The Toyota Taisor is essentially a Fronx underneath, so the choice between the two often comes down to styling preference, dealership experience and the offers available in your city.One car not on your list that is definitely worth considering is the Honda Amaze CVT. The CVT gearbox is smoother than the AMTs in the Maruti and Toyota models. The car is comfortable, reliable and easy to own long term. If you do not specifically need the SUV stance, it is arguably the most refined automatic you can buy around this budget.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Toyota Glanza

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

Honda Amaze

Autocar India

•7h

Opting for an EV seems like a better bet, as that safeguards you from the uncertainties around higher ethanol-blended fuel in the future. With an Rs 11 lakh budget, you can pick the Tata Punch EV. It is an excellent, well-rounded option. However, go for an EV only if you can arrange for home charging. Relying solely on public charging for an EV isn't ideal.If you can't account for home charging, you could consider a Hyundai i20 IVT instead. It is a smooth, refined, and spacious car.

Tata Punch EV

Hyundai i20