•1d

I am getting the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta Petrol for Rs. 8.5 lakh on-road in Kolkata. Considering that my usage will be mostly city driving, with occasional long trips of 500-700 km one way, would it be a good option? Also, I am getting 15 years of road tax and 3 years of comprehensive insurance included in the same price.

•6m

Yes, at Rs. 8.5 lakh on-road with 15-year tax and 3-year cover, the Baleno Zeta petrol is a good buy for mostly city use with the odd 500-700 km trip. In traffic it is easy to drive, light to steer and very efficient, so your running costs stay low. On highways, it will sit at 90-110 kph calmly, the cabin is roomy, and the ride is comfortable enough to keep you fresh after long stints.

For those long one-side runs, plan overtakes rather than rush them; with a full load and AC, the 1.2 petrol needs a downshift to get going. If the car you’re getting is older stock, that’s not a deal-breaker, but check the VIN for month-year, and make sure the tyres and battery are fresh.

At this price with the tax and insurance bundled, it’s strong value.

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More questions on similar cars

•4d

Which tallboy diesel car without a DPF should I buy? I am 74 inches tall.

•2d

At a Rs 5 lakh budget, you'll have to look at the used car market, and we'd recommend a BS4 Maruti Suzuki Baleno Diesel.While it isn't a true tallboy, it offers ample headroom and a comfortable driving position, making it suitable for someone who is 6ft 2in (74 inches). More importantly, it uses the proven 1.3-litre DDiS diesel engine, which in its BS4 form does not have a DPF. It is also one of the most fuel-efficient and low-maintenance diesel hatchbacks available in the used market.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

•6d

I (a 39-year-old man) am planning to buy a new car for the first time. I don’t know how to drive yet. I work 12 hours a day and won’t need the car for commuting to the office. I will drive an average of 200km per month. Also, I may plan 400 km-long trips every 2-3 months after learning to drive. I want good mileage as well. My budget is Rs 15 lakh on-road, with approximately Rs 5 lakh as a down payment. Should I buy a diesel, petrol, CNG, or EV? Should I opt for a naturally aspirated engine or a turbo one? I plan to keep the car for around 8-10 years. I am looking for recommendations for May 2026. Should I buy a compact SUV, hatchback, or sedan?

•2d

Buy a simple petrol automatic hatchback or compact sedan with a naturally aspirated engine. It suits your 200 km a month, occasional 400 km trips, and makes learning easy. Diesel won’t pay back for your usage and can hate short runs. CNG saves only with high km and is a pain on highway trips with long queues and a small boot. Budget electric cars under Rs. 15 lakh can work only if you have home charging and don’t mind planning stops on those 400 km runs.Stick to a naturally aspirated petrol. It’s smoother at low speeds, simpler for 8-10 year ownership, and real-world mileage is steadier than small turbos that tempt you to drive harder and are sensitive to driving style. Get the automatic to reduce stress; you’ll drive more often because it’s easy.Models that fit your plan and budget now and should still be around in 2027 (if that is what you mean): Maruti Suzuki Baleno or Toyota Glanza automatic for top mileage and easy city manners, Honda Amaze automatic if you want a comfy sedan with a big boot for trips, or Tata Punch automatic if you like a higher seat and extra ground clearance. You’ll give up a little mileage with an automatic, but the ease is worth it.

I need a car for my wife with a yearly driving of less than 12000-14000 kms, confused between EV, petrol, and diesel. She doesn’t like Windsor EV. Please help

•3h

With 12-14k km a year, skip diesel and go for a petrol automatic or a strong-hybrid, and consider an EV only if you have home charging. At this running, the extra cost of diesel won't pay back if you keep the car for a couple of years only, and short city trips can be annoying for modern diesel filters. A good petrol will be simpler and smoother to live with, while a strong hybrid gives big savings in traffic without charging hassles.If she wants easy city use with very low running costs, and you can install a charger, look at the Tata Punch EV for compact convenience or the Tata Nexon EV for more space. If charging is a headache, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid or the Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid are the sweet spot for city-heavy driving, with quiet starts and excellent mileage. If you just want simple and affordable, a petrol automatic, the Maruti Fronx works well for mixed city-highway use.

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Tata Nexon EV

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

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Popular discussions right now

•5d

My annual running is below 7,000 km, and I plan to keep my next car for 12-15 years. I am confused between Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Elevate, Creta, Seltos and Victoris. My priorities are reliability, a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, family comfort, low maintenance and long-term ownership. I am also concerned about India's future ethanol-blending policy (E20 and higher blends). Which of these would be the best long-term choice and why?

•4d

With an annual running of less than 7,000km, fuel efficiency should not be the deciding factor. Instead, you should focus on comfort, reliability, ownership experience and how well the car will age over the next 12-15 years. That's why we wouldn't prioritise the Grand Vitara, Hyryder or Victoris Hybrid. Their hybrid systems command a price premium that you'll struggle to recover with such low annual usage.Between the remaining options, the Kia Seltos strikes the best balance. It offers a refined and proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a spacious and premium cabin, excellent comfort and a strong ownership experience. It also feels newer and more upmarket than the Elevate, while the Creta is due for a generational update sooner.The Honda Elevate deserves a mention for its simplicity and reliability. If absolute mechanical simplicity is your priority, it is arguably the safest long-term bet. However, it doesn't feel as premium as the Seltos. The engine and CVT combination isn't quite as refined, and Honda's dealer network is smaller.As for ethanol blending, we wouldn't let it influence your purchase decision. While there is plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and E30 fuels, there is currently no confirmed roadmap for such a transition. More importantly, all of these cars are E20-compliant, and manufacturers have engineered a degree of tolerance beyond that. The most likely effect of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.

Kia Seltos

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•5d

Dear Autocar experts, I have tentatively decided to buy the Mahindra XUV 7X0 petrol AX7L AT as my next ride. To be frank, it is out of a lack of choice and options that I have made this decision in my head. In terms of capability, it is a downgrade, as I'm moving on from my beautiful Ford Endeavour 3.2 Titanium AT. Of course, it has a long list of bells and whistles that will be all new (and strange) to me. Being based in Delhi NCR, I am reluctant to go for a diesel again at this time. My driving in the city is quite minimal, say about 15kms max per day on average, but always in the clutches of peak Delhi traffic. I am terrified of BSVI diesel DPF horror stories. I am hoping that the 7X0 will be able to negotiate hills, mountain terrains and roads satisfactorily, as I make these trips quite frequently. I plan to keep this car for the next 4-5 years till India sorts out its fuel preferences and diktats, and fresh options are introduced that combine clean energy and performance along with the infrastructure to support them. Is my thought process sound? If not, please poke as many holes in it as you can.

•3d

Your plan seems sound for Delhi-NCR, because petrol dodges the 10-year diesel cap and DPF hassles, and your 15 km daily crawl will not punish petrol the way it would a BS6 diesel. The XUV 7XO petrol AT has strong performance and will certainly keep you satisfied while negotiating hill climbs. Sure, coming from an Endeavour 3.2, this will feel like a step down in terms of road presence and off-road ability. However, despite being a front-wheel drive monocoque, it still exudes an underlying toughness, which gives you ample confidence while dealing with rough terrain. Additionally, the tech and safety are up-to-date, and the three-row flexibility will come in handy, too, although boot space with all three rows in place is low. On the flipside, this petrol-AT is thirsty, so expect single-digit city fuel economy figures.If you aren't in a hurry, consider waiting for the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV that JSW is expected to launch in the latter half of this year. Sure, it'll be more expensive than the Mahindra, and it might not have the off-road capability of your outgoing Endeavour, but since you aren't fully convinced of the Mahindra, this could be worthy of your consideration.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

JSW Motors Jetour T2

•1w

My current vehicle is a Maruti Suzuki Baleno. I am a first-time SUV buyer, and my budget is Rs. 20 lakh. I am looking for a petrol automatic SUV. My usage is primarily within the city, with daily driving of around 70 km, and I do not take long-distance trips very frequently. I would also like an SUV that offers a good driving experience, plenty of features, strong safety, good stability in both city and highway conditions, reliability, and a proven track record. Considering my requirements, which petrol automatic SUV would you recommend?

•5d

Go for the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol automatic, because it balances daily city ease with real highway stability and has a strong safety rating. For 70 km of mostly city use, its smooth IVT and light controls make it stress free, yet it does not feel floaty at speed. The latest Seltos has 5-star crash safety, six airbags on the right trim, and the braking and body control inspire confidence, which matters on highway runs. It also packs the useful stuff you will actually use every day - good cameras and sensors, a crisp screen, wireless charging, ventilated seats on higher trims - and Kia’s network and reliability record are solid now, so ownership is simple.Expect around 11-12 kpl in typical city traffic if you drive calmly, which is fair for the size. The ride is a touch firm at low speed, so sharp bumps are felt more than in a Creta, but it pays you back with better control when you go faster. Coming from a Baleno, the Seltos isn’t intimidating to park or thread through traffic, yet feels like a proper upgrade.

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