The Nissan Magnite is a compact SUV, while the Maruti Baleno is a premium hatchback. The Magnite is more spacious and has a bigger boot, but the Baleno is more powerful and fuel-efficient.If you want a car that is more spacious and has a higher seating position, then the Magnite is the better option. However, if you want a car that is more fun to drive and has a more premium feel, then the Maruti Suzuki Baleno is the better option.

If you are not keen on an SUV and want to buy a sedan, we would suggest waiting. All four sedans currently on sale, the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia, are due for updates soon.If you cannot wait and considering you already own a 2012 Verna, the current Verna is a sensible choice. It is a well rounded product with a smooth petrol engine, good space, a comfortable ride and premium interiors. The Hyundai Verna also offers strong value for money, and within your budget, you can get the top SX(O) petrol CVT, which comes loaded with premium features.If you want a sedan that is slightly taller and easier to get in and out of, the Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia make sense. Their higher ground clearance makes them more practical for Indian road conditions, and the higher seating position improves ease of access.However, if you are open to the idea of an SUV and want a safe, proven option, you can consider the Hyundai Creta. It is a strong all rounder with a smooth and refined 1.5 litre petrol engine, comfortable ride quality and a spacious, practical cabin.

Within your budget, the Kia Carens Clavis is a good option. It is easy to drive and offers a comfortable third row. The 1.5-litre turbo petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines are powerful enough for both city and highway use, with decent efficiency.Considering your limited running, the petrol variant makes more sense. While the diesel is more efficient, and your highway usage should not cause DPF issues, your usage does not justify the higher price. Also, the diesel automatic is offered only in a single mid variant, which is not very feature-rich.If you want something more powerful, we would suggest waiting for the soon-to-be-launched Mahindra XUV 7XO. It will offer more effortless performance, but its third row, though usable, will not be as comfortable as the Clavis, and fuel efficiency will also be lower.

The Mahindra Thar Roxx is far more comfortable than the three-door version, but as a family car, the ride is still on the firmer side. Within your budget, if most of your driving is on the road, there are more comfortable options available.Within Mahindra, you could wait for the XUV 7XO, which is expected to launch in January 2025 and is essentially the facelifted XUV700. Despite its size, it will be easy to drive, and the petrol and diesel engines are well-suited for both city and highway use. Given your limited driving, the petrol makes more sense. It will also be more spacious, with a larger boot, and being a 7 seater, it gives you added versatility whenever you need the extra seats. We expect the top AX7 petrol variant to fit within your budget.If you want something smaller and more efficient, you could also consider the new Tata Sierra. Even the top turbo-petrol automatic fits within your budget, and based on our experience, this Tata car delivers good driving pleasure and comfort while offering a class-leading feature list. The smaller 1.5-litre engine, while down on power compared to Mahindra’s 2.0-litre, is still strong enough and should prove to be more economical as well.