Hi sir, I’ve owned a Honda Amaze for the past 12 years, and now I’m looking to upgrade to a more powerful and comfortable car, with a budget of ₹30 lakh. My driving pattern is about 600 km per month in the city, mostly bumper‑to‑bumper traffic and long trips of 1,000-1,500 km every three months (which may increase in the future). Should I split my purchase into getting two cars or go for one? For example, I’m considering an EV with battery‑as‑a‑service (like the Punch EV priced around ₹6.5 lakh) for city use, and then a mid‑luxury SUV such as the Tata Safari or Mahindra XUV for highway trips. A 5+2 seating configuration could be a preferred option for long drives. Or should I stick to one car that can handle both city driving and outstation trips? I’m also looking to keep the car for at least 10 years. Which drivetrain would be most suitable for my needs?

Autocar India

•3h

For your daily 120 km highway run requirements, with priorities of automatic transmission, low running costs, and safety, the Tata Punch EV Long Range is a strong and sensible choice. It offers the ease of an automatic, very low running costs with home charging, and a solid safety package, which aligns well with your needs. The Long Range version can comfortably handle your daily commute on a single charge, making it practical for everyday use.On the highway, the Punch EV feels stable and composed at typical cruising speeds, so it won’t feel out of its depth for your kind of usage. However, being a smaller car, it will not feel as effortless or as relaxed as a larger vehicle over long distances, especially when it comes to space and overall comfort.So yes, it is a good fit if your focus is on economy, ease of driving and safety. However, if you prefer a more relaxed and spacious experience for daily long highway runs, you may also consider upgrading to something like the Tata Nexon EV Long Range.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Nexon EV

Autocar India

•2d

Since you're open to electric cars, consider the top-spec Tata Punch EV Empowered+ S 40. Thanks to its compact dimensions, elevated seating, good visibility and light steering, it will be very easy to drive in the city. Additionally, its powertrain is far smoother, seamless and more refined than any ICE vehicle. Also, the Punch EV is equipped with all the safety kit, and it has also been awarded 5 stars by Bharat NCAP for its crash safety.If you want ICE options, you can test drive the Hyundai Venue 1.0 turbo-petrol DCT and Skoda Kylaq 1.0 turbo-petrol AT.

Tata Punch EV

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•2d

Choose the Tata Punch EV Empowered 40. For elderly parents’ city use and occasional highway trips, it combines easy ingress, a comfortable ride and a decent real-world range.Since most drives are in the city, the 40kWh battery should deliver around 280-300km of range, which means charging once a week is feasible. Highway use will see this drop, but a 200–250km run on a single charge is still achievable. The tall seating position and wide-opening doors make ingress and egress easier for elderly occupants, while the compact footprint and good visibility make it easy to drive and park. Ride quality is also superb, and high-speed stability is reassuring.The one trade-off is rear seat space for three passengers. It is possible to sit three abreast, but the narrow width means it can feel a bit cramped. For slightly more range and a more spacious rear seat, consider the Tata Nexon EV Empowered 45.On the test drive, have your parents check ease of entry, seat height, brake feel and the regen modes. Plus, take note of battery consumption based on their driving style.

Tata Nexon EV

Tata Punch EV