Hi, I need a suggestion for choosing the best car. My monthly running would be 2,000-3,000 km. I am looking for a diesel SUV with a budget of around Rs 10-12 lakh. I am confused because there are many options available. I need a reliable car with low maintenance and good after-sales service. Thank you.

The Hyundai Venue HX8 is a good option for you. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is peppy, and the DCT gearbox is smooth, despite some hesitation at low speeds. The Venue HX8 is also reasonably spacious and comes with a good set of features. You can safely go ahead with your decision.

The Toyota Innova HyCross is a good option for you. It is spacious, comfortable, and its strong hybrid powertrain will deliver an efficiency of around 13kpl in the city and 16kpl on the highway. Also, as a 7-seater, it is more comfortable, with ample space for adults in all three rows. Its ride quality is impressive in the city, and out on the highway too.The Mahindra XEV 9S is much better equipped in comparison, and on account of its pricing, it is a better value for money. But while the XEV 9S is comfortable in the city, its ride feels a bit bouncy on the highway, and space in the third row is much tighter than the Hycross. Hence, as a 7-seater, the Toyota car is the one to go for.

The Tata Punch EV is a good pick for your requirements. It's an easy-to-drive electric car whose relatively small size comes in handy in city confines. You could get a top-spec Punch EV within your budget with all the bells and whistles, like a 10.25-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera, sunroof and leatherette seats. If you'd prefer something larger, more powerful and with more range, there's the Tata Nexon EV, the Creative 45 variant to consider. It's down on features to a fully-loaded Punch EV, though.

Among the CNG options under Rs 8 lakh, the Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch are worth a look. The Hyundai Exter CNG offers better performance than the Punch CNG, making it more suitable for highway usage. Do note, neither car feels absolutely effortless on the highway, and the lack of power is noticeable when you need to overtake. The Punch packs in a few more features in Smart CNG trim versus an Exter 1.2 EX, which is comparable in price. There's also a newness to the Punch that is fresh from a facelift. The Exter is due for an update of its own towards the middle of 2026.