Hi, I am planning to buy my first car, gear-free, mostly for city and suburban rides, for a family of four. It should require low maintenance. Budget under ₹5 lakh. Which car should I buy?

The Mahindra XUV700 is a good option to consider. It is spacious, has a large boot, and is available with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel engine.The petrol engine is smooth and refined, and while it is not as punchy as the diesel, it is quite tractable and will be more than adequate for your needs. The diesel engine, on the other hand, is quite punchy and will be better suited for highway drives.Both engines are available with a choice of a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The automatic is quite smooth and responsive, and it will make your daily commute quite hassle-free.The XUV700 is also quite feature-loaded, and it is available with a sunroof, so you can opt for that variant. The only downside of this Mahindra car is that it is not as fuel-efficient as its rivals, and you can expect a mileage of around 8-10kmpl in the city and 12-14kmpl on the highway.Do wait until next month, though, as a new version called the XUV 7XO will be launching.

If the Honda City is in good condition and you are happy with it, there is no need to sell it. The car is already 12.5 years old and has run 67,000 km, so it is unlikely to fetch you a good price. If you are looking to sell it, you can consider the brand value, but it is unlikely to make a big difference to the price you get.

The best option for you is the Honda Amaze, the ZX CVT variant. It's got a nice powertrain that comprises a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine and a CVT gearbox. Performance is pleasant, and you'll like the performance on offer. Cabin space is also good for this size of car. The Amaze also packs in auto climate control and a rear defogger, and there is confidence in knowing it has also been rated 5 stars by Bharat NCAP. Alternatively, you could consider the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, the VXi AT variant. While it is slightly out of your budget, it's a sensible pick. It's got a smooth 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The cabin is roomy and practical, while the feature set includes a rear defogger and auto climate control.

The Mahindra XUV700 is a good option to consider. It is spacious, has a comfortable ride, and the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is refined and punchy. The automatic gearbox is smooth, and the cabin is well-built and feature-rich.The only downside is that the third row is best suited for children, and the boot space is not as big as in some rivals. This Mahindra car is also available with a 2.2-litre diesel engine, but it is not as refined as the petrol.