I am a first-time car buyer. My wife and I will be driving it. It will be used mostly for city driving and sometimes for outstation outings, with a weekly run of about 100 km. My budget is around ₹10-12 lakh, and safety is a priority. Which cars should we be looking at? Is the BAAS a good option?

Autocar India

•17h

If you can fit a home charger, the Tata Punch EV Adventure 40kWh version is a great choice for your 100km highway commute. With your usage, you can expect a real-world range of around 250km, which gives you plenty of buffer. Compared to your petrol cars, the Punch EV will be very quiet, smooth and effortless, while running costs will be significantly lower. The Punch EV also rides superbly, is comfortable enough to spend time in, and is well-equipped for the price.Do note that longer trips will require more planning around public chargers, but if you are planning to keep your Seltos, you have a good alternative there.If you cannot set up home charging, consider the Hyundai Venue HX5 diesel manual. It will use less fuel than your petrol cars, highway performance is good, and you will be familiar with the service network as a Hyundai owner.On the test drive, head out on your commute route and drive at your usual speeds to see which suits you best.

Tata Punch EV

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•2d

If you're open to diesel options, you could consider the Hyundai Venue or Kia Sonet. Both share their engine and gearbox options. Opt for the manual version of either for maximum efficiency.An excellent electric option is the Punch EV. If you can arrange for home charging, your running costs will be very low - something you will surely appreciate given your usage.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris CNG can also be considered. Its engine is reliable, and the CNG will keep per km costs in check.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Tata Punch EV

Autocar India

•1h

You should consider the Kia Carens Clavis HTE (O) 1.5 petrol MT. For a family of six and monthly trips, it offers the most space and the lowest running costs within your budget. The Carens has a roomy second row and a third row that works well for your 5 and 10-year-olds, with easy access and rear AC vents to keep everyone cool. It is easy to drive in the city, the ride is comfortable on bad roads, and Kia’s service reach is strong across most cities.A couple of things to note are that the Carens Clavis does not offer a panoramic sunroof at this price, and performance from the 1.5 NA engine will feel underwhelming with six on board. Around Rs 18 lakh will get you the Clavis HTX+, which comes with a panoramic sunroof and turbo-petrol engine, addressing both concerns.When you test drive, put both kids in the third row and check luggage space with your usual travel bags. Also assess performance from the 1.5 NA with a full load.

Kia Carens Clavis