I am planning to buy a car under a ₹20 lakh budget, with 90 to 95% city driving between Delhi and Noida. My usage is about 50 km per day or around 800 km per month, with roughly 75% solo driving and the rest with 2 to 4 passengers, including parents in their 60s. This will be a secondary car, as I already have an Amaze CVT petrol. I am considering an electric car based on my usage, as petrol cars in this budget offer similar driving dynamics and features. Features like ADAS are not necessary, but things like good audio, ventilated seats, and a sunroof are good to have, though not essential. Cars considered: Seltos HTK(O) IVT, Windsor Pro, BE6, Vinfast VF6. I am open to other suggestions.

Autocar India

•3d

The MG Windsor is a sensible choice as a second car, especially given your high monthly running of around 3,000km (roughly 100km a day). An EV will significantly reduce your running costs compared to a diesel, and with fewer moving parts, maintenance expenses are also typically lower.The Windsor EV, in particular, is well-suited to city use. It’s spacious, comfortable, and easy to drive, making it a practical daily commuter. Its relaxed driving nature and smooth performance should complement your Mahindra XUV 700 diesel well, which can continue to serve as your long-distance vehicle.Do factor in charging convenience. With your usage, you will likely need to charge every other day, so having access to reliable home charging is important. Public charging can work as a backup, but it’s not as convenient for daily use.Overall, as an urban runabout alongside your XUV700, the Windsor EV fits your requirements well and should deliver meaningful savings over time

MG Windsor

Autocar India

•17m

You have not mentioned a budget, and that's crucial to know which car to recommend. Since this is your first car and meets your requirements, we think lower variants of the Kia Seltos would suit you well, coming in at Rs 12 lakh on road. Plus, the seating comfort in the new Seltos is good, and it has more room in the rear with legroom for six-footers being very good; headroom would be about adequate. We would suggest you head to the showroom to make sure you are comfortable inside. Refinement is good, and that is the case with the diesel too, and you will find the AC more than adequate.

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•47m

You do not need to worry so much about buying a petrol car in 2026, especially something like the Tata Harrier petrol. There is currently no indication that the government is planning to suddenly ban existing petrol cars or make them unusable in the near future. What India is moving towards is higher ethanol blending and more flex-fuel compatible vehicles over time, but this will be a gradual transition rather than an overnight change.Even with the recent discussions around E85 fuel, these are still draft proposals and are mainly aimed at encouraging manufacturers to develop flex-fuel capable engines in the future. Existing petrol cars are expected to continue running normally on regular fuels for many years, just like older BS4 and non-E20 compatible cars still do today.

Tata Harrier

Autocar India

•1d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•1d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•6d

With your income and priorities, you should focus on low cost, high fuel efficiency and ease of driving. The Alto K10 fits this perfectly. It is one of the most affordable cars in India, delivers excellent mileage and is extremely easy to drive in the city, which is ideal for your parents. It is also inexpensive to maintain and backed by Maruti’s wide service network, which keeps ownership stress very low. Over time, this matters more than anything else.If you want more space and a slightly more premium feel, then the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is the next step. It offers better cabin space, a more comfortable ride and still maintains strong fuel efficiency and low running costs. It feels like a more complete car, especially if your parents value comfort.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Maruti Suzuki Celerio