Autocar India
•19w

I am a 26-year-old engineer, thinking of buying my first car. My monthly salary is around ₹90k-1 lakh. My budget is around ₹16-17 lakh max. My travel will be 30+ km daily, and on weekends I will be travelling up to 500 km on average. I am looking for an automatic car with a good safety rating and low maintenance. I was thinking of the Tata Curvv Creative Plus S model, which has a 360-degree camera as well as a sunroof, along with good safety, and I like the coupe design especially. But do let me know if the Tata Curvv is the perfect choice for me, or if I should consider another car as well. Also, I am confused about whether to opt for a petrol automatic or a diesel. If I opt for diesel, I will have to pay more but will get better mileage, so do let me know your thoughts as well.

Verified
•19w
If you like the Tata Curvv and its design, you should opt for it. It has secured a 5-star crash test rating from Bharat NCAP and is equipped with all the necessary safety kit. Given your usage, the extra outlay for the diesel automatic does not seem worth it, and the turbo petrol engine should feel like a good mix of performance and fuel economy for you.
Downsides of the Curvv, however, are a DCT gearbox that can be jerky at low speeds, limited rear-seat space and poor cabin ergonomics. Plus, it has been known to suffer software glitches, and Tata's service quality is reportedly not as good as some other brands.
Another option you could consider is the new Renault Duster. Its boxy shape may not be anything like the low-slung Curvv's, but it is quite appealing in its own right, and its 1.3 turbo petrol engine and DCT combination is a good mix of smoothness and performance.
Renault Duster

Renault Duster

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Renault Duster

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More questions on similar cars

•3d

I am planning to buy a car for my sister. She currently drives a 2016 Volkswagen Polo diesel manual. The budget is around Rs. 20-22 lakh. Her priorities are a premium-looking interior, a feature-rich cabin, low maintenance costs, and good performance. A diesel engine is strongly preferred. She was initially interested in the Hyundai Creta, but someone advised her to wait because the Creta is expected to receive a facelift in March 2027. Please suggest some good options.

Verified
•10h

Go for the Kia Seltos diesel automatic. It is the best fit for your sister's requirements. Coming from a Polo diesel, she will appreciate the strong diesel punch, and the Seltos diesel automatic delivers that same effortless surge while being far more refined and relaxed on the highway. The cabin is among the most premium in its segment, with a rich feature list and a high-quality interior. Kia cars also have a widespread service network, and the 1.5-litre diesel engine has a proven reliability record, so maintenance costs are unlikely to be a concern.If she prefers something that is more engaging to drive and wants to stay with Volkswagen cars, the Taigun 1.0 TSI with the new 8-speed automatic is also worth considering. While it does not have the same diesel-like punch, the turbo petrol engine is strong, and the new 8-speed Aisin automatic is smooth with an improvement in terms of efficiency. That said, the Seltos diesel automatic remains the more natural and well-rounded upgrade for someone moving from a Polo diesel.

VehicleVolkswagen Tiguan
VehicleKia Seltos
•4d

I’m planning to buy a new car for casual use with a budget of under Rs. 11 lakh. It will primarily be used for city driving, including daily office commutes and occasional weekend trips, with an expected monthly running of around 300 to 400km. My priorities are reliability, low maintenance costs, good fuel efficiency, and a car that is hassle-free to own over the long term. I’m currently confused between the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Swift, Honda Amaze, New Brezza, and Fronx. I don’t specifically need a turbo-petrol engine, although I’m open to considering one if it offers good features. I would prefer a manual gearbox, but I’m also willing to consider an automatic or AMT if it delivers good mileage in city driving. The Dzire has caught my attention, but I’m slightly hesitant because of its three-cylinder engine. Please clear my confusion.

Verified
•11h

For your usage, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire is actually the most sensible choice. Your running is low, your usage is mostly city with occasional weekend trips, and you want reliability, low maintenance and fuel efficiency. The Dzire is built exactly for this brief. The 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine is smooth enough in everyday use, and the car is light, easy to drive and very efficient in the city. Concerns about the three-cylinder engine are largely overstated. Modern 3-cylinder engines are well balanced and refined at city speeds, and the Dzire is tuned for efficiency and reliability rather than outright performance. In our real-world testing, the Dzire has managed 14.5kpl in the city and 20kpl on the highway. The Maruti Suzuki Swift is essentially the same mechanical package in a hatchback body, so the decision there is simply whether a hatchback or a sedan better suits your needs. The Honda Amaze is a good alternative if you specifically want an automatic. It gets a CVT, which is much smoother compared to the AMT on Dzire, but it's not as fuel efficient. In our standard test cycle, the CVT Amaze mileage is 9.94kpl in the city cycle and 16.62kpl on the highway loop. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Fronx are both good cars, but they will not be as efficient in the city as the Dzire.Go for the Dzire manual and do not worry about the 3-cylinder engine – it is a well-proven, efficient and reliable package.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Dzire
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Swift
VehicleHonda Amaze
•4d

Hello Autocar Team, My wife is 51 and I am 55. We are planning to buy an automatic car for my wife, with an expected monthly running of under 500 km. We are both first-time drivers and will be graduating from riding a scooter. Please suggest an automatic car with the smoothest transmission (no jerks), high reliability, low ownership costs, and that can negotiate bumper-to-bumper traffic. A small turning radius is also important because the lane opposite our stilt parking is quite narrow, with cars often parked in front of the building. The car needs to be reversed and turned into the parking space, so easy manoeuvrability is essential. Our budget was initially under Rs 10 lakh, but it is flexible if there is a significantly better option. We are looking for a car that will last at least 15 years. My wife will be the primary driver.

Verified
•16h

If home charging can be arranged, the Tata Tiago EV is the strongest fit for these requirements. The electric powertrain delivers seamless, jerk-free acceleration, making it especially easy for first-time drivers. Its compact dimensions and tight turning circle also make it far easier to manoeuvre in narrow lanes and into tight parking spaces. With monthly running of less than 500km, running costs will be extremely low, and the Tiago EV remains one of the most sensible city cars on sale.Another option worth considering is the MG Comet. While its unconventional two-door layout won't suit every family, it is exceptionally easy to drive in congested city traffic. For a car that will spend almost all of its time in the city, this MG car has plenty of merit.If you cannot arrange for home charging, then we'll recommend the Hyundai i20 IVT. The engine is smooth, and the transmission is seamless, resulting in a jerk-free drive experience that's better than all other cars equipped with an automated manual transmission (AMT). Do keep in mind that the i20 is a relatively large car, so maneuvering it might not be as easy as the Tata Tiago EV or MG Comet.

VehicleMG Comet
VehicleTata Tiago EV
VehicleHyundai i20

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Popular discussions right now

•5d

I currently own a Skoda Kushaq Petrol AT. Everything is fine except the mileage. I am getting only around 10-13kpl with E20 petrol. My daily running is around 100 km. Should I buy a diesel car or an electric car?

Verified
•4d

With a daily running of around 100 km, fuel efficiency becomes a major factor in ownership costs. The Skoda Kushaq petrol automatic is a good car, but the 10-13kpl you are seeing is typical for a turbo petrol automatic, especially with E20 petrol. At this usage, a diesel or a strong hybrid makes far more sense.If you do regular highway runs, a diesel is still the most practical and cost-effective solution. The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic would be the recommendation here. It is a strong highway car, comfortable, spacious and the diesel engine will deliver significantly better fuel efficiency than your Kushaq. Diesel running costs will be far lower over your kind of mileage. If that is out of your budget, something smaller like a Kia Seltos diesel, while not as powerful, is even more efficient.If your usage is mostly city a strong hybrid could be a better solution. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is the most practical and cost-effective option. It is well priced, has a proven track record and will dramatically reduce your running costs. The strong hybrid is better suited to the city, where it is more likely to run on its electric motor than use the engine and deliver the better mileage.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
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•3d

I’m planning to buy an EV with a budget of Rs. 19 - 20 lakh. My heart says the Tata Sierra EV Pure 63, but my mind says the Kia Syros top variant because of features like ventilated seats. Kindly suggest which one would be the better choice.

Verified
•2d

The choice really comes down to your usage and what you value in the car. If you need more space for both passengers and luggage and have a few long drives that you would undertake, then opt for the Tata Sierra. It is a much larger car and has a very spacious interior. The ride quality is also very good over both bad city roads as well as high highway speeds. If, however, your usage is mainly going to be within the city, then the Kia Syros is the better buy. Its compact footprint will be much easier to manage while driving congested streets, and finding parking would be easier. You would also enjoy the top variant and its features.

VehicleTata Sierra
VehicleKia Syros
•5d

I am looking for a spacious car for three people, with a naturally aspirated engine, automatic gearbox, and good mileage in both city and highway driving. I have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Honda Amaze. My budget is Rs 10-15 lakh. Please suggest.

Verified
•4d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic. It is the better fit for your requirements. You want a naturally aspirated petrol engine, good mileage in both city and highway driving, and a spacious car for three people. The Brezza delivers on all those points. The 1.5-litre petrol engine of this Maruti Suzuki car is smooth and reliable, and the 6-speed torque converter automatic is well suited to Indian driving conditions. It is also a more spacious car than the Honda Amaze, with a wider cabin and better rear seat comfort for three people. The higher seating position and SUV stance also make it easier to drive in the city and over bad roads.The Amaze is a good car, but it is a compact sedan and does not offer the same level of space or practicality. The Brezza is the more complete package for your needs.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleHonda Amaze

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Posted on: 22 Mar 2026