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.

Autocar India

•2m

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.

Explore cars mentioned

Renault

Duster

from ₹12.43 Lakh

Tata

Curvv

from ₹11.31 Lakh

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Related questions you may find helpful

Sandeep

•3h

My monthly running is 3,000 km. Which car should I opt for in the range of ₹10-16 lakh? Usage is half city, half highway. Petrol, diesel or EV? Manual or automatic?

Autocar India

•1h

In your case, we would suggest going for a diesel automatic. At this kind of running, diesel makes clear sense because you will benefit from better efficiency and lower running costs, especially on highways. Since half your driving is in the city, an automatic gearbox will make a big difference in reducing fatigue and making daily driving easier.Within your ₹10-16 lakh budget, the Hyundai Venue diesel automatic is a strong option. It offers a refined diesel engine and smooth automatic gearbox, making it well-suited for both city and highway driving. The newer Venue is also more spacious than before, so rear seat space is not really a concern anymore, making it a well-rounded family car.If you are looking for even more space, you can also consider the Kia Syros. It feels wider, more airy and offers better rear seat room. However, the ride quality is not as comfortable as the Venue's, which is something to keep in mind, especially for long drives.

Kia Syros

Hyundai Venue

Nutesh Naik

•3d

Hello Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a new automatic car and have heard that the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift and the Honda Elevate are expected to launch soon. Could you please advise on the expected launch timelines for both these vehicles?

Autocar India

•3h

We understand that the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift is due very soon, likely in the next month or two. It will mainly bring cosmetic changes and additional features rather than any major mechanical overhaul. So if you are keen on the Brezza, it is worth waiting, because you’ll get the updated styling, a bit more equipment and potentially better value without having to wait too long.The Honda Elevate facelift, on the other hand, is still some time away. The current Elevate was launched in India in September 2023, and reliable estimates put its first facelift only in mid‑ to late‑2026. Given this timeline, we don’t expect it before the second half of this year at the earliest, and even then, the changes are likely to be mild. It will mainly include bumpers, grille and features with no major change to the 1.5‑litre petrol engine and CVT.Both cars are proven, reliable and easy‑to‑drive automatics, with smooth petrol engines and user‑friendly automatic gearboxes that work well in city traffic. The Elevate is, of course, a size bigger than the Brezza; it’s a proper midsize SUV (Creta class). So you get more cabin and boot space, but you also pay more for it, both in upfront price and running costs. So if you want an automatic soon and are leaning towards the Brezza, wait for the imminent facelift. If you prefer the larger Elevate, it makes sense to buy the current model rather than hold off for many months for a relatively minor update.

•4d

Hello Autocar Team, we are a family of four, and all of us are around 6 feet tall. We have been loyal Honda owners for over 15 years, having driven the Honda City and Jazz extensively. While those cars suited us earlier, we now require a more spacious SUV due to our height and growing needs. We have shortlisted the Jeep Meridian, Toyota Innova Hycross, Mahindra XUV700, and Skoda Kodiaq. However, we have concerns about space in the Meridian, size and safety ratings of the Hycross, interior quality of the XUV700, and maintenance costs of the Kodiaq. Our top priorities are safety, sturdiness, dependability, comfort, and a premium feel. We are not considering Kia, Tata, or MG models. The car will be used for Mumbai city driving as well as long highway trips, and we prefer a petrol automatic. Resale value is not a priority-we value driving pleasure as we will be self-driving. Our maximum budget is ₹50 lakh. Could you please advise which of these options would be the best choice for our requirements?

Autocar India

•6h

For your requirement of a spacious, premium, driver-focused SUV for a tall family of four, the Skoda Kodiaq is the best fit among your shortlisted options.It offers a solid build, premium cabin quality and a genuinely engaging driving experience, which aligns well with your priority of driving pleasure. For 6-footers, the front and second rows are comfortable with good headroom and support. Also, with the third row folded, you get excellent luggage space for long trips. The petrol automatic is refined and smooth in the city, while also feeling very stable and confidence-inspiring on highways.The Jeep Meridian, while rugged and solid, does feel tight on space, especially for taller passengers, which you have already noticed. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a strong all-rounder, but as you pointed out, the interior quality does not feel premium enough for your budget. The Toyota Innova Hycross is extremely comfortable and reliable. But it is more comfort-oriented than driver-focused, and the interior look, feel, and quality may not meet your expectations of a premium experience.You can also consider the Volkswagen Tayron, which is essentially Volkswagen’s version of the Kodiaq. Both cars share the same platform, engine and core mechanicals, with the Tayron offering a slightly different design and more features. However, it is slightly more expensive, and the overall ownership experience will be very similar to the Skoda.

Skoda Kodiaq

Jeep Meridian

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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