We currently have a 2012 Toyota Etios Liva diesel manual, but we are planning to buy a new car because Delhi's 15-year diesel rule does not allow us to continue using it. We want to switch to a petrol automatic. There are three people in our family. Our usual running includes a 5- 7 km trip to the temple every Monday, along with another 500-600 km of monthly running. Our old car covered around 1,10,000km over the last 14 years. We have Rs 9 lakh in cash and are willing to take a loan. Earlier, we were considering the Kia Seltos HTK(O) petrol DCT, which costs around Rs 18.5 lakh. However, we are now considering the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha O AMT, which costs around Rs 11.5 lakh. The features I specifically want are an auto-dimming IRVM, auto-folding ORVMs and ventilated seats. Everything else is an added bonus, and I do not necessarily require it. The Seltos feels more premium and has a larger engine, but the Baleno makes more practical sense for our usage. What do you think?

autocar.india

•9h

Between the Tata Punch and Tata Altroz, the Altroz petrol is the better fit for your needs. With a family of five and very low monthly running, a petrol car is the right choice - CNG cars only make sense when running is high to justify the extra cost. The Altroz is the better family car here: it offers a more comfortable ride, a wider rear seat and a more spacious cabin than the Punch, which matters on longer journeys with three at the back. On ethanol blending, there is no need to worry. Modern petrol cars are engineered to handle E20, and there is no official roadmap for E25 or E30 in the near future. Go ahead with the Altroz petrol.

Tata Altroz

Tata Punch

autocar.india

•11h

Both the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are mechanically identical, so you get the same strong 1.5 TSI engine, the same DSG gearbox and the same excellent highway stability. The differences are purely cosmetic. The 2026 Slavia will be launched soon, and we'd recommend you to consider it simply because it comes with an upgraded air-con unit which is more powerful and more effective than the outgoing unit - something you will appreciate in the summer. The Virtus with the same updates will follow a few months later.

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

autocar.india

•11h

Based on your requirements our suggestion would be the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara in its Zeta Automatic Mild Hybrid, guys. Since the car will not be driven a lot, it is a good option to consider. Given your preference for mileage, reliability, and maintenance costs, a Maruti is always better.The real-world efficiency of both these cars is not too different. The Maruti gives you an average of 13.4 km/L. The Hyundai Creta is slightly less at 13.1 but maintenance costs and service, on the whole, are going to be slightly cheaper with Maruti. In terms of performance, this Hyundai car is definitely better; however, you will not really experience a lot of difference driving in everyday city traffic. Even on the highway the Grand Vitara has enough grunt to overtake so it is not an absolute dealbreaker. The gearbox on the Grand Vitara is a torque converter automatic, which is a bit smoother and offers better highway performance. The Creta comes mated with a CVT, which is good in the city (it is nice and smooth) but not exactly perfect on the highway. If you do a lot of occasional highway trips, then the Maruti will be better there as well. My overall recommendation would be the Grand Vitara, given your preferences.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Hyundai Creta