The parking space in my apartment is very small. I can park a car similar in size to a Wagon R, but anything larger will be tight. I am planning to buy a small car by 2028. My budget is up to Rs 13 lakh, and I want a car with cruise control. As far as I have seen, only Maruti makes small cars, but none of its current models appeals to me because they feel too basic and do not offer cruise control. I have heard that Maruti is planning to launch small cars such as the Suzuki Hustler and a new small EV similar to the eWX. Is it wise to wait for these models? Are they likely to be available by 2028?

autocar.india

•2d

Yes, it is worth waiting. Hyundai has now confirmed that its new compact EV, codenamed HE1i, will debut by the end of 2026. It will sit below the Creta Electric and compete with the Punch EV, Nexon EV, XUV 3XO EV and Syros EV. It will also get standard- and long-range versions.The interesting part for you is pricing. Current expected pricing puts the Hyundai at roughly Rs 10–14 lakh in Delhi, depending on the battery/variant, although these are still estimates and not Hyundai's official prices.So if your ceiling is around Rs 15 lakh, there is a good chance the Hyundai will fit, including a higher-spec version. It should also be more spacious and better suited to your requirements than the Punch EV.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Nexon EV

Hyundai Creta Electric

Kia Syros EV

Mahindra XUV 3XO EV

autocar.india

•22h

Given the delay and price increase on the Tata Punch Empowered+ EV, the Kia Syros EV HTK is now a very compelling alternative. It is a larger, more premium car with a more spacious cabin and a better overall ownership experience. This Tata car is still a good product, but the Syros EV is simply a more complete car for a similar price.On the 360-degree camera, the answer is unfortunately no. The Syros EV HTK does not come with the necessary hardware (multiple cameras, control module, integration with the car's electronics) to support a factory-style 360-degree system. Aftermarket kits are available, but they require significant wiring and integration work, and Kia will not support them under warranty.A dashcam is a better solution. You can fit a high-quality front and rear dashcam system without voiding the car's warranty, as long as the installation is done cleanly and does not involve cutting or splicing into the car's wiring harness. However, the feed will not display on the main infotainment screen. It will record to its own memory card and can be viewed on a phone app or a small screen on the dashcam itself.

Tata Punch EV

Kia Syros EV

autocar.india

•8h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol manual. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide rear bench that comfortably accommodates three passengers, making it a genuinely practical family car. The petrol engine is smooth and punchy, and the manual gearbox is easy to use in city traffic. This Mahindra car also offers a good ride quality and a strong feature set for the price. The only real drawback is that the boot is on the smaller side compared to some rivals, but if rear seat space is your priority, this is the best compromise. If you want a slightly larger boot and are willing to sacrifice some rear seat width, the Maruti Brezza is a good alternative, but overall the 3XO is the better fit for your requirements.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza