I am currently using a Fiat Punto Evo 1.3 Sport, 2015 model, and I am planning to upgrade this year. My daily running is around 35-40 km in the city. Please suggest a suitable car for my usage.

Autocar India

•17h

With your mix of city and highway use, a Rs. 20 lakh cap, and a tall family, the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT in a mid variant fits best. It will be the easiest to live with, and it suits both slow traffic and weekend drives.Kia and Hyundai’s service is the simplest here: costs are usually lower, parts are easy to find, and the dealer network is wide. In traffic the Seltos feels light to steer, the automatic moves off smoothly, and visibility is good, so parking and tight gaps are easy. For tall passengers, the back seat in the Seltos has the most knee room and cabin width among these three, and the seat is comfortable on long trips.A trade-off to note: the 1.5 petrol is smooth but not as quick as the 1.5 turbo options in the Skoda or Kia if you push hard on the highway.If you want stronger highway pull and a more connected drive, the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 petrol automatic is the driver’s choice, but service costs can be higher, and the cabin is bit tighter. Overall, the Seltos lines up best with your brief.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•19h

If strong performance is high on your priority list, we would be cautious about the Renault Duster 1.0 Techno. While we have experienced this 1.0 turbo petrol engine in the Magnite, where it feels punchy and capable, the Duster is a significantly larger and heavier SUV, so we do not expect it to feel particularly quick or effortless, especially if you are looking for a meaningful upgrade from a Kwid in outright performance.If your heart is set on the Duster, the smarter move would be to stretch slightly for the 1.3 turbo petrol, which sits only a little above your budget and will feel substantially stronger and more satisfying to drive, especially on rural roads where effortless overtaking and usable performance matter.If you are open to alternatives, the Skoda Kushaq Classic+ 1.0 TSI is a very strong option. The turbo petrol engine feels punchy, the Kushaq is genuinely nice to drive, has good rear seat space, solid build and safety credentials that you are looking for.If fuel efficiency matters more than outright performance, then the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol HTE(O) is worth considering as well. It will not feel as punchy as the turbo petrol options, but it is the most premium feeling of the lot, more efficient in everyday use and a very sorted family SUV overall.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Renault Duster

Renault Kwid

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

•2d

On a Rs 15-23 lakh budget, the Kia Carens Clavis diesel automatic fits your use best. It rides comfortably on long trips, the low step-in makes it easy for elders, and the third row lets you carry six or seven or fold it to free up a big boot. The diesel pulls well on hills with a full load, and the automatic keeps driving effortless in traffic. For you at 5 feet, the high seat, wide glass area and light controls help with confidence in a tier-3 city, and Kia’s service reach outside big metros is a plus.Know that, compared to your Alto, it is a long car, so tight parking needs a bit more care. With all three rows up, boot space is small, so plan to fold one side when needed. If five seats are enough and you want a sportier feel on hills, look at the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 automatic. If smooth city running and lower fuel use matter more, you can go for Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid. Given your affinity for long family road trips, we would not recommend an EV at this stage. Overall, the Carens suits your family-first brief best.

Kia Carens Clavis

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Skoda Kushaq