I am 76 years old and self-drive my car. I currently own a Hyundai Grand i10 and am looking to replace it with a car that offers ease of ingress and egress, preferably an automatic transmission with a touchscreen and Android Auto. My daily driving averages around 10 km. I have a budget of ₹10 lakh and prefer a mini SUV or hatchback. Could you please advise on suitable options?

Autocar India

•2h

Both are very good cars, but in the long run, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios would be the better option for you overall. Yes, it is quite an old model now, but it remains strong in its core values of practicality, ease of use, quality, refinement and fuel efficiency. It's easy to get in and out of; the steering is light, aiding manoeuvrability; the engine is smooth and has more than enough gusto when you need it; and it has a good feature set at this price, too. Most of all, however, long-term maintenance will be a breeze, as Hyundai has developed a strong reputation for reliability and reasonable maintenance costs.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Autocar India

•1d

While a premium hatchback is the logical update for your budget, the simple fact is that even the largest of them, like the Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz, can't provide quite as much space as a compact SUV in the second row, and three passengers here will be a squeeze. Conversely, getting an automatic in most compact SUVs with a decent level of creature comforts would push them outside your budget. The exception here, and the car we would recommend, is the Nissan Magnite. You'll get the fully loaded turbo-petrol CVT version in your budget and it has all the features you need, plus a spacious back seat and comfortable suspension. Its 100hp turbo petrol engine will also have enough pep for your weekend getaways with 5 on board. Moreover, it has received a 5-star crash test rating from Global NCAP, which should give you peace of mind.

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

•12m

The top-spec Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Alpha Plus is well-equipped, and the extremely efficient hybrid powertrain will be ideal for your usage. The asking price of Rs 16 lakh for a 2022 model with 66,000km on the odometer is on the higher side. We would recommend you negotiate the price down to around Rs 14 lakh. Also, you need to factor in an additional Rs 30,000-40,000 (depending on the brand you opt for) for a new set of tyres. Since your usage is primarily on the highway, we'd advise you to replace the tyres immediately after taking delivery.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara