•30w

I want to buy a new car. I am a first-time buyer and need a car with good build quality, decent mileage, and strong safety features. Most of my travel will be on highways. My budget is ₹9 lakh, and I can stretch it by another ₹1 lakh. Can you suggest the best options for me?

•29w

The Maruti Suzuki Fronx would suit your requirements nicely. On your mostly highway drives, the ride will feel nicely planted and secure, and the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol delivers a good enough performance for the highway.

We would have suggested the 1.0-liter turbo petrol unit, as that would deliver better on the performance front; however, turbo petrols are very sensitive to driving style, and often the real-world efficiency is much lower than claimed. In terms of safety as well, this Maruti car handles well and is well equipped with features like six airbags, ABS, and ESP.

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More questions on similar cars

•1w

I am currently driving a 2012 Toyota Etios Liva and want to replace it as it is approaching 15 years of age. I am looking for a family car under Rs 10-12 lakh that I can keep for a long time. It should also be compatible with E20 fuel.

•2d

Maruti Suzuki Baleno 1.2 petrol is your safest long-term switch. It is factory E20-ready, and Maruti typically does a good job of calibrating the engine to maintain good fuel efficiency. Coming from an Etios, you will appreciate Maruti’s fuss-free ownership and the peace of mind for over 10 years. As a family car, it is practical, with a spacious rear seat, a comfortable ride, light controls for city driving, and stable highway manners. It fits well under Rs. 10-12 lakh.One thing to keep in mind is that it is a hatchback, so you do not get the high seating or rough-road ability of a small SUV. If you need a bit more ground clearance, the Fronx is a good bet. If you prefer a sedan, the Honda Amaze 1.2 is E20-compatible too and easy to keep for years.

My daily running is around 30 km, mostly within Bangalore city, with a highway trip once every quarter of approximately 250-300 km. I am a first-time driver, and my priorities, in order, are reliability, safety, handling, comfort and fuel efficiency. Please suggest the best value-for-money car within a budget of 15 lakh on-road in Bangalore, along with the recommended variant.

•4h

Take a look at the Hyundai Venue. The petrol automatic, which is the 1.0 litre turbo, would be ideal for you, given the Bengaluru traffic; however, you would get a lower efficiency than the manual 1.2 litre engine. In all other respects, the Venue would do you well. You will find the compact dimensions easy to manage, the insides are spacious and comfy enough, and the car is well equipped with a safety kit and has earned a 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP (BNCAP) tests. Being a Hyundai, reliability and service are well taken care of, too.

Hyundai Venue

•5d

Hi, I want to upgrade from my Nissan Sunny Diesel to an SUV. My budget is around Rs. 16 lakh. My daily running is around 75 km on the highway, which may reduce next year due to my transfer. I want an automatic. I am confused between a diesel and a petrol SUV.

•3d

Pick the Kia Sonet diesel automatic. Your 75 km daily highway run suits diesel, and this one does effortless cruising with strong mid-range pull, so overtakes feel easy. It will also save money on fuel, typically returning around 16-18 kpl on highways. It fits your Rs. 16 lakh budget in the mid trims and will be easier to live with in the city after your transfer because it is compact yet feels like a proper SUV.One honest catch is the extra upfront cost over petrol and the usual diesel particulate filter upkeep if your usage turns into only short, stop-start city runs. If you usage pattern is dramatically changing next year and you want to keep things simple, consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx turbo petrol automatic. It is smooth, easy in traffic, and its running costs stay reasonable even if your mileage drops, though highway efficiency will be lower than the Sonet diesel.Given today’s usage and your diesel habit, the Sonet diesel automatic is the right upgrade. If your transfer makes it a mostly-city life, the Fronx petrol automatic is the safer pick.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Kia Sonet

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

Hi, I have a budget of Rs. 40 lakh and am confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O), and the Toyota Fortuner Petrol. I am 28 years old and want a car that is fun to drive but also comfortable for my family. My driving will be split 80:20 between on-road and off-road use.

•5d

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Fortuner

Skoda Kodiaq

•5d

I am planning to buy an SUV and prefer the German twins Škoda and Volkswagen. Which one is better? Also, how significant is the DSG issue in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NCR region? This will be my fourth car, so I want to try a German brand.

•3d

Between the German twins, the choice largely comes down to personal preference, as they share the same engines, gearboxes and underpinnings. We slightly prefer the Kushaq for its cleaner design, excellent ride and handling balance and overall value proposition.As for the DSG, it isn't as big a concern as it once was. The current DSGs are far more robust than the earlier units, but if your driving is predominantly in bumper-to-bumper NCR traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the smoother and more relaxed option over the long term. If you want to stay with a German SUV but avoid the DSG altogether, the 1.0 TSI automatic in the Kushaq and Taigun now comes with an 8-speed Aisin torque-converter, which is smooth, refined and better suited to heavy city traffic.Coming from the S-Cross Petrol, you'll notice a significant step up in performance, cabin quality, safety and driving dynamics with either car.

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

•5d

I have a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, and I am extremely satisfied with its mileage (900-1000 km from 45 liters). However, I am losing the joy of driving. I migrated to this car after owning a Swift Dzire Diesel and an XL6. The mismatch between engine revs and acceleration is becoming unpleasant. Overtaking feels riskier, and even the brakes feel spongy. I have experienced a few unpleasant situations because of this. As a result, I have reduced my overall speed, making the safety of my family a bigger priority. But the driver in me is unhappy. Should I upgrade to the Duster Hybrid, the Hycross Hybrid, or the newly launched Sierra EV? Also, do diesel engines still make sense today?

•4d

From what you've described, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has impressed you with its efficiency but left you wanting more from behind the wheel. If driving enjoyment is back on your priority list, the Duster Hybrid looks like the most natural upgrade. It is expected to offer a much more engaging driving experience while retaining the fuel efficiency benefits of a strong hybrid.The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid will certainly improve on comfort, refinement and performance, but it won't fundamentally change the character you're looking for. It is still geared towards relaxed family motoring rather than enthusiastic driving.The Tata Sierra EV is an interesting option and has now been launched. It promises strong performance, a premium cabin and a spacious interior. However, if the "driver in you" misses the involvement and confidence of your earlier diesel cars, we'd still wait to experience how the Duster Hybrid drives before making a decision.As for diesels, we don't think they should be ruled out altogether. With the right usage, they continue to make sense. However, given your appreciation for the fuel economy of your Grand Vitara and the direction the market is heading, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid rather than going back to diesel.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Sierra EV

Renault Duster

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Posted on: 13 Dec 2025