Autocar India
•17h

My daily commute is around 120 km primarily on highway. I want to buy a car under Rs. 12-14 lakh. I don't have a charging facility at home but it is available in office. Which car should I buy?

Verified
•9h

Since your daily running is high and mostly on highways, a diesel will be a good option to consider. The Hyundai Venue HX5 diesel will be a good option for you, as it's got a refined and efficient 1.5-litre diesel engine, good highway manners and a premium and comfy cabin. You can even opt for a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, but you may have to stretch your budget a little for that. The Venue HX5 also comes well equipped and being a Hyundai, it will be relatively stress free to maintain as well. 

However, if you want an EV, consider the Tata Punch Empowered+ S with the larger 40kWh battery. The Punch EV is one of the nicest compact electrics on sale today and is feature-rich as well.

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai Venue

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•3m•

What about Sonet Diesel Automatic

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•2d

Hey folks! I'm planning to buy my first car, and my maximum budget is Rs. 11 lakh (on-road price). After exploring a few options, I've shortlisted the Hyundai Venue 1.0L Turbo Manual and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.0L Turbo Manual. However, I'm a bit confused about which one to choose. My driving will be split roughly 50% in the city and 50% on highways. I've already driven the Brezza 1.0L Turbo, and I noticed that it doesn't stall even when the RPM drops below 1,000. I'm not sure how the Venue performs in similar conditions. I'd love to hear from car enthusiasts and owners who have experience with either of these cars. Which one would you recommend considering drivability, engine performance, city traffic, highway comfort, and overall ownership experience? Any suggestions or real-world experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Verified
•10h

The Brezza's 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine might not have the outright punch similar to the Venue's 1.0-litre unit, however the Maruti's drivability is noticeably better. Turbo-lag is far less pronounced and it'll require fewer gearshifts while cruising, compared to the Venue. What's more, the Brezza feels a tougher while driving over bad roads, and space inside too is more than the Venue. The Hyundai Venue's cabin on the other hand feels brighter, more premium and more modern in comparison. Between the two, our pick would be the Brezza turbo for its drivability and solid feel.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleHyundai Venue
•2w

Dear Autocar India team, I am planning to purchase my first family car with a budget of Rs 11 lakh and have already booked the Kia Sonet HTK+ variant. However, concerns raised on social media about the performance of its 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine have made me reconsider my decision. Since our monthly usage is relatively low and the car will primarily be used for occasional trips, would the Sonet HTK+ be a suitable choice for our requirements, or should I consider another model or an alternative powertrain within the Sonet range? I would appreciate your professional guidance in making the right decision. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Verified
•1d

If your usage is primarily in the city, the 1.2-litre Kia Sonet will serve you just fine. It has a smooth, refined engine paired with a light clutch and gearbox, which makes it easy to drive in city traffic. Where it falls short is on the highway, where it may need a downshift to make an overtake.If you frequently travel on the highway with three or more passengers, you would be better off looking at a turbo-petrol version of the Sonet. Alternatively, consider something like the Maruti Suzuki Brezza or Hyundai Venue with a turbo-petrol engine. However, the trade-off for better performance from a turbo-petrol engine is lower fuel efficiency in the city.If you only plan on using the Sonet around town, stick with the naturally aspirated engine. But if highway performance is important, the turbo-petrol is a worthwhile upgrade.

VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza

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•1w

I’m planning to buy a new car, and my annual running is around 40,000km, primarily involving highway drives and ghat sections. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX and the upcoming facelifted Toyota Innova Hycross ZX. I’m considering two approaches: either buy the Innova Hycross and keep it for the next 10 years, given its reputation for longevity and the expectation that its engine can last at least 4 lakh kilometres, or buy the Seltos, drive it for around 2 lakh kilometres over 4–5 years, sell it and upgrade to a brand-new Seltos or another car of a similar price and size. On paper, the Innova Hycross Hybrid seems like the better choice, considering its long-term reliability and features such as the Ottoman reclining seats. However, I’m concerned that I might get bored of it after four years or that it may start feeling outdated as newer technologies and features enter the market. This makes the second option appealing, as it would allow me to upgrade to a brand-new car every 4–5 years. Which approach would make more sense in the long run, considering my high annual running and ownership costs?

Verified
•6d

It seems like you're leaning towards the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX, and we think it is a good choice. The diesel engine feels adequately powered for highway usage and ghat driving, and it is likely to return respectable efficiency too. Moreover, despite being modern with all the latest tech and features, the Seltos will be substantially more affordable than the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid. So unless you need the Innova's extra space, or you frequently travel with six or seven passengers, the Kia Seltos diesel is your best bet.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross

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Posted on: 6 Nov 2026