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Mumbai
PM

Pranav Maha

20h

Hi team, I am looking to buy a new car with a budget of 14 lakh. My daily running is 50KM. I would be using it for just office commutes. This is going to be my second car. I already have a Toyota Innova Crysta. I have shortlisted: Honda Amaze ZX CVT, Thar 1.5 RWD (I am afraid of the upcoming diesel ban), and Tata Punch EV 40 KW Smart plus variant. Please help me finalise one.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4m
Go for the Tata Punch EV Smart + 40. For a 50 km daily office run and as a second car alongside your Innova Crysta, it fits your use best right now. It is small on the outside, easy to park, and the smooth electric drive makes stop-and-go traffic stress-free.
As a daily beater, it is quiet, quick, and has enough ground clearance for bad patches. If you can install a home charger in your parking, you can charge overnight and forget about fuel pumps. Tata also has the widest EV service reach today, which helps for long-term peace of mind.
One thing to be aware of is that you must have a reliable place to charge at home or office; otherwise living with any EV becomes awkward.
If home charging is not possible, pick the Honda Amaze ZX CVT instead. The CVT is very smooth, the car is light to drive, and Honda service gives you peace of mind as well. I would skip the Mahindra Thar 1.5 RWD for a daily 50 km city run. It is a heavy, 3-door manual, rides firm, and your diesel ban worry is valid in many cities over time.
Overall, the Punch EV Smart+ will make your commute calmer and simpler. Just confirm charger installation before you book.
Tata Punch EV

Tata Punch EV

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VP

Vignesh P

4d

Hi, I recently sold my second-hand car and am planning to buy a new one. My budget is between ₹8-10 lakh. I am 6’1” tall, and many cars in this segment, such as the Tata Punch, Maruti Suzuki Swift, Tata Altroz, and Hyundai i20, are not comfortable for me as the steering tends to touch my legs. Could you please suggest a car within this budget that would be comfortable for my height? Thanks.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

You're right, it's difficult to find a car at this price that's suitable for a tall driver. Try the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, which does offer a bit more space than its counterpart, the Maruti Suzuki Swift. Moreover, it uses the older 1.2-litre four-cylinder K12 petrol engine, which is smoother than the three-cylinder Z12 engine in the Swift. You could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, in which you can get the option of a punchier 1.0 turbo-petrol engine, although space remains the same as the Baleno. Finally, also consider the Nissan Magnite or Renault Kiger, which could offer a bit more space, and if you don't mind a sedan, there's also the Honda Amaze, which is known for its interior packaging efficiency.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Swift
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
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SV

Shaiksha Vali

2d

I am confused between the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire and the Honda Amaze. Which car is better and why?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
21h

Pick the Maruti Suzuki Dzire; between these two, it is the better all-around choice for most buyers. It is very easy to drive in the city, with light steering and controls, and the cabin feels a touch nicer and more up to date than the Honda Amaze. Space in the back is good for two adults, the ride is comfortable over broken roads, and Maruti’s huge service network makes ownership simple almost anywhere in India. One thing to be aware of: if you want an automatic, the Dzire’s AMT is fine for easygoing driving, but you can feel a slight jerk when moving at very low speeds. Pick the Honda Amaze CVT instead if you mainly want a very smooth automatic for heavy traffic and a larger boot for luggage. The Honda CVT feels silkier in stop-go traffic than the Dzire’s AMT.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Dzire
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SH

Shammi

2d

I have had a Toyota Innova Crysta diesel automatic G variant for the past 4 years. I have been spending at least ₹20,000 on diesel for the past 3 years. The car has already covered 1,90,000km. I am also paying an EMI of ₹33,000, with a loan outstanding of ₹13 lakh. Please suggest whether I should plan to buy a new Innova or switch to an EV like the Mahindra XEV 9e to accommodate five people.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

If you are planning to upgrade, the Toyota Innova HyCross hybrid is the most sensible choice. It will significantly reduce your fuel costs in daily use, especially in city conditions, while still offering the space, comfort and reliability you are used to. It is also a very easy car to live with for long-distance travel with five passengers.However, an important point to consider is your current financial situation. You still have a ₹13 lakh loan outstanding and are paying ₹33,000 EMI. Replacing the car now will increase your financial outflow unless you get a very strong resale value. If your current Toyota Innova Crysta is running well, continuing with it for some more time is actually the most cost-effective option.As for electric cars like the Mahindra XEV 9e, they can drastically reduce running costs, but they make the most sense if your usage is mostly within the city or predictable daily distances. For frequent long-distance travel with family and luggage, charging stops and planning can become a limitation.

VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleToyota Innova Crysta
VehicleMahindra XEV 9e

Posted on: 4 Apr 2026