I’m looking to buy my first car. Usage is 90% city and 10% highway. Budget under ₹5 lakh.

Autocar India

•54m

You have not mentioned a budget, and that's crucial to know which car to recommend. Since this is your first car and meets your requirements, we think lower variants of the Kia Seltos would suit you well, coming in at Rs 12 lakh on road. Plus, the seating comfort in the new Seltos is good, and it has more room in the rear with legroom for six-footers being very good; headroom would be about adequate. We would suggest you head to the showroom to make sure you are comfortable inside. Refinement is good, and that is the case with the diesel too, and you will find the AC more than adequate.

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•1h

You do not need to worry so much about buying a petrol car in 2026, especially something like the Tata Harrier petrol. There is currently no indication that the government is planning to suddenly ban existing petrol cars or make them unusable in the near future. What India is moving towards is higher ethanol blending and more flex-fuel compatible vehicles over time, but this will be a gradual transition rather than an overnight change.Even with the recent discussions around E85 fuel, these are still draft proposals and are mainly aimed at encouraging manufacturers to develop flex-fuel capable engines in the future. Existing petrol cars are expected to continue running normally on regular fuels for many years, just like older BS4 and non-E20 compatible cars still do today.

Tata Harrier

Autocar India

•4h

Mostly city use, low monthly running, and only rare highway trips - in that case the Hyundai Creta S(O) petrol manual is a sound pick and you can go ahead with it. The 1.5 petrol feels smooth and quiet at low speeds, so it suits stop-start city driving, and it pulls cleanly from slow speeds without you having to shift gears all the time. The steering is light and the view out is good, which makes tight lanes and parking easier. Since your running is low, petrol is the right fuel too, so you avoid the higher buy price and upkeep of a diesel.Keep a couple of things to keep in mind for your use. If your daily route has heavy, bumper-to-bumper traffic, working the clutch and gear lever can get tiring after a while. In that case, the S(O) IVT automatic is an automatic that feels very smooth in the city and is worth a look if it fits your budget. Also, on the few highway runs that you do, the manual is steady and comfortable at normal speeds, but quick overtakes will need a downshift.Overall, for mainly city roams and light annual use, the Creta S(O) petrol manual fits your brief well. Pick the IVT only if you want an easier, no-shift drive every day.

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•2d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•1d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•6d

With your income and priorities, you should focus on low cost, high fuel efficiency and ease of driving. The Alto K10 fits this perfectly. It is one of the most affordable cars in India, delivers excellent mileage and is extremely easy to drive in the city, which is ideal for your parents. It is also inexpensive to maintain and backed by Maruti’s wide service network, which keeps ownership stress very low. Over time, this matters more than anything else.If you want more space and a slightly more premium feel, then the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is the next step. It offers better cabin space, a more comfortable ride and still maintains strong fuel efficiency and low running costs. It feels like a more complete car, especially if your parents value comfort.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Maruti Suzuki Celerio