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

Autocar India

•26m

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 VXi (O) MT as it fits your requirements.

At roughly 3.5 m long with a tight turning radius, it will be ideal for driving in congested city traffic and will fit into small parking spots. As a first-time buyer, you’ll appreciate the light steering and clutch in stop‑and-go traffic and being a Maruti car, you'll also appreciate the stress-free ownership experience it comes with.

The one thing you give up is high‑speed composure. Above about 90kph, it feels light and gets noisy, so highway stints are best kept calm and brief. If you prioritise stronger crash safety or expect more highway runs later, consider a well‑kept pre‑owned 2021-22 Tata Tiago XZ instead. It scored 4‑star adult protection in NCAP tests.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

Alto K10

from ₹4.43 Lakh

Tata

Tiago

from ₹5.44 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Prasanth

•2d

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car. I prefer SUV style. I have test-driven the 3XO, Nexon, Creta, Kushaq, Kylaq, Brezza, and Taisor. I love the handling of the 3XO diesel. The Creta is a good car, but the base diesel variant is around ₹15 lakh, and a facelift is expected. The Kushaq has good handling, but the engine and tyre noise are annoying. So what should I choose? I am planning for the 3XO MX3 diesel, which is around ₹12 lakh. Your suggestions? For me, good mileage, handling, reliability, and safety are important.

Autocar India

•1h

The XUV 3XO MX3 diesel is a solid choice at Rs 12 lakh. As you pointed out, the handling of the Mahindra XUV 3XO is among the best in its class, and the engine delivers punchy performance along with good fuel efficiency. It has a five-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, so it meets your requirements on that front as well. Mahindra has also done well to make the cabin feel premium, though the layout is starting to show its age. The cabin is comfortable, particularly in the rear seat, but boot space is less than what some rivals offer.If you would like a more modern interior and a bigger boot, then the Hyundai Venue diesel HX5 is a good alternative. It is not as engaging to drive as the Mahindra car, but its diesel engine is very refined, and if you are considering an automatic, it uses a smoother torque-converter unit.Test drive both cars and assess ride comfort, handling and engine responsiveness.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Hyundai Venue

Sohil

•2d

My budget is ₹18-20 lakh. Requirements: automatic, Android Auto, comfortable for five people. The only car that I have liked so far is the Kia Seltos, but the waiting period is over 10 weeks. Are there any other cars with a similar width to the Seltos?

Autocar India

•2h

In terms of width and interior space for five occupants, the Tata Sierra is a good choice for your needs.Your key requirement is space for five, similar to the Seltos. The Sierra is only about 10mm wider than the Seltos, but crucially, it is 80mm longer and can comfortably seat five. It is also comparable to the Kia Seltos in terms of powertrains, ride and handling, features and safety.However, the Sierra is in high demand, and waiting periods could be similar to or even longer than those of the Seltos, depending on the variant. If that is a concern, then consider the Tata Harrier.On the test drive, seat three adults in the rear and do a 10km loop. Check shoulder room, noise levels and suspension comfort with the car fully loaded.

Tata Sierra

Tata Harrier

Kia Seltos

Marisetty Venkata VIdyadhar

•4d

I own a Ford EcoSport Titanium diesel manual transmission 2015 model. I would like to upgrade to a new automatic petrol car. Please suggest a car that has very good build quality and has a 5-star safety rating. I stay in Hyderabad and need to go through bumper-to-bumper traffic. I have heard of DCT/DSG heating problems in heavy traffic, so I am considering a torque converter, CVT, or wet-clutch DCT. I am not sure if this is the correct decision, but I need a good, durable, and efficient automatic transmission that is smooth in slow-moving traffic. My usage is 70% city and 30% highway, so highway performance, stability, and good handling are also important. I am also looking for a car I can keep for 10-15 years, so durability and relevant features are important. I am not looking for very high-end tech, but I do want useful safety and comfort features. I also considered a 7 seater so that I can use the third row for luggage room, or occasionally, when my family members grow after a kid's marriage, maybe we would use the third row seating for a city outing. However, I am also fond of good boot space. So, not able to decide here. My budget is 25 lakh. Can you please suggest a car that is strong, safe, robust, and reliable in the above budget?

Autocar India

•18h

Go for the updated Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the new 8-speed automatic. It has a five-star crash rating, a robust build, and a smooth 8-speed torque-converter automatic, along with good stability and handling for your 70:30 city–highway mix.Your bumper-to-bumper driving will benefit from the torque-converter’s low-speed smoothness, avoiding the DCT/DSG heat concerns you mentioned. It is a five-star safety-rated car with six airbags, ESC and ISOFIX mounts for long-term peace of mind. Highway stability is confident at triple-digit speeds, while 188mm of ground clearance and a 385-litre boot keep it practical. For 10-15 years of ownership, the 1.0 TSI engine is tried and tested, and the automatic is a safer bet than dual-clutch units. Do opt for the maximum extended warranty available.The one thing you give up is advanced driver assistance. The Kushaq doesn’t offer ADAS features like adaptive cruise control or lane-keep assist, so keep that in mind.If you genuinely need a third row, consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO instead. It is also a five-star safety-rated vehicle and uses a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic. However, fuel efficiency from the petrol engine in the city will be lower, and its larger size means it is not as easy to drive in traffic.During the test drive, crawl at 5-10kph with the AC on to judge smoothness from the gearbox, and also do an 80-100kph highway run.

Skoda Kushaq

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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