Hi Autocar, I need your valuable opinion on purchasing a new car. My priorities are: safety, a comfortable ride (50% on highways and city roads and 50% on village roads), and a budget of around ₹5-6 lakh. Fuel efficiency is also important, as my daily run is 100 km.

Autocar India

•3h

For your usage of around 60 km daily (Delhi-Gurgaon-Delhi), you can safely go ahead with the diesel automatic in the Mahindra XUV 7XO. There is no need to avoid diesel because of DPF concerns in your case.DPF issues typically arise when the car is used only for very short drives or constant slow-speed city usage. In your case, a 60 km daily run is more than sufficient for the system to regenerate naturally, especially if parts of your drive include steady speeds. The diesel engine will also suit your usage better as it offers better efficiency and is refined, punchy and well-suited for regular commuting.You just need to ensure that, once in a while, the car gets a steady run at moderate speeds, which is something your usage will likely cover anyway.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•4h

If you like the Tata Curvv and its design, you should opt for it. It has secured a 5-star crash test rating from Bharat NCAP and is equipped with all the necessary safety kit. Given your usage, the extra outlay for the diesel automatic does not seem worth it, and the turbo petrol engine should feel like a good mix of performance and fuel economy for you.Downsides of the Curvv, however, are a DCT gearbox that can be jerky at low speeds, limited rear-seat space and poor cabin ergonomics. Plus, it has been known to suffer software glitches, and Tata's service quality is reportedly not as good as some other brands.Another option you could consider is the new Renault Duster. Its boxy shape may not be anything like the low-slung Curvv's, but it is quite appealing in its own right, and its 1.3 turbo petrol engine and DCT combination is a good mix of smoothness and performance.

Renault Duster

Tata Curvv

Autocar India

•7h

We understand that the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift is due very soon, likely in the next month or two. It will mainly bring cosmetic changes and additional features rather than any major mechanical overhaul. So if you are keen on the Brezza, it is worth waiting, because you’ll get the updated styling, a bit more equipment and potentially better value without having to wait too long.The Honda Elevate facelift, on the other hand, is still some time away. The current Elevate was launched in India in September 2023, and reliable estimates put its first facelift only in mid‑ to late‑2026. Given this timeline, we don’t expect it before the second half of this year at the earliest, and even then, the changes are likely to be mild. It will mainly include bumpers, grille and features with no major change to the 1.5‑litre petrol engine and CVT.Both cars are proven, reliable and easy‑to‑drive automatics, with smooth petrol engines and user‑friendly automatic gearboxes that work well in city traffic. The Elevate is, of course, a size bigger than the Brezza; it’s a proper midsize SUV (Creta class). So you get more cabin and boot space, but you also pay more for it, both in upfront price and running costs. So if you want an automatic soon and are leaning towards the Brezza, wait for the imminent facelift. If you prefer the larger Elevate, it makes sense to buy the current model rather than hold off for many months for a relatively minor update.