I am planning to buy a car with a budget of around ₹10-12lakh. My primary usage will be highway driving for personal use. I am looking for a car that is easy to drive, safe, and offers a smooth driving experience.

Autocar India

•10h

With 1,600km a month running, a diesel automatic will be an economical option, so we'd suggest you rule out the Kylaq, which is only available with a turbo-petrol engine. The Kia Sonet HTK Plus and Hyundai Venue HX5 share their 1.5 diesel engine and 6-speed automatic gearbox, and both are equally smooth, refined and efficient. Also, both feel quite similar to drive too, although the Venue's steering feels noticeably lighter. The Hyundai is the newer car here, while the Kia Sonet is due for a generation change in 2027.However, if you like the Sonet for what it offers, go ahead with it, as you're going to hold on to the car for a long period of time, so resale value should not matter.Do note that a lifetime tax is collected on all cars for 15 years (except in Delhi NCR, which has different rules), after which you will have to subject your vehicle to fitness tests to ensure it is roadworthy, and pay the relevant taxes for a few years at a time, as per your RTO, to continue driving your car.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•1d

Considering your requirements, you should take a look at the Skoda Kylaq Prestige+ MT. It fits within your budget of Rs 15 lakh, it is enjoyable to drive and comes loaded with features.The Kylaq is powered by a 115hp, 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, and paired with a 6-speed manual combined with its great ride and handling balance make it one of the best small SUVs to drive. There's even a 6-speed torque converter automatic option if you want greater convenience. The SUV also has compact dimensions, so you won't have trouble driving it in Delhi NCR traffic and while parking.This Skoda car comes equipped with 6 airbags and has received a full 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP. So, safety is also taken care of. As for features, you get a sunroof, a 10-inch touchscreen, ventilated and powered front seats and much more.Do note, though, the Kylaq's backseat is best reserved for only two adults, and compared to some rivals, it misses out on features like a 360-degree camera.

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•1d

Yes, you have chosen a sensible first car, especially given your priorities. The Tata Punch facelift Adventure fits well if safety, comfort and confidence behind the wheel matter most. Its upright seating position, compact dimensions and good visibility make it much less intimidating for a new driver than larger SUVs like the Kylaq, Nexon or Venue, while the Punch facelift continues to offer a strong safety package.The bigger question is your long-term ownership plan of 5 to 10 years. If your usage will mostly involve city driving and occasional family trips, the Punch makes good sense as an easy-to-drive urban SUV with a comfortable suspension that handles bad roads well. Mileage will be decent rather than class-leading, but still acceptable.The only thing worth checking is your local Tata dealership experience, because after-sales quality can vary by location. But if you have a well-regarded service center nearby, that should not become a major concern.

Tata Punch

Tata Nexon

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•5d

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

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

•6d

You need a car for pure highway use and want the longest stretch between stops; in that case, we would lean towards the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh for its better real-world highway range. In our real-world testing, we managed 477 km on the highway, which suits your “pure highway” pattern. We have also tested the AWD Harrier EV, which managed 401 km (combined). While the RWD version should better that, it will likely still fall short of the XEV 9S’s range.One thing to note: the Mahindra’s ride can feel a bit floaty on undulating highway surfaces, so try it out before you commit. If that is an issue, the XEV 9e has a more settled ride.Overall, for highway-first use and maximum range, the XEV 9S 79kWh is the safer bet.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV