I am 67 years old. I want to buy a car under 6-7 lakh. Kindly suggest!

autocar.india

•1d

Go for a new Maruti Suzuki Wagon R automatic. It’s the easiest, cheapest way to move a family of five in Bengaluru while you build confidence. The tall seat and big windows make it simple to judge gaps, the steering is light for traffic and parking, and upkeep is among the lowest with Maruti’s huge service network. For city runs with two growing kids plus an adult in the back, the headroom helps and the flat floor is handy. One catch: it feels basic and the shifts aren’t the smoothest in bumper‑to‑bumper. If money is tight, a 2‑3 year old Wagon R or Tata Tiago automatic from a brand‑certified outlet is fine. Don’t go older than 5 years, and insist on service records and a warranty.To build confidence, practice 20‑30 minutes at dawn for two weeks on the same quiet loop, then add one new element at a time: U‑turns, flyovers, traffic. Spend an hour only on parking in an empty lot. Use an L sticker, stay in the left lane, keep a big gap, and book 3‑4 refresher lessons locally.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Tata Tiago

autocar.india

•1h

The updated 2026 Honda City is a good pick for your needs, with a sharper exterior design, a comfortable interior, and Honda’s service network and upkeep costs remaining affordable in this segment. It also comes in some classy, deep shades, and the paint finish is excellent. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine is smooth, efficient and proven, and it fits comfortably within your Rs. 15-17 lakh budget.Two things to know before you decide. Even with the update, the City’s cabin can feel a bit dated compared to some rivals. It also does not have the outright punch of a turbo-petrol engine, so quick overtakes will not be as effortless.If those are deal-breakers for you, then the Skoda Slavia or Volkswagen Virtus are stronger picks, though upkeep can be slightly more expensive. Overall, the City is a solid choice.

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

autocar.india

•12h

Pick the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG, in either Prestige or Monte Carlo. It’s the most fun-to-drive in your budget, with strong mid‑range power for four-up highway climbs, and a suspension that rides well on broken roads without feeling floaty. It stays stable at speed, and the steering feels natural on long drives. One honest caveat: the 7‑speed dual‑clutch can feel a bit jerky in stop‑go traffic, but your use is mostly highways, so it suits you fine.Close second is the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI DSG. Same punchy engine and gearbox, and equally enjoyable on twisty hill roads. Between the two, buy the one that gets you the better deal or closer service centres in your city.From Renault, the new Duster turbo‑petrol DCT is a solid choice too. It’s also great on rough roads and enjoyable in the twisties with enough performance for quick highways. Its DCT uses a wet clutch compared to the dry clutch from VW/Skoda, which means shifts are smoother in the city. Wet clutch transmissions are also generally more robust than dry clutch units.Alternatively, consider the Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo-petrol DCT. It has a roomier cabin, which will be important when you are travelling four up. It isn't quite as sharp as the above competitors, but it is enjoyable with plenty of performance.If you are going to be travelling to remote locations, service availability can be scarce. If that is a concern, then include the Maruti Victoris or the Grand Vitara 1.5 petrol. They can also be had with AWD, which can be very useful on rough roads and in icy conditions.

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara