We are a family of three planning to buy our first car with a budget of under Rs 10 lakh. Our priorities are safety, interior space and good after sales service in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Which car would you recommend?

Autocar India

•4h

For your budget, it’s quite challenging to find an EV that genuinely delivers both a premium feel and strong road presence. Typically, those attributes come with larger electric SUVs that sit in a much higher price bracket.That said, you could consider the Mahindra BE6. It has a very striking, concept-like design that certainly stands out on the road and fits within your budget. In fact, the design is the BE6’s biggest talking point. It’s bold and quite polarising, so while not everyone may like it, it’s impossible to ignore.The interior follows a similarly radical theme, with a modern, tech-heavy layout that feels fresh compared to more conventional offerings in this price range. However, there are a few compromises to be aware of in this Mahindra car. Rear seat space is a bit tight for regular use, and there are some ergonomic quirks that may take getting used to.Given your high monthly running and predictable loop drive, the BE6 could still work well as a distinctive, urban-focused EV provided you’re willing to prioritise design and presence over outright practicality.

Mahindra BE 6

Autocar India

•5h

Since you are leaning towards a diesel, the only models shortlisted by you, that offer a diesel engine are the Hyundai Venue and Tata Nexon. The Skoda Kushaq and Tata Punch do not come with a diesel option.Between the Hyundai Venue 1.5 diesel and the Tata Nexon 1.5 diesel, the Venue diesel would be my pick. Given your experience with the Creta SX(O) CRDi AT and 85,000 km of trouble‑free running across India, it makes sense to stay with a familiar and proven Hyundai diesel powertrain. In your budget, the Hyundai Venue HX5 Diesel AT is the variant to focus on. It gives you the 1.5‑litre diesel with a proper 6-speed automatic and a sensible balance of features without stretching the budget unnecessarily.The Nexon feels more robust, has a bigger boot, and is a strong product on its own. However, the Venue has more finesse, a higher quality interior, a smoother and more consistent drivetrain, and overall feels better put together. For your usage and preferences, the Venue HX5 Diesel AT is the more confidence‑inspiring choice.

Skoda Kushaq

Tata Punch

Tata Nexon

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•6h

The Nexon EV with the 45kWh battery looks like the best fit within your Rs 15 lakh budget. It’s a well-established product now, having gone through multiple updates since its debut in 2020, and Tata Motors has steadily refined it over time.That said, don’t expect it to be entirely free of minor niggles that are known to still come up occasionally, but overall, it’s a sorted and usable EV. The size works well for city use, while its solid, reassuring build gives it good highway confidence, which is important if you’re planning longer drives.In terms of range, you can realistically expect over 300km in real-world conditions, depending on driving style, traffic, and terrain. Charging infrastructure is also steadily improving, which makes this Tata car easier to live with as a primary car.All things considered, it strikes a good balance between practicality, range, and price, making it one of the safest choices in this segment right now.

Tata Nexon EV