Hi, I learned to drive as a teen and have been driving my dad’s Maruti Alto for years now. I also drive a Maruti Dzire. I want my next car to be at least a bit fun and engaging to drive. I’m based in Kolkata and planning to buy a new car with a budget of around Rs. 16 lakh. Currently, I’m looking at: Kia Seltos Manual (as it comes within this budget), Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI, and Kia Sonet Turbo DCT. However, I’m not completely convinced about the Seltos at this price point, mostly because I’m not a big fan of its shiny front grille. Considering my budget, preference for a fun driving experience, mostly city usage, and one or two highway trips a month, which one would you recommend?

autocar.india

•1h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT petrol. With your usage of less than 1,000km a month and 80% city driving in Bengaluru, the strong hybrid does not make financial sense unless you are getting a very substantial discount. The petrol automatic is smooth, reliable and well suited to city traffic, and the Brezza is a proven, fuss-free ownership proposition with Maruti’s service reach and low running costs. The Seltos HTK IVT and the Victoris VXI AT are good cars, but at Rs. 15 lakh ex-showroom you are at the lower end of their range and will be compromising on features, whereas the Brezza ZXI AT is a more complete package at that price point. The Seltos and Victoris are bigger, but not my much and the premium you pay does not justify the entry-level variants. The Brezza also has a comfortable rear seat and a decent boot, which will suit a family of four plus a pet dog and is a better deal overall.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

autocar.india

•1d

The Kia Seltos Diesel AT is a great car, but with an annual running of just 7,000-8,000 km, the diesel premium is difficult to justify, especially when you already plan to sell it after 4-5 years. Given your low annual running, home charging cost of Rs 10.5/kWh, and planned ownership of 8-10 years, the Mahindra BE 6 makes the most sense. Your usage pattern is ideal for an EV, and over a long ownership period, the lower running costs will more than offset the higher upfront price.Your budget also suits the BE 6 well, as the Pack One Above variant fits comfortably within it. The Tata Harrier EV and even the Mahindra XEV 9e are more premium offerings, but both would require you to stretch your budget.That said, if comfort and practicality are your priorities, the BE 6 may not be the best choice. The Tata Sierra EV is a better alternative. It comes with a slightly larger battery pack than the BE 6, fits within your budget, and offers an excellent ride along with a more spacious cabin. The Adventure 63 variant is the one to consider. It is worth test-driving both the BE 6 and the Sierra EV back-to-back, as that will give you a much clearer idea of which one better suits your needs.

Kia Seltos

Tata Harrier EV

Tata Sierra EV

Mahindra BE 6

Mahindra XEV 9e

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Hyundai Venue HX5 Turbo Petrol DCT. It's the best choice among your shortlisted options. Since you're a new driver, its compact dimensions will be easier to get used to, and as you mentioned, the lighter controls are a big advantage.With 70% of your driving on highways, the manual gearbox is a straightforward and dependable choice. At the same time, the clutch is light enough to remain comfortable in city traffic. Sticking with the manual also allows you to move up to the better-equipped Hyundai Venue N Line N6 Petrol MT variant within your budget.It's not that the Venue's DCT has inherent issues in traffic. Rather, it can feel jerky at crawling speeds, and it requires slightly more careful use, such as shifting to Neutral or Park when stopped for longer at traffic lights, to minimise premature wear.The Kia Seltos HTE Petrol MT gives you a larger car and a bigger engine, but being the base-spec variant, it misses out on several features. As a first-time buyer, the size may be more of a hindrance than a benefit.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Seltos