Autocar India
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Dr Amit Gupta

•39w

Looking for a value-for-money car in the ₹35–40 lakh range that also offers a status symbol.

Anshuman Singh

Anshuman Singh

Verified
•38w

Cars that offer good value-for-money in that price range include the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX and Hyundai Tucson Signature 2.0D AT. If you're open to electric vehicles, you could haggle hard and even get a Hyundai Ioniq 5 closer to your budget.

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More questions on similar cars

SJ

Shubham Jain

•4h

My daily running is around 200 km, mostly on highways. Kindly suggest a suitable EV within a budget of Rs. 10-12 lakh.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1h

With a 200 km highway run every day and a budget of Rs. 10-12 lakh cap, the Tata Punch EV Smart+ 40 is the one you should look at. In this price, it gives the most usable highway range and it supports DC fast charging. It feels smooth and quiet at steady speeds, is easy to drive for long hours, and has a comfy cabin. The elevated driving position also gives you a great view out of the cabin and the high ground clearance will help you deal with large speed breakers and broken roads with ease.

VehicleTata Punch EV
AM

Arun Muthyalampally

•6h

Hi, I am planning to buy an electric car as a secondary vehicle, preferably a small hatchback, with a budget of under ₹10 lakh. My usage will mainly be city commuting of around 60 km per day. I am not interested in the Tata Tiago EV or the MG Comet EV, and I am willing to wait another 4-6 months if there are better upcoming options expected by the end of this year.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•3h

Since you want a city-friendly EV under Rs 10 lakh and don't want to go for either the Tata Tiago EV or MG Comet, you should consider the entry-level Tata Punch EV Smart. It's priced around your budget, it is small enough to drive and park comfortably in the city, and you can easily do a few days of your running on a single charge. The Punch EV also has an elevated seating position, so you get a great view out, the cabin is practical and comfy and being an EV, you'll appreciate the quiet and refined drive. As for upcoming models, Vietnamese manufacturer Vinfast is considering launching its smallest EV, the VF3, in India, but that is yet to be confirmed. So as it stands, your best bet is the Tata Punch EV Smart.

VehicleTata Tiago EV
VehicleMG Comet
VehicleTata Punch EV
KG

Kiran G

•8h

I am a new driver planning to buy my first car with a budget of around ₹10 lakh. My usage will mainly involve highway driving. Could you please suggest the best options considering safety, stability at highway speeds, comfort, fuel efficiency, reliability, ease of driving for a beginner, and long-term ownership experience?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•6h

For your needs, you should consider the Maruti Suzuki Dzire ZXI. It comes with a refined 1.2 petrol engine paired with a slick 5-speed manual gearbox, and combined with its light controls, makes it very easy to drive in city traffic. The Dzire is also an efficient car, with Maruti claiming it'll do 24.79kpl with the manual and 25.71kpl with the AMT automatic. The cabin is comfy, the ride quality is absorbent, and it also has a reasonably sized boot, all of which you'll appreciate on your long drives. The sedan has also proven to be safe, as it has a 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP. And to round it off, it's backed by Maruti's widespread service network, which will give you peace of mind, especially since this will be your first car.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Dzire

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Popular discussions right now

SS

SS

•1w

My wife and I earn around ₹4.5 lakh per month. We are planning to buy our first car, and we prefer the EMI to be around ₹15,000-₹20,000. What car would you suggest we should buy?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•4d

It really depends on how much down payment you are comfortable putting in, because your EMI target of Rs 15,000 to 20,000 can get you very different cars depending on the loan tenure and upfront payment.That said, for a first car that is easy to drive, safe, comfortable and still feels special, one of the strongest picks today is the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic. Skoda’s official pricing puts the Signature automatic in a range where, with roughly Rs 2.3 down payment and a 7 year loan, your EMI can sit broadly in your target bracket. The turbo petrol engine feels punchy without being intimidating, the torque converter automatic is smooth and fuss free, and the size is just right for a first time buyer.If you want to spend less and prioritise maximum ease of use, the Hyundai i20 IVT is another excellent first car. It is easier to drive than most SUVs, the IVT automatic is extremely smooth in traffic, and ownership is straightforward. You give up the higher seating position of an SUV, but for urban use, it is arguably an even easier first car.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleHyundai i20
LA

lakkhan

•2d

Is it worth considering buying an Audi in India at the moment over rivals like Mercedes-Benz or BMW? Could you please explain whether there are any risks associated with purchasing an Audi currently?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1d

From a pure product perspective, Audi’s cars like the A4, Q3 and the Q7 remain genuinely strong. Cabin quality is excellent, refinement is top-notch, quattro-equipped models are hugely capable, and the overall ownership experience can be perfectly satisfying. Where Mercedes and BMW currently have the edge is brand momentum, product freshness and showroom pull. Mercedes has the broadest luxury portfolio, while BMW arguably has the more engaging cars to drive in several segments. Audi, by comparison, has felt quieter in recent years, with fewer headline launches and slightly less buzz.Audi India remains committed, and service support for existing owners is not a concern in the way people sometimes fear.

VehicleAudi A4
VehicleAudi Q5
VehicleAudi Q7
NS

Nirmil Shah

•3d

I am interested in the BYD Seal, but I’m concerned about its low ground clearance of the car. Is this a serious issue on Indian roads, speed breakers, and basement ramps?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•3d

The low ground clearance of BYD Seal is something you can live with, especially if you're used to driving sedans. Its nose sits low and the distance between the wheels is long, so tall, badly built breakers and sharp ramp crests can make it touch, especially with four or five people and luggage. However on regular speed breakers, it is likely to clear if you slow right down, and you don't necessarily need to take them at a slight angle.The underbody and battery are protected, so even if it scrapes a few times, it should not be a cause of concern, however, it will feel gut-wrenching to hear the underbody scrape over the unscientifically-built speed humps.Before finalizing, if your daily route has extra-tall breakers or a tricky ramp, take a test drive on that exact path. If it clears there, you’ll be fine in regular use.

VehicleBYD Seal

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Posted on: 22 Aug 2025