Autocar India
•34w

I grew up reading Autocar since I was 13, and now, at 25, I want to buy a CNG car for around ₹10 lakhs for primary city use, with average speeds under 25 km/h. I’m confused between the Baleno, Exter, Dzire, and Altroz. Fuel efficiency and a hassle-free ownership experience are my priorities. I’m also open to other good CNG options you suggest. Additionally, is the new Brezza expected to get an underbody CNG setup in 2025?

Verified
•34w

The Tata Altroz in the Creative spec will fit in your budget and is a well-packaged premium hatchback. The dual-cylinder also allows for a decently sized boot, and it offers good power for city driving. The main advantage this Tata car has over the other cars you mentioned is a premium cabin, more features and space and comfort. It rides very well, feels plush and has good tech. The Exter has a bigger boot, and Hyundai is better than Tata when it comes to after-sales, but as a product, the Altroz is better and will suit your needs well. 

Tata Altroz

Tata Altroz

Explore cars mentioned

Tata Altroz

Tata

Altroz

from ₹7.28 Lakh

Hyundai Exter

Hyundai

Exter

from ₹6.71 Lakh

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

Compare suggested cars

More questions on similar cars

•3d

Which is the best car under Rs. 10 lakh for 90% city driving and 10% highway driving? I am confused between the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Tata Altroz Diesel.

Verified
•1d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire petrol AMT. With 90% city driving, diesel is not the right choice. Modern diesels with DPFs are not happy with short city runs, and the cost savings wont add up with limited running. The Dzire is light, easy to drive, reliable, the AMT makes city traffic far less tiring and the 1.2-litre engine is very fuel efficient. It is also backed by Maruti’s massive service network and low running costs, which is exactly what you want as a long-term city car under 10 lakh. The Altroz diesel is a good car, but diesel simply does not make sense for your usage pattern. The Dzire is the safer, more sensible and more hassle-free choice for your needs.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Dzire
VehicleTata Altroz
•1d

I am a senior citizen, 5'10" tall, and currently own a 2012 Maruti Wagon R. I am planning to replace it and am considering the Swift, Wagon R, and Exter. How is the Hyundai Exter Petrol AMT for my needs? My usage is limited to city driving with low annual running. Which one would you recommend?

Verified
•1d

Given your requirements, the Hyundai Exter AMT is the best fit. As a senior citizen with city-only driving and low annual kilometres, the Exter offers the right balance of ease of use, comfort and practicality. The higher seating position makes ingress and egress easier, visibility is excellent, and the AMT gearbox is smooth enough for city traffic. The cabin is more spacious than the Swift, especially in terms of headroom and rear seat comfort, and the ride quality is better over broken roads. Compared to the Wagon R, the Exter feels more premium, better built and more refined, while still offering the same ease of use and practicality. The Swift is a good car, but its lower seating position and tighter rear seat make it less suitable for your needs. The Wagon R remains a practical choice, but the Exter is a clear step up in comfort, safety and overall ownership experience. Go for the Exter AMT, and you will have a car that is easy to live with for many years.

VehicleHyundai Exter
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Wagon R
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Swift
•2d

I'm happy to choose either the Kia Seltos diesel or the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel, as you suggested. However, I'm concerned about DPF issues. My usage is around 40km daily in Bangalore city, along with 3-5 highway trips every month.

Verified
•41m

With a 40km daily commute in Bangalore and 3-5 highway runs a month, you are actually in a good position for a modern diesel. The DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) issue is a concern mainly for cars that do only very short, stop-start city runs with no opportunity for the filter to regenerate. Your 3 to 5 highway runs every month should suffice in keeping the DPF clean; you would have long enough stretches for the car to reach operating temperature and allow passive regeneration to occur. Between the Kia Seltos and the XUV 7XO diesel, the decision comes down to priorities. The Seltos diesel is the more refined and polished package, with a smoother engine and a more premium cabin experience. The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the more powerful and more spacious car, with a stronger engine and a more commanding road presence. If you value refinement and a more premium feel, go for the Kia car. If you want more power, more space and a more rugged feel, go for the Mahindra car.The key point is that with your usage pattern, the DPF should not be a deal-breaker. Both cars are strong diesel options, and your driving routine is well-suited to modern diesel ownership.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO

View all Posts

Expert reviews worth reading

Tata Altroz
TataAltroz
Read expert review
Hyundai Exter
HyundaiExter
Read expert review

Popular discussions right now

•2d

I want to buy a low-maintenance car for my father, who is 65 years old. My budget is around 15 lakh. His daily commute is around 30-40km, and he also visits our farm 7-8 times a month. Which car would you recommend?

Verified
•1d

For your father, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol automatic is the most sensible recommendation. At 65, ease of use, reliability and low maintenance are far more important than outright performance or flashy features. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simple, proven and well-suited to a 30-40 km daily commute, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Maruti’s service network is the best in the country, which means low running costs and peace of mind over the long term.This Maruti Suzuki car also has enough ground clearance and a robust suspension setup to handle occasional farm visits without any fuss. It is not the most exciting car in the segment, but it is comfortable, easy to drive and built for hassle-free ownership. At Rs 15 lakh, it is one of the most dependable choices you can make for your father. Since the Brezza facelift is just around the corner, you can wait for that or try to get a good deal on the outgoing model.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
•6d

I currently own a Toyota Innova Crysta 2.8 ZX Variant AT, which has covered 55,000 km and has been an absolute peace of mind. I am now planning to upgrade my vehicle with a budget of around Rs. 30 lakh. Which car would you recommend?

Verified
•4d

If you have enjoyed 55,000 km of trouble-free ownership with the Innova Crysta, the most logical upgrade is the Toyota Innova HyCross. It retains the core strengths of the Crysta - reliability, comfort and Toyota's experience - while offering a genuinely meaningful step up in refinement, technology and efficiency. The Toyota Cars hybrid powertrain is particularly well-suited to Indian conditions, delivering strong fuel economy in the city and a smooth, effortless driving experience on the highway. The cabin is a significant upgrade over the Crysta, with a more modern layout, better materials and a more premium feel overall. The only caveat is that the HyCross does not offer the same diesel torque as the 2.8, so if you are a very heavy highway user who values that diesel punch, you may want to consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel as an alternative. However, for most owners, the HyCross represents the best balance of reliability, comfort and long-term peace of mind.

VehicleToyota Innova Crysta
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
•1w

Hi, I live in Ahmedabad. My daily travel is around 85 km. I already own a Maruti Suzuki Baleno and a Hyundai Accent. My budget is Rs. 25-27 lakh. Kindly suggest a few good options.

Verified
•2d

With a daily commute of 85 km, your running is very high, so fuel efficiency and running costs become the most important factor. At the same time, you already own a Baleno and an Accent, so this car should feel like a meaningful upgrade in terms of comfort, space and overall ownership experience.The best option for your usage is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city and highway conditions, and the petrol engine ensures long-term reliability and low maintenance costs. The Victoris is also a very comfortable and spacious car, making it well-suited for long daily commutes. The hybrid system of the Maruti Suzuki car is particularly effective in stop-and-go traffic, where it can significantly reduce fuel consumption.If you are open to diesel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is also a strong option. It is a larger and more powerful SUV with excellent highway performance and a comfortable ride.Overall, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the best fit for your needs. It offers the right balance of fuel efficiency, comfort, reliability and ownership experience for a high-mileage daily commuter.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Victoris
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO

View all Posts

Posted on: 19 Nov 2025