Mauganj

•5w

I am a first-time buyer. My salary is Rs 4.2 lakh per year (CTC). Which company and which model would suit me?

•5w

With a CTC of Rs 4.2 lakh per year, the key is to keep the purchase affordable and running costs low. The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the most sensible starting point. It is reliable, easy to maintain and has excellent service reach, which is exactly what you want as a first-time buyer. The 1.0-litre petrol engine in this Maruti Suzuki car is efficient, and the car is easy to drive in the city.

If you need a bit more space, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a good alternative with its tall-boy design and larger boot. If you are open to a slightly higher budget, the Tata Tiago is worth considering for its stronger build and more premium feel, but Maruti's service network and lower maintenance costs make it the safer long-term choice at this budget. The Alto K10 is the most practical and financially sensible first car.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

Alto K10

from ₹4.17 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Wagon R

from ₹5.62 Lakh

Tata

Tiago

from ₹5.37 Lakh

•5w•

Even better, go for the preowned route. You let someone else absorb the initial depreciation hit, and enjoy the full value of a vehicle that's even a segment above, within your budget.

•5w•

@autocar.india I am thinking like how would it be if you have asked him to avoid buying a car until he reach atleast 12 LPA. It is literally insane to think of buying a car when he is at 4.2 LPA CTC. Though you suggested a pure entry level car of maruti but still it can give max mileage of 24 on highway per liter because of which he will think twice to take the car out at 110+ rupees of liter petrol, secondly, yearly maintenance will be 3000 and bi yearly maintenance will be 6000, third its insurance costs will start at around 15000 reduces, fourth unexpected expenses like puncture, repairs, scratches, insurance claim fee etc. He should stop thinking about car at this point of time

•5w•

@siddhartha.1 6 years back I bought a used swift petrol for 1.2 lacs. I drove for about 15k kms for 1.5 years. The total cost(general service+repairs) of ownership came to around 30k. Then I sold the car for 80k. I enjoyed every moment of the ownership. Petrol cost we used to share within friends, most of the time.

•4w•

Go for S Presso

•5w•

Alto or wagon r cng.

•5w•

Salary 30 lpa which car is suitable for

•5w•

My yearly salary is 7lacs.which car will be suitable for me. My high is also 5.4,ft

•5w•

Go for Nissan Magnite

•5w•

I have annual salary of RS 1500000 I mainly need a vehicle for city. I have selected Dzire 2026 and breeza facelift. which one is suitable for me

•5w•

@jiten Go with Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 👍

•5w•

Upto what extent e20damage the car

•5w•

Is e20 usage really damage cars of2021

More posts on similar cars

•4h

I want to buy a strong hybrid car for an approximate monthly running of 800-1,000 km, mostly in the city, with occasional outstation trips.

•3h

The Victoris Hybrid is the most sensible choice here because it is essentially the same car as the Grand Vitara and Hyryder underneath, but it gets a more premium interior and a better feature list, including level 2 ADAS, at a similar price. The hybrid system is proven, the ownership experience is straightforward, and the car is well suited to both city and highway use. The only thing to keep in mind is that the boot is on the smaller side due to the battery pack, but overall it is the most balanced and value-for-money hybrid option in this segment.

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Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

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•7h

I currently own a 2016 Hyundai i20 Elite Sportz and am planning to upgrade to an SUV, but I am a bit confused. My budget is Rs. 20 lakh. I am looking for a reliable engine, low maintenance costs, and decent mileage. Since my family consists of six members, I am particularly interested in a 7-seater. Would the Tata Safari be a good option, or should I consider other alternatives?

•45m

With a family of six and a Rs 20 lakh budget, the Carens Clavis is worth considering before the Safari. It offers genuinely usable space across all three rows, a comfortable ride and a proven 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. For a buyer prioritising reliability, low maintenance and reasonable running costs, it is a more natural fit.The Safari is the more SUV-like choice, with a spacious cabin, good ride comfort and strong highway manners. Although the Safari itself has not been tested, the Harrier uses the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and returned just 6.17kpl in the city and 12.49kpl on the highway in our testing. The Safari is heavier, so expectations of fuel economy should be realistic. The diesel is more efficient than the petrol, but it is not particularly frugal either, especially in city use.The Clavis therefore makes more sense if mileage and running costs are important. The Safari becomes more attractive if you specifically want the larger SUV experience, higher seating position and stronger highway character.

Tinted windows get flagged constantly in checks, yet half the SUVs on the road already come with factory-dark rear glass.

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

I currently drive a Hyundai i10 CNG, with daily running of around 6 km in Gurgaon city traffic and a monthly highway drive of around 200 km. I am now planning to upgrade my car, with an on-road budget of Rs. 12 lakh for a petrol sub-4-metre SUV, up to Rs. 14 lakh for a petrol midsize SUV, and Rs. 15 lakh for an EV. I live in a rented apartment on the second floor, so I am apprehensive about getting an EV. I prefer an EV, but installing a charger could be complicated due to the sanctioned load. My running could increase to nearly 800 km per month in the future. My key priorities are: - Good suspension and ride comfort, as I have a back problem - Decent fuel efficiency in heavy city traffic - Low to medium maintenance costs - Auto hold and ventilated seats would be good to have I sometimes consider buying a manual, but I mostly prefer an automatic. I am currently considering the Maruti Brezza, Baleno AMT, Fronx AMT/AT, Sonet iMT, Exter AMT, and even the upcoming Inster, VF3, and Bayon. I am open to other suggestions as well. Note: I had a bad driving experience with the Punch AMT, as it caused back fatigue.

•3d

Given your priorities of ride comfort, fuel efficiency and low maintenance, the Maruti Brezza automatic is the most sensible upgrade. It offers a comfortable ride, a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine and Maruti's strong service network, which keeps long-term ownership costs in check. The torque converter automatic is smooth in city traffic, and the Brezza's higher seating position will help with your back issues. The Sonet iMT is not the right choice here. While it is a good car, the iMT is not a true automatic and will not offer the same ease of use in Gurgaon traffic. The Baleno AMT and Exter AMT are also not ideal given your back issues and the fact that AMT gearboxes are not as smooth as torque converter automatics in stop-start conditions.On the EV front, your apprehension about charging is valid. Without a straightforward home charging solution, an EV will add unnecessary complexity to your ownership experience. The upcoming Bayon is interesting and if you can wait a few weeks you would have a better picture before making a decision. For now, the Brezza automatic strikes the best balance between comfort, efficiency and hassle-free ownership.

Hi, I’m confused between the Skoda Kylaq and Tata Punch EV and would like some advice on which one to buy. The car will primarily be used for city driving, with occasional highway trips. The budget is Rs 10-14 lakh on-road. I previously owned a Volkswagen Polo GT TDI, so I’m looking for a car that can offer a similar level of driving satisfaction while also being practical for everyday use. I’m currently confused between these two options and would appreciate some guidance.

•3d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI. With your budget of Rs 10-14 lakh, mostly city usage and occasional highway runs, the Kylaq is the better fit. It offers a familiar driving experience coming from a Polo GT TDI, with a punchy turbo petrol engine, solid build quality and a sorted ride and handling balance. The Tata Punch EV is a good city car, but the Kylaq is more versatile for occasional highway trips and long-term ownership. The Kylaq also offers better rear seat space and a more premium feel overall. The Punch EV makes sense only if your usage is almost entirely city-based and you have reliable home charging. Given your budget and usage pattern, the Kylaq is the more balanced and sensible choice.

Skoda Kylaq

Tata Punch EV

•2d

I am planning to buy a new vehicle for myself and my parents. I have seen the new Audi Q3 2026 and am quite interested in it, but I am not fully convinced about the petrol-only option. I was hoping for a hybrid version, especially considering fuel efficiency at this price point. Secondly, I am also looking for a 4x4 and am currently waiting for the new Fortuner. However, I am confused because many people are suggesting the new Scorpio N or Thar Roxx, saying that if the primary purpose is off-roading, there is no need to spend so much on a Fortuner. Please suggest what would be the better option for my requirements.

•1d

The Audi New Q3 is a good choice if you want a premium, comfortable SUV, but I would not buy it expecting a hybrid. The India-spec Q3 is expected to use a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 204hp, a 7-speed DCT and quattro AWD, with no confirmed hybrid version for India.If your requirement is genuine 4x4 capability, the Toyota Fortuner remains a very different proposition. The next-generation Fortuner is already being tested and is expected in India by early 2027. It is expected to retain petrol and diesel engines, 4x4 capability and the ladder-frame construction, while gaining a much more modern cabin and ADAS.The Mahindra Scorpio N is the sensible alternative if you want a capable 4x4 without spending Fortuner money. The Thar Roxx makes more sense if off-road ability is the priority, but it is less comfortable and practical as a family SUV.For parents, the Q3 will be considerably easier to live with in the city, while the Fortuner is better suited to long-distance touring and serious rough-road use.

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