I want to buy my first car, and I have a strict budget of Rs 10 lakh. I will not use the car on a daily basis; I will drive it occasionally, and I live in Kolkata.

autocar.india

•2d

For your usage, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire is actually the most sensible choice. Your running is low, your usage is mostly city with occasional weekend trips, and you want reliability, low maintenance, and fuel efficiency. The Dzire is built exactly for this brief. The 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine is smooth enough in everyday use, and the car is light, easy to drive and very efficient in the city. Concerns about the three-cylinder engine are largely overstated. Modern 3-cylinder engines are well balanced and refined at city speeds, and the Dzire is tuned for efficiency and reliability rather than outright performance. In our real-world testing, the Dzire has managed 14.5kpl in the city and 20kpl on the highway. The Maruti Suzuki Swift is essentially the same mechanical package in a hatchback body, so the decision there is simply whether a hatchback or a sedan better suits your needs. The Honda Amaze is a good alternative if you specifically want an automatic. If the Honda Amaze price fits your budget, it gets a CVT, which is much smoother compared to the AMT on the Dzire, but it's not as fuel efficient. In our standard test cycle, the CVT Amaze mileage is 9.94kpl in the city cycle and 16.62kpl on the highway loop. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Fronx are both good cars, but they will not be as efficient in the city as the Dzire.Go for the Dzire manual and do not worry about the 3-cylinder engine – it is a well-proven, efficient and reliable package.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Honda Amaze

autocar.india

•30m

The BYD Sealion 7 is a very strong package, but whether you should wait depends on your priorities. If you need a car soon, the Sealion 7 is a safe recommendation. It offers strong performance, good range and a well-finished cabin. However, the electric car market is evolving rapidly, and several interesting models are expected over the next 6-12 months, including more affordable options and new premium EVs from established brands. If you are not in a hurry, waiting a few months could give you a clearer picture of the segment and potentially better value. If you need a car now, this BYD car is a solid choice.

BYD Sealion 7

autocar.india

•11h

Yes, the Toyota Innova HyCross GX is a very sensible choice in the Rs. 30 lakh bracket, especially given your priorities. The 2.0-litre petrol engine is smooth, reliable and well-suited to long-term ownership, while Toyota’s service network and reputation for durability are among the strongest in the country. Where the HyCross really stands out is as a family car, it offers genuinely comfortable seating for six, a spacious and practical cabin, and a ride quality that makes long journeys easy. The GX variant also strikes a good balance between essential features and value, without pushing the budget unnecessarily. The only real drawback is that the petrol engine is not as fuel-efficient as the hybrid variants, but the hybrid versions are significantly more expensive and may not justify the premium unless your running is very high. Overall, the HyCross GX is a dependable, comfortable and practical family car that should keep you happy for many years.

Toyota Innova HyCross