Autocar India
SU

Sushant

1d

I am looking to buy a hatchback under 6 lakh. Which one should I buy? Currently, I am driving a Santro 2019 model and am pretty much happy with it.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
15m
For mostly city use and with a hard cap of Rs. 6 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio LXi (manual) fits you best. It keeps the same easy, light feel you’re used to in the Santro, so traffic and parking stay simple. Space is good for this price, with a rear seat and boot that work better than those of very small cars, so daily chores and the odd airport run won’t feel tight. And like Hyundai, Maruti has a wide service reach and low running costs, which suits someone who just wants a simple, fuss-free car.
Know that the LXI is the base version, so it is quite basic inside and does not come with a music system or wheel covers, though these can be added through dealer accessories. If you want a bit more style and features at this price, the Renault Kwid is also worth a look, but first check service support in your area.
Overall, for your city use and budget, the Celerio LXI lines up best with what you described.
Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

More questions on similar cars

DM

Deepak Moharana

1d

I earn Rs 70,000 in hand and live in a village. My office is 15 km away. What would be an appropriate budget for a car, as I am completely new to this? My priority is low maintenance, and it should be a family car. As I am a government field officer, there will be regular travel.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1h

Keep your budget around Rs 6-8 lakh and go for a simple petrol car. With a Rs 70,000 in-hand salary, the idea is to keep ownership easy and stress-free rather than stretching your budget, especially since your job involves regular travel and you are new to owning a car.For your usage, a petrol car makes the most sense as it is easier to maintain and better suited to mixed driving. Since you live in a village, focus on comfort, durability and ease of use over features or performance, because what will matter most is how reliably the car handles daily travel.Within this, go for the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R if you want maximum practicality. It is spacious, simple and extremely easy to live with, making it a perfect first car for both family use and regular travel. If you want something that feels a bit more modern and stylish while still being easy to own, then the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is a good alternative.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Wagon R
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Celerio
CJ

Chandan Jha

3d

I currently own a Maruti S-Cross and a Honda Brio, and I plan to replace both. My budget for a 5-seater SUV is around 15-16 lakh, and for a compact hatchback, around 6 lakh. Both cars will be used in the city, and I want petrol options that are easy to maintain and fun to drive. The SUV will occasionally be used for family trips with four people (2 adults and 2 kids). My must-have features include a rear parking camera, steering-mounted controls, automatic climate control, rear AC vents (in the SUV), and keyless entry. I really like my current cars, especially the Brio.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

The Skoda Kushaq 1.0-litre turbo-petrol with the 8-speed automatic transmission is a fun-to-drive mid-size SUV that you can replace your Maruti S-Cross with. Its compact size makes it ideal for 2 adults and 2 kids, and the Classic+ variant will fall within your Rs 16 lakh budget, and it has most of the features listed, except a rear parking camera. You can also consider a Honda Elevate V CVT, which will be very easy to maintain and is fun to drive.With your Rs 6 lakh budget, though, you will only be able to get entry-level variants of the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios or mid variants of a Maruti Celerio and Tata Tiago. Between the three, the Nios has the nicest interior, while the Celerio's engine will be more efficient. Do keep in mind that neither of the three cars will be as fun to drive as your Brio. So, if your car is in good condition, you should retain it.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Celerio
VehicleTata Tiago
VehicleHonda Elevate
KN

Knt

1d

I am a first-time car buyer looking to purchase an SUV within a budget of ₹16 lakh (on-road). My usage will primarily be for weekend drives, occasional trips, and highway driving, with minimal city use. My key requirements are good features, strong mileage, and overall comfort. Could you please suggest the best SUV option that offers a good balance of performance, features, and long-term ownership?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2h

Mostly highway weekends with an Rs 16 lakh on-road cap, and you want strong features and low fuel use, in that case, the Kia Seltos HTK (manual) fits you best. The HTK trim brings the useful bits you will actually use on trips, like an HD touchscreen, a clear camera, auto climate control and solid safety features, without pushing the price past your limit. The 1.5 NA petrol is very refined, with adequate performance for most users and decent fuel efficiency. Since you do not drive in the city too much, we would stick with the manual, which is light and easy to use.One thing to keep in mind for your use: performance is adequate, but it can feel a bit underwhelming when pushed. If you want a bit more performance, then consider the Honda Elevate.Overall, for weekend and highway use under Rs 16 lakh, the Kia Seltos HTK (manual) lines up best with what you want.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleHonda Elevate

Posted on: 17 Apr 2026