As a first-time buyer with usage of around 400 km per month, mostly on bumpy hill roads, and a budget of around ₹10 lakh (could extend some), what could be the best car? (Open to any brand.)

Autocar India

•1h

Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI+ AT fits your list better. In daily use, it will return much better mileage than the Mahindra XUV 3XO turbo automatic, especially in city traffic where the Maruti’s 1.5 and mild-hybrid tune are kinder on fuel. Its steering is lighter and smoother at low speeds, so parking and tight lanes feel easier. And over years, Maruti service and parts usually work out cheaper, so maintenance is friendlier on the wallet.You will get a 360 camera in these trims, so that box is ticked either way.The one reason to pick the XUV 3XO AX5L AT is if you value stronger performance for highway overtakes and a more tech feel. The Mahindra’s turbo motor and the automatic feel livelier, but you pay at the pump.If your priority stack is mileage, low upkeep and an easy, smooth steer, go Brezza. If you want punch and features first, go 3XO.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•16h

Since your priority is a good ride for your EV, pick the Hyundai Creta Electric. The suspension is stiffer than the ICE version’s to support the extra weight, but remarkably, it doesn’t translate into a crashy or uncomfortable ride experience. You can feel some firmness at low speeds, but road shocks are still well in check, and what’s nice is that the stiffness has eliminated unnecessary (secondary) body movements, and even at highway speeds, the Creta Electric doesn’t lose its composure. If a pure cushy feel is your only goal, then the Citroen eC3 rides even softer, but it’s smaller, slower and not as settled at higher speeds as the Creta. As for your ICE vehicle, we would recommend you look at the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which offers very good damping, so it stays composed on craters and doesn’t float when you’re quick over bad patches. Steering and stability inspire more confidence than most small SUVs in this price. The trade-off is size - cabin and boot are smaller than your Creta.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Citroen eC3

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•2d

Buy the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel. With your 2,000 km of highway every month, its strong diesel torque keeps overtaking easy and cruising relaxed, and it’s one of the few that still gives you real value under Rs. 16 lakh.It rides comfortably on broken roads and speed breakers, has proper ground clearance, and feels secure at highway speeds. The diesel’s running costs will stay low at your mileage, and Mahindra’s pricing of the mid trims means you don’t have to stretch for the useful bits like cruise control and six airbags. One thing you will have to live with is that the boot is smaller than most rivals, so fitting two large suitcases can be a squeeze.If you absolutely want an automatic for your 1,000 to 1,500 km of monthly city driving, options like the Kia Sonet, Kia Syros and Hyundai Venue offer smooth torque converter automatics in this price range and are very easy to live with in traffic. However, if fuel efficiency is a priority, we would suggest sticking to a manual, as it will be both more efficient and more affordable.If you’re fine with a manual, the XUV 3XO diesel is the sweet spot for torque, comfort, ground clearance and low running costs.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Syros

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue