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PRASAD M V

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Which is the best new car to consider in the ₹8–9 lakh budget range?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
39w

Every car serves a different purpose, so it's difficult to suggest the best option in the ₹8–9 lakh range without knowing your specific needs. Could you share more details about what you're looking for, such as fuel type, transmission, usage, or key features?

If safety is a top priority, you can also explore this list of cars under ₹10 lakh with 6 airbags, which might help narrow your options.

Recommended questions for you

PR

Prashant

2d

I want to purchase a car within a budget of 12 to 13 lakh. My running is about 50km every day during office hours in Mumbai. I am open to a hatchback or SUV. My requirement is a 5-star safety, reliability, low maintenance, spacious, and a good-feel cabin. Presently, I own a Tata Altroz. Please suggest a suitable car.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
12h

For your requirement, the Hyundai Venue and the Kia Seltos fit quite well.The Hyundai Venue HX5 turbo DCT is the easier car to live with. It is compact, very easy to drive in city traffic, and the automatic transmission makes daily commuting effortless. The cabin of this Hyundai car feels modern and well-equipped, so you will not feel the need to add much later.The Kia Seltos HTE or HTK is the better overall upgrade. It is a larger car, more spacious and more comfortable, especially at the rear. The 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, refined and easy to drive, making it well suited for long term use. Even in the base variants, it gets all the essential features you would need.

VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleKia Seltos
HA

Harikrishnan

1d

I am a retired person and currently own a Jeep Compass Limited Plus diesel manual, which I am planning to replace. My driving is about 5% in Chennai city and the rest on highways. Once every two months, I go on long road trips, mainly on highways and rural roads. Most of the time, it will be just me and my wife, with occasionally two additional passengers. I am considering the diesel Kia Seltos or Mahindra 7XO within a ₹16-18 lakh on-road budget. Kindly suggest which vehicle and model would be most suitable for my needs.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
13h

For your usage, which is mostly highway driving with occasional rural roads and long trips, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel manual is the better fit. It offers a more relaxed and effortless driving experience, especially over long distances.An important point in your case is what you are upgrading from. Your Jeep Compass diesel uses a 2.0-litre engine, and moving to the Kia Seltos diesel, which has a smaller 1.5-litre engine, will not feel like an upgrade in terms of performance. It will feel adequate, but not significantly stronger than what you are used to.The XUV 7XO, on the other hand, also uses a larger 2.0-litre diesel engine, and despite being a bigger car, it will feel like a proper step up. You will notice stronger pulling power, more effortless highway cruising and better overall performance. It also feels more stable and composed at speed, which suits your kind of long-distance driving. Refinement levels are also good, making it a comfortable car for extended journeys.The Seltos diesel is easier to drive in the city and feels more compact and user-friendly, but on highways and rough rural roads, it does not feel as robust or as planted as the 7XO.One important point is the budget. The 7XO diesel variants may go slightly above your Rs 18 lakh on-road range, depending on the variant and location, so you will need to check exact pricing.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleJeep Compass
VehicleKia Seltos
MR

Manjunath Ramaiah

2d

I am a senior citizen planning to buy an electric car or SUV with a budget of up to ₹25 lakh. I live in a farmhouse about 70 km away from Bangalore and typically travel at least 100 km, four days a week, along with occasional longer trips of around 250 km at least three times a month. I am looking for an SUV that offers comfortable driving on steep gradients, along with high levels of safety, durability (including resistance to water and fire risks), and a real-world driving range that is close to the claimed figures. Which electric SUV would be the most suitable for my needs? Please suggest.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
15h

The Hyundai Creta Electric is one of the best-suited options here. It is a spacious and comfortable SUV, which makes a big difference for long drives. The ride quality is well-tuned for comfort, the seats are supportive, and the overall driving experience is relaxed, which will suit you well as a senior driver.It is also extremely easy to drive. The controls are light, the power delivery is smooth and predictable, and the car feels very natural to get used to. Unlike some newer EVs like the Mahindra BE 6, which feel more futuristic and tech-heavy, the Creta EV feels like a normal, familiar car that just happens to be electric. This makes it far less intimidating and more comfortable to live with day to day.Performance is strong enough for inclines thanks to instant torque, and it feels confident on highways. The real-world range is sufficient for your 100 km regular drives and can manage your 250 km trips with some planning. Safety is also well taken care of, with modern features and driver aids adding reassurance on longer journeys.

VehicleHyundai Creta Electric
VehicleMahindra BE 6

Posted on: 2 Jul 2025