I want to drive from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar. Which route would you recommend? I can see multiple routes on Google Maps and don't know which one is best.

autocar.india

•1h

Take a look at the Hyundai Venue. The petrol automatic, which is the 1.0 litre turbo, would be ideal for you, given the Bengaluru traffic; however, you would get a lower efficiency than the manual 1.2 litre engine. In all other respects, the Venue would do you well. You will find the compact dimensions easy to manage, the insides are spacious and comfy enough, and the car is well equipped with a safety kit and has earned a 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP (BNCAP) tests. Being a Hyundai, reliability and service are well taken care of, too.

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

•4h

Buy the Tata Punch EV now and sell the Baleno, because you mostly drive alone in the city, and the EV will cut your daily costs while the Carens stays for family and longer trips. The Punch EV is small and easy to park at hospitals, feels sturdy, sits a bit higher than a hatch, and the smooth, quiet drive is a real stress‑buster in traffic. Your Carens has very low running and is the better car to keep for outstation or airport runs; the Baleno overlaps with what the EV will do.Since you are considering an EV, we assume you have a dedicated parking spot with a 15A socket at home or at your clinic or hospital. Public fast charging is improving, but relying on it for all your charging needs is not practical.

Tata Punch EV

autocar.india

•6h

The Hyundai i20 N Line N6 manual is a good highway car. Its tall sixth gear allows it to cruise comfortably at highway speeds while returning respectable fuel efficiency. The engine has a strong mid-range, making overtakes easy, and it feels stable at high speeds. For your use case, performance will feel noticeably dulled with four people on board, and pushing the engine harder will reduce fuel efficiency. It also suffers from a weak bottom end, so performance below 2,000rpm is not particularly strong. A full load can also leave ground clearance marginal over taller speed breakers, and the ride is on the firmer side, which passengers may find uncomfortable. While cabin space is generally good for the segment, the boot may feel tight when carrying luggage for four.The Honda Elevate has a definite advantage when it comes to space. While your family of four, all under 170cm tall, will fit comfortably in the i20, the Elevate gives them more room to stretch out, which matters on longer journeys. Its shorter gearing means performance is actually quite good for a naturally aspirated engine, but as you pointed out, it does not feel particularly relaxed at highway speeds.If you can live with the i20 N Line’s shortcomings, it is a good fit for your needs and significantly cheaper than the Elevate. Before making a decision, take your family on an extended highway test drive to see how they feel in the rear seat. As a family car, though, the Elevate is the better choice.Alternatively, consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI manual. It offers better highway performance than the Elevate, more space than the i20, and is one of the best-handling SUVs in its class, which you are likely to enjoy.

Hyundai i20

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq