I’m looking for a petrol manual car under ₹10 lakh that delivers around 20 kmpl. It should be good for long rides and offer comfortable rear-seat space. Which car would you recommend?

Asked by: Muralidhar

Given your requirements, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire would be a good option for you. The compact sedan comes powered by an 82hp, 1.2-litre, naturally aspirated petrol engine, which, when paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, is claimed to return 24.79kpl. The Dzire also has a comfy ride and a roomy rear seat, which will be ideal on longer journeys. Maruti Suzuki Dzire prices for manual transmission start at Rs 6.26 lakh and go up to Rs 8.86 lakh (ex-showroom, India).

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

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Autocar India Team

Nov 14, 2025

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Asked by: Jayant Parihar Hello team, I read your blogs regularly and value your reviews. Please guide me on which car I should buy from my shortlisted options. This will be my first car, and I enjoy driving. My requirements are a minimalist design (not too many gadgets), a manual transmission, good comfort and space, and a roomy boot. I’ve shortlisted the Volkswagen Virtus, Honda Amaze, and Hyundai Basalt. My budget is ₹12–14 lakh. Please advise. Thank you for your support. We're happy to help! Coming to your question, the Honda Amaze, while practical and comfy, does not have the driving thrill you would want. The Volkswagen Virtus, while impressive, will not fit in your budget apart from the base variant, which isn't too impressive. The Citroen Basalt X will be a good pick out of this lot. It has a punchy turbo-petrol engine that is lovely to drive, the ride comfort is excellent, and it has a large boot as well. Also, while it is feature-packed, it isn't unnecessarily complicated, and the functions are easy to use. The Basalt X would be our recommendation.

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