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•44w

I currently own an i10, which has reached the end of its life. I am looking to upgrade to at least a mini or micro SUV. My budget is ₹6 to ₹10 lakh, with a requirement of at least a 4 or 5-star GNCAP rating. I am open to sedans as well. Please suggest the best cars. However, I am also confused between buying a new car versus a used one or stretching my budget, as I am planning to move abroad in the next 6 to 12 months. I initially thought of buying a used car from trusted online portals, but I am worried about investing additional money in used cars in case they require major repairs.

•44w

Your best options for sub-compact SUVs in your budget are the Tata Punch and the Nissan Magnite, both of which have received a 5-star NCAP crash test rating. Of the two, we recommend the Nissan Magnite, as it has recently received a facelift, which has given it more features and a more upmarket cabin. And overall, it is the more spacious of the two, and has the advantage of a turbo-petrol engine option, which also falls in your budget.

As for whether you should buy a used car instead, it's always an advantage, as you will not suffer the same depreciation hit as you would buying a new car, and yes, you can get a vehicle from a segment or two above within the same budget.

Or else you could lower your budget and save some money. As long as you choose a relatively young used car and have it inspected thoroughly before purchase, the repairs should not be major in 6-12 months. Try a trusted used car portal like Spinny, which does thorough vehicle evaluation on its used cars for a bit more peace of mind.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Punch

from ₹6.24 Lakh

Nissan

Magnite

from ₹6.14 Lakh

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•1d

Is buying Punch under 10 lakh a good choice?

•1d

Yes, the Tata Punch is a good sub-compact SUV for under Rs. 10 lakh. The high ground clearance, tall stance, and upright seating give it a proper SUV feel, and its suspension feels well-suited for our road conditions. Do keep in mind though that while its petrol engine's performance feels adequate in the city, it can feel a bit lacking on the highway. Also, the Punch lacks the outright refinement, smoothness as well as finesse of some other Japanese or Korean offerings available at this price point. However, if you're looking at a solidly-built, practical SUV for the money, the Punch is a good option.

Tata Punch

•2h

Hi, I wanted to upgrade from Honda Jazz. I am looking for an automatic car that I could hold on for at least 10 years. My budget is Rs. 12 to 18 lakh. My monthly commute is 1200 km. Should I go for a petrol or an EV. I am considering an EV over 10 years that could be financially beneficial? But on the contrary, I'm concerned about the reliability of EV since there is no mass market which has held EV for 10 years as of now. (except for Reva or Logan EV).

•1h

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT, ideally the VX. Coming from a Jazz, it’s the natural upgrade. You get the same easygoing Honda petrol and smooth CVT you’re used to, in a roomier, more comfortable SUV. For someone planning to keep a car for 10 years, Honda’s simple, proven mechanicals are about as worry-free as it gets.If you aren’t feeling fully sure about an EV, don’t push yourself into one. At your running an EV would save you money, but if you’ll spend the next 10 years worrying about the battery, those savings aren’t worth it. A petrol automatic lets you buy with confidence and not think twice.The Elevate’s weak spot is fuel economy. At 1,200km a month you’ll feel it at the pump. If running costs matter as much as comfort, stretch slightly for the Toyota Hyryder strong hybrid. It’s far more efficient, especially in town, and it’s just as proven over the long term.

Honda Elevate

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

•3d

I am looking for a diesel car priced around Rs 15-16 lakh with good fuel efficiency. I already own a Kia Sonet and a Hyundai Venue. What else should I consider?

•6h

Since you're already using the Sonet and Venue, you could consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel this time around. It offers a strong diesel engine, respectable fuel efficiency, excellent ride comfort, and a more spacious cabin than the Sonet and Venue, making it a good family car.If you don't mind its looks, then the Kia Syros is an excellent car, and it's certainly worth considering. It has the same efficient, refined powertrain as the Venue and Sonet that you're using. Furthermore, cabin space is huge, and overall quality feels top-notch.

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•1w

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

•4d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Nissan Tekton

•1w

I’ve almost finalised the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, and I really like the car. However, I’m a little worried about Skoda’s long-term service and maintenance costs, especially after the warranty period. I’m planning to keep the car for around 7–8 years. Would you recommend taking the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) along with the car? Is it worth the additional cost considering regular servicing and potential maintenance expenses? Also, compared with the Brezza and Nexon, how is the Kylaq Signature Automatic in terms of long-term reliability, service costs and parts replacement? Would really appreciate your advice before I make the final purchase decision.

•4d

If you like the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, go ahead and buy it. It is a genuinely good car and one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven combination, and Skoda’s reliability has improved significantly in recent years. The bigger concern is not reliability but long-term maintenance costs, which can be higher than Maruti or Tata once the car is out of warranty.This is where the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) makes sense. It locks in your service costs for the first 4-5 years, covers all scheduled maintenance and gives you peace of mind during the most expensive ownership period. If you are planning to keep the car for 7-8 years, it is worth the additional cost because it protects you from unexpected bills and helps you budget ownership costs more accurately.Compared to the Brezza and Nexon, the Kylaq is the better driver’s car with a more engaging driving experience and a stronger engine. The Brezza is the benchmark for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, while the Nexon sits somewhere in between. The Kylaq is not unreliable, but parts and service can be more expensive once you are out of warranty.If you are buying the Kylaq, take the SMP and enjoy the car. If long-term ownership costs are your absolute priority, the Brezza is the safer financial choice.

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

•5d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

Kia Seltos

Tata Safari

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