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.

Autocar India

•13w

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 ₹6.22 Lakh

Nissan

Magnite

from ₹6.25 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

Aadi

•1w

I am planning to buy a new car but am confused between the Tata Punch Pure Plus (2026), Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta, and Maruti Suzuki Fronx. My budget is around ₹8 lakh, but I can stretch it up to ₹9 lakh. My usage will include both city and highway driving, and at times, there will be three passengers seated in the rear. I am also considering increasing my budget further to buy a Tata Nexon, which has added to my confusion. Could you please help me choose the right option?

Autocar India

•1h

The new Tata Punch is a solid choice in the Rs 8 lakh budget; however, it is quite narrow, which means seating three in the back seat can be a bit tight. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is better in this regard, with a slightly wider and more comfortable rear seat, but do visit both showrooms and experience them yourself. Both cars are comparable in terms of performance and efficiency, but the Baleno’s four-cylinder engine is more refined than the Punch’s three-cylinder unit.Apart from the different body style and slightly raised suspension, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is essentially the same as the Baleno. Therefore, the main reason to upgrade to the Fronx is if you need the higher ground clearance or want the turbo-petrol engine, which is not available on the Baleno.Regarding the Tata Nexon, to get a reasonably well-equipped variant, you will need to stretch your budget to around Rs 10 lakh and opt for the Pure Plus petrol variant. For the additional money, you get an SUV body style, a roomier cabin with a better rear seat than the aforementioned options, and a turbo-petrol engine with much stronger performance. If it isn’t too much of a financial burden, it is worth stretching to get the Nexon. But if you want to stick to your budget, the Baleno remains a good choice.

I am looking for a compact car under ₹6 lakh. I am open to buying either a new car or a second-hand one, but my main condition is that the car should not have very low or very high seating, as there is a knee problem in the family. Please suggest which car would be a good option to buy within this budget.

Autocar India

•1d

For your needs, either the Tata Punch or the Maruti Suzuki Ignis would be a good option. The Tata Punch sits at a comfortable height, and its doors open up to almost 90 degrees, which makes ingress and egress easier. The seating position is also not too tall, so it should feel comfortable even for someone with knee issues.If you want something that feels more spacious, especially in the rear seat, then the Ignis ticks all the boxes as well. Its 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine is smoother, more responsive and nicer to drive too.To buy these cars brand new, even the base variants will be slightly above ₹6 lakh on-road. If you are okay with stretching the budget a little, you can go ahead with a new car. Also, you can consider used versions of higher variants within your budget.

Tata Punch

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Yuvraj Shrivastava

•1w

I am planning to buy a car around ₹11 lakhs. I prefer top-end variants with automatic transmission. I tried Hyundai AMT, which I didn't like at all because of the jerks in gear shifts. Currently, I have a 2022 Venue Top End, so coming from DCT, AMT seems so sluggish. Please suggest some good options.

Autocar India

•23h

The Honda Amaze CVT is a good pick for you. Its CVT gearbox is smooth and delivers a pleasant driving experience, superior to what you'd get with AMTs in the same price band. The Amaze CVT in fully-loaded VX form fits your budget and is worth a look. You could also look at the Tata Altroz DCT in Accomplished S trim. It's well equipped and, while performance is unexciting, the gearbox is very smooth. Other options we'd recommend considering include the Nissan Magnite CVT, Renault Kiger CVT and Hyundai i20 CVT. Do note, their top-end versions are pricier than Rs 11 lakh.

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