I have an Alto. I want to buy a new car for roughly ₹15 lakhs. My daily running is 5 km maximum, so the car must be an automatic petrol. No AMT and no DCT. I want something that's misuse-friendly for senior citizens. Kindly suggest, thanks!

autocar.india

•8h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga 1.5 petrol automatic. It meets your NA and torque-converter ask, is easy for Mumbai traffic, and offers the most comfort and luggage space under Rs. 15 lakh. Your parents will like the easy step-in, supportive second row that slides and reclines, and the soft ride on bad roads. For tours, fold the third row, and you get a huge, flat boot that swallows heavy bags without drama.The 6-speed torque-converter is smooth on ghats and in stop-go, and Maruti’s 1.5 is proven, simple, and inexpensive to run. Real-world fuel economy is decent if you keep speeds steady. VXi AT should fit your budget in Mumbai, but do check local on-road quotes.One downside is that with a full load on steep climbs, you will need to plan for overtaking. It’s not quick, just calm. If you don’t need seven seats, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.5 AT is tighter to drive and is easier to park, but its boot is smaller, and the AT variants can stretch your budget. Wait for the update due later this year, though. The torque converter suits your use best. No need to chase other types.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•1h

Since you plan to keep the car for 10-12 years, cover 80% highway driving and live in a Tier II town where both the Honda and Skoda service centres are 60km away, long-term reliability and ease of ownership become more important than outright performance. The Amaze has a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a smooth CVT, is known for its dependable reliability and should require fewer unscheduled visits to the workshop. Scheduled servicing is also straightforward and maintenance costs are generally very reasonable.The Skoda Kylaq Signature AT is an excellent SUV and offers better ground clearance, a stronger turbo-petrol engine and a more engaging driving experience. However, given the distance to the service centre, we'd still give the edge to the Honda car for long-term peace of mind.You could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Brezza Automatic. It has a smooth torque-converter automatic, excellent reliability, low maintenance costs and Maruti Suzuki's unmatched service network, which is a significant advantage in a Tier II town. Another option is the Hyundai i20 CVT, which offers a refined petrol engine, a smooth CVT and a premium cabin, while Hyundai's widespread service network makes ownership easier.

Honda Amaze

Hyundai i20

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•27m

Consider a Maruti Suzuki Celerio CNG manual. Your 100 km daily run will make CNG pay back fast, and the simple manual plus Maruti’s cheap, widely available service keeps maintenance low. The Celerio is small enough for the city but feels calmer than the tiny entry hatches on the highway, so those mixed runs won’t be tiring. It also fits your Rs. 5-7 lakh budget without stretching.You should know the compromises. Performance on CNG is softer, so overtakes need planning, and the tank eats most of the boot. Also, CNG pumps must be convenient on your route; if they aren’t, get the same Celerio in petrol manual and keep life simple while still keeping costs sensible.Cruise at 80-90 on the highway, stick to regular services, and this combo will give you low running costs with minimal fuss.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio