Mumbai

•3d

I am buying my first car and want a petrol manual hatchback. I have no daily running, my budget is around Rs 7 lakh, and I have to park the car on a crowded road where space is limited. Which car should I consider?

•6m

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R. With no daily running and a tight budget, you want a car that is easy to park, reliable and cheap to maintain. The Wagon R is compact, which makes it much easier to squeeze into tight parking spots in crowded areas. It is also very easy to drive, has a light clutch and is extremely affordable to run and maintain. Maruti’s service network is the best in the country, so you will not have to worry about finding a service centre nearby. The engine is peppy enough for city driving, and the car is simple and fuss-free, which is exactly what you want for your first car. At around Rs 7 lakh, it fits your budget comfortably and leaves room for a higher variant.

If you want something slightly bigger, the Hyundai Exter is a solid choice, but you will be looking at the base variant within your budget. The Maruti Suzuki car mentioned above is the more rounded package for your needs.

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Maruti Suzuki

Wagon R

from ₹5.77 Lakh

Hyundai

Exter

from ₹6.71 Lakh

•3m

@autocar.india Thank you and what is your opinion about Tata tiago ?

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•5d

I have owned an Ignis since 2022 and have had no issues with it so far. However, I find the suspension a little too firm for my comfort. Is it possible to replace it with a softer suspension setup, similar to that of the Wagon R? Also, would such a modification affect my insurance coverage or create any issues with future insurance claims?

•2d

You can change the suspension to a softer setup, but it is not as simple as swapping in Maruti Suzuki Wagon R parts. The Ignis and Wagon R have different suspension geometries, weights and chassis setups, so directly fitting Wagon R components is not recommended. The better approach is to look for aftermarket suspension options specifically designed for the Ignis; however, most kits are engineered for sportier handling rather than comfort.From an insurance perspective, changing the suspension will not automatically void your insurance or cause claim issues. The bigger question is whether the change is worth it. The Ignis is tuned for a slightly firmer, more planted feel, and while a softer suspension will improve comfort, it may also introduce more body roll and reduce the car's nimble character. If ride comfort is your top priority, it is worth considering whether a car change to a more comfort-oriented offering might be a better long-term solution.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

•3d

What is the best hatchback or small sedan for a senior citizen? My running is less than 1,500km per year. I currently have a Ford Figo Aspire Titanium, which is well built but not nimble enough for city driving and has a ridiculous turning radius.

•36m

With such low annual running, the priority should be ease of use, comfort and reliability rather than fuel type or performance.Consider the Hyundai Exter AMT. It is compact, has a good turning radius and is very easy to drive in tight city conditions. The light steering, good visibility and simple controls make it very senior-friendly. It is also reliable, inexpensive to maintain and has a comfortable ride for its size. The AMT isn't as slick as a torque converter automatic or CVT, but it does make city driving easy nevertheless.If you prefer a small sedan, the Honda Amaze CVT is a solid choice. The CVT is totally seamless, and its engine is very refined. Being a Honda car, it is reliable and well-made, and offers a comfortable cabin. If the CVT variants of the Amaze exceed your budget, then the Maruti Suzuki Dzire AMT is also an excellent choice. You will notice a small pause between shifts from its AMT, but it is still easy to drive and very fuel efficient.At 1,500km a year, petrol is the only sensible fuel choice. The focus should be on a car that makes every short trip effortless, so drive all of these and see which works best for you.

I am a first-time car buyer looking at used cars under a tight budget of Rs 4-5 lakh. I want an automatic premium hatchback or compact SUV, mainly for city use with an occasional long drive once every two months. High ground clearance would be a plus for my aged parents, although I understand that may not be possible at this budget. I am considering the Hyundai i20 Elite, Maruti Baleno/Toyota Glanza, Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger. However, I am avoiding the Magnite and Kiger because of concerns about maintenance and serviceability. Which would be the better option?

•1h

For a first-time buyer with a Rs 4-5 lakh budget, city use and occasional long drives, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno or Toyota Glanza automatic is the safest and most sensible choice. Both use a simple AMT gearbox, which is not the smoothest but is reliable, easy to maintain and well-suited to city driving. Maruti's service network is the strongest in the country, and Toyota's service experience is also excellent, so long-term ownership is unlikely to throw up surprises. The Baleno and Glanza are also among the most spacious premium hatchbacks, with good rear seat comfort and easy ingress and egress for elderly parents.The Hyundai i20 Elite automatic is also a good option, and it has a CVT, which is smoother than Maruti's AMT. However, the Baleno/Glanza's lower running costs and wider service reach give them the edge in this budget.The Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger are not bad cars, but their service networks are not as extensive, and long-term ownership confidence is not as strong as Maruti or Toyota in this price range. If you want a slightly higher seat for your parents, consider the Maruti Ignis AMT; however, the Baleno is roomier inside. Alternatively, consider a slightly older Brezza.Overall, the Baleno or Glanza automatic is the best fit for your needs. They are reliable, easy to maintain, comfortable for family use and well supported across the country.

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•5d

I currently use a Skoda Slavia Ambition 1.0 automatic since last 4 years. Now, I am thinking of switching the car but I am confused between Honda Elevate V CVT petrol and Kia Seltos HTK iVT petrol.

•4d

Given that you are coming from a Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI automatic, the Kia Seltos HTK IVT petrol is the more natural upgrade. The Seltos offers a noticeably larger and more premium cabin, better rear seat space and a more substantial feel overall. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving, and the car feels like a genuine step up from the Slavia in terms of comfort and overall ownership experience.The Honda Elevate V CVT petrol is a solid and reliable choice, but it does not feel like as much of an upgrade from the Slavia. The cabin is not as spacious or as premium as the Seltos, and the overall ownership experience is more about simplicity and reliability than about feeling like a significant step up.The only caveat with the Seltos HTK is that it is not the most feature-rich variant in the lineup. If you can stretch to a higher variant, the Seltos becomes an even stronger recommendation. If not, it is still the better choice over the Elevate because it offers a more substantial upgrade from your current car.

I have a 2013 Honda City automatic, which is now 13 years old. I wish to change my car and buy the Tata Punch EV 40kWh for my use. My monthly running is low, at around 500 km. Would you suggest this car for my usage?

•4d

With a monthly running of around 500km, the financial case for an EV is not particularly strong, but the Tata Punch EV 40kWh can still make sense if you are looking for a modern, low-maintenance city car. This Tata electric car is compact, easy to drive and well-suited to urban use, and the 40kWh battery offers a healthy real-world range that should comfortably cover your monthly usage with minimal charging stops. However, at this level of running, the fuel savings over a petrol car will take a long time to offset the higher upfront cost of the EV. If you have reliable home charging and are keen on the EV ownership experience, the Punch EV is a sensible upgrade from your ageing City. If your priority is purely financial efficiency, a small petrol automatic like the Honda Amaze or Maruti Suzuki Baleno would be the more cost-effective choice.

I am a 60 years old retired woman and I want to buy a new automatic car. Which car would be suitable for me?

•4d

We would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Baleno automatic. At your age, ease of use, comfort and reliability are the most important factors, and the Baleno delivers on all three. The automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to operate, making city driving stress-free, while the car itself is compact enough to be easy to park and manoeuvre. Maruti's service network is the best in the country, which means maintenance will be straightforward and affordable. The Baleno also offers a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin, making it a pleasant car to use on a daily basis. If you prefer a slightly higher seating position and a smaller foot print, the Hyundai Exter AMT is a good alternative, offering the same reliability with a more SUV-like stance. Both cars are sensible, hassle-free choices that will serve you well for many years.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai Exter

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