Autocar India
•2w

I am looking for a petrol or diesel car priced under Rs 9 lakh. My monthly running is around 1,500km, with most of the driving being within the city.

Verified
•3m

Since your monthly driving isn't all that high, a petrol car would be a better bet. For the city, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno is a very good option to consider. It is easy to drive, has good space in the rear, good tech and features and the powertrain is frugal. The efficiency is a Maruti highlight and the maintenance costs are low too. You simply cannot go wrong with a Maruti for your needs. 


The Delta variant would fit in your budget, but if you stretch a bit more, you can get the Zeta that gets most of the essential creature comforts. If the Baleno is a bit of a stretch, the Swift would be the next best choice. It is more affordable and while the size is compact, it is perfect for the city. 

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

I’m planning to buy a new car, and my annual running is around 40,000km, primarily involving highway drives and ghat sections. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX and the upcoming facelifted Toyota Innova Hycross ZX. I’m considering two approaches: either buy the Innova Hycross and keep it for the next 10 years, given its reputation for longevity and the expectation that its engine can last at least 4 lakh kilometres, or buy the Seltos, drive it for around 2 lakh kilometres over 4–5 years, sell it and upgrade to a brand-new Seltos or another car of a similar price and size. On paper, the Innova Hycross Hybrid seems like the better choice, considering its long-term reliability and features such as the Ottoman reclining seats. However, I’m concerned that I might get bored of it after four years or that it may start feeling outdated as newer technologies and features enter the market. This makes the second option appealing, as it would allow me to upgrade to a brand-new car every 4–5 years. Which approach would make more sense in the long run, considering my high annual running and ownership costs?

Verified
•6d

It seems like you're leaning towards the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX, and we think it is a good choice. The diesel engine feels adequately powered for highway usage and ghat driving, and it is likely to return respectable efficiency too. Moreover, despite being modern with all the latest tech and features, the Seltos will be substantially more affordable than the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid. So unless you need the Innova's extra space, or you frequently travel with six or seven passengers, the Kia Seltos diesel is your best bet.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross

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Posted on: 7 Nov 2026