I am planning to buy a new car. My monthly running is around 2,000-2,500km. I currently drive a 2019 Santro AMT. Diesel and EVs are not an option. Please suggest a reliable, fuel-efficient petrol automatic within a budget of ₹20-22 lakh.

Given your running, we'd recommend a petrol-electric hybrid which would meet your requirements for great efficiency and automatic transmission. Options within your budget include the Maruti Suzuki Victoris and Grand Vitara, Hyryder and Honda City Hybrid, all of which are reliable products. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is the newest and incorporates several improvements over the Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, with which it is closely related. The Victoris makes for a sensible choice, packing in plenty of features and great efficiency. However, boot space is limited on the hybrid and space at the back is also not great for an SUV/crossover of this size.The Honda City Hybrid, in comparison, offers a better back seat experience and also more room for luggage. Do note, as good as the Honda City Hybrid is, it's not a very popular product, and this could impact resale when it's time to sell.

If you want to choose a DCT, your best bet is the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta. Both get the 1.5L Turbo Petrol engine, which produces 160 hp and is paired with a 7-speed DCT, but the Creta gets this combination in a higher variant than the Seltos.The Kia Seltos was launched very recently, so it has a fresher look, is bigger in size and offers all modern features. Even the lower variants of this Kia car have decent features. Tata Sierra gets the DCT with the naturally aspirated engine, which is not our top pick and Harrier and XUV 7XO don't get the DCT.

Sadly, there are no longer any sedans available near the Rs 40 lakh mark, thanks to low demand and a shift in preference to SUVs, and it's unlikely any will launch in the coming years as well. In fact, the ₹30-40 lakh segment has effectively become a dead zone in the market.As for other body styles, you could look at two Stellantis SUVs - the Citroen C5 Aircross and the Jeep Meridian - which are very different takes on the premium SUV.The Citroen is more fun to drive and comfortable with a smooth diesel engine, soft seats and excellent suspension. The Jeep feels more rugged and upmarket with great off-road ability, should you need it, and a luxurious cabin with the option of a third row. You could stretch your budget a bit and get a Skoda Kodiaq, which is the closest thing you'll get to a Superb for the time being.

The ideal replacements for your Honda CR-V would be the Skoda Kodiaq and the upcoming Volkswagen Tayron. The closely related models (they are built on the same platform) are premium SUVs with upmarket cabins, plenty of features and the flexibility of a third row of seats. What will make them all the more appealing to you is the driving experience they offer. The 204hp, 2-litre turbo-petrol engine that powers them is punchy while the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox is also quick to shift, and very likeable.The two SUVs are fundamentally the same but differ in design and styling outside and inside. We expect the Volkswagen Tayron to launch by late January 2026.