We already have a large SUV and need a second sub-automatic car under Rs 10 lakh, primarily for city use with very rare highway trips. Safety is very important.

Autocar India

•1h

Go for the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire. It is the most well-rounded choice in this budget with a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, a comfortable ride, spacious cabin, genuinely usable boot and very easy city manners thanks to its light clutch and effortless controls. It also feels premium enough inside for the price.The one trade-off is the new 3-cylinder petrol engine. It is impressively efficient, but if refinement and outright performance matter to you, it is not as smooth or punchy as a good 4-cylinder petrol.If that matters, the Honda Amaze is the alternative worth considering. Its 4-cylinder petrol engine feels smoother and more refined, though the Dzire is the more comfortable and better-rounded package overall.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Honda Amaze

Autocar India

•18h

With mostly highway and outstation use in mind, we would lean toward the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic, rather than the Honda Amaze VX CVT. The Kylaq will simply feel stronger and more relaxed at highway speeds, rides over bad patches better. It is also very safe and feels solid, which matters on long trips.That pick suits your brief for three reasons. First, the 1.0 turbo engine has enough pull for quick overtakes even with family and bags on board, so highway driving feels easy. Second, the 1.0 automatic uses a proven, reliable, and simple-to-live-with automatic gearbox. Third, the Kylaq’s higher-seating-position suspension makes long hours less tiring than the Amaze's.A few trade-offs to note. The Kylaq’s upfront price and routine service costs will be higher than the Amaze, and Skoda’s service network is not as good as Honda’s, though it has improved. If your use shifts to mostly city and you want the lowest running costs and the widest service reach, the Amaze VX CVT is smoother and easier in traffic, but on highways, it will feel slower, and overtaking requires more effort.Overall, for frequent highway trips and a good driving experience, the Kylaq Signature 1.0 automatic is the best fit for what you want.

Skoda Kylaq

Honda Amaze

Autocar India

•15h

For your requirement, check out the Tata Punch. It sits higher than the Dzire, the doors open wide, and the seat base is set at a nice hip height, so you don’t drop down into it or climb up too much. It also feels tougher over bad roads than your Wagon R, yet is still short and easy to park, which helps in tight city spots. The best part is that the Punch is available in a wide variety of flavours, and since you haven't specified a budget, there's bound to be something for you. There are many variants to choose from, as well as petrol, turbo petrol, CNG, manual gearbox, AMT and even an electric version, in case that suits you.Two things to note: the base petrol engine (or its CNG counterpart) isn’t very quick for fast highway runs, and the automatic can feel a little jerky when moving slowly; the manual is smoother in traffic. If you want the same easy cabin access but a smoother engine and gearbox, look at the Hyundai Exter mid trim. It also has a tall seat and the city-friendly size, but there isn't as much choice or variety as in the Tata car.Overall, for your “high seat, easy entry” need, the Punch fits best without jumping to a much bigger, costlier car.

Tata Punch

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Hyundai Exter

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R