I’m looking for a small hatchback-type car, preferably for city commutes (ICE or EV). Budget around ₹13 lakh, preferably automatic. I’ve checked the Suzuki Baleno, Swift, Hyundai i20, and Tata Altroz, but I’m not sure which one to choose. Kindly advise.

Autocar India

•22w

The Tata Punch EV is a great option if you want an EV. It offers compact dimensions, decent features, and low running costs, making it perfect for city driving.

However, if EV isn’t something you want, the Maruti Suzuki Swift and Dzire are excellent choices, thanks to their smooth and efficient engines and a comfortable ride.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Punch EV

from ₹10.28 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Dzire

from ₹7.38 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Swift

from ₹6.84 Lakh

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Nagesh K S

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Planning to purchase a new automatic car for my wife, who is currently learning to drive. The primary usage will be daily commuting from home to office in Bengaluru city traffic, with occasional highway drives once every couple of months. We are looking for a compact car, as we already own a Kia Seltos Diesel. We are open to considering electric or hybrid options, provided they fit within a budget of ₹14 lakhs (ex-showroom). The purchase will be made under her company’s employee car loan scheme. Her key priorities are safety, ease of driving, comfort, and reliable service support. Which models would you recommend?

Autocar India

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Since you're open to electric cars, consider the top-spec Tata Punch EV Empowered+ S 40. Thanks to its compact dimensions, elevated seating, good visibility and light steering, it will be very easy to drive in the city. Additionally, its powertrain is far smoother, seamless and more refined than any ICE vehicle. Also, the Punch EV is equipped with all the safety kit, and it has also been awarded 5 stars by Bharat NCAP for its crash safety.If you want ICE options, you can test drive the Hyundai Venue 1.0 turbo-petrol DCT and Skoda Kylaq 1.0 turbo-petrol AT.

Raghu

Hi Autocar team, please suggest an EV for elderly parents. Usage will mostly be in the city, with occasional highway trips of 200 to 250 km. Budget is approximately ₹10 to 17 lakh.

Autocar India

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Choose the Tata Punch EV Empowered 40. For elderly parents’ city use and occasional highway trips, it combines easy ingress, a comfortable ride and a decent real-world range.Since most drives are in the city, the 40kWh battery should deliver around 280-300km of range, which means charging once a week is feasible. Highway use will see this drop, but a 200–250km run on a single charge is still achievable. The tall seating position and wide-opening doors make ingress and egress easier for elderly occupants, while the compact footprint and good visibility make it easy to drive and park. Ride quality is also superb, and high-speed stability is reassuring.The one trade-off is rear seat space for three passengers. It is possible to sit three abreast, but the narrow width means it can feel a bit cramped. For slightly more range and a more spacious rear seat, consider the Tata Nexon EV Empowered 45.On the test drive, have your parents check ease of entry, seat height, brake feel and the regen modes. Plus, take note of battery consumption based on their driving style.

Tata Nexon EV

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Amrendra Kumar

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Hello, I am looking to buy a car within a budget of ₹11-12 lakh on-road. I prefer an automatic car with good boot space, a refined and hassle-free engine, decent interiors, and good mileage. If possible within the budget, I would also prefer a car with a good safety rating.

Autocar India

•22h

For your budget and requirements, the Honda Amaze CVT is one of the strongest options. It offers a smooth CVT gearbox, a refined 1.2-litre petrol engine and a spacious 420-litre boot, making it very practical for both daily use and occasional trips. The driving experience is easy and stress-free, especially in city conditions, and it also benefits from a full 5-star rating in BNCAP, which adds to the overall sense of security. The only limitation is that performance is more relaxed than sporty, so overtakes on highways will need some planning when fully loaded.Another option worth considering is the Maruti Suzuki Dzire. It is well priced, has also scored a 5-star safety rating, and offers a more sorted ride quality along with a more spacious cabin. However, its 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine is not as smooth or refined as the Amaze’s 4-cylinder unit, and the AMT transmission feels a bit more basic compared to the seamless nature of the Amaze’s CVT.

Honda Amaze

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

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