Hi Autocar team! I’m a first-time driver looking for a small car for my little family. My budget is under Rs 8 lakh. I’ve currently shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Hyundai Exter, and Hyundai Grand i10 Nios. Which of these would be the best choice for me, or is there another car you would suggest?

autocar.india

•1d

Given your father's usage pattern, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza LXi turbo is the most sensible choice. With 22,000+ km a year, a mix of highway and hilly terrain around Nainital, and a conservative driving style, you need a car that is reliable, efficient, and easy to live with. The Brezza's new turbo petrol engine is well suited to this kind of usage, offering good low-end torque for hill climbs and overtakes. The seat height and ground clearance of this Maruti Suzuki car are both strong points, making it easy to get in and out of and well suited to rough terrain, and the LXi does get driver's seat height adjust. Maruti's service network is another big advantage, especially given the car will be driven by a driver 50% of the time. The Tata Punch Adventure and Hyundai Exter HX6 are both good cars, but the Brezza is from a segment above and more spacious. Overall, the Brezza is the best fit for your father's needs.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Tata Punch

Hyundai Exter

autocar.india

•1d

With a daily run of 50- 60 km, fuel efficiency and low running costs become very important. At the same time, your height of 6ft means you need a car with good headroom and a comfortable driving position. In your budget of Rs 7-9 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is the most sensible choice. This Maruti Suzuki car is one of the most fuel-efficient petrol cars in the segment, has a very low maintenance cost, and Maruti's service network is unmatched. More importantly, the tall-boy design gives excellent headroom and a comfortable upright seating position, which makes a big difference for taller drivers on daily commutes. The 1.2-litre petrol engine is also more than adequate for city use and occasional highway runs. If you are open to CNG cars, the Wagon R CNG is even more economical and makes strong financial sense given your daily running. The only drawback is that the boot space is limited in the CNG version. If you want a slightly more premium feel, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is a good alternative, but it only comes with a 1.0-litre engine, which, though efficient, isn't as punchy as the optional 1.2 in the Wagon R. Overall, the Wagon R remains the more practical choice for your specific requirements.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

autocar.india

•2d

If you are looking for a car under Rs 5-6 lakh with good mileage and relief from Gurgaon traffic, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is the best fit. It is compact, easy to manoeuvre in traffic and parking, and the AMT gearbox is smooth enough for daily city use. The 1.0-litre petrol engine is fuel-efficient and reliable, and Maruti’s service network ensures low running costs and hassle-free ownership. The Celerio also offers decent cabin space for its size and a comfortable ride over broken city roads. If you want something more practical, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is also a good option, but the Celerio is the more modern and premium package.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R