I own a Ford Figo Aspire 2016 petrol model. Please suggest a compact sub-4 metre car as a replacement. My budget is ₹8-9 lakh, and the car will run mostly in the city.

autocar.india

•5h

With a monthly running of just 350km, diesel is not financially justified, so you should focus on petrol or hybrid options. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most sensible recommendation here. This Maruti Suzuki car offers excellent fuel efficiency, a comfortable ride and a proven ownership experience, making it a very easy car to live with over the long term. The hybrid system works seamlessly in city traffic and keeps running costs low, which is exactly what you want with your usage pattern.If you want something with a more premium feel and a stronger safety package, the Kia Seltos is the alternative to consider. It has a more upmarket cabin, a wider range of features and a more substantial feel on the road. The only trade-off is that it will not be as efficient as the Victoris Hybrid in city driving.Overall, the Victoris Hybrid in its ZXI trim will cost around your budget and is the most balanced recommendation for your requirements. It is efficient, comfortable and easy to own, which is exactly what you need coming from a Dzire diesel.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•14h

The Maruti Fronx Delta+ AMT would be the best fit for your requirements. With a daily commute of just 20km and occasional 500km highway trips, a petrol automatic makes perfect sense. The Fronx feels like a genuine upgrade from your Swift with better ground clearance, a more spacious cabin, a larger boot and Maruti's proven reliability. It is also inexpensive to maintain and should give you complete peace of mind over the next several years.If you prefer a hatchback with a more premium cabin and an even smoother automatic, the Hyundai i20 IVT is an excellent alternative. The IVT gearbox is one of the smoothest automatics in the segment, making it particularly well-suited to city driving, while the cabin feels more upmarket than the Fronx.The only drawback with the Fronx AMT is that the AMT isn't as smooth as the i20's IVT, especially in slow-moving traffic.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Hyundai i20

autocar.india

•3d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. It is the most sensible and well-rounded choice for your requirements. As a second car for daily city commutes, college runs and easy parking, the Baleno’s compact dimensions, light controls and excellent fuel efficiency make it extremely easy to live with. It is also one of the most spacious hatchbacks in the segment, so you will not feel cramped on longer drives or when carrying friends. Maruti’s service network and low maintenance costs add to the ownership peace of mind, which is important for a student car. The Baleno’s 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and reliable, and the car feels stable and comfortable at city speeds. Since you already have the XUV 700 for family trips and weekend drives, the Baleno complements it perfectly as a practical, fuss-free daily runner. The top-spec Alpha trim will fit comfortably in your budget and is the most sensible and dependable choice under Rs 12 lakh for your specific needs.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno