The Maruti Suzuki Baleno 1.2 Petrol Alpha is a good pick for you. It uses a smooth, proven 1.2 litre four cylinder petrol engine, offers good rear seat space, soaks up road undulations well, and returns very good mileage, all of which help keep running and ownership costs low.It does miss out on a few desirable features, such as a sunroof and ventilated front seats, but it remains a practical, easy to live with hatchback that also delivers excellent fuel efficiency.

The Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are indeed good options, and the fact that they have a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP is a big plus. The absence of a 360-degree camera and ADAS is not a deal-breaker, and they're still worth considering for their strong engines, smooth gearboxes and excellent driving dynamics. Do note, however, that both cars are still a few months away, with the Kushaq facelift expected to launch in March, and the Taigun facelift a few months after that. If not those, you could also consider the new Kia Seltos. It hasn't been given an NCAP rating yet, but its smaller sibling the Syros has received a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, and as the Seltos is built on a new-gen platform, we expect it to get one too. The Seltos impresses with its features list, which includes a 360-degree camera as well as ADAS with Level 2 Autonomous driving.

The XEV 9S is an electric car, while the Safari petrol is an ICE vehicle, and the two serve very different needs and requirements.The Mahindra XEV 9S has a strong electric powertrain that delivers an ultra smooth driving experience with very low running costs. It is easier to drive than the Safari and works better as a city vehicle. However, for long trips involving distances of over 400 km, you would need to rely on public charging, which isn’t always convenient.The Tata Safari petrol is also smooth to drive, but it is costlier to run and maintain. That said, it is more practical, offers much better third row seating, and gives you the flexibility of refuelling anywhere, making it the more stress free option for long journeys.

We would advise against an electric car because your occasional 500 km long-distance trips could become a stumbling block. The real-world range of most EVs is under 500 km, which makes you dependent on public charging. The charging infrastructure is still not fully reliable and can significantly prolong your journey.A hybrid is the next best option. It allows limited all-electric driving in the city, translating into substantial fuel savings, while still giving you the flexibility to travel long distances without worry. You could consider the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, which is efficient, reliable, and relatively affordable.