The Maruti Suzuki Baleno or even its sister car, the Toyota Glanza, would be a good option to buy. The car is spacious with comfy seats, and it is fuel-efficient too, both the manual and the automatic version (AMT). 

In our standard test cycle, we got 13.80kpl and 17.50kpl in our city and highway cycles for the manual, whereas the automated manual transmission (AMT) achieved 11.86kpl and 17.21kpl.  

The Baleno sits below 4 meters in length and is compact enough for the city. However, if you would like something smaller, consider the Hyundai Exter. It won't be as efficient, in the manual we got 9kpl and 14kpl for city and highway runs, but this is still good. Also, you will also benefit from a slightly higher seating position and a lower price.    

Almost all cars today are equipped with basic safety features like ESP, along with ABS with EBD. It helps prevent an accident in the first place, and these also have 6 airbags to protect the occupants in case of a collision. 

Hence, as far as safety features go, most cars have you covered. That said, if you're looking for an automatic vehicle with an excellent 5-star BNCAP crash test rating within your budget, the Maruti Dzire AMT is the one to go for. 

The engine is smooth and refined, and even the AMT (automatic) is relatively smoother than many other options at this price. The cabin is spacious and comfortable, and it drives well on the highway, too. 

Alternatively, you could consider the Maruti Baleno or Toyota Glanza, both of which are 4-star BNCAP-rated vehicles.

We'd suggest you consider the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. Its 1.2-litrefour-cylinder petrol engine delivers pleasant performance, and fuel economy is really good. The Baleno's light controls also make it an easy vehicle to drive, which is something you will appreciate over your long commutes. 

You could get a Baleno MT Delta within your budget. But if you are open to spending a bit more, we'd urge you to get a Baleno MT Zeta that adds in more features. It includes a rear wiper, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, and wider tyres that would make your commute safer and more comfortable.

The Maruti Suzuki Fronx is based on the Baleno, and mechanically and structurally, both are very similar. 

Thus, both will be very similar when it comes to safety, too. As for the crash safety rating, yes, the Fronx has secured a 4-star rating in the Japan NCAP crash tests; however, the Baleno has secured a 5-star rating in the BNCAP tests. 

So the Baleno is safe too, if not safer, you must bear in mind that there could be differences in the export model. As for the engines, both Fronx and Baleno use the same 1.2 liter naturally aspirated unit. However, the Fronx also comes with the choice of a more peppy and lively 1.0 liter turbo petrol engine

We suggest going for the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. It has SUV styling, higher ground clearance, and is a more modern offering than the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. Since Maruti is expected to update the Baleno in the coming months, buying one now may leave you with a car that feels dated soon. SUVs also tend to enjoy better resale value in the Indian market, which works in your favour if you plan to upgrade later.

Our preferred engine choice is the 1.0-litre turbo, but if your usage is mostly within the city and you’re working within a budget, the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine will serve you well too.