Citroen C3

There are a couple of options that you can consider. We've listed the highlights for each.

1) Skoda Kylaq: Punchy engine, fun handling. Rear seat space is tight, though

2) Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol: Strong engine, good ride comfort. Boot space is limited

3) Maruti Suzuki Fronx Turbo/ Toyota Taisor Turbo: Strong engine. Reliability and hassle-free ownership experience 

4) Citroen C3: Strong engine. Feels a bit basic, and the service network isn't very large.

As a first-time buyer, it’s good that you’re looking at both sides carefully.

The Citroen C3 is a solid and very likeable car. Its biggest strength is ride comfort, it handles bad roads better than most cars in this segment and feels mature for its size. The 1.2-litre turbo petrol, in particular, is a gem. It’s strong, smooth and easily one of the nicest small-capacity turbo-petrol engines around today. If you enjoy driving and want something that feels a bit different from the usual crowd, the C3 stands out. For your daily run of under 50km and occasional long drives, it will be perfectly comfortable. Mileage is reasonable, especially with the naturally aspirated engine, though the turbo will be slightly lower.

The Nissan Magnite has other strengths. It has better road presence with its SUV styling, a more practical cabin, a bigger boot and a feature list that feels more complete. Nissan, as a brand, has built a reputation for reliability, and its dealership and service network is currently more established than Citroen’s in most cities. That adds peace of mind, especially for a first-time buyer.

So if you like to drive and value comfort and engine performance, the C3 is the more enjoyable car. But if you want a safer, more practical and lower-risk ownership experience, the Magnite is the wiser choice.

The Citroen C3 Turbo-AT is an excellent crossover hatchback that's compact in dimensions, packs in strong performance, and it'll easily fall within your budget. But go for it, only if there is a Citroen touchpoint near you. 

The Nissan Magnite Turbo-CVT/Renault Kiger Turbo-CVT are also good, value-for-money options. And even though both these are slightly larger than the Swift, they are narrower than other turbo-automatic compact SUVs available at this price. It makes them relatively easier to navigate.

All three options on your shortlist are nice to drive in their own ways. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is very comfortable at city speeds with excellent bump absorption and a peppy engine. Tata's Altroz feels the toughest of the three cars and drives with a big car feel out on the highway. The Citroen C3 has a nice engine, and it also balances ride and comfort very well. 

However, for reliability and ease of service, the Baleno is your best bet. The Baleno is known to be a trouble-free car, and Maruti's vast network means you are never far from a service centre. Service costs are also competitive. 

The Toyota Glanza is essentially a rebadged version of the Baleno, but does cost more for similarly-specced variants. We'd recommend sticking to the Baleno. Within Rs 7 lakh, you'll get the Sigma variant, though we'd recommend upping your budget a bit (and bargaining hard with your dealer!) to get the higher-spec Delta trim. 

It packs in extras such as a powered mirror adjust as well as a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that would add greatly to your experience.   

We would lean towards the Citroen C3X Shine with the 1.2 turbo engine and six-speed AT. It's a little above your budget but will suit your needs best as it is extremely comfortable, has a superb suspension and the best powertrain for the price. 

For highway driving, it is the best of all the options you have shortlisted because of the brilliant engine and dynamics. However, we have added that Citroen’s dealer network is not the best, and hence, after-sales service could be a worry. 

If you want to play safe, go for the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, it's well equipped, reliable and comes with low-cost maintenance. It’s just that for your budget, you will get the 1.2 petrol mated to an AMT, which is nowhere near as nice to drive as the C3X.
 

The Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger share their turbo-petrol CVT (automatic), which is a smooth yet powerful powertrain option. 

Both cars have been refreshed recently with quite a few upmarket touches. Between the two, the Magnite looks a bit more SUVish and has slightly better cabin ergonomics. 

If you have a Citroen touchpoint nearby, you must check out the C3 Turbo AT. It is a much better car at a more affordable price tag.