Citroen C3 X Feel 1.2 Petrol MT

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.

There are a plethora of automatic petrol cars available within your budget. Given your monthly travel is just 200-300km, we will give less weightage to fuel economy and more weightage to driving comfort. As we don't know other preferences, here's a shortlist of the best options by body style -  

Hatchback - Hyundai i20 IVT Asta (O), Citroen C3 X Shine AT
Compact sedan - Honda Amaze CVT ZX
Compact SUV - Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT, Renault Kiger Turbo CVT Emotion

Considering your budget, the Citroen C3X Shine 1.2 Turbo Petrol AT is a solid choice. The Tata Punch offers only an AMT, and the automatic variant of the Skoda Kushaq will take you well past ₹11 lakh. 

The C3X’s 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine is reliable, performs well, and comes paired with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic, which will give you a smooth and enjoyable driving experience.

Given your requirements, you should consider the Citroen C3 X. It's powered by a punchy 110hp, 205Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine mated to a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, and that, coupled with its superb ride and handling balance, means you'll enjoy driving it. 

In our real-world fuel efficiency tests, the C3 X turbo-petrol automatic returned 8.46kpl in the city and 13.38kpl out on the highway. 

Citroen C3 price for turbo petrol-auto is Rs 9.05 lakh (ex-showroom). Alternatively, you could also consider the Nissan Magnite turbo petrol-CVT, which has a higher real-world mileage of 9.5kpl in the city and 15.22kpl on the highway. Nissan Magnite price ranges between Rs 9.14 lakh to Rs 10.76 lakh (ex-showroom).