Hyundai Exter variants

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Go for the Hyundai Exter HX4 CNG. It is the best fit for your requirements as a first-time buyer who is still learning to drive. This Hyundai car is compact, easy to manoeuvre and offers excellent visibility, which will help build your confidence behind the wheel. It also has a slightly higher seating position than a sedan, making it easier to judge the car’s dimensions in traffic and while parking. The CNG option keeps running costs low, and Hyundai’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. The only downside is that, while very smooth, it's not particularly powerful. It will feel more than adequate since your use is primarily in the city.The Tata Nexon Pure CNG is a strong alternative, as it gives you a larger car, more performance for your highway trips and better comfort overall. However, the Exter feels more refined and easier to drive in the city. However, the Pure variant is very barebones on features, not even getting a screen-based infotainment system, which doesn't make you feel like you've got your money's worth. Plus, since your mother only occasionally joins you on your trips, the added space in the rear seat won't be a huge regular benefit. Most crucially, however, the larger and more swoopy Nexon isn't as easy to drive as the Exter for a first-time buyer.

Hyundai Exter

Tata Nexon

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Pick the Hyundai Exter HX3 AMT. For mostly city use and a 70-year-old driver, it sits a bit higher and the height-adjust driver seat and reverse camera make daily driving and parking easier. It also packs more safety kit as standard, which is reassuring when both of you will share it.Your Wagon R case is strong on running costs and convenience. It will sip less fuel and that ZXi+ adds power-fold mirrors, rear power windows and a rear wiper the Exter HX3 misses. It may also fit your Rs. 8 lakh on-road target more easily. If the Exter HX3 AMT slips within your budget, it is the better everyday companion for, ease of use and safety in the city. If it stretches the budget too much, the Wagon R ZXi+ AMT remains a sensible, cheap-to-run fallback.

Hyundai Exter

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

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If you can stretch your budget, go for the Nexon CNG, as it has two key advantages. For one, as you mentioned, it has the bigger boot, and thanks to the dual-cylinder setup (as in the Punch and Exter too) lets you use most of the space effectively. Secondly, it uses a turbocharged engine, which addresses a big complaint with CNG cars, namely a lack of power. It also has far more space in the cabin which makes it a proper five seater, whereas the Exter and Punch will not be as comfy for rear passengers. The disadvantage, of course, is that even with a small budget stretch, you will still only get a mid-range variant of the Nexon CNG, but you should still get all the essentials. The Punch and Exter CNG will be available in their top-spec variants in your budget, and the Punch even gets an AMT option. However, this being your first car, we feel the bigger Nexon will feel like more of a statement while still keeping running costs in check. Yes, it's likely the Brezza facelift will get a dual-cylinder CNG setup, and it should launch before August, but how it will be priced remains unknown.

Tata Nexon

Tata Punch

Hyundai Exter

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If you can arrange for home charging, the Tiago EV is an excellent pick. It is very user-friendly, and its driving dynamics are very sorted. Expect around 200km on a single charge with the 24kWh battery version, and around 150-160km with the smaller battery version, so with 30-40km daily usage, you will barely need to charge the vehicle twice or thrice a week. However, in the absence of home charging, we'd recommend you to opt for the Exter instead, simply for its smoother and refined engine, lighter controls, and higher seating. Sure, the Tiago CNG is likely to be more efficient, but the Exter CNG doesn't fall behind. Expect the Exter CNG to return around 22km/kg in the city and 30km/kg on the highway.

Tata Tiago EV

Tata Tiago

Hyundai Exter

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It's really hard to suggest a car without knowing a bit more about your requirements, like rear space requirements and the distance driven per month. Thus, as a good all-rounder for a small family, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta Plus AMT fits your brief best. Pick this variant because it gives you the most rear-seat space and a bigger, more useful boot than the other two, so adults sit more comfortably, and you pack more for trips. It also feels light and easy to drive in traffic, and the ride is calm over rough roads, which helps passengers, especially elders or kids.Two things to note: this automatic can feel a bit slow to pick up when you press the accelerator hard, and you will miss a few fancy features that sit on higher trims. If you drive with a full load on steep hills often, you may want to try it once to see if the response suits you.If you value tough build and the best ride on broken roads above all else, the Tata Punch Accomplished AMT is the second choice. It also has a smaller footprint for tight parking and a feature-rich cabin at a price like the Hyundai Exter HX6 AMT, too. Overall, for family comfort and everyday ease, go with the Fronx Delta Plus AMT.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Tata Punch

Hyundai Exter