The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a good option to consider in the hatchback space. It is spacious, practical, and easy to drive. The 1.2-litre engine is peppy, and the AMT gearbox is smooth. It is one of the most reliable workhorses and has been running on Indian roads for years without much trouble. 

It gives excellent fuel efficiency, too. Maruti has now added 6 airbags to all variants of Wagon R, adding to its safety equipment. So if you want a reliable, fuel-efficient car, the Wagon R is a good choice. 

It's hard to guide you to the ideal car without knowing more of your requirements. However, we have trimmed the list of options down to a few cars that excel in certain aspects. 

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 1.2 AMT - The Wagon R scores for ease of use. The high seating, large glass area and light controls put drivers at immediate ease. Superb cabin space for this size of car. 

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta MT -  A smooth engine and great ride comfort are highlights of the Baleno. Delta trim packs in a reasonable number of feel-good features.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire MT VXI - Sedan shape has its charm. Smooth engine and comfortable ride make it a good choice. 

Tata Punch Pure Plus S MT - Tough feel and absorbent suspension make it feel like a junior SUV. Not as spacious as other options.

Hyundai Exter S Plus Pro Pack - Easy to drive and comfortable for city use. 

Nissan Magnite N Connecta/ Renault Kiger Techno MT - Visually, the largest and offers the most space too. Decent features for the money. The engine is weak, however.    


 

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R CNG is a practical choice. However, if your family wants a different car, you can consider the Tata Tiago CNG XT MT. It will cost less than 8 lakhs on road and will still give you the benefit of CNG, and offers more equipment than the Wagon R. 

Fronx is not recommended, as in the budget, you will have to pick the base variant. It will not have many of the features which add to the convenience. 

Another, more practical option is to explore the second-hand market. This opens up access to a wider range of cars within your budget. With online platforms like Spinny, etc., the pre-owned buying process is now pretty transparent than earlier. 

Thank you for your comments and for being such a long-time reader. We respect your views on the various Maruti-Suzuki cars that didn’t get their due. However, it is not Maruti-Suzuki that decides the success or failure of a car, but the customer who is very demanding and has other choices and options. 

The Kizashi failed because, for the price, customers didn’t see value in it. The A-Star was too small and cramped for the price. Going back to the start of this century, the Baleno sedan was overpriced, and the Baleno Altura failed because Indian customers don’t like station wagons or estates. In fact, there has never been a successful estate car yet. 

The Ignis, too, though a capable car, has not clicked largely due to its design. The reason we recommend the Wagon R regularly is that it is a practical choice. It offers unmatched space and is easy to drive and live with - attributes that have made it so popular.
 

You should choose between the Maruti Suzuki Ignis Zeta AMT and the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 1.2 AMT ZXI Plus. Both models are powered by 1.2-litre petrol engines that give them a power advantage over other automatic Marutis in your budget (namely, Celerio, Alto K10 and S-Presso).

Both use automated manual transmission or AMT-type automatics. While these aren't the slickest automatic gearboxes, Maruti's AMTs work smoothly enough if you adopt an easygoing driving style. Fuel economy is also excellent.  

Of the two, the Wagon R is more spacious and has a more absorbent ride comfort. On the other hand, the Ignis packs in more features for the same money. If cabin space isn't a deal breaker, opt for the Ignis.