Nissan cars in India (4)

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The on-road price of the base Clavis HTE petrol might be a bit more than Rs 13 lakhs. However, as a family car, it beats all the other options. It is more spacious and gives you the flexibility of a third row of seats, which you can also fold down and make use of a huge boot space. Purely as a sensible, practical option, it is hard to beat the Clavis' proposition.Alternatively, Syros is an excellent, well-packaged car that's surprisingly spacious despite its sub-4-metre footprint. While its design isn't universally appealing, if you don't mind its styling, this is an excellent choice. You will get a well-equipped HTK+ turbo-petrol manual version.The Seltos and Tekton belong to a segment above and are larger cars. Only their entry-level variants will fall within your Rs 13 lakh budget. So you need to decide whether you need a seven-seater, a well-equipped sub-4-meter car, or an entry-level five-seater mid-size SUV from a segment above.

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Seltos

Kia Syros

Nissan Tekton

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Pick the Hyundai Creta diesel. For your mix of long highway runs and city duty, it gives the most complete package right now - a strong diesel engine for easy cruising on the highway, light controls for city driving, good mileage, and a big boot that fits in more than the Hyryder strong-hybrid. On the highway, the diesel’s easy torque makes overtaking simple and relaxed, and it rides comfortably too. In the city, the light steering and the torque converter automatic work smoothly, so it never feels tiring to drive.The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is the best for city use if you choose the strong-hybrid, but you get less boot space, and it feels a bit strained when loaded at highway speeds. The Nissan Tekton looks promising, but it is new, and Nissan’s network and resale are still not as wide as Hyundai’s, so I’d wait to see how it settles.Coming from an EcoSport, you’ll miss the driving dynamics, but you’ll gain space, comfort and tech.

Hyundai Creta

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Nissan Tekton

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You should consider the Nissan Magnite CVT. Its smooth CVT automatic feels effortless to drive in traffic, and the light steering, compact size, and tall seating make it friendly for city use and easy to get in and out of.You also get a proper SUV-like stance with good ground clearance for bad roads and speed breakers and parking is simple thanks to the compact dimensions. Service costs are reasonable, and Nissan’s service network has good coverage in metros.Do note, the cabin plastics and sound insulation aren't great. Alternatively, if you want a more solid and plush compact SUV with a punchier engine, consider the Skoda Kylaq Signature AT.

Nissan Magnite

Skoda Kylaq

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The biggest reason isn't the Rs 35,000 price increase, but the fact that you won't be able to take delivery for another two months and that your experience with the dealership has already left a bad impression. Buying a new car should be an exciting experience, and if the ownership journey has started on the wrong note, there's little reason to rush into it.By the time you're ready to buy again, you'll have more options to consider. The Honda Elevate facelift is expected to arrive soon, while the recently launched Nissan Tekton also looks promising. Diwali is traditionally a period when manufacturers and dealers offer attractive discounts and schemes, so you may be able to offset some or even all of the recent price increase.

Honda Elevate

Nissan Tekton

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Go for the Renault Triber or its sister car the Nissan Gravite. For a family of five on a tight Rs. 8 lakh budget, nothing gives you this much space and flexibility. You get real rear-seat room, easy access, and with the third row folded you have a huge boot for bags, strollers, or a weekly shop. The third row is quite useable too should you have extra passengers. Your running is modest, so the petrol suits fine, and it is easy to drive in the city. Lower and mid trims usually fit your budget in many cities, and there is an automatic option if you want it.The issue is performance. With five on board and luggage, it feels slow on highways or during overtaking. Cabin quality is simple too, but it is practical and tough enough for daily use.If you prefer a 5-seat hatchback and want something more polished, look at the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. It is roomy for five, very efficient, and cheap to run, though the boot is smaller than the Triber with seats folded. If you want a higher driving position, the Tata Punch is worth a look, but shoulder room for three at the back is tighter.

Renault Triber

Nissan Gravite

Tata Punch

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

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Unfortunately, there are no new automatic cars that are not AMTs in that price range, and the closest you will get are the Honda Amaze or Hyundai i20, both of which use CVTs and cost around Rs 10 lakh on road. If the budget can be stretched to that much, they are both excellent options, albeit capped at low to medium variants because of your budget.Look at the same two cars; a pre-owned example and a 3-4-year-old one should fall within your budget. The CVTs' smooth shifts will make Bangalore’s bumper-to-bumper traffic a breeze, and you’ll find clean, low-mileage cars within Rs 8 lakh. They are both compact to park, with light controls, and service is not pricey, which helps a first-time owner.If he prefers a small SUV shape, look at a Nissan Magnite automatic or Renault Kiger turbo-petrol automatic. Both use a smooth auto, ride well on bad roads, and have good ground clearance for speed breakers. If you're willing to look at 5-year-old-plus cars that are in good condition, you could even get a midsize SUV or sedan. Whichever you pick, insist on full service records, get an independent inspection, and budget a little for fresh tyres and fluids so the first year is headache-free.

Honda Amaze

Hyundai i20

Nissan Magnite

Renault Kiger

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Pick the Nissan Magnite turbo petrol automatic in XV Premium (O). It rides comfortably over bad city roads, has a roomy back seat and supportive fronts, and the turbo gives easy surge for gaps in traffic and relaxed cruising on your 2000 km runs. It’s 5-star rated with a solid-feeling body, gets the key safety kit, and the top trim stays within Rs 10-14 lakh on-road in most cities. Running costs are sensible, and Nissan backs it with long warranty packs. The one compromise is that it doesn’t feel as heavy or plush as pricier rivals at very high speeds.Renault Kiger turbo petrol automatic in RXZ is the twin to the Magnite with similar strengths, a touch firmer ride, and a slightly nicer cabin feel. Choose it if Renault service is stronger near you.

Nissan Magnite

Renault Kiger

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Given your budget of Rs. 10 lakh, the Renault Triber is your best option. The Triber has a roomy cabin and a genuinely usable third row, it has a decent feature set and the 1.0-litre petrol engine is fairly efficient too. It can be even had with CNG for lower running costs or an AMT automatic for greater convenience. Do note though, it's not the most refined car and the engine will feel underpowered when fully loaded or when you're out on the highway. Alternatively, you can even consider the Nissan Gravite which is mechanically identical.

Renault Triber

Nissan Gravite

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Go for the Tata Altroz. With 2,500km a month, you will want to keep fuel costs in check, and with this car you get a choice of petrol, CNG and diesel with this car. It is one of the few cars in the Rs. 10 lakh range that has a 5-star crash rating, and it feels solid and surefooted on long runs.The diesel engine has a strong mid‑range pull for overtakes, you can expect around 20-22kpl on highways if you aren't too heavy with your right foot, but you will only get an entry variant in your budget and it requires additional maintenance. Thus, a more economical choice might be petrol or CNG; try all three and decide which works best. The Altroz rides comfortably over rough patches so long trips are less tiring. Space is good for a small family and the boot is usable for weekend bags.If you want more bang for your buck, there is the Tata Punch. You won't get a diesel, and it is smaller in the cabin and boot, but you will get more features in your budget. Alternatively, there is also the Nissan Magnite, which has also got a 5-star NCAP rating, and comes with an efficient 1.0-litre petrol engine.

Tata Altroz

Nissan Magnite

Tata Punch

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Skip diesel for your short hops and get a turbo petrol automatic. Your 2-3 km stop-start runs are exactly what clog DPFs. A turbo-petrol will get you the torque you like while avoiding DPF issues.Under Rs 12 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx and Nissan Magnite are good picks. Both turbo-petrols have good low- and mid-range, and smooth automatics (torque converter in the Fronx and CVT in the Magnite). They are light to drive in the city, stable enough on Delhi-NCR runs, and will handle an annual hill trip without fuss.Under Rs 16 lakh, consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 and the Honda Elevate. The Kushaq 1.0 with the 6-speed automatic feels torquey, cruises all day, and climbs hills confidently. It’s compact outside but feels tight and secure at speed, which makes highway stints less tiring. One caveat: service reach and costs are higher than the mass brands.If you want an absolute zero-hassle over punch in the bigger bracket, the Honda Elevate automatic is calmer and super easy to live with, just not as eager as the Kushaq.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Nissan Magnite

Skoda Kushaq

Honda Elevate