Renault Kiger Techno Turbo Petrol CVT

The Honda Amaze CVT is a good pick for you. Its CVT gearbox is smooth and delivers a pleasant driving experience, superior to what you'd get with AMTs in the same price band. The Amaze CVT in fully-loaded VX form fits your budget and is worth a look. 

You could also look at the Tata Altroz DCT in Accomplished S trim. It's well equipped and, while performance is unexciting, the gearbox is very smooth. 

Other options we'd recommend considering include the Nissan Magnite CVT, Renault Kiger CVT and Hyundai i20 CVT. Do note, their top-end versions are pricier than Rs 11 lakh. 

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.

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.    


 

Given your priorities, we would recommend you look at the Mahindra XUV 3XO in compact SUVs. It's got a tough build, strong engines and scored well in terms of cabin space. Alternatively, you could look at the turbo versions of the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger. The two models are underrated and actually deliver great value for money. 

Among sedans, if you don't mind the absence of many tech and comfort features, the entry-level Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are worth considering. Their strong turbo-petrol engines and tough build are highlights. If you want more features, there's the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, but you'll have to compromise on power and performance. 

Unfortunately, there aren't many cars that would meet all those requirements under Rs 13 lakh. You could increase your budget and get a more premium offering, or be prepared to sacrifice a few things and stick with your budget. 

Within your budget, your two best bets are the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger, which both offer exceptional value for money. They come with 1.0-litre turbo petrol engines and smooth CVT auto gearboxes, and if driven carefully, can deliver good fuel economy. Their touchscreens are decent but not great, and it's a similar story with their audio systems; neither gets a sunroof. 

The Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch facelifts are more affordable but not spacious enough for five, and get clunky AMT auto gearboxes.