Tata Punch

Your two options in this price range are the recently facelifted Tata Punch and the Hyundai Exter. Both these sub-compact SUVs are available with petrol and CNG options. 

The Exter has a smoother powertrain and slightly more interior space. But the Punch feels tougher, is more comfortable, is better equipped and has scored a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating. 

Moreover, the Punch CNG is available with both manual and AMT automatic gearbox options, and across more variants, which gives you more choice. 

If you are buying a new car, the recently updated Tata Punch would be a good choice. With its taller height and wide opening doors, entry and exit are very easy. The elevated seating position also gives you a good view outside, and that, along with the car's compact size, makes it quite easy to drive.

If you are looking to buy a used car, you can check out a Maruti Baleno. The car sits lower than the Punch, but it's also easy to drive with light controls and look for pre-2022 cars with the CVT gearbox. It is much smoother than an AMT autobox, which the Punch and Baleno now come with. When buying a used car, purchase it from a reputable reseller like Spinny.     

We would suggest you have a look at the Tata Punch. With its tall stance, the car has good headroom and will meet your requirement of good ground clearance, which stands at 193mm unladen. It will also meet your safety requirements, as the car is well-equipped with six airbags and ESP as standard across all variants. 

Tata Motors also says the Punch will secure a 5-star BNCAP crash rating. Since you run daily, running is high, and you are in the city, you could consider the CNG automatic version. 

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R will suit your requirements of an automatic car that's easy to get in and out of and below Rs 7 lakh. The car is also easy to drive with light controls. It is, however, a bit old now, and if you would like something newer and more exciting, you could look at the newly launched Tata Punch. The car's taller height allows for easy entry and egress, along with doors that open to a full 90 degrees. It will require you to stretch your Rs 7 lakh budget, though.  

Yes, seating three adults at the rear of the Tata Punch will be tight. Tata Motors has recently unveiled a new updated Punch; however, changes are to the features and engine, space inside will remain the same. 

We would recommend the Mahindra XUV 3XO as the rear is spacious, particularly in terms of width, which is what you will need to seat 3 adults at the rear. Moreover, the car has a comfortable ride and is well-equipped too. 

However, do not expect class-leading fuel efficiency as the engines are tuned with a bias towards a more lively performance.   

Since you already have a Tata Motors vehicle, why not stay in the same service ecosystem and get a Punch. The Punch has recently been given a facelift with updated looks and features. 

As before, it comes with a dual-cylinder CNG setup, which doesn't eat up the entire boot, and still gives you 210 litres to work with. Moreover, you can now have the Punch i-CNG with an AMT gearbox for added convenience, and it even gets paddle shifters. 

Also, it is not restricted to base variants; the Punch CNG comes in fully loaded trims as well, but they do get expensive at the top end.