Given that you previously owned a Ford Figo, we would suggest considering either the Skoda Kylaq or the Mahindra XUV 3XO. Within your budget, you can easily get the top Prestige Plus variant of the Kylaq. The AX7 Luxury variant of the 3XO is more expensive but still fits within your budget. Both cars are enjoyable to drive, offer a comfortable ride quality and come well equipped.

The main difference between the two lies in rear seat space and boot capacity. The Kylaq’s rear seat is not as wide and offers less knee room than the 3XO, making it more suitable as a four-seater. On the plus side, it has a much larger boot. Also, keep in mind that both cars use powerful turbo petrol engines, which are not the most fuel-efficient. The clutch is on the heavier side, too, making city driving a bit more effort-intensive.

If better fuel efficiency and a lighter, more progressive clutch are priorities, you could also consider the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor or the Maruti Suzuki Fronx turbo petrol manual in their top variants. Both are more affordable than the Kylaq and the 3XO. While they do not feel as premium inside and miss out on a few features, the 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine is one of the best small turbo petrol engines to drive.

It is smooth, responsive, even at low speeds, with minimal turbo lag. The slick gearbox and light clutch make it very easy to drive in traffic. Both cars are spacious enough, offer a usable boot, and have a comfortable ride. They also deliver much better fuel efficiency. With the Maruti, getting double-digit mileage is easy, while achieving similar efficiency in the Skoda and Mahindra can be more challenging.

You should check out the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, which has a plush ride and scores well on fuel economy. Its interior doesn't wow with the latest tech and gizmos, but scores for space and excellent seat comfort. 

The Maruti Suzuki Fronx Turbo/ Toyota Taisor Turbo would be next on our list. There's a bit more flash inside the cabin, the turbocharged engine is more exciting than the Brezza's and fuel economy is also good. Again, ride comfort is impressive.

The new Hyundai Venue is also an option. It's got a modern interior but trails the Marutis on ride quality.  
 

The ex-showroom price of a Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor S AMT is around Rs 9 lakh, while a Kia Sonet HTX DCT costs Rs 2.50 lakh more. For the extra money, the Sonet gets you a more powerful turbo-petrol engine. Also, a more advanced dual-clutch automatic transmission, which makes it a better performer than the Taisor's 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol paired with a 5-speed automated manual gearbox. 

Additionally, you get a lot more features too, like a sunroof, ventilated seats, etc, which justify the premium it commands. The Taisor will certainly be more efficient than the Sonet. But on the whole, the Sonet DCT is the better pick, and since you can afford it, go for it, for a superior drive experience.

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza will fit your needs better than the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor. The Brezza is powered by a refined 103hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that can be had with a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. It has a claimed mileage of 19.8kpl. 

The Brezza also comes with more features, like a sunroof and heads-up display. Moreover, it has a roomier cabin and a comfier ride quality. Maruti Brezza price (automatic) ranges from Rs 10.60 lakh to Rs 13.01 lakh (ex-showroom). 

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor, meanwhile, comes with a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with the same 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.  While it is punchier, it won't be as fuel-efficient as the Brezza. 

Maruti Suzuki and Toyota have a global partnership which has yielded many shared products. The Maruti Suzuki Fronx and Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor are essentially the same car and are even built on the same production line. The differences are down to the badges, a few styling elements and colour options. 

The Taisor E is the equivalent to the Fronx Sigma. If you are getting a Rs 1.2 lakh discount on the Taisor, we recommend taking it. It's a very sweet deal.