The two SUVs you've shortlisted are virtually the same under the skin, so choosing between them really comes down to preference. They both meet your criteria of safety, good looks and economy. 

The Maruti Victoris has the slight edge on the Toyota Hyryder thanks to its slightly lower pricing, more modern tech and longer features list - including ADAS with Level 2 Autonomous driving. 

While the Victoris has scored a 5-star rating from both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP. The Hyryder is yet to be tested, but as they share the same mechanical make-up, its overall score shouldn't be too far off.

All three options on your shortlist are nice to drive in their own ways. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is very comfortable at city speeds with excellent bump absorption and a peppy engine. Tata's Altroz feels the toughest of the three cars and drives with a big car feel out on the highway. The Citroen C3 has a nice engine, and it also balances ride and comfort very well. 

However, for reliability and ease of service, the Baleno is your best bet. The Baleno is known to be a trouble-free car, and Maruti's vast network means you are never far from a service centre. Service costs are also competitive. 

The Toyota Glanza is essentially a rebadged version of the Baleno, but does cost more for similarly-specced variants. We'd recommend sticking to the Baleno. Within Rs 7 lakh, you'll get the Sigma variant, though we'd recommend upping your budget a bit (and bargaining hard with your dealer!) to get the higher-spec Delta trim. 

It packs in extras such as a powered mirror adjust as well as a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that would add greatly to your experience.   

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza AT VXI is a sensible choice, though it's a bit out of your budget. The Brezza isn't exciting to drive, but it delivers reasonable performance and fuel economy and also scores well for ride comfort. The cabin is also practical and roomy. 

If you want something more exciting, you have the option of the Mahindra XUV 3XO Petrol AT MX3, the Skoda Kylaq AT Signature, and the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Turbo AT Zeta. The 3XO feels strong and offers the most room for five passengers, if that's a requirement. 

The Skoda Kylaq is most enjoyable to drive thanks to its fun handling and punchy engine. Maruti's Fronx Turbo strikes a good balance between performance and fuel economy.  

You should choose between the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the updated Tata Punch. The Baleno scores very well on low-speed ride comfort, and seat comfort is also very good. The Baleno's engine is peppier, and its AMT is also nicer in typical city driving. 

The Tata Punch AMT is a model of interest because of its elevated seating position. The high seating position makes it easy to get into and out of the car. The Punch feels tough, and ride comfort is good, particularly on bad patches of road. While both models get 6 airbags as standard, the Punch additionally boasts a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. 

 

The Maruti Suzuki Dzire is the most complete sedan that you can get within Rs 10 lakh. It packs in quite a few features, and cabin space is impressive, though rear headroom could be an issue for tall passengers. 

What also works in the Dzire's favour is its peppy and efficient 1.2-litre petrol engine. Good ride comfort rounds off the package.

If you are looking for an automatic sedan within Rs 10 lakh and you value smooth gearshifts, consider the Honda Amaze CVT. The CVT gearbox is much smoother than the Dzire's AMT.    

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.