Citroen cars in India (5)

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Coming to your question, the Honda Amaze, while practical and comfy, does not have the driving thrill you would want. 

The Volkswagen Virtus, while impressive, will not fit in your budget apart from the base variant, which isn't too impressive. The Citroen Basalt X will be a good pick out of this lot. It has a punchy turbo-petrol engine that is lovely to drive, the ride comfort is excellent, and it has a large boot as well. 

Also, while it is feature-packed, it isn't unnecessarily complicated, and the functions are easy to use. The Basalt X would be our recommendation. 

Given your requirements, you should consider the Citroen C3 X. It's powered by a punchy 110hp, 205Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine mated to a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, and that, coupled with its superb ride and handling balance, means you'll enjoy driving it. 

In our real-world fuel efficiency tests, the C3 X turbo-petrol automatic returned 8.46kpl in the city and 13.38kpl out on the highway. 

Citroen C3 price for turbo petrol-auto is Rs 9.05 lakh (ex-showroom). Alternatively, you could also consider the Nissan Magnite turbo petrol-CVT, which has a higher real-world mileage of 9.5kpl in the city and 15.22kpl on the highway. Nissan Magnite price ranges between Rs 9.14 lakh to Rs 10.76 lakh (ex-showroom).

Out of the cars you have shortlisted, we suggest the Citroen Aircross X. Even the top variant fits within your budget, and the car itself is a well-rounded product. It is comfortable thanks to supportive seats front and back, and there is ample space. The wide cabin also allows five people to sit comfortably.

Another good five-seater in your budget is the Mahindra 3XO. Its wide and spacious cabin seats five in good comfort, and its shorter length makes it easier to park. However, the boot is on the smaller side, which you should keep in mind.

Regarding the upcoming Renault Duster, it is one of the most anticipated launches early next year. If you are willing to wait and check it out before deciding, it would make a lot of sense.

All the compact SUV options you've listed are powered by turbo-petrol engines, and since you are looking for efficiency, be warned, in typical city driving (stop-go conditions), these turbo-petrol engines aren't likely to be very efficient. 

Also, these are very sensitive to the driving style and ambient conditions, which can drop the mileage down to single digits. Among the options you've listed, the Mahindra XUV3XO 1.2 Turbo (MPI) AT is likely to satiate your need for performance while offering a smoother and comfortable experience overall. 

Another option you may consider is the Citroen Basalt X/Aircross X, provided there is a Citroen touchpoint in your city. However, if you want to keep the running costs down at all costs without sacrificing performance, go for the Tata Nexon EV 45.

Most of the automatic cars under Rs 10 lakh feature an AMT gearbox, which is cost-effective, but not the best when it comes to smoothness. However, the Citroen C3X with the turbo-engine option features a torque-converter automatic that is a lot better. The turbo-petrol engine is excellent when it comes to power delivery and punchy performance, and the ride quality is very good too. 

Where it loses some points is in Citroen's dealer network, which isn't as widespread as other brands. This small drawback aside, the C3X is a very good option that gets good ground clearance, compact dimensions and good drivability. 

The Honda Elevate would be a better choice between the two. It has a smooth and refined petrol engine that has more power than the Citroen Aircross, and the CVT gearbox is excellent in the city. Also, it is a well-sorted car that will do the job without any drama. 

The equipment kit and the ride comfort are also good, while not as good as the Aircross, it is still quite nice. Honda cars are also better in terms of their network, and after-sales touchpoints. Moreover, it also holds its future value better than the Aircross. 

The Citroen Basalt meets your three requirements very well. It has the largest boot of the lot and has a responsive engine, and is very pleasing to drive with the most comfy ride too. 

The only issue is that the company's dealer network is very small; if, however, this is not an issue for you, the Basalt would do just fine. 

If this is a deal breaker, then look towards the Skoda Kylaq, the boot is larger, and in general, it is more enjoyable to drive when compared to the Hyundai Venue. 

Of your shortlisted cars, the Citroen C3 Turbo AT is the best choice. It's almost uncanny combination of ride comfort and driving pleasure isn't replicated by many, with a strong engine and a smooth but responsive 6-speed torque converter automatic. 

Its fuel efficiency, though not best in class, is decent as well; just make sure you have a dealer and service centre close enough to you, as Citroen's network is still growing. 

While the Renault Kiger turbo and Nissan Magnite turbo represent better value for money, and better fuel economy, they aren't as comfy or fun to drive as the Citroen. And the Maruti Suzuki Fronx turbo AT, again, while more fuel efficient, will only just about fit into your budget, and that too for a lower-spec variant.

The Citroen Aircross X will suit your needs the best. It has a superb ride that is comfy and adept over bad roads. The space inside the cabin is large enough for tall adults, and it is ergonomically sorted as well. 

The turbo-petrol engine offers strong performance, and it has all the necessary tech as well. The Aircross is also a three-row SUV, but a good feature is that you can remove the third row entirely and use the space as a big boot. 

If you are open to the Citroen car brand, you could consider the C3X Turbo AT (if you don't want to stretch your budget for the Aircross X). Its turbo engine is punchy, ride comfort is outstanding, and it will give you good confidence while driving in the hills, too. 

The Kia Sonet interior quality will be better than the C3's; however, the iMT isn't as convenient as traditional automatic units. Instead, you could consider the Mahindra XUV3XO 1.2 MX3 Turbo AT, for its punchier engine and smooth automatic transmission.