Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

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You're right, it's difficult to find a car at this price that's suitable for a tall driver. Try the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, which does offer a bit more space than its counterpart, the Maruti Suzuki Swift. Moreover, it uses the older 1.2-litre four-cylinder K12 petrol engine, which is smoother than the three-cylinder Z12 engine in the Swift. You could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, in which you can get the option of a punchier 1.0 turbo-petrol engine, although space remains the same as the Baleno. Finally, also consider the Nissan Magnite or Renault Kiger, which could offer a bit more space, and if you don't mind a sedan, there's also the Honda Amaze, which is known for its interior packaging efficiency.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Nissan Magnite

Renault Kiger

Honda Amaze

Autocar India

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Pick the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi AT, which costs around Rs 13.7 lakh on-road. The Brezza has a refined 103hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic, which has a claimed efficiency of 19.8kpl. The Brezza also has one of the most roomiest back seats in the segment, and it has a substantial 328 litre boot. With a ground clearance of 198mm, it won't be an issue for you on your drives in hilly areas. Being a Maruti, service reach is wide, and you'll also appreciate the familiarity with your current S-Cross. The one thing you give up is a strong mid‑range punch; the 1.5 petrol feels a bit underpowered, so uphill overtakes with 4 adults may need a downshift and some planning.Alternatively, if you want a CVT gearbox, stronger performance and more boot space, consider the Nissan Magnite CVT.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

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For your requirement, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol Renault Duster should be adequate for your usage, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Although we haven’t driven this engine in the Duster yet, we have experienced it in cars like the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite. In those cars, the engine feels peppy and responsive, especially in city conditions.Now, the Duster is a larger and heavier car, so performance will take a slight hit compared to those smaller SUVs. However, for city driving, it should feel more than sufficient, and thanks to the turbo, it will still offer good low-end torque, making it easy to drive in traffic. On the highway, it should be able to keep up with fast-moving traffic comfortably, and overtaking should not feel stressful.That said, we strongly recommend that you test drive the 1.0-litre version before deciding. Since it is a 3-cylinder engine, you may notice some vibration at idle and hard acceleration, something we have experienced in the Kiger and Magnite.If your priority is smoothness and refinement, you can also consider options like the Tata Sierra, Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos, which offer more refined petrol engines. However, in terms of outright punch and torque feel, the turbo Duster will still feel stronger.

Renault Duster

Renault Kiger

Nissan Magnite

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

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At your budget of Rs 12 lakh, the best all-rounder you can get is the Nissan Magnite, which really delivers what you and a lot of buyers are looking for without breaking the bank. It's a compact SUV with good ground clearance and offers good ride comfort.The interior of this Nissan car is spacious, and within your budget, you'll get a good amount of features too. It's also achieved a 5-star crash test rating from Global NCAP, and gets 6 airbags as standard, among many other safety features.At your budget, you'll also be able to get its more powerful engine option - the 1.0-litre turbo petrol - with either a manual or CVT automatic gearbox. This engine is also very fuel efficient, and Nissan has been known to offer good reliability and reasonable maintenance costs as well.

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

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For your requirement of a proper automatic under ₹12 lakh on-road with mostly city usage, we would suggest going for the Hyundai i20 IVT.The CVT gearbox is extremely smooth, which makes it very easy to drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The car is also compact, easy to manoeuvre and has good visibility, which is important for daily city driving. It feels premium inside, well-equipped and offers a fuss-free ownership experience with good after-sales support.If you specifically want a higher driving position, then you can also consider the Nissan Magnite CVT. It offers SUV-like seating, is easy to drive and still comes with a smooth automatic gearbox.

Hyundai i20

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

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Yes, the Tata Punch Adventure AMT is an excellent option, given your requirements. It's tall with a high seating position, which gives you a commanding view out - great for a new driver, yet it's compact enough not to be intimidating around town. It will also feel like a good upgrade from your old Celerio.Since safety is also a consideration for you, the Punch has been given a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating and gets 6 airbags as standard, plus a good amount of standard safety equipment. If there's a potential drawback, it's that the Punch's 1.2 petrol engine and AMT gearbox aren't the smoothest combination, and as a new driver, the jerkiness at low speeds is something you will have to learn to drive around.Also consider the Hyundai Exter SX Smart AMT and the Nissan Magnite Kuro AMT as well, as both have smoother powertrains than the Punch.

Tata Punch

Hyundai Exter

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

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We would recommend you look at the Nissan Magnite. Since you are new to driving, the higher seating would offer you a good view outside and a slightly more secure feel compared to hatchbacks or a sedan. The interiors are comfy and spacious enough for a family of four, and since your driving is on highways and city roads, the ride and handling balance of the Magnite will benefit you. Highway stability is good, and while the city ride can be firm, it does not feel uncomfortable at any point. Opt for the 1.0 litre non-turbo engine as it offers sufficient performance for a relaxed driving style and would be more fuel efficient than the turbo engine. Within your budget, you would also get a decently equipped variant. The Magnite is also a safe car well-equipped with safety features, and it also scored a 5-star rating in the GNCAP tests. Reliability is also good, Nissan's dealer network is not widespread, thus make sure you have a dealer in your area who has a good reputation too. If not, consider the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, as a sedan, you will not get that higher seating, but it will meet your other requirements of safety, low maintenance and comfort.

Nissan Magnite

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Autocar India

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Moving up from a hatchback to an SUV in a budget of Rs 10-12 lakh, you should check out the Nissan Magnite. Its 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine is punchy and comes with a smooth CVT auto gearbox, which should be handy for driving through crowded city traffic. Moreover, this engine is fuel-efficient, and the auto gearbox doesn't lower the mileage too much, which is something you will appreciate. At around Rs 12 lakh, you will get a fully loaded Nissan Magnite with most modern features included, making this one of the best value for money SUVs out there. And to top it all off, the Magnite has a 5-star crash test rating from Global NCAP, which should give you a bit more peace of mind.

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

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For bumper-to-bumper traffic, the Maruti Brezza 1.5 Petrol 6AT is ideal. The engine-gearbox combination is smooth, and it feels peppy within urban confines. Also, the 6-speed torque converter is more suited for the constant stop-go usage than other transmission types like AMT or DCT. If you need something even smaller than the Brezza, you can consider the Nissan Magnite 1.0 Turbo CVT, which is another great option for you.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

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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.

Honda Amaze

Tata Altroz

Nissan Magnite

Renault Kiger

Hyundai i20