I wish to buy a hatchback. I intend to run it for around 300 km every month. I have shortlisted the Fiat Palio, the Fiat Punto and the Maruti Suzuki Ritz. Which one of these would you recommend?

KP Singh, Ahmedabad

For your requirements, the Ritz makes the most sense. It is frugal, dependable and is a contemporary product. The Palio suffers due to the fact that it is an outdated model. The Punto again, is a well-designed and fresh car and is an option you could consider. However, the Ritz is more reliable and Maruti service will be less of a hassle.

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I work in Bangalore and need a car to travel to Mangalore/Karwar/Hubli (the Western Ghats section) on every weekend. I want a car that will be reliable enough for long drives and also feature good safety features in addition to having a good crashworthy structure. These are my major considerations for the car and my budget is Rs 10 lakhs. Which car would you suggest?

Kiran Sheelavant, email

Taking your considerations into account, the Chevrolet Optra Magnum diesel would be an excellent choice. It comes with all-round active and passive safety features, while the balanced suspension allows for good handling and road-holding characteristics. The engine too, is a gem and remains stress-free on long journeys. In addition, you can also opt for GM’s extended warranty programme for additional peace of mind after purchase.

Mid-Size Prize

I am 65 years old and I want a car that I can drive myself. A mid-size car with a 100 bhp petrol engine, excellent reliability, easy service with good driving comfort and safety is what I need. I will be driving the car mainly in Pune city with two passengers and the occasional long drive out of town with four passengers. My budget is around Rs 7 lakhs and my wife wants a car that also looks good. Any suggestions?

R.N.Mukherjee, email

Maruti is due to launch the refreshed version of the SX4 in a couple of weeks and we recommend that car for you. It ticks all the boxes that you have listed and the dynamics of the car are a good balance between ride and handling. From what we hear, it will now feature variable-valve technology, which should see a marginal increase in power as well. And with the facelift, it should look good enough to please your wife as well.

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