Family man

I currently own a small hatchback, but it's just not enough to carry my growing family in, so I'm now looking at MPV options. I have shortlisted both the Mahindra Xylo and the Toyota Innova. My budget allows me to get a top-level Xylo or a mid-level Innova. Which one should I go for?

Hiren Shah, via email

While the Xylo is a brilliant MPV, there's a reason there are so many Innovas running around on the roads. If offers great peace of mind and a comfortable experience for the passengers, so go for the Innova for years of trouble-free service. Alternatively, you can also take a look at the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. It's much better on the pocket and can still carry around seven people in good comfort.

Box office

I'd like to get an automatic car, either a hatchback or a compact SUV. I'd be grateful if you'd help me out with this decision. I'm willing to wait a few months if there are new models coming, but an automatic transmission is more or less required. I don't plan on using the car much, so petrol cars will do just fine.

Rajesh Tiwari, via email

There are a few automatic options out there, but sadly, most of them happen to be sedans. If you're willing to look at those, the Honda City is a great place to start. If you want to stick to just hatchbacks, then the Hyundai i10 or i20 are both great options depending on your budget. As for compact SUVs, if you're willing to wait, the Ford EcoSport just might sport the powershift automatic transmission that we see on the Fiesta.

Hatch point

I've been using a Honda City for the past six years and have been very happy with it, but I'm now looking to replace it with something smaller because I often drive into the city, and having a small hatchback will make life easier for me. I don't use the car much, so I want to stick with petrol cars. I have a budget of Rs 6 lakh. What do you suggest I go for?

Sanjay Kumar, Mumbai

The Honda Brio is a great option for you. It's small and nimble, which makes it perfect for the city, while at the same time, if you do choose to head out, it's more than capable of handling the highways as well. If that's not to your liking, then you can also take a look at the Hyundai i10, which offers more or less the same thing, but with higher seating for better ingress and egress.

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