Find your next car
7 questions about how you'll drive and we'll match you to one specific model.
How to choose a car in India (2026)
Petrol, CNG, hybrid or EV, and hatchback vs SUV: the right answer depends entirely on your usage. The quiz personalises it; here is the decision framework.
What actually matters
- Match fuel type to your km per month. Under roughly 1,000 km a month, petrol usually wins on total cost. High running favours CNG or EV; mixed long-distance favours a strong hybrid.
- Body type by real need, not trend. SUVs are popular but a hatch or sedan is cheaper to run and easier to park. Buy the size you actually use.
- Service cost and resale. Maruti and Toyota lead on service reach and resale; check 5-year maintenance, not just on-road price.
- Safety rating. Prioritise models with strong Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP scores, increasingly available across budgets.
Common questions
Is an EV worth it in India in 2026?
If you have home charging and drive predictable city routes, running costs are far lower. For frequent long highway trips or no home charging, a hybrid or petrol car is still more practical.
Hatchback or SUV for a first car?
A hatchback is cheaper to buy, run and park, ideal for city-first use. Choose a compact SUV only if you regularly carry five people or drive rough roads.