Best chauffeur-driven budget car for 100 km daily usage

The car will mostly be chauffeur driven, so the rear seats have to be supportive.

BHPian Sanidhya mukund recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I plan to purchase the car later this year, but given the waiting period on some models, decided to ask right now.

My car usage, up until now has been very low. In 20 years, my Ford Ikon has done only 68k and my 7-year-old W204 C-class is currently at 25k. However, I soon expect my running to increase exponentially. I will soon be travelling 100 km every day. I cannot use my Ikon anymore thanks to the NGT order. I also do not want to inflict the torture of such high running on my Merc. Also, the Merc being a big turbo petrol engine + lazy auto box, the mileage figures would mean that fuel bills go through the roof. Thus, I am looking for an addition to my garage.

The requirements are as follows:

Reliabilty & Durability

These are very, very important to me. I do not want to adopt a white elephant that loves to spend time at the dealership.

Safety

Minimum of 2 airbags, ABS and a minimum of 3 stars NCAP.

Fuel efficiency

I am mostly open to all fuel types, but I would really appreciate as high fuel efficiency as possible.

Comfort

The car will mostly be chauffeur driven, so the rear seats have to be supportive. It will also be driven by me when the chauffeur is not available.

Transmission

Would truly love to get an automatic if I can, but I guess most A/T cars have low fuel efficiency.

Competent service and part availability

I would like to have minimum down time for service and repairs.

Boot space

Should be enough for those airport runs/ carrying light farm produce.

Budget

Rs 10-11 Lakhs on-road, Delhi. Lower the better.

Ground clearance

Shouldn't give up when NCR roads become rivers every year.

Based on the above, I have rejected the following. [Please point out if I have unreasonably ruled out a good alternative]

Nissan, Datsun & Renault

Good products, but most of them are yet to prove their long term reliability. Haven't heard great things about their service experience either.

Skoda/VW

Great cars, but the new 1.0 TSI engine is a complex bit of kit. I don't think it would be great on Fuel efficiency either. Further, parts seem to be expensive for these brands. Not ideal for a secondary car, then.

Kia/Hyundai

The thread about various suspension/steering/brake issues makes me very apprehensive about their long term durability.

Tata/ Mahindra

The better offerings are beyond my budget. Also, their past record makes me apprehensive about niggles and issues cropping up every now and then.

Toyota

They have discontinued their low cost offerings. If I wanted a Maruti, I would rather buy it at a Maruti Dealership.

That essentially leaves me with Maruti, Honda and Ford.

Ford

Ecosport: My budget only gets the base variant, which doesn't have a height adjustable seat. I am also not very comfortable with the limited visibility.

Figo/ Freestyle: Boot is too small.

Aspire: Loved it. The top of the line model comes within my budget.

Honda

4th & 5th gen City: Too big, and probably not as efficient as I would have liked.

Jazz & WRV: The ARAI figures suggest that they are not all that efficient. Being Petrol only models, the fuel bills are likely to sky rocket.

Amaze: Seems to fit the bill.

Maruti Suzuki

Alto, S-Presso, Celerio, WagonR, Swift and Dzire:  Are out because they do not meet my safety rating criteria.

Ignis: Rejected for its looks

Baleno: Rejected because it is very common on NCR roads. Also, the cars shape means that I am not comfortable with the outside visibility.

XL6, Brezza, S-cross and Ciaz: 1.5 Litre Petrol engine - probably not very economical to run and large dimensions would pose a challenge when I drive on my own.

Ertiga CNG:  Very economical to run, good visibility, comfortable rear seats and tremendously flexible cabin.

Thus, I have narrowed down to:

• Ford Aspire Titanium+ Petrol/Diesel
• Honda Amaze S CVT Petrol/Diesel
• Maruti Ertiga VXI CNG

Each of the 3 options offers something that the other doesn't. Aspire gets me 6 airbags, Amaze offers me an automatic gearbox while Ertiga CNG provides me great practicality coupled with really low running costs. Please help me make a choice among these. Also, if I end up buying Amaze/Aspire, does it make sense to get a diesel variant?

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Diesel or CNG would be nice to have. Significantly lower running costs.

Back seat must be good, although you can ride shotgun too. Comfortable ride quality also a must.

I would pick the Ertiga. You anyways have a Benz for fun & luxury, so this car can also double up as the super practical choice for other family members, airport runs, highway trips etc. It's perfect for being chauffeur-driven and abuse friendly (all chauffeurs abuse cars). Please do check out the XL6's captain seats as well.

Here's what BHPian lamborghini had to say on the matter:

The Ertiga would be my pick as well for a chauffeur driven beater car.

Next up would be the WRV over the Amaze : Global platform, better build quality, etc.

The Aspire / Figo are great cars, would have made sense if it were more self driven (cracker of a diesel engine, but an average rear seat experience).

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.