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•4w

I am a first-time car buyer and relatively new to driving. Most of my travel involves highway driving, with occasional trips through city traffic. I am looking for an automatic car with a budget of under Rs. 12 lakh. Could you suggest a suitable car based on these requirements?

Verified
•4w

For a first-time buyer who is new to driving, prioritises highway use and wants an automatic under Rs 12 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is the most sensible recommendation. It is one of the easiest cars to drive in the segment, with good all-round visibility, a comfortable driving position and a smooth torque converter automatic gearbox that is far more refined than the AMT gearboxes found at this price point. On the highway, the Brezza feels stable and confidence-inspiring, while in city traffic the gearbox is smooth and the car is easy to manoeuvre. Maruti’s service network and low running costs also make it a stress-free ownership proposition, which is important for a first-time buyer. The only real drawback is that the Brezza is not the most feature-rich car in the segment, but it gets the basics right and is a easy car to live with. If you want something with a bit more space and a more premium feel, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic is also worth considering, but the Brezza remains the safer and more beginner-friendly choice.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

•4w•

@autocar.india That's a great suggestion

•3w•
Nexon owner

@raj007 Go with Maruti Suzuki Brezza. It can perfectly meet your output. It has good road presence.

•4w•

@raj007 Go with Maruti Suzuki Brezza 👍

•4w•

@raj007 Go with Maruti Suzuki Brezza. The evergreen car for your use case

•4w•

@raj007 Go with Maruti Suzuki Brezza 👍

More posts on similar cars

•2d

Hi everyone, I am looking for a reliable automatic upgrade for my parents. My budget is strictly capped at Rs. 17 lakh (on-road, Hyderabad). The lower, the better. I will be selling our 2019 Ford Figo Titanium petrol manual. Our use case & priorities: Primary drivers: My parents Usage: We live on the outskirts, so the car will see mixed usage, mostly in mild traffic. Priorities: Low maintenance, low running costs, and a hassle-free, smooth driving experience. Shortlisted options: Honda Amaze ZXi CVT, Honda Elevate V CVT, Maruti Brezza ZXi AT, maybe Mahindra XUV 3XO

Verified
•2d

With your requirement of keeping the purchase cost as low as possible while also getting something reliable, go for the Honda Amaze CVT. The CVT is smooth, the car is easy to drive, and Honda’s ownership experience is among the best in the segment. It will also be the most affordable option on your shortlist, which fits your budget constraint perfectly. It should be more than sufficient for your parents and their usage, but bear in mind, it's not much larger than the Figo they're moving from, so it may not feel like as much of an upgrade. Also, make sure entering and exiting the vehicle are not an issue for them, as it is quite low-slung.The Elevate CVT is the largest vehicle here, and as such gives a bit more space and comfort than the others, and it meets your other requirements, but if you're locked in on the V CVT variant, it might feel a bit barebones. The V CVT is well within your Rs 17 lakh budget, so consider going up a variant, as that would make it worth your while.The Maruti Suzuki Brezza, however, might be your best bet. The ZXi AT is great value for money; efficiency and hassle-free ownership are Maruti hallmarks, and the 6-speed AT gearbox is as smooth, if not smoother, than Honda's CVT. It's compact enough to be easy to drive, yet almost as spacious as the Elevate, with easy ingress and egress. We feel this will be the best fit for your parents.

VehicleHonda Amaze
VehicleHonda Elevate (2023-2026)
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
•6d

I am planning to buy a new car under a budget of around Rs. 11.5-12.5 lakh (on-road). It will be mostly used for city driving, with a few highway trips. My main requirements are automatic transmission. good safety rating, good quality interior, low maintenance costs, good driving performance and offers fun-to-drive experience. Please suggest 4-5 good cars in this price range that would suit my requirements.

Verified
•3d

Based on your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic would be our first recommendation. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, has a strong safety record, a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater, and the turbo petrol engine paired with the torque converter automatic delivers good performance and a fun-to-drive experience. It also offers a well-equipped interior and Mahindra's service network is strong, keeping maintenance costs reasonable.The Skoda Kylaq automatic would be our second recommendation. It is the most driver-focused car in this price range, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a well-tuned chassis that makes it genuinely enjoyable to drive. The torque converter automatic is smooth and reliable, and the Kylaq offers good safety credentials and a solid build quality. The only drawback is that the rear seat is not as spacious as the 3XO.The Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is the sensible choice. It is reliable, has low maintenance costs, a comfortable ride and a good safety record. The naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the torque converter automatic is smooth and easy to live with, making it an excellent city car. It may not be as exciting to drive as the 3XO or Kylaq, but it is a very dependable ownership proposition.The Tata Nexon automatic is also worth considering. It has a strong safety record, a comfortable ride and a feature-rich interior. The turbo petrol engine paired with the DCA automatic offers good performance, but the gearbox can feel a bit hesitant at times in stop-start traffic.Overall, the XUV 3XO automatic strikes the best balance between safety, performance, interior quality and ownership costs. The Kylaq is the enthusiast's choice, while the Brezza is the most sensible long-term option.

VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleTata Nexon

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Posted on: 8 Sept 2026