Hello Autocar, I am from Ahmedabad and planning to buy a new car with a budget of Rs. 14 lakh on-road. It will be self-driven, with around 45 km of city driving per week and two highway trips of about 600 km each every year. I specifically want a torque converter (TC) gearbox and do not want a sunroof. I am also confused about whether I should choose a petrol, CNG, or diesel car. One additional point is that I will be purchasing the vehicle in my company's name to avail depreciation benefits. Which car and fuel type would you recommend for my requirements?

autocar.india

•3h

For your usage, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is the most sensible recommendation. Your annual running is low, so a petrol automatic makes the most financial sense, and the Brezza’s 6-speed torque converter automatic is one of the smoothest and most reliable gearboxes in this price range. It is well suited to city driving and will handle your occasional hill station trips without any fuss. This Maruti Suzuki car is also a genuinely comfortable 5-seater with a good ride quality, and Maruti’s service network and low maintenance costs make it an easy car to own long term.If you want something a bit more premium feeling, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic is worth considering. It is more feature-rich and feels more modern inside, but the Brezza is the more dependable choice for a first-time buyer. On automatic transmissions, torque converter automatics like those in the Brezza and 3XO are the best fit for your usage. They are smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving. CVTs are also smooth, but there aren't many offered in this price range, while dual-clutch automatics are better suited to performance-oriented driving and can be more expensive to maintain.Overall, the Brezza automatic is the car that will give you the least hassle and the most peace of mind over the next 5-10 years.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•23h

With a Rs 12 lakh budget and your usage pattern of frequent 450km highway runs, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel is the best fit. The diesel engine is the key here - it offers strong mid-range performance for effortless overtaking and excellent fuel efficiency on long highway drives, which will make a meaningful difference given your high monthly running. This Mahindra car is also one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater for long journeys. It is also a safe car, having scored a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, and it offers good ride comfort on highways. The only real drawback is the boot, which is on the smaller side for the segment, but for your usage - mostly highway driving with occasional city use - the diesel engine and overall package make it the most sensible choice.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•22h

Given your budget of Rs. 15-17 lakh and your preferences for a feature-rich, safe and no-nonsense SUV that you plan to keep for a long time, the Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol is the most sensible recommendation. Our pick would be the 3XO with the MPFi petrol engine which has a genuinely peppy engine and performance that would feel lively enough in your short 20 km city drive. If you want more performance then consider the turbo direct injection engine, though mileage will be lower. The 3XO is a feature-rich car in the segment, with a strong safety package and a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater. The Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI is another good alternative. The 1.0 TSI engine is genuinely punchy and fun to drive, and the Kylaq is one of the most engaging cars in the segment. It is also a no-nonsense car with a strong safety package.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq