Mumbai

•13w

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to upgrade from my Hyundai i10 Sportz 1.2 AT and am looking for a new automatic car with a maximum budget of ₹11 lakh (on-road). The car will be used mostly by my parents for city driving. My current shortlist includes: Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha AMT Hyundai Exter AMT Honda Amaze CVT Key requirements: Good real-world mileage Easy to drive in city conditions Comfortable and convenient for my parents Preference for top-end variants My annual usage is relatively low, around 6,000–7,000 km, so I am inclined towards petrol but open to diesel if it makes more sense. While the usage will be mostly within the city, the car may occasionally be used for long trips (around 500–800 km) once or twice a year. I am confused between choosing a more comfortable and efficient hatchback, a taller car with better visibility, or a more refined CVT sedan. I am also open to other suggestions slightly outside this shortlist if there are better options within this budget. Could you please advise on the best choice for my requirements?

•12w

Mostly city use by your parents, low yearly running, and a hard cap of about Rs 11 lakh on-road points to the Honda Amaze CVT.

Why this fits your brief: compared to your 2013 i10 AT or the other AMTs you've shortlisted, the Amaze’s CVT will feel calmer and smoother at low speeds, so stop-go traffic will be less tiring. The cabin is simple, the seats are supportive, and visibility is good, so it is easy to drive and park. Petrol is the right pick for 6,000-7,000 km a year.

Two watch-outs: the Amaze sits low, so getting in and out is not as upright as something like the Hyundai Exter. Fuel efficiency also won’t be as good as the Maruti Suzuki Dzire. In our real-world tests, the Amaze managed 13.28 kpl (combined), while the Dzire averaged 15.41 kpl (combined). If that is a concern, the Dzire is a good bet, though the AMT won’t be as smooth as a CVT. If your parents value a higher seat and an easy step-in, pick the Hyundai Exter AMT.

Overall, for mostly city use and comfort for your parents, the Amaze CVT lines up best with what you described.

Explore cars mentioned

Honda

Amaze

from ₹8.68 Lakh

Hyundai

Exter

from ₹6.71 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Dzire

from ₹7.23 Lakh

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•1d

I am looking for a spacious car for three people, with a naturally aspirated engine, automatic gearbox, and good mileage in both city and highway driving. I have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Honda Amaze. My budget is Rs 10-15 lakh. Please suggest.

•15h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic. It is the better fit for your requirements. You want a naturally aspirated petrol engine, good mileage in both city and highway driving, and a spacious car for three people. The Brezza delivers on all those points. The 1.5-litre petrol engine of this Maruti Suzuki car is smooth and reliable, and the 6-speed torque converter automatic is well suited to Indian driving conditions. It is also a more spacious car than the Honda Amaze, with a wider cabin and better rear seat comfort for three people. The higher seating position and SUV stance also make it easier to drive in the city and over bad roads.The Amaze is a good car, but it is a compact sedan and does not offer the same level of space or practicality. The Brezza is the more complete package for your needs.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Honda Amaze

•2d

Hello Auto Car Team, I am planning to buy my first car and would appreciate your guidance. My primary usage will be monthly trips to my hometown, covering around 800 km per trip, once or twice a month. Most of the time, the car will be used by two occupants. My budget is around Rs. 10 lakh, although I can stretch it by another Rs. 1 lakh if the additional value is justified. The cars currently on my shortlist are Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi, Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro, Honda Amaze VX and Tata Punch Adventure Turbo. My key priorities include good fuel efficiency, safety, comfort for long-distance travel as well as low maintenance and reliability as this will be my first car. Given my requirements and budget, which of these cars would you recommend? Also, if there are any better alternatives that I should consider, please let me know. Thank you for your help.

•1d

Given your usage pattern of regular 800 km highway trips with two occupants, your priorities of fuel efficiency, safety, comfort and low maintenance, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi is the most sensible choice from your shortlist. Since a lot of your driving is going to be on the highway, opt for the turbo petrol manual. It has much better overtaking performance than the naturally aspirated version and with a tall sixth gear, fuel efficiency will be good too. It is also a proven, reliable and low-maintenance car with a comfortable ride, good highway stability and a strong service network, which is exactly what you want in a first car that will see long-distance use. The downside is that the turbo doesn't come with an automatic option.The Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro is the more modern and feature-rich option, however the Brezza still has the edge in terms of long-term reliability. The Honda Amaze VX is a good sedan with a comfortable ride and Honda's reputation for reliability, but given your highway usage and the occasional rough patches you may encounter, the higher ground clearance and more robust nature of the Brezza make it the better fit. The Tata Punch is a good value proposition, but it is a smaller car and not as well roomy as the Brezza.Overall the Brezza VXi remains the most balanced and dependable choice for your requirements.

I use my car only occasionally for family outings. I have been driving a Mahindra Xylo for the past 15 years. I am now planning to buy a car in the Rs. 8-12 lakh range for occasional long drives. Is the Maruti Suzuki Brezza Hybrid the right choice?

•2d

Given your usage pattern of occasional family outings and long rides, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza hybrid is a sensible choice. It is a reliable, low-maintenance SUV with a comfortable ride and a proven ownership track record, which makes it a good upgrade from your Xylo. The mild hybrid system helps a bit with fuel efficiency, especially on highways, and Maruti’s service network adds peace of mind for long-term ownership.However, coming from a Xylo, you will notice a significant difference in space. The Brezza is a compact SUV, so rear seat space and overall cabin room are not as generous as what you are used to. If space is a priority for family outings, you may want to consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO instead. It offers a wider cabin, better rear seat comfort and a more spacious feel overall, while still being within your budget range.If you are open to a sedan, the Honda Amaze is also worth considering. It offers a comfortable ride, good boot space and Honda’s reputation for reliability, making it a strong option for occasional long drives.Overall, the Brezza hybrid is a solid choice.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Honda Amaze

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

I am looking to upgrade from my Hyundai Creta to a 7-seater SUV. My annual running is only around 6,000 km, and my budget is up to Rs. 25 lakh. Is the Hyundai Alcazar a good option for my usage? I have also considered the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari, but I am concerned about their relatively low fuel efficiency. Which 7-seater SUV would you recommend?

•5d

With a yearly running of just 6,000km, petrol is the sensible choice, and the Hyundai Alcazar is a good option. It is a comfortable, easy-to-drive family SUV with a hassle-free ownership experience, and the 1.5 turbo petrol engine paired with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is powerful enough and relatively efficient too. Plus, since you're coming from a Creta, you'll be familiar with the Hyundai network and could even ask for a loyalty discount. However, the Alcazar’s third row is not as spacious as some larger cars in the segment, so if you genuinely need a proper 7-seater, it may not be the ideal solution. What's more, if your Creta is the 2020 or newer model, you'll find the Alcazar perhaps a little too familiar on the inside.The Mahindra XUV 7XO, Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus are good options that offer more space. However, as you have noted, they're not fuel efficient at all, and moreover, in your budget, you will only get a low to mid-spec variant, whereas you will get a fully-loaded Alcazar. Another option to consider, though not an SUV, is the Kia Carens Clavis. Its MPV shape is more space-efficient, and you actually get more passenger and luggage room than the Alcazar, with the same efficient engines, for around the same price.

Hi, I am a teacher and a first-time female driver with a budget of Rs. 11.5 lakh. I am looking for an automatic car that I plan to keep for the next 15 years, but I am confused about whether to buy a petrol AMT, CNG AMT, or an EV due to the uncertainty surrounding ethanol blending. My daily commute is 46 km, of which 22 km is on the highway, 18 km is on normal roads, and 6 km is on bumpy village roads in poor condition. Please recommend the most suitable fuel type that will keep my overall cost of ownership low.

•6d

We'd recommend a petrol automatic. With a daily running of around 46km and an ownership period of 15 years, it offers the best balance of low ownership costs, reliability and ease of use for a first-time driver.We wouldn't let E20 fuel influence your decision. Modern E20-compliant petrol cars are designed to run on it, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20. It isn't a reason to avoid buying a petrol car today. A CNG automatic will certainly reduce your fuel bills, but the higher purchase price, reduced boot space and limited automatic options make CNG car less attractive unless fuel savings are your overriding priority. An electric car will have the lowest running costs, but at your budget, you'll have to compromise on size or features, and recovering the higher upfront cost will take time.Given your budget and usage, we'd look at the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift automatic which will launch soon if you can stretch slightly, or the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta+ AGS if you want to stay within budget. Both are easy to drive, have good ground clearance for the 6km of rough village roads and come backed by Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network. If you prefer a smoother automatic, the Hyundai Exter SX AMT is also worth considering.

Hi, my brother and I are planning to buy a new family car. Our budget is RS. 10 lakh, and our maximum monthly running will be around 500 km. Our priorities are a reliable engine, good performance, and fuel efficiency. Please suggest the best all-rounder car within our budget.

•3d

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is the most sensible recommendation here. It is spacious enough for family use, has a proven and reliable engine, and is one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment. Maruti’s service network and low maintenance costs also make it a very easy car to own over the long term.If you prefer a sedan, the Honda Amaze is worth considering. Honda’s engines are known for their reliability and refinement, and the Amaze is a comfortable and well-built sedan.Overall, the Baleno is the most balanced choice. It offers the best combination of space, efficiency, reliability and low running costs, which is exactly what you need given your usage and budget.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Honda Amaze

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Posted on: 30 Apr 2026

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