I am planning to buy a new SUV that should be automatic petrol (not AMT). My monthly running is only about 200 km, and my budget is ₹12 lakh. Please suggest an automatic SUV that fits my requirements.

Autocar India

•16h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic as your first car, with the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic as the safer and more dependable alternative.The XUV 3XO suits your usage better because it feels more premium and modern, while also offering a comfortable ride, strong highway stability, and a smooth automatic transmission. This makes both city driving and long journeys effortless over the next 10 years. It also has a more spacious and feature-rich cabin. Its suspension is well suited to the kind of broken roads and rough patches you are likely to encounter on trips to the higher Himalayas. The Brezza, in comparison, is the more straightforward and fuss-free option. Additionally, it offers Maruti’s proven reliability, an excellent service network, and easy long-term ownership. It is also comfortable and dependable on bad roads, though it does not feel as modern, powerful, or as premium as the Mahindra.The only drawback with the XUV 3XO is that long-term ownership and after-sales consistency may not feel as effortless as the Brezza. However, overall, it offers a better balance of comfort, performance, and highway ability, making it the more complete choice for your needs.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Autocar India

•1d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•2d

With 70% highway use, monthly Hyderabad-Vijayawada runs, and a Rs 10-12 lakh cap, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza manual is the safer fit for you because it delivers good fuel efficiency on steady highway runs and is the cheapest to maintain of your three choices. Coming from a Tata Vista diesel, the Brezza’s petrol engine will feel quieter and smoother on long drives, and Maruti’s service costs and parts prices are usually the lowest, which matches your “low maintenance” goal.Two trade-offs to note are: the diesel options will pull harder for quick overtakes, especially with a full load, and some premium features are available only in higher Brezza variants, which may stretch your budget.On fuel choice, go for petrol if your running is under roughly 1,200-1,500 km a month. At that usage, the lower price and lower upkeep of a petrol Brezza outweigh the diesel’s fuel savings. If you do more than that, a diesel makes sense. Between your diesel picks, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel feels stronger on the highway and is a better long-distance cruiser. Overall, for your mix and budget, the Brezza lines up best.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•6d

You want a car that is comfortable in the city, easy to drive and capable of doing long trips for the next 10 years. The Toyota Innova Hycross fits this very well. The hybrid system makes it very smooth and quiet in city driving, and the automatic gearbox is effortless, which becomes more important with age. On highways, it is stable, comfortable and built for long-distance travel, which is what the Innova name has always stood for.What really works in your favour is long-term ownership. Toyota’s reliability, strong service network and resale value make it one of the safest bets if you plan to keep the car for many years. The Hycross also offers excellent space, easy ingress and egress and a comfortable ride, which are important for everyday use and for passengers as you grow older.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•6d

For your usage, a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT or IVT is the best fit. These setups are smoother, easier to drive in traffic and more predictable, which matters far more in city conditions than outright performance. So yes, in your case, NA engines are better suited than turbo petrol.The Hyundai Verna IVT stands out as the most well-rounded option for city driving. The engine is smooth, the IVT gearbox is very intuitive in stop-and-go traffic, and the overall driving experience is effortless. It feels refined and easy to live with daily.The Honda City Hybrid is worth considering if your running is high. It offers excellent fuel efficiency, strong performance and is very easy to drive in the city thanks to its hybrid system. However, it comes with a higher upfront cost, and the battery placement results in a higher boot floor, which slightly affects practicality.Compared to the Verna, the standard Honda City CVT is also an option, but the engine feels a bit noisier, and the gearbox is not as intuitive as the Verna’s IVT in everyday use.

Hyundai Verna

Honda City

Autocar India

•11h

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos