I am a first-time car buyer looking for a car within a budget of around ₹12 lakh. My main priorities are: A smooth automatic transmission with minimal jerks Decent build quality and safety I do not have very high mileage expectations - anything above 10 km/l in Gurgaon traffic would be acceptable Reliability and peace of mind for at least the next 10 years

Autocar India

•2d

For your usage, we would recommend an automatic, and specifically the Skoda Kylaq Classic+ torque converter automatic, if you want a compact SUV.Its 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine paired with a proper 6-speed torque converter automatic offers a far smoother and more natural driving experience than AMT-based rivals. Plus, as a first-time buyer with mostly city driving, that smoothness and ease will matter far more than chasing a manual. The Skoda Kylaq is also priced to fit within your budget in this trim and carries a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating.If you prefer a sedan, the Honda Amaze CVT remains a superb option. Its CVT is exceptionally smooth in traffic; it is easy to drive, comfortable, and very beginner-friendly.We would avoid manuals here unless you specifically enjoy driving one, because with low monthly running and city-heavy use, the convenience of an automatic will make ownership much easier.

Skoda Kylaq

Honda Amaze

Autocar India

•4h

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift is expected fairly soon, so if you are specifically waiting for the updated model, the wait should not be long. The latest test sightings suggest Maruti is in the advanced stages of development, which usually points to a launch in the coming months rather than being a distant future product.As for ADAS, while Maruti has not officially confirmed the exact feature list yet, it is widely expected that the updated Brezza will bring a stronger technology and safety package to stay competitive, and ADAS is very much a possibility.So if your priority is getting the latest Brezza with newer features and potentially ADAS, it makes sense to wait a little rather than buying the outgoing model right now.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift

Autocar India

•45m

Given your requirements, you should consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 turbo petrol automatic. The Skoda's punchy 150hp engine paired with a quick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox makes it great fun to drive. It's also small enough, so driving in the city and parking will not be an issue, and it stays stable and planted at highway speeds, which you'll appreciate. The Kushaq also strikes a great balance between ride comfort and handling. The rear seat, though not as spacious as some rivals, will easily be comfy enough for your kid and rather uniquely, the top-spec Kushaq also comes with a rear seat massaging function, which just adds to the comfort factor. So for your mix, the Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG lines up best.

Skoda Kushaq