Autocar India
13w

Hi, I am planning to buy an automatic car for city use only, as I already own an XUV700 for highway driving. This new car will be on a 3-4 year company lease. I have shortlisted the Brezza ZXi automatic and the Kia Sonet diesel automatic HTX. Which one would suit me better? Also, is it worth waiting for the Brezza facelift, which is expected soon? My primary considerations are a smooth city drive, good fuel efficiency, and a nice cabin.

Verified
13w
City-only use on a 3-4 year lease, with a smooth ride, low running costs and a pleasant cabin on top, in that brief, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi AT fits you better. In slow, busy traffic, the Brezza feels calmer and quieter because it is a petrol car, and its automatic transmission is smooth and easy to use. It also rides over broken patches more softly than the Kia Sonet. For short trips and lots of stop-start driving, a petrol is also simpler to live with.
Pick the Sonet diesel automatic HTX only if your city runs are long and steady every day, and you care most about saving fuel. The Sonet can use less fuel in that case, and its cabin does look and feel richer than the Brezza. But it is a bit firmer over bumps, and you will hear the diesel at idle.
The Brezza facelift is expected to be launched later this year and could get the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol from the Fronx, to fit into the lower 18% tax bracket. Overall, for a quiet, smooth, no-fuss city car, the Brezza ZXi automatic lines up best with what you want.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

13w

What about 3xo

13w

Not fuel efficient

13w

3XO is a capable vehicle with lot of power on tap, it can also fit 3 people comfortably in the back seat. Downside would be less boot space and comparatively less mileage.

13w

I have 14 L budget 50-50℅ city & highway use. Skoda or victoris) or seltos which is best.

13w

Creta or Seltos if it fits your budget. Skoda 1.0 TSI engine in Kylaq and kushaq is an excellent one but ASS is hit or miss. Victoris is not a sturdy/robust vehicle, as 50% usage is on highways, you can avoid Victoris

More questions on similar cars

3d

I am 65 years old and currently drive a Hyundai Eon Era Plus. I am planning to buy a new car with a budget of under Rs. 15 lakh. My usage is fairly limited - about 40 km per trip, 3-4 times a week, along with 2 - 3 long trips of around 600 km each year. My priorities are: Good fuel efficiency, Low maintenance costs, Comfortable seating for five people, Good ground clearance, and a commanding driving position with good road visibility. I have shortlisted the Honda Amaze, Maruti Suzuki Brezza Facelift, Hyundai Venue, and Skoda Kylaq. Which of these would you recommend?

Verified
2d

Based on your usage and priorities, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is the most suitable choice. Your weekly running is low, so a petrol engine makes the most sense, and the Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is reliable, efficient and easy to maintain. It also offers good ground clearance and a comfortable ride, which will be helpful on your occasional long trips. This Maruti Suzuki car is also one of the more spacious compact SUVs, making it a comfortable option for five passengers. The upcoming facelift is expected to add the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine from the Fronx as an option, but given your requirements, the existing naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol is the better option.The Honda Amaze is a good sedan, but it does not offer the same ground clearance, road presence or interior space as the Brezza. The Hyundai Venue is a strong alternative, and the Skoda Kylaq is a good driver’s car, but the Brezza has an edge in terms of reliability, long-term ownership costs, as well as the price itself.Overall, the Brezza strikes the best balance between fuel efficiency, low maintenance, comfort and practicality for your needs.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleHonda Amaze
VehicleSkoda Kylaq
6d

I own a 2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta AT that has covered only 56,000km, and I'm now looking to upgrade. I would like my next car to be under 4 metres in length, or at most 4.2 metres. My priorities are safety, comfort, and decent mileage, with nothing below 10 kmpl, as I live in a city with narrow roads. Should I get the new Baleno Zeta AT be the right choice, or are there better alternatives? The car will mostly be used for city driving, with occasional highway trips, around thrice a year.

Verified
14h

Given your priorities of safety, comfort, decent mileage and city-friendly dimensions, the new Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta AMT is a sensible upgrade from your current car. It remains easy to drive, efficient and well-suited to narrow city roads, while adding more modern features and improved refinement. However, one important difference is that your current car uses a smooth CVT auto gearbox, whereas the new Baleno comes with an AMT. While the AMT is more fuel-efficient, it is not as seamless or refined in everyday driving.If your budget is between Rs 10-15 lakh, there are several alternatives worth considering. You could opt for the higher-spec Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha AMT for additional features. The Maruti Suzuki Fronx is another strong option. It is based on the Baleno but offers higher ground clearance and a rugged crossover design. It is also available with a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic, although mileage is lower than the 1.2-litre AMT.Another option is the Nissan Magnite. It is compact enough for city driving, has a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating, and has a spacious, comfortable cabin. Both the 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol and the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engines are reasonably fuel-efficient and are available with auto gearbox options. Overall, this Nissan car may actually be the strongest all-round choice based on your requirements.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
VehicleNissan Magnite

Popular discussions right now

3d

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.

Verified
3d

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.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
VehicleHyundai Exter
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza

Posted on: 23 Apr 2026