Hey, We are planning to buy a sub-4-metre SUV, and our main requirement is good suspension for Bengaluru’s pothole-filled roads, especially as my wife is pregnant. We have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Mahindra XUV 3XO, and Tata Nexon. Which one would you recommend for our requirements? I was also considering a larger SUV like the Honda Elevate, but a well-equipped variant costs around Rs. 18 lakh on-road, which is beyond my budget. Could you suggest some good options in both categories? I can stretch my budget up to around Rs. 15 lakh on-road if required.

autocar.india

•6h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi petrol. It is the most sensible first car in this shortlist. The Brezza is a proven, reliable and low-maintenance SUV with Maruti’s unmatched service network, which is exactly what you want for long-term ownership. The ZXi variant is well equipped, the naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and dependable, and the car is easy to drive in the city while still being comfortable on highways. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXi is also a good option, but the Brezza feels like a more complete package with a stronger ownership track record. The Hyundai Creta EX is a good car, but at this price point you are getting a lower variant with fewer features, and the Brezza ZXi offers better value for money. Overall, the Brezza ZXi strikes the best balance between reliability, running costs, features and long-term peace of mind.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Creta

autocar.india

•6h

Given your high running of 3,000-4,000km a month on the highway, the priority should be a car that is comfortable, stable at speed and easy to live with over long distances. The Hyundai i20 IVT is a good hatchback, but at that kind of running, a compact SUV makes more sense because of the higher seating position, better ground clearance and generally more comfortable ride over broken patches. Between the Kia Sonet DCT and Tata Nexon AMT, the Sonet DCT is the better fit for your usage. The DCT is a proper automatic gearbox, which is smoother and quicker to respond than an AMT, especially on highways where quick gear changes matter during overtakes. The Sonet also feels more refined, more premium and better put together overall. The Nexon is a solid car, but the AMT gearbox is not as smooth or as enjoyable on long highway runs. The only caveat with the Sonet DCT is that dual-clutch gearboxes can get a bit jerky in heavy stop-start traffic, but on highways, they are in their element. Overall, the Sonet DCT is the best fit for your usage and budget.

Hyundai i20

Kia Sonet

Tata Nexon

autocar.india

•10h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT petrol. With your usage of less than 1,000km a month and 80% city driving in Bengaluru, the strong hybrid does not make financial sense unless you are getting a very substantial discount. The petrol automatic is smooth, reliable and well suited to city traffic, and the Brezza is a proven, fuss-free ownership proposition with Maruti’s service reach and low running costs. The Seltos HTK IVT and the Victoris VXI AT are good cars, but at Rs. 15 lakh ex-showroom you are at the lower end of their range and will be compromising on features, whereas the Brezza ZXI AT is a more complete package at that price point. The Seltos and Victoris are bigger, but not my much and the premium you pay does not justify the entry-level variants. The Brezza also has a comfortable rear seat and a decent boot, which will suit a family of four plus a pet dog and is a better deal overall.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Victoris