I have owned a Maruti Suzuki Celerio ZXi Automatic for the past 9 years, and it has covered around 17,000 km. My monthly running is less than 500 km. Is it advisable to upgrade, considering it is a first-generation automatic vehicle? I am planning to buy an automatic SUV within a budget of Rs. 15 lakh. I seek your professional advice and opinion.
• 2h
With less than 500km a month, your Celerio is still a perfectly usable car, and from a purely financial perspective, there is no pressing reason to upgrade. However, after nine years, it is understandable to want something newer, safer and more comfortable, especially if you are considering a move to an automatic SUV. Plus, at 9 years old, your car is not only from the pre-E20 petrol era, it's pre-E10 as well, so you would have to start taking a bit of extra care of it.Given your low running, most of which is in the city and driven by you, a petrol automatic is a good idea. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is a strong option. It is reliable, efficient, easy to drive, has a comfortable ride and Maruti’s service network is a big advantage for long-term ownership. It has just received a facelift, and with it has come a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating. Most of all, however, you will get a fully loaded automatic for around the top end of your budget.If you want something a little more exciting, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic is another excellent choice. It offers a more powerful turbo petrol engine, a more premium cabin and a more spacious rear seat. However, it won't be as efficient as the Brezza, and in your budget, you'll only get a mid-range automatic model.Ultimately, the decision comes down to whether you want to upgrade for the sake of a better ownership experience or more fun. If it's the former, the Brezza automatic is the safe, sensible choice, while the XUV 3XO automatic offers more performance and a more premium feel.
