I am planning to buy the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, but am confused between the 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine and the 1.0-litre turbo 3-cylinder engine. My driving will be around 60% on highways and 40% in the city. Could you please suggest which engine option would be better suited for my usage?

Autocar India

•1d

The ride quality on the Kia Sonet is a weak spot. With its relatively short wheelbase and firm suspension tuning, the Sonet’s ride can feel lumpy over uneven surfaces and sharper potholes. In our real-world test, the Sonet DCT managed 11.6kpl in the city and 16.5kpl on the highway, which is respectable for the segment.The DCT gearboxes in Hyundais and Kias have generally proven to be quite reliable and are a good choice in this segment. However, it is worth noting that they use a dry clutch pack, which will wear over time and eventually require replacement. Heavy use in stop-and-go traffic, slowly creeping up slopes, and letting the car sit in D while stationary can accelerate wear, and replacing the clutch pack can be expensive. For added peace of mind, you could opt for an extended warranty, but ensure that it covers the DCT and its internal components, such as the clutch pack.If you still have reservations, then consider the Skoda Kylaq, the Mahindra XUV 3XO, and the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, all of which can be had with torque-converter automatics.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•2d

While there are quite a few petrol automatic options within your Rs 12 lakh budget, the most fuel-efficient options include the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AMT (and its twin the Toyota Glanza), Maruti Suzuki Dzire AMT, Maruti Suzuki Swift AMT, Maruti Suzuki Fronx AMT (and its twin the Toyota Taisor). All feature AMT gearbox options. While AMTs aren't the most sophisticated or smoothest type of automatic transmission, they are fine for average city driving. What sets AMTs apart from other automatics is real-world fuel economy, which is on par and sometimes even better than a comparable manual's. Of the above options, we'd choose between the Baleno, Glanza, Fronx and Taisor. Their larger 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine makes them feel a bit zippier than the Swift and Dzire that use 1.2-litre three-cylinder units.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Toyota Glanza

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

Autocar India

•7h

The Tata Nexon would suit you well. It has a host of safety features like 6 airbags and electronic stability program (ESP), and has earned a 5-star safety rating from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP for adult and child occupant protection in the crash testing protocol.As safety is your first priority, the Nexon would do you well. Since you want a car with a 360-degree camera, opt for the Creative trim, which will come in around your budget. The Nexon also has a good and stable ride, which at higher speeds has good body control, so your highway drives would be safe and comfortable too.

Tata Nexon