I am looking for an automatic car (not an AMT, DSG, or DCT). My budget is around Rs. 10-12 lakh. The car will primarily be used for city driving and should also offer good fuel efficiency. I have shortlisted Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Sportz Option IVT, Honda Amaze VX CVT, and Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi AT. I am inclined towards the Brezza, but there is no clarity on when the facelift will be launched. Please suggest what I should do.

autocar.india

•2h

Go for the Honda Amaze, which is possibly the best automatic car in this price range for your needs. The biggest advantage is its smooth CVT gearbox, which is far superior to the more basic AMTs that are offered by the other cars in this price range. That gearbox is mated to a smooth, refined and fuel efficient 1.2-litre petrol engine that's proven and reliable. Its compact dimensions make it easy to drive, and Honda's famous attention to space management and ergonomics mean it feels like a big car on the inside and is easy to drive too. Moreover, for your occasional highway trips, the 89hp, four-cylinder engine has good power for cruising and overtaking. There's no harm in choosing a sedan at all, and you should buy the car that suits you and not the market.The Exter is a good alternative, with a higher seating that makes it easy to see out of, and you will get a higher variant in your budget, although compared to the Amaze, it feels like a smaller car from a lower segment. The engine isn't as punchy as the Honda's and the AMT gearbox is nowhere as smooth, and while it might be sufficient in the city, it doesn't inspire confidence on the highway. Overall, the Amaze is the best bet for your needs.

Honda Amaze

Hyundai Exter

autocar.india

•4h

The difference between maintenance of modern turbo GDI and turbo MPFI engines can be minimised if you follow the company's recommended maintenance schedule. Still, there could be some difference in maintenance costs between the two when it comes to oils, replacement parts and other perishables. The key factor is not to miss a scheduled maintenance appointment, which could lead to more expensive problems with a T-GDI engine. With that in mind, since this is your first car and maintenance costs are your priority, go with the Maruti Brezza 1.0 Turbo. Its overall maintenance costs are lower, and Maruti Suzuki after-sales is more reliable and hassle-free overall. With the recent update, the Brezza is also pretty closely matched on features to the XUV 3XO. The Mahindra has advantages like a larger sunroof, dual-zone climate control, digital dials and radar-based Level 2 ADAS, but the Brezza has advantages like ventilated front seats and a PM2.5 filter. It also has sensor-based Level 1 ADAS, and crucially, both cars now have 5-star NCAP ratings.The Mahindra XUV 3XO is more powerful and more fun to drive, but on most other fronts, the Brezza is as good as, if not better, and thus should be your choice.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO