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•24w

I am looking for a car with a naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a torque converter automatic gearbox, within a budget of ₹16 lakh (on-road, Chennai). Could you please share the list of available options that meet this requirement? Additionally, I would like your opinion on whether opting for a turbo-petrol engine is worthwhile for daily office commuting in a metropolitan city like Chennai, considering traffic conditions and real-world usability.

•24w

For mostly city use in Chennai with an on-road cap of Rs. 16 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT fits your brief best. It has a simple 1.5-litre petrol, naturally aspirated engine without a turbo and a 6-speed torque-converter automatic, so it moves off gently and stays smooth when traffic is slow. The higher seat and compact size make it easy to see out, thread through gaps, and park, and Maruti service is widespread in Chennai.

The flip side is that it is not very quick if you push hard, and the cabin feels a bit plain in this price range.

If you want the full set of non-turbo petrol cars with a torque-converter automatic near your budget, these are the ones to look at: Maruti Suzuki Ertiga AT and Toyota Rumion AT in the lower trims if you need seven seats; the Maruti Suzuki Jimny AT has the same simple automatic but may just cross Rs. 16 lakh on-road in Chennai, so check deals. Most other petrol automatics in this price range use AMT or CVT-style gearboxes, not a torque converter.

Do you need a turbo for a Chennai office run? Mostly no. In heavy traffic, you rarely use the extra power a turbo brings. Some small turbos also have a slight pause and then a jump when you press the pedal, which is not as soothing in stop-and-go driving. A non-turbo with a torque-converter automatic is usually the calmest. A turbo is worth it if you often carry a full family, climb flyovers a lot, or do fast runs on OMR/ECR or the highway. Overall, for city-only use, you will be happy without a turbo.

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•1d

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

•40m

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

I’m planning to buy a car with a budget of around Rs. 15 lakh. I’m 183 cm tall and weigh 140 kg. Please suggest the best car for me, considering fuel economy and driving comfort.

•21h

At 183cm and 140kg, your priority should be a car with a genuinely accommodating driving position, easy ingress and enough seat and cabin width, while keeping running costs reasonable. The Brezza is one of the better options around Rs 15 lakh because of its spacious, boxy cabin and seats that accommodate larger adults well. We found the current Brezza capable of comfortably seating five adults, with good overall space and a comfortable driving position.If you want something more spacious and can stretch slightly, the Honda Elevate is worth a serious test drive. Its front seats are particularly comfortable, ergonomics are excellent, and the elevated driving position gives plenty of room around the driver. Its ride and handling are also very good.

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•1d

Hello, I want to upgrade from my current Dzire diesel (2009 model). My running is nearly 7 thousand which is very low. My budget is 10 lakh mostly within city driven but with few highway trips every quarter. So please suggest some reliable comfortable car. I have taken the test drive of Maruti Suzuki Fronx AGS but space in the back is also an issue. I have also taken the test drive of Brezza Turbo and I found it smooth and easy . Anything else I should go for ?

•23h

With just around 7,000km a year, mostly in the city, a simple petrol car makes much more sense than a diesel. Since you have already driven the Brezza and found it smooth and easy to drive, it would be my first choice. The new 1.0 litre Booster jet is refined, has good low speed tractability and is more than adequate for your occasional highway trips. We also found it impressively efficient, with the onboard computer showing 11 to 14kpl even during hard driving.One important point, though: the new Brezza 1.0 Turbo is manual only. If you are looking for an automatic, the 1.5 litre petrol is still the only Brezza powertrain with an automatic, and that pushes the price beyond your Rs. 10 lakh budget.

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•5d

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual and automatic. My current ride is a Fluidic Verna diesel manual, which is nearing 15 years of ownership and has clocked nearly 2.5 lakh km. My usage consists of mixed city and highway driving, with around 40km daily and weekend highway runs of about 400km. For long-term ownership, which would be the better choice: the manual or automatic?

•5d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel automatic. The diesel engine is well suited to your high running, and the automatic gearbox is a proven torque converter unit that is reliable and well matched to the engine. This Mahindra car will make your daily city driving far less tiring, while still being smooth and efficient on the highway. Coming from a 15-year-old Hyundai Verna diesel manual, the automatic will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and ease of use, without compromising on long-term reliability. The manual is still a good option if you strongly prefer the engagement, but for your usage and ownership horizon, the automatic is the smarter choice.

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•1w

I test-drove both the Kia Seltos GTX(A) IVT and the Hyundai Creta N10 Turbo DCT. For some reason, the Creta felt more balanced over rough roads and was also quieter. I initially wanted to purchase the HTX(A) Turbo DCT, but it wasn't available for a test drive. Now, I'm confused about two things: Seltos vs Creta and manual vs DCT. Around 60-70% of my driving will be in the city, but I still want a punchy engine. Having driven manual cars for years, I've always enjoyed them and am comfortable with them. However, considering the advancements in automatic transmissions in 2026 and the fact that I plan to keep the car for 7-8 years, a DCT seems like a convenient option. I'm now unsure which combination would be the right choice for my needs. What would you recommend?

•6d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) Turbo DCT as it strikes the best balance for your needs. The turbo petrol engine is punchy and enjoyable, while the DCT makes city driving far less tiring than a manual. You enjoy manuals, but with 60-70% city usage and a 7-8 year ownership horizon, the convenience of an automatic becomes hard to ignore. The Seltos also feels slightly more premium inside than the Hyundai Creta, and the HTX(A) is a well-equipped variant without pushing the budget too far. The Creta is also the older model, and the next-gen version is right around the corner. The difference in terms of stability and ride comfort between both is marginal, and the Seltos counters that with a more premium cabin and a slightly wider rear seat. The IVT is smooth but lacks the punch you are looking for, while the DCT delivers the performance you want without the fatigue of a manual. Overall, the Seltos HTX(A) Turbo DCT is the most complete package for your usage pattern and long-term ownership plans.

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•4d

I currently drive a 2018 Hyundai Creta 1.6 petrol automatic, which is very comfortable. Its mileage is around 7-8 kpl, and my monthly running is 1,000-1,200 km. Please advise on a good vehicle with decent mileage and comfort. I look forward to your advice.

•3d

With 1,000-1,200 km a month and a 7-8 km/l Creta 1.6 petrol automatic, the priority should be better fuel efficiency without sacrificing comfort. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most sensible upgrade. It delivers significantly better real-world fuel economy, especially in city driving, while still offering a comfortable ride and a well-equipped cabin. The hybrid system is proven and reliable, and the ownership experience is straightforward.If you want a more premium feel and are willing to accept slightly lower fuel efficiency, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is a strong alternative. It offers a more upmarket cabin and a comfortable ride, but it will not match the Victoris Hybrid on fuel savings.The Hyundai Creta petrol IVT is also worth considering if you want to stay within the Hyundai family. It offers a familiar ownership experience and a comfortable ride, but again, it will not be as efficient as the Victoris Hybrid.Overall, the Victoris Hybrid strikes the best balance between fuel efficiency, comfort and long-term ownership costs for your usage pattern.

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