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•44w

My age is 72. The average driving is about 1,000km per month. I am looking for a good, safe, small automatic car for self-driving, including occasional long drives across the country. I find the Innova too big to park when I drive. Please help me choose a car under Rs 15 lakh.

•44w

There are many automatic options within your budget. Here are some models you could look at -

Skoda Kylaq: It's got a punchy petrol engine, smooth auto gearbox and has a tough build. It's not the most spacious at the back, but that should not be a deal breaker for you.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza: The Brezza automatic is a sensible pick. It's easy to drive and, while unexciting, the engine gets the job done and scores well on efficiency. The Brezza also has a practical interior. What really works in favour of the Brezza is a hassle-free ownership and service experience that you get with Maruti Suzuki.

Honda Elevate: In case you need something larger, the Honda Elevate CVT in V trim is also an option worth considering. It's got a spacious interior and has a robust suspension. However, the Elevate CVT is best enjoyed with a mild driving style.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kylaq

from ₹8.47 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Brezza

from ₹8.26 Lakh

Honda

Elevate (2023-2026)

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•1w

Hi Autocar experts, I am currently driving a 2022 Renault Kwid, which I primarily use for commuting within the city. Now that my wife also needs to drive to work, I am planning to give her this car and buy a second car for myself. I want the new car to serve as our primary vehicle for family trips on highways, so safety, good driving dynamics, and overall comfort are important. It should also be suitable for my daily city commute. My budget is under Rs 15 lakh. Could you suggest some good options?

•3d

For your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is the best fit. It is one of the safest cars in the segment, has a strong turbo petrol engine and is genuinely enjoyable to drive on highways. At the same time, it is compact enough to be manageable in the city and offers a comfortable ride. The wide cabin also makes this Mahindra car a good family car, and Mahindra’s service network is strong in most cities.If you want something with a more premium feel and a slightly better ownership experience, the Kia Sonet is a good alternative. It is also a safe car, has a refined turbo petrol engine and feels more upmarket inside. However, this Kia car is not as spacious as the 3XO and does not feel as robust on bad roads.Alternatively, the Skoda Kylaq is worth considering. It is one of the best driver’s cars in the segment, with excellent handling and a strong turbo petrol engine. However, this Skoda car is slightly more expensive and does not offer as many features as the 3XO at a similar price point.Overall, the XUV 3XO strikes the best balance between safety, driving dynamics, space and value for money.

I have been driving a 2018 Maruti Suzuki WagonR AMT without any issues, except for tyre and battery replacements. I have also installed a rear camera and display. My company has offered me the option to buy a new car for Rs. 12 lakh, but the only option available within that budget is the Honda Amaze. So, I have discussed increasing the budget to Rs. 15-18 lakh. Any amount above Rs. 12 lakh will be deducted from my salary. I have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi+ AT and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder NeoDrive G (O) Automatic. Would you recommend any other car? My priority is peace of mind. My driving is 80% on highways and 20% in bumper-to-bumper traffic. I wanted Level 2 ADAS, but it is not available in my budget.

•2d

Given your priorities, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi+ AT is the recommendation. Your usage is 80% highway with 20% bumper-to-bumper traffic, and your top priority is peace of mind. The Brezza is a proven, reliable car with a strong service network and low running costs, which makes it an easy ownership experience. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth and refined, and the torque converter automatic is well-suited to both highway cruising and city traffic. This Maruti Suzuki car is also a comfortable five-seater with good ride quality and a practical boot.The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder NeoDrive G(O) Automatic is also a good option, but the mild hybrid system does not deliver a significant fuel economy advantage on the highway, where most of your driving will be. The Brezza is the simpler choice for your usage pattern.If you are open to a slightly different approach, the Honda Elevate CVT is worth considering. This Honda car offers a more spacious cabin, a comfortable ride and Honda's reputation for reliability. The CVT is also very smooth in traffic, and the car feels well-suited to long highway drives.Overall, the Brezza ZXi+ AT is the most sensible and dependable choice for your requirements.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Honda Elevate

•1w

Hi, I am planning to buy a car around Rs. 11.5 lakh (on-road) for monthly running of around 700-800 Km with a trip in 3-4 months of around 1000 km on hilly terrain and highways. My requirements include sunroof for children, 60:40 seats, rear AC, good torque for hills and rear camera. I feel that push button or automatic will be advantageous. Please suggest.

•4d

With a budget of around Rs 11.5 lakh on-road, your requirements are quite clear: a sunroof, 60:40 split rear seats, rear AC vents, good torque for hills, a rear camera, and ideally push-button start or an automatic transmission. Your monthly running of 700-800 km with occasional 1000 km hill trips points towards a petrol car, as a diesel would not justify itself at this usage level.The Mahindra XUV 3XO is the best fit here. It offers a strong turbo petrol engine with good low-end torque, which will help on hilly roads, and it comes with a sunroof, rear AC vents, 60:40 split rear seats and a rear camera in the mid variants. The automatic gearbox is also available within your budget, and the car is well equipped for the price.The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is another solid choice. You have the choice of a naturally aspirated or a turbo petrol, but only the former comes with an automatic. It also offers a sunroof, rear AC vents and a rear camera, and Maruti's service network is a big advantage.The Hyundai Venue is another option, but the turbo petrol automatic variants are likely to stretch your budget. The naturally aspirated petrol is available within your budget, but it will not feel as strong on hills.Overall, the XUV 3XO is the best fit for your requirements. It offers the right combination of features, performance and value for money. The Brezza is the more sensible alternative if you prioritise reliability and ease of ownership over performance.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Venue

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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•1w

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.

•1w

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 currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

•4d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Nissan Tekton

•1w

I’ve almost finalised the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, and I really like the car. However, I’m a little worried about Skoda’s long-term service and maintenance costs, especially after the warranty period. I’m planning to keep the car for around 7–8 years. Would you recommend taking the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) along with the car? Is it worth the additional cost considering regular servicing and potential maintenance expenses? Also, compared with the Brezza and Nexon, how is the Kylaq Signature Automatic in terms of long-term reliability, service costs and parts replacement? Would really appreciate your advice before I make the final purchase decision.

•4d

If you like the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, go ahead and buy it. It is a genuinely good car and one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven combination, and Skoda’s reliability has improved significantly in recent years. The bigger concern is not reliability but long-term maintenance costs, which can be higher than Maruti or Tata once the car is out of warranty.This is where the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) makes sense. It locks in your service costs for the first 4-5 years, covers all scheduled maintenance and gives you peace of mind during the most expensive ownership period. If you are planning to keep the car for 7-8 years, it is worth the additional cost because it protects you from unexpected bills and helps you budget ownership costs more accurately.Compared to the Brezza and Nexon, the Kylaq is the better driver’s car with a more engaging driving experience and a stronger engine. The Brezza is the benchmark for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, while the Nexon sits somewhere in between. The Kylaq is not unreliable, but parts and service can be more expensive once you are out of warranty.If you are buying the Kylaq, take the SMP and enjoy the car. If long-term ownership costs are your absolute priority, the Brezza is the safer financial choice.

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Tata Nexon

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