Hi, I am looking at buying a new car in the coming year. My budget is up to Rs 15 lakh. My current car is a 15-year-old Alto. I am interested in an SUV for Bangalore (notoriously bad traffic and roads). I expect about a 100 to 150 km commute every week for office use, and I may occasionally drive on highways (short distances and not full-blown road trips). My key considerations are safety and reliability, as I have a 1-year-old child.

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.2 Automatic. It rides higher than hatchbacks, so potholes and monsoon waterlogging are less intimidating, and the generous ground clearance helps on Bengaluru's broken roads. The rear seat is genuinely spacious enough for daily family use, while the engine and gearbox combination feels relaxed and easygoing in traffic, returning good fuel efficiency at the same time. Maruti's widespread service network and affordable spare parts also make long-term ownership relatively hassle-free.If you want the SUV-like stance and higher ground clearance on a tighter budget, the Hyundai Exter Automatic is also worth a look, though its rear seat is not quite as accommodating as the Fronx.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•2h

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi AT would be the recommendation here, but with one important caveat.The Brezza's naturally aspirated petrol engine and torque-converter automatic make it one of the smoothest and most easy-going compact SUVs for city driving. It is also likely to be noticeably more fuel efficient than the Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX A in real-world conditions. Add Maruti's strong reliability record and lower ownership costs makes it a very compelling package.The 3XO RevX A, however, is the more exciting car to drive. Its turbo-petrol engine delivers stronger performance, and the overall driving experience feels more energetic and engaging. It also has the edge when it comes to cabin ambience, features and perceived premium feel, with highlights such as the panoramic sunroof and a more upmarket interior.The only thing to keep in mind is that the Brezza is expected to receive a facelift later this year. If you're leaning towards the Maruti and your purchase is not urgent, it may be worth waiting to see what updates the refreshed model brings.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•8h

While both SUVs are strong contenders, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza offers a more polished and well-rounded ownership experience. The CNG integration feels very well sorted, fuel efficiency is excellent, and Maruti's service network and long-term reliability are major advantages. It is also one of the few CNG SUVs that does not feel significantly compromised in everyday driving.The Tata Nexon iCNG counters with a stronger safety package, a more modern cabin and a larger feature list. It also benefits from Tata's twin-cylinder CNG setup, which preserves a usable boot. The Brezza CNG, meanwhile, is available only with a manual gearbox.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Tata Nexon