Vijayawada

•7h

I am almost a beginner driver and planning to buy a used automatic car under a budget of around Rs. 8.5 lakh. My usage will be roughly 70% city and 30% highway driving. My main priorities are a decent automatic and good safety. I have ended up considering a 2023 Tata Punch AMT, but I’ve heard that it can feel underpowered and may not inspire much confidence while overtaking on highways. I have also heard about the AMT being jerky. Would love to hear from anyone who has owned or regularly driven a Punch AMT. How has your experience been, especially with highway driving?

•57m

The Tata Punch AMT is a city car, thanks to its high seating and light controls, but your concerns are valid. The AMT gearbox is not very smooth, and the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine feels underpowered on the highway, especially during overtaking.

Given your budget of Rs 8.5 lakh and your 70% city, 30% highway usage, we would recommend looking at a used Maruti Suzuki Brezza AT or a used Toyota Urban Cruiser AT instead. Both are essentially the same car underneath, powered by a 1.5 petrol engine and offer a proper 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, which is much smoother and easier to live with than an AMT.

You could also consider a used example of the Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT - it is newer, easy to drive, has a smooth automatic and the turbo-petrol makes performance feel effortless.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Punch

from ₹6.70 Lakh

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from ₹8.63 Lakh

Nissan

Magnite

from ₹6.59 Lakh

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•5m•

That’s a sensible option, but at the same time, shouldn’t I be considering only the E20-compliant models? For the Brezza, that would mean models from April 2023 onwards, and for the Magnite Turbo CVT, models from August 2024 onwards. I’m finding it difficult to find these specific models within the same price range in Kerala. The Magnite Turbo CVT seems possible, But Brezza is almost being resold at the same price it was originally bought for in Kerala.🫡🫡

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•6d

Is Tata Punch coming in diesel by the end of this year or early next year? Need to replace my 2017 i20 diesel asta. Annual run of 20-21k with 50:50 usage. Budget is 10-13 lakh on-road, Gurgaon. Need something that has more ground clearance than i20 as it would be plying in the village or tier 2 cities as well. PS: Don’t want to be in long queues for the CNG and EV charging isn’t possible at my current residence.

•1d

No, the Tata Punch is not expected to get a diesel engine this year or early next year. Given your annual running of 20-21,000 km with a 50:50 city-highway split, diesel car still makes the most financial sense, especially since you do not want to deal with CNG queues or electric car charging limitations.The Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel is the best fit for your requirements. It offers significantly more ground clearance than your Hyundai i20, which will be useful on village roads and in tier 2 cities. The diesel engine is efficient and well-suited to your running, and this Mahindra car is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, making it a comfortable upgrade from the i20. It also fits within your Rs 10-13 lakh on-road budget in Gurgaon.

My car usage is hardly twice or thrice a week. I don't use my car for daily travel. My budget is Rs 10 lakh. I currently have a 2012 Hyundai Eon Sportz and want to upgrade to a better make and model, preferably a crossover or SUV. Which would be the best option among the following: Tata Punch/Nexon, Maruti Fronx, Renault Kiger, and Mahindra 3XO?

•2d

With your usage pattern of driving just two or three times a week, the priority should be a petrol car that is easy to live with, reliable and inexpensive to maintain. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is the best choice from your shortlist. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, has a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater, and the turbo petrol engine is punchy and enjoyable to drive. This Mahindra car also offers a strong safety package and good value for money.The Tata Nexon is a good alternative, but the XUV 3XO feels more spacious and better finished inside. The Tata Punch is a segment below and does not feel like a meaningful upgrade from your Eon. The Maruti Fronx is a sensible and reliable choice, but it does not feel as premium or as spacious as the 3XO.

I want to buy a new car, preferably a sub-4m SUV, with a budget of Rs 10 lakh on-road. I currently own a 2021 third-gen Maruti Suzuki Swift with the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which I plan to sell before buying the new car. The roads in my city and surrounding areas are in poor condition, and my Swift often scrapes underneath, so I am looking for a car with good ground clearance. I drive less than 8,000km a year, with the car mainly being used on Sundays and for occasional 500-800km road trips. I have shortlisted the Brezza VXi, but I am also hearing concerns that its turbo-petrol engine may not last 15 years like a naturally aspirated engine. This has left me confused about whether I should go for it or consider another car. Which car would be the most suitable for my usage?

•8h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.5 petrol manual. It is the most sensible upgrade from your Swift given your usage and priorities. Your annual running is low, so petrol is the right choice, and your main concern is ground clearance and durability on bad roads. The Brezza has good ground clearance and a proven naturally aspirated engine that is known for its reliability and longevity. The 1.5 petrol is a simple, stress-free engine that will easily last 10-15 years with proper maintenance, and Maruti's service network adds to the peace of mind.The concerns around turbo petrol engines are often overstated. Modern turbo petrols are reliable when maintained properly, but they are more complex and can be more expensive to repair out of warranty. Given your low running and long-term ownership intent, the naturally aspirated 1.5 is the safer bet.The Brezza is also a comfortable 5-seater with a decent boot, making it well-suited for your Sunday drives and road trips. If you want to save some money, the Mahindra XUV 3XO 1.2 turbo petrol is also a good option with a more powerful engine and a wider cabin, but the Brezza's ownership experience and long-term reliability make it the better fit for your requirements.

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•6d

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•6d

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•3d

Help me choose the right car for my usage. Please be practical and challenge my assumptions. My situation: I am 31 and work as a software developer. I currently work from home in Balsane, Dhule, but I am moving to Mumbai around March. My wife and I are expecting a baby in February. My parents live in a village where local transport is poor. My Mumbai office is near Powai, but parking is difficult. I prefer a manual car. Usage: My current running is around 10,000 km per year, but it may increase. I travel between Mumbai and Balsane, which is around 400 km one way, around 5-7 times a year, along with Dhule/Sakri and local trips. I also drive around Mumbai on weekends. The AC is usually on, and on long trips, the car will have my wife, baby, and luggage. Budget: Rs. 6-9 lakh on-road. I am willing to spend more only if it is genuinely worth it. Shortlist: - Tiago XE Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart CNG - Brezza LXi turbo-petrol Please tell me: 1. Which one should I buy and why? 2. Petrol vs CNG for my usage? The CNG premium is around Rs. 1 lakh, and the nearby village pump may open around Diwali, but this is not guaranteed. 3. What real-world mileage can I expect with the AC on? 4. Please consider loan interest, fuel costs, maintenance, depreciation, and resale value. 5. Is the Brezza worth the extra money? 6. Give me one final choice and tell me what I should avoid.

•3d

The Brezza LXI Turbo is far superior to the Punch and Tiago as far as smoothness, performance, and cabin space are concerned. It is also backed by Maruti's widespread support network, and the ownership experience is likely to be fuss-free. The on-road cost of the Brezza LXI will fall within your Rs 9 lakh budget, and even though you might miss a few features, it still feels worth opting for. Alternatively, you could also consider the Maruti Dzire VXI MT for its large boot, comfy ride and strong fuel efficiency.

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