I am looking for a car specifically for weekend drives of atleast 500 kms and occasional city usage. I have shortlisted Maruti Brezza, Skoda kylaq, Hyundai exter on sub 4m SUV and Maruti grand vitara, Honda Elevate on suv side.which one to choose? Whether to go with Auomatic or manual? Please advise!

autocar.india

•1d

Based on your usage and priorities, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is the most suitable choice. Your weekly running is low, so a petrol engine makes the most sense, and the Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is reliable, efficient and easy to maintain. It also offers good ground clearance and a comfortable ride, which will be helpful on your occasional long trips. This Maruti Suzuki car is also one of the more spacious compact SUVs, making it a comfortable option for five passengers. The upcoming facelift is expected to add the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine from the Fronx as an option, but given your requirements, the existing naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol is the better option.The Honda Amaze is a good sedan, but it does not offer the same ground clearance, road presence or interior space as the Brezza. The Hyundai Venue is a strong alternative, and the Skoda Kylaq is a good driver’s car, but the Brezza has an edge in terms of reliability, long-term ownership costs, as well as the price itself.Overall, the Brezza strikes the best balance between fuel efficiency, low maintenance, comfort and practicality for your needs.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Honda Amaze

Skoda Kylaq

autocar.india

•2d

We'd recommend a petrol automatic. With a daily running of around 46km and an ownership period of 15 years, it offers the best balance of low ownership costs, reliability and ease of use for a first-time driver.We wouldn't let E20 fuel influence your decision. Modern E20-compliant petrol cars are designed to run on it, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20. It isn't a reason to avoid buying a petrol car today. A CNG automatic will certainly reduce your fuel bills, but the higher purchase price, reduced boot space and limited automatic options make CNG car less attractive unless fuel savings are your overriding priority. An electric car will have the lowest running costs, but at your budget, you'll have to compromise on size or features, and recovering the higher upfront cost will take time.Given your budget and usage, we'd look at the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift automatic which will launch soon if you can stretch slightly, or the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta+ AGS if you want to stay within budget. Both are easy to drive, have good ground clearance for the 6km of rough village roads and come backed by Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network. If you prefer a smoother automatic, the Hyundai Exter SX AMT is also worth considering.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Hyundai Exter

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•1d

If you can charge at home, the MG Windsor EV would be our first choice under your budget. This MG car offers a spacious cabin, excellent ride comfort, and feels like a car from the segment above, making it one of the best value-for-money EVs currently on sale. If home charging isn't practical, we'd recommend a strong hybrid car instead. At this budget, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Strong Hybrid would be our pick. It shares its mechanicals with the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid but offers better value and a more premium cabin. It delivers excellent fuel efficiency without requiring any charging and is easy to live with over the long term.

MG Windsor

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara