Mumbai

•14w

Hi, I am currently using a 2017 Maruti Wagon R AMT, which has run around 84,000 kms. I am planning to upgrade within a budget of INR 16 lakh and have shortlisted the Tata Nexon Creative Plus (1.2 DCA), Kia Sonet 1.0 GTX Plus, and Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TC. My usage will be approximately 70% highway and 30% city, mostly on weekends. My key priorities are driving comfort, safety, and real-world mileage. I would appreciate your expert advice on which option would be the best fit for my needs.

•13w

The Kia Sonet 1.0 DCT is a well-rounded car which delivers on several fronts, including driving comfort, interior quality, features and its real-world fuel efficiency will be respectable too. It has all the safety features too, including ADAS, which prevent an accident in the first place.

Do keep in mind that the current version of the Sonet is towards the end of its lifecycle, and a new model will be introduced next year. Alternatively, you could consider a Hyundai Venue 1.0 DCT instead, which is thoroughly modern, and besides all the safety kit, like the Sonet. It has also been crash tested and awarded 5 stars by Bharat NCAP for adult and child protection.

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from ₹8.56 Lakh

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from ₹9.24 Lakh

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•4d

I'm considering buying a second family car. My priorities are a comfortable 5-seater, high ground clearance and a smooth driving experience, with a budget of under 10 lakh. Which is the better choice among the Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Skoda Kushaq?

•2d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. It is the most sensible choice for a second family car under Rs 10 lakh. It offers a comfortable 5-seat layout, good ground clearance and a smooth, fuss-free driving experience. The naturally aspirated petrol engine of this Maruti Suzuki car is refined and easy to live with. Plus, Maruti’s service network and low running costs make it a very easy car to own long-term. The rear seat is comfortable for family use, and the ride quality is well-suited to bad Indian city roads.The Kia Sonet and Tata Nexon are both good cars, but the Sonet’s rear seat is spacious, and the Nexon’s would also feel tight for a family of five. The Skoda Kushaq is spacious but is a more driver-focused car, and would go well above the Rs 10 lakh mark for even the base version.The Brezza is not the most exciting car in the segment, and there is an updated one arriving in just a few weeks.

I currently own a 2020 Maruti Wagon R 1.2 Manual and am planning to upgrade. I live in Mangalore, where bumper-to-bumper traffic is rare, so I would prefer a diesel automatic. I'm confused about whether to buy a 5-seater or a 7-seater. I feel a 5-seater like the Hyundai Venue Diesel AT might be enough, but I'm also considering the Kia Seltos. If neither seems like the right choice, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX3 Diesel AT is my only 7-seater option. My family consists of my parents, my wife, and our two children (one is 4 years old). We manage comfortably in our Wagon R and go on long rides as well, so I'm unsure if a 7-seater is really necessary. I'm also open to considering an EV, but range is an issue during long rides. I'd appreciate suggestions on which option would be the best fit.

•1d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX3 2.2 Diesel AT. While your family of six has been managing in the Wagon R, the safest way to travel is for everyone to have their own seat and be properly buckled in. As your children grow, the extra space of a seven-seater will become even more valuable. The XUV 7XO is an excellent long-distance car with a refined diesel engine and a smooth-shifting automatic gearbox. The facelift also introduced a more polished suspension setup, making it a big upgrade over the previous XUV700. The only drawback is that the third row is a bit cramped for adults, and its size can make it less convenient to drive in the city.Alternatively, consider the Kia Carens Clavis. Its diesel-automatic powertrain is also refined, and its third row is more accommodating for adults than the XUV 7XO's. The other two options, the Hyundai Venue and Kia Seltos, can be ruled out simply because they are five-seaters.Overall, the diesel automatic of this Mahindra car is the most complete upgrade for your needs, while the Carens Clavis is the better choice if a more usable third row in a smaller, city-friendly package is the priority.

I drive a maximum of 500 km per month, mostly on weekends. I am looking for an SUV with a budget of around ₹11 lakh. This is my first car purchase, so please suggest any suitable options. I have shortlisted the Hyundai Venue HX5+, but I am not sure if it is the right choice. Sometimes, I also consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx and the Honda Amaze CVT.

•2d

With 500 km of monthly running and mostly weekend driving, the Hyundai Venue HX5+ is a solid SUV choice. The 1.2-litre engine is very refined and fairly responsive for city use. On the highway, it will cruise comfortably, but it can feel a bit breathless when pushed. If you usually carry only one or two passengers, this shouldn't be an issue. However, if you frequently travel with a full load, you may feel the need for more performance. This is where the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is a better bet. For a similar price, you get a turbo-petrol manual, which offers better performance when required. The cabin is also wider, making it more comfortable for three passengers at the rear; however, it doesn't feel as modern inside as the Venue.Consider the Honda Amaze if you want the convenience of an automatic transmission, but otherwise, the Venue is the better choice.

Hyundai Venue

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Honda Amaze

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

I want to buy a low-maintenance car for my father, who is 65 years old. My budget is around 15 lakh. His daily commute is around 30-40km, and he also visits our farm 7-8 times a month. Which car would you recommend?

•3d

For your father, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol automatic is the most sensible recommendation. At 65, ease of use, reliability and low maintenance are far more important than outright performance or flashy features. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simple, proven and well-suited to a 30-40 km daily commute, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Maruti’s service network is the best in the country, which means low running costs and peace of mind over the long term.This Maruti Suzuki car also has enough ground clearance and a robust suspension setup to handle occasional farm visits without any fuss. It is not the most exciting car in the segment, but it is comfortable, easy to drive and built for hassle-free ownership. At Rs 15 lakh, it is one of the most dependable choices you can make for your father. Since the Brezza facelift is just around the corner, you can wait for that or try to get a good deal on the outgoing model.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

•1w

I currently own a Toyota Innova Crysta 2.8 ZX Variant AT, which has covered 55,000 km and has been an absolute peace of mind. I am now planning to upgrade my vehicle with a budget of around Rs. 30 lakh. Which car would you recommend?

•6d

If you have enjoyed 55,000 km of trouble-free ownership with the Innova Crysta, the most logical upgrade is the Toyota Innova HyCross. It retains the core strengths of the Crysta - reliability, comfort and Toyota's experience - while offering a genuinely meaningful step up in refinement, technology and efficiency. The Toyota Cars hybrid powertrain is particularly well-suited to Indian conditions, delivering strong fuel economy in the city and a smooth, effortless driving experience on the highway. The cabin is a significant upgrade over the Crysta, with a more modern layout, better materials and a more premium feel overall. The only caveat is that the HyCross does not offer the same diesel torque as the 2.8, so if you are a very heavy highway user who values that diesel punch, you may want to consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel as an alternative. However, for most owners, the HyCross represents the best balance of reliability, comfort and long-term peace of mind.

Toyota Innova Crysta

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•1w

I'm planning to buy a small automatic car for my wife, who is 5'1" tall. The car will be used mostly in the city, with occasional highway trips. Which would be the best option?

•5d

For your wife, consider the Hyundai Exter. At 5'1", she will benefit from its good all-round visibility, light steering and compact dimensions, which make it very easy to manoeuvre in city traffic and tight parking spaces. This Hyundai car also gets driver's seat height adjustment from the base trim, which will be very handy for your wife. The AMT gearbox is smooth enough for daily commuting, and the car is very easy to drive. Fuel efficiency is decent; expect 9 to 10kpl in the city and 15kpl on the highway.If you want something a bit more efficient, consider the Maruti Suzuki Swift. In our testing we managed 12.7kpl in the city and 19kpl on the highway with the AGS. However, height adjustment for the driver's seat is only available on the ZXi trim onwards.Overall, the Hyundai Exter AMT is the better fit for your requirements. It is simple, reliable, easy to drive and well-suited to both city use and occasional highway trips.

Hyundai Exter

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Posted on: 15 Apr 2026

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