Autocar India
3d

I'm having a Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta Plus 1.2 MT, which I bought in June 2024 and have driven around 29,000 km. I was a first-time buyer, so I received a lot of advice from everyone, which left me confused. Eventually, I chose Maruti because of its low maintenance and fuel efficiency. However, I'm now bored with its performance as well as its mileage. I'm getting only 16-17 kpl on the highways, whereas I used to get over 20 kpl initially. My driving is 60% highway and 40% city. Is it worth upgrading to a new car, or when would be the right time to upgrade?

Verified
15m

With 29,000 km on your Maruti Suzuki Fronx in just over a year, you are clearly a high-usage driver, and your 60% highway usage is the key factor here. The 1.2 petrol is a reliable and efficient engine, but it is not particularly exciting on the highway, and that is likely why you are feeling bored with this Maruti Suzuki car

The bigger question is whether it is worth upgrading now. Financially, the car is still relatively new, and you will take a depreciation hit if you sell it this early. However, given your usage pattern, it may actually make sense to upgrade sooner rather than later. A diesel SUV like the Mahindra XUV 3XO or the Tata Nexon would be a much better fit for your driving style, offering stronger performance on the highway and better fuel efficiency at higher speeds. Alternatively, if you want to stick with petrol, something like the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI  would offer a much more engaging driving experience without sacrificing too much on efficiency.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to how much the current car is bothering you. If you are genuinely unhappy with the performance and fuel efficiency, it is better to upgrade now rather than wait another year or two and continue to be dissatisfied with the car. If you can live with it for another year or two, you will get more value out of the car before upgrading.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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More questions on similar cars

3d

I want to buy an automatic car for Bangalore bumper-to-bumper traffic for daily use, and I also have some highway driving (200 km) every month for my work. I am a bit concerned about the current ethanol blending and the future of it, as I am sceptical if i but a car now, how long may I use it! My budget is 10 lakh. Please advise me.

Verified
1d

The Hyundai i20 IVT is the best fit for this usage. With daily bumper-to-bumper driving in Bengaluru and occasional 200km highway trips, a petrol automatic is the right choice. The i20's IVT gearbox is one of the smoothest automatics in this price range, making it far more relaxing in heavy traffic than an AMT, while remaining comfortable on the highway.There is also no reason to delay buying a petrol car because of concerns around ethanol blending. Modern E20-compatible petrol engines are designed to run on E20 fuel, and there is currently no official roadmap beyond E20. The impact on ownership is limited to a slight reduction in fuel efficiency, and it is unlikely to affect the car's longevity or resale value if it is maintained as per the service schedule.At a budget of Rs 10 lakh, an SUV with a conventional automatic is difficult to find. Most options in this price bracket use an AMT, which is not as smooth or refined as the i20's IVT in stop-start traffic. If a higher seating position is a priority, the Maruti Fronx AMT is worth considering, but it requires accepting the compromises of an AMT.

VehicleHyundai i20
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx

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Posted on: 13 Jul 2026