Delhi

•15w

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?

•15w

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.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

Fronx

from ₹7.64 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹8.69 Lakh

Tata

Nexon

from ₹8.26 Lakh

Skoda

Kylaq

from ₹8.47 Lakh

•15w•

@lokeshkarunamoorthy

Go for XUV 3XO because Safety comfort and Big size cabin and lots of features

•15w•

@lokeshkarunamoorthy

Go for XUV 3XO diesel because you drive 60% in city and get a good mileage figure too. A solid build 5 star car with a punchy diesel engine would quench your thirst for performace and fun to drive factor maintaing a good mileage. If you wanted a petrol and pure driving pleasure with decent mileage( not as high as xuv diesel), I would recommend Skoda Kylaq. You would fall in love every time you drive it especially at corners

•15w•

My new baleno fuel economy also dropped from 13 to 9kmpl in city .. I switched to speed petrol which is like less than 15% ethanol with higher octane levels. My fuel economy has returned to what it used to be. Another suggestion is to use liquimoly injection cleaner, it worked brilliantly in my older etios which has done 170000kms improved mileage in city from 6 to 10 kmpl and highways from 13kmpl to 17kmpl..

•15w•

Nexon owner

Makes sense 👍

•15w•

Makes sense 👍

•15w•

Creta owner · 19,800 km

@lokeshkarunamoorthy

At 29k running, I wouldn't recommend upgrading yet. Instead, first get the car inspected for the drop in fuel efficiency, as 16-17 kpl on the highway is lower than expected for a Fronx 1.2 MT. If you are looking for stronger performance, I would suggest keeping the car for another 2-3 years and then upgrading, as you'll get better value from your current car and a more meaningful upgrade.

More posts on similar cars

•1d

I currently own a 2013 Swift ZDI diesel in a budget of Rs. 15 lakh for new car. My maximum weekly running is 150 km once in a week.

•1d

With your running limited to around 150km a week, a petrol car makes more sense than a diesel. Since you are used to the punch of the Swift ZDi’s diesel engine, the Skoda Kylaq or Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol automatic would be worth considering within your Rs. 15 lakh budget. Both offer lively turbo petrol engines and smooth six speed torque converter automatics, making them enjoyable for everyday use as well as occasional longer drives.The Kylaq is better suited to weekend trips, thanks to its larger boot, while the 3XO has a wider cabin that makes it the better option if you regularly travel with five people.

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•1d

Hello team, I need some help deciding between an ICE car and an EV. My family has five members, and our usage will mainly involve city driving, although our daily running isn't very high. We also take occasional Mumbai-Goa-Mumbai trips. My priorities are comfort, practicality, safety and low overall ownership costs. I was initially deciding between the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Mahindra XUV 3XO, with the Brezza being the more commonly recommended option. However, when I started comparing on-road prices, I realised that the Tata Punch EV and Nexon EV also fall within consideration. Even the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara could be an option, depending on the variant. This has made me question whether buying an ICE car still makes sense for my usage. The Tata Nexon EV 45 looks particularly attractive because of its battery warranty and additional features, such as ADAS. The lower running costs of an EV are another major advantage. My main concern is its practicality on long trips. I occasionally travel between Mumbai and Goa with my family and luggage, so I don't want range limitations and charging stops to become a headache. For this kind of usage, what would you recommend: the Brezza or XUV 3XO, or the Punch EV, Nexon EV or eVitara? I am not looking for the fanciest car. I mainly want something comfortable for five people, safe, reliable, economical to own and practical enough for occasional Mumbai-Goa trips.

•1d

Given your predominantly city-based usage, an electric car makes sense if you have reliable home charging. The Tata Nexon EV 45 would be our pick if you are comfortable planning charging stops for your occasional Mumbai to Goa trips. Expect to make one or two charging stops, depending on your starting charge, driving speed and conditions. With the right charging apps, these trips are manageable, but your breaks will depend on charger locations rather than simply stopping wherever you fancy.A petrol SUV will be more convenient for spontaneous long-distance trips and will save you the need to plan around charging, but running costs will be higher. If you prefer an ICE car, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is worth prioritising over the Maruti Suzuki Brezza for your family of five. Its wider cabin and spacious rear seat make it better suited to carrying three people across the back.

Hi Team, I need your help in making a head vs. heart decision. I am a new driver and this would be my first car. My budget is around Rs. 15-16 lakh and I want a car with automatic transmission and should have BH number. I work in Delhi but my hometown is in Uttarakhand. My usage will be around 60% in the city and 40% on highway/hill runs. My overall running will be around 1,000 km per month. Since I am a bachelor, I will be mostly travelling alone and only sometimes with passengers. Jimny and Kylaq are front runners but I have a soft spot for the Gypsy, which used to be my dad's government car. Which car should I choose? I like Jimny Alpha AT but logically Skoda Kylaq Prestige+ makes more sense. I am open to other options as well.

•1d

The Skoda Kylaq Prestige+ automatic is the better choice for your usage, even though the Jimny has the stronger emotional appeal. The Jimny’s biggest strength is its off-road ability, which you’re unlikely to use often. In the city, its heavy steering and large number of turns lock to lock can make manoeuvring tiring, while the ride, though impressive for a ladder-frame SUV, still feels lumpier than the Kylaq’s. Its engine is also less suited to relaxed, quick highway overtakes.The Kylaq, on the other hand, fits your Delhi commute and Uttarakhand trips better. Its 1.0-litre turbo-petrol has enough punch for highway driving, the six-speed torque converter automatic is smooth in traffic, and its comfortable ride and agile handling make it enjoyable without being demanding for a new driver. It should also feel more settled on long highway runs.The Jimny will always have that Gypsy connection, and that’s a perfectly valid reason to want one. But buy the Kylaq with your head and heart: it is the more capable everyday companion for the driving you’ll actually do.

Skoda Kylaq

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•1w

Dear Autocar Team, I currently own a Dzire diesel manual (2018) and now I am planning to buy a new car but I am very confused between Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kwh and the XEV 9S Pack Two Above 79kwh. Although, I love diesel cars but since I live in Faridabad, my biggest concern is about increasing bans and restrictions on diesel cars. My main usage is on highways and bit within the city. I have clocked 1.3 lakh km on my Dzire in 8-9 years. I am getting the exact Harrier EV model for Rs. 22 lakh (on-road) whereas the XEV 9S will cost around Rs. 27-28 lakh (on-road) and that is my biggest confusion. Should I spend this additional amount on the XEV 9S for Harrier ev because I don't want any hassles as an since I plan to keep the car for the next several years.

•6d

Since your choice is between these two exact models, go for the Tata Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kWh at Rs 22 lakh on-road. It is a much better value proposition given the Rs. 5-6 lakh savings over the Mahindra XEV 9S. The Harrier EV is a solidly-built, hardy SUV that's comfy for 5 adults and their luggage.Sure, the XEV 9S gives you the flexibility of three-rows of seating; a lighter steering with a tighter turning radius; and with a larger battery and a more efficient electric powertrain, real-world range will be better. But since you don't specifically need a three-row SUV, the Harrier EV's lower price makes it the more sensible buy.

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•6d

I am looking for a petrol automatic car under Rs 12 lakh with good features. My first choice is the Honda Amaze, but I am concerned about its ground clearance and engine performance. Around 70% of my driving will be in the city. Would the Amaze be a good choice?

•5d

With 70% city driving, the Honda Amaze is actually a very sensible choice. The CVT automatic is smooth and easy to drive in traffic. The engine is reliable, and the car’s compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre and park.The only real drawback is that the engine is not particularly torquey, so it can feel a bit flat on highways or when fully loaded. However, for predominantly city use, that is not a major concern. The ground clearance at 172 mm is adequate for most urban conditions, but a fully loaded car can cause the rear suspension to compress significantly, requiring caution over large speed breakers. If you like the Honda Amaze petrol automatic for what it offers, go for it.

Honda Amaze

•3d

For my personal requirements, I have shortlisted two cars including Mahindra 3XO Edge automatic and Brezza VXI automatic. The only reason for which I have shortlisted Brezza is because of its simple engine. Otherwise, everyone in my family wants to go with 3XO for its space, unique looks and bigger width. I want to know about TCMPFi engine. Will it be reliable and at least better than Nexon's Revotron?

•3d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO Edge automatic. The Brezza VXi automatic is a safe, simple and reliable choice, but the 3XO is the better fit for your requirements. It offers a wider cabin, more space and a more premium feel, which your family clearly values. The TCMPFi engine is a turbocharged petrol unit and is fundamentally a sound engine. It is not a new or unproven powertrain, and Mahindra has had time to refine it. It is also paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is a proven and reliable gearbox type. Compared to the Nexon’s Revotron engine, the 3XO’s powertrain is more refined and the gearbox is smoother and more conventional in its operation. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simpler and will likely be marginally more reliable over a very long ownership period, but the 3XO’s engine is not something to worry about from a reliability perspective. Given your family’s preference for space and the more premium feel, the 3XO is the better choice.

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