I want to upgrade to a new automatic car from my existing Tata Tiago. My preferences are a compact SUV, good build quality and decent mileage. I am considering either the Tata Nexon DCA Petrol or the Skoda Kylaq AT. My running is 90% city and 10% highway or long journeys. My monthly running is around 1,000km. Please advise which car and variant I should go for. My budget is below Rs 14 lakh, and I plan to buy the car by October 2026.

autocar.india

•2h

This is a tricky one because your monthly running is expected to reduce significantly, and that changes the ideal choice of fuel.If you continue to cover around 3,100km a month, we'd recommend the Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG. It will offer the lowest running costs, and with the facelift expected to launch in July, it may be worth waiting for the updated model. If you don't want the inconvenience of refuelling at CNG stations, the Hyundai Venue Diesel Manual would be our alternative. Your current running is high enough to justify a diesel, and it should prove to be efficient and economical over the long term.However, if your running settles at around 800-1,000km a month, we'd move away from diesel or CNG and recommend a petrol SUV instead. In that case, the Skoda Kylaq Petrol Automatic would be an excellent choice. It offers a refined turbo-petrol engine, a smooth torque-converter automatic, excellent driving manners and is well suited to lower annual running.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Venue

Skoda Kylaq

autocar.india

•2d

Since you plan to keep the car for 10-12 years, cover 80% highway driving and live in a Tier II town where both the Honda and Skoda service centres are 60km away, long-term reliability and ease of ownership become more important than outright performance. The Amaze has a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a smooth CVT, is known for its dependable reliability and should require fewer unscheduled visits to the workshop. Scheduled servicing is also straightforward and maintenance costs are generally very reasonable.The Skoda Kylaq Signature AT is an excellent SUV and offers better ground clearance, a stronger turbo-petrol engine and a more engaging driving experience. However, given the distance to the service centre, we'd still give the edge to the Honda car for long-term peace of mind.You could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Brezza Automatic. It has a smooth torque-converter automatic, excellent reliability, low maintenance costs and Maruti Suzuki's unmatched service network, which is a significant advantage in a Tier II town. Another option is the Hyundai i20 CVT, which offers a refined petrol engine, a smooth CVT and a premium cabin, while Hyundai's widespread service network makes ownership easier.

Honda Amaze

Hyundai i20

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•2d

The Tata Nexon CNG is a good pick, but be aware that with your limited running it will take a while to recover the extra upfront cost. The CNG version is about Rs. 1 lakh more expensive than the equivalent petrol, which means that at 600-1,000km a month, it will take over three years to recover the difference. You also have to deal with more frequent refuelling, queues at CNG stations and less usable boot space. If you plan on keeping the car for the long term and these drawbacks are not deal-breakers, then the CNG is a good choice. If not, the petrol will suit your needs just fine.As an upgrade from your 2010 Alto, the Nexon is a big step up in comfort and safety. The higher seating position and softer ride are kinder to your back and knees, and the cabin feels far more solid and quieter over bad roads.Be honest about where you drive. If most of your running is within city limits and there is a CNG station nearby with short queues, then the CNG can work well. Just expect more relaxed performance and some compromise in luggage space.

Tata Nexon