Delhi

•23h

Please suggest an automatic car for 80% city use and 20% highway driving for an average monthly running between 1200 to 1500 km. I am looking for a car that delivers good performance, decent mileage and is safety under an approximate budget of Rs. 12 lakh. Also, are EV safe? Do EVs have any electromagnetic fields that can cause headaches during long drives. Please advise.

•29m

The Kylaq AT would be our first recommendation if you prefer a petrol automatic. Its 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 115hp and 178Nm, offering good performance for both city driving and occasional highway trips. The six-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and well suited to stop-start traffic. It also has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. The drawback is that fuel efficiency in heavy traffic is not particularly impressive.

If you are open to an EV, consider the Tata Punch EV 40kWh. It is quick, easy to drive in traffic and significantly cheaper to run. It is also worth addressing your concern about electromagnetic fields. EVs do generate electromagnetic fields from their motors, batteries and power electronics, but measurements inside EV cabins have generally been well below international public exposure limits. There is currently no established scientific evidence that these fields cause headaches or other health problems. The World Health Organization also states that evidence linking low-level EMF exposure to headaches is weak. So, there is no specific health reason to avoid the Punch EV on this account.

The Punch EV also offers a comfortable city driving experience and low running costs. However, you should ideally have home charging, and occasional highway journeys will require some charging-stop planning.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kylaq

from ₹8.47 Lakh

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•3m•

@autocar.india Thank you for the reply

•3m•

Thank you for reply

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•2d

I want to buy a compact SUV (petrol, automatic) under a budget of Rs. 12-13 lakh. Help me decide between Brezza, Venue, Kylaq, XUV 3XO and Amaze (since it is a compact Sedan) considering that the mileage within city should not be less than 13-14kpl.

•1d

Between your picks, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.5-litre automatic is your best bet since city fuel efficiency is your main priority. The Hyundai Venue, Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO all use turbo-petrol engines, which aren't particularly known for their fuel efficiency in the city. That said, achieving your target of 13-14kpl in city driving with any of these cars will require a very sedate driving style.The Brezza also comes with a smooth-shifting 6-speed torque converter automatic, which makes driving in the city very easy. One drawback is that, its interior won't feel as modern as the Hyundai Venue. The Honda Amaze is another good choice, but being a compact sedan, it won't feel as spacious as the Brezza.

I’m looking for a petrol automatic SUV under Rs 17 lakh that is safe, fun to drive and fuel-efficient. I’ve considered the Kia Seltos, the Hyundai Bayon and the Hyundai Creta (although the Creta hasn’t been crash-tested by Bharat NCAP). I could also step down to three-cylinder options like the Hyundai Venue or the Skoda Kylaq. German and Czech cars are really solid, but I don’t like their rear-view cameras. Most of my driving is in Gurgaon traffic, with occasional highway trips. Which car would you recommend?

•1d

Given your requirements, you should consider the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI AT. It has a punchy 115 hp turbo petrol engine, a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic and a sorted ride and handling balance, which makes it one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs in your budget. It is also safe as it has 6 airbags and has a 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP. However, it isn't the most economical and as you rightly pointed out, the camera quality isn't the best. Alternatively, you could also consider the Hyundai Bayon. It won't be as punchy or as fun to drive as the Kylaq but it will be more economical and have better camera quality.

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•1d

I’m planning to buy a car with an on-road budget of around Rs 16 lakh. It will be on a corporate lease, so good fuel efficiency would help financially. We’ll drive 600-800 km a month. Would a diesel automatic Kia Sonet or Hyundai Venue be a good choice, or would a petrol suit my usage better? I’ve noticed that most petrol automatics in this range use a DCT. Is a DCT good for Bengaluru traffic, or is a torque converter better suited to stop-go driving? I’m really confused by the options in this budget, so please help. I currently drive a Ford Figo diesel manual.

•1d

With your monthly running of just 600- 800 km, we would recommend a petrol automatic over a diesel. The additional cost of buying a diesel is unlikely to be recovered through fuel savings at this level of usage. Also, with predominantly urban driving, a modern diesel's DPF can become a concern if the car does not regularly get sufficiently long runs to complete regeneration. Coming from your Ford Figo diesel, you may find the petrol's running costs higher, but the lower usage makes it the more sensible choice.For Bengaluru traffic, a torque converter automatic would be preferable to a DCT. DCTs are perfectly usable, but repeated crawling in heavy stop-start traffic can make them feel jerky at low speeds and less smooth than a torque converter.We would shortlist the Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol AT and Skoda Kylaq AT. Both get six-speed torque converter automatics. The 3XO has a stronger 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine with 200Nm, a spacious cabin and a comfortable ride. The Kylaq is more compact, feels engaging to drive and is easier to manoeuvre and park in tight spaces.

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•2d

I’m a first-time car buyer and I’m confused between the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Delta (Rs 12.7 lakh on-road), the Brezza VXi automatic (Rs 11.4 lakh) and the Brezza ZXi manual (Rs 11.5 lakh). I’m not sure how much of my driving will be in the city and how much on the highway. If I choose the automatic, I’ll miss out on many features that come with the Brezza ZXi and the Grand Vitara Delta. Is it okay to give up those features and choose the VXi automatic?

•1d

It is a tricky choice, but we would lean towards the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi automatic. In today's increasingly congested traffic conditions, the convenience of an automatic transmission is something you will appreciate every day. The additional features on the Brezza ZXi manual or Grand Vitara Delta may seem attractive initially, but over the years, the ease of driving an automatic is likely to matter more.The Brezza VXi AT is not poorly equipped either. It gets a touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, six airbags, ESP and hill-hold assist. You will miss out on features such as cruise control, a rear parking camera and a sunroof, but some convenience features can be added later through accessories.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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•3d

What are Mahindra’s plans for an ICE SUV positioned above the XUV 7XO? Specifically, does Mahindra plan to launch any ICE SUVs in the Rs 30-40 lakh bracket?

•3d

Mahindra has not yet confirmed an all-new ICE SUV positioned above the XUV 7XO in the Rs 30-40 lakh bracket. However, there are some interesting developments on its future product roadmap. The company has outlined plans for 10 new ICE models by 2031, including nine new nameplates, with several expected to use its upcoming NU_IQ platform. The Vision X and Vision SXT concepts are among the products to watch, although their final positioning and specifications are yet to be revealed. A more immediate development is the possibility of a strong-hybrid version of the XUV 7XO, which Mahindra is evaluating and could introduce around 2027. This would potentially sit above the current petrol and diesel variants, offering better fuel efficiency and a more sophisticated powertrain. Mahindra is also working on a coupe-styled hybrid SUV, internally codenamed W623, which could arrive around 2028, although its positioning is not yet clear.

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•2d

Hi team, I’m confused between the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT and ZXi MT. Both are within my budget and cost the same through the CSD (Canteen Stores Department). I drive around 700-1,000 km a month, mostly in the hills and on highways, with very little city driving. Which one should I choose?

•2d

Given your usage, we would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi manual over the VXi automatic. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, but it isn't particularly peppy. The six-speed manual makes better use of the engine's performance and gives you greater control on hilly roads, particularly when climbing or overtaking on steep gradients. The torque converter automatic is more convenient in city traffic and relaxed highway cruising, but the manual is better suited to your predominantly hilly usage.There is another option worth considering: the Brezza Turbo ZXi manual. Its 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 110hp and 170Nm, offering stronger mid-range performance and better flexibility on climbs and highway overtakes. Its low-speed response and clutch operation are also quite manageable. We would suggest test-driving both manual versions, but the Turbo would be our pick if performance is a priority.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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