Autocar India
•3d

I am planning to buy a new car under a budget of around Rs. 11.5-12.5 lakh (on-road). It will be mostly used for city driving, with a few highway trips. My main requirements are automatic transmission. good safety rating, good quality interior, low maintenance costs, good driving performance and offers fun-to-drive experience. Please suggest 4-5 good cars in this price range that would suit my requirements.

Verified
•5m

Based on your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic would be our first recommendation. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, has a strong safety record, a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater, and the turbo petrol engine paired with the torque converter automatic delivers good performance and a fun-to-drive experience. It also offers a well-equipped interior and Mahindra's service network is strong, keeping maintenance costs reasonable.

The Skoda Kylaq automatic would be our second recommendation. It is the most driver-focused car in this price range, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a well-tuned chassis that makes it genuinely enjoyable to drive. The torque converter automatic is smooth and reliable, and the Kylaq offers good safety credentials and a solid build quality. The only drawback is that the rear seat is not as spacious as the 3XO.

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is the sensible choice. It is reliable, has low maintenance costs, a comfortable ride and a good safety record. The naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the torque converter automatic is smooth and easy to live with, making it an excellent city car. It may not be as exciting to drive as the 3XO or Kylaq, but it is a very dependable ownership proposition.

The Tata Nexon automatic is also worth considering. It has a strong safety record, a comfortable ride and a feature-rich interior. The turbo petrol engine paired with the DCA automatic offers good performance, but the gearbox can feel a bit hesitant at times in stop-start traffic.

Overall, the XUV 3XO automatic strikes the best balance between safety, performance, interior quality and ownership costs. The Kylaq is the enthusiast's choice, while the Brezza is the most sensible long-term option.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Mahindra XUV 3XO

More posts on similar cars

Popular discussions right now

Upcoming launch buzz

Community discussions on upcoming launches

Posted on: 5 Oct 2026