Hi Autocar team, I am planning to buy my first car and am doing some research. I am based in Bangalore, have a budget of ₹12 lakh, and want a compact SUV with an automatic transmission. I am new to driving, and most of my usage will be city commuting. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•8m

Given your needs, you should consider the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT. The Brezza comes with a refined and efficient 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, petrol engine that's paired with a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, which will feel right at home on your city commutes.

This Maruti car also has light controls, and it's easy to see out, which you'll appreciate since you are new to driving. Furthermore, it's backed up by Maruti's widespread service network throughout the country, which will give you a stress-free ownership experience.

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Maruti Suzuki

Brezza

from ₹9.70 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Jai

•3d

My family consists of five adults: myself, my wife, my parents, and my brother. I currently live in a different state, while my family stays in my hometown, and I visit them once every two months. During those visits, all five of us travel together, and in the next couple of years, our family size may increase to six members after my brother’s marriage. Our usage will be minimal, around 300 km per month, mostly on highways during occasional trips. I prefer an SUV-like driving position with good visibility of the bonnet. I am confused whether I should opt for a 5-seater or a 7-seater. If going for a 7-seater, I am considering the Maruti Ertiga VXI. If a 5-seater is more practical, I would like suggestions based on reliability, mileage, safety, rear seat comfort for three adults, and resale value. My budget is ₹12 lakh, and I prefer a petrol manual car with a long ownership period of around 10 years.

Autocar India

•2d

Your usage pattern is unique. You drive only occasionally but always with the full family, and in the near future, your family will grow to 6 members. A 5 seater will feel fine today, but it will become a limitation very quickly, especially for highway trips where comfort matters most.The Maruti Ertiga VXi works perfectly here. It is a proper 7 seater with usable third row space, good comfort for all passengers and a relaxed driving nature for highways. It is also known for good mileage, low maintenance and strong resale, which is important since you plan to keep the car for 10 years. The petrol engine is simple and proven, and even supports E20 fuel, so it is future-ready as well.Most importantly, it solves your core problem. You get a car where all family members can travel together comfortably, without compromise.If you go for a 5-seater instead, options like the Maruti Brezza or similar SUVs will give you a better front seat experience, and that SUV bonnet view you like, but for 3 adults at the rear, it will always feel tight, especially on longer trips. And once your family becomes 6 members, it simply will not work.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Palash

•2d

I want help choosing an automatic car under ₹15 lakh. I like the power of the XUV 3XO, but it is the most expensive among its peers. The Nexon with the DCA gearbox also felt surprisingly smooth during my test drive and is nearly ₹2 lakh cheaper than the 3XO. However, I have heard concerns about Tata’s reliability. Is this true? What are my other options? My usage will mostly be in the city (around 30 km daily), along with a weekly return trip between Mumbai and Pune.

Autocar India

•18h

For mostly city use with a weekly Mumbai-Pune trip and a ₹15 lakh budget, the Tata Nexon DCA is a strong choice-preferably a mid variant like the Nexon Creative DCA (or the closest equivalent within your budget; confirm current variant names with the dealer). It fits because the DCA feels very smooth at low speeds, which makes daily traffic easy. It also handles rough roads well, so your city and ghat stretches feel calmer; and it keeps you a good 1-2 lakh below an XUV 3XO auto with enough power for the Expressway climbs.Regarding Tata’s reliability concerns, older Tata cars did have small issues and service quality could vary by dealer. However, the current Nexon has improved a lot and we are not seeing widespread trouble with the new DCA. The safer way to own it is simple; pick the maximum extended warranty, choose a well-rated service centre, and keep the software updated. Also, like any dual-clutch gearbox, avoid holding the car on the throttle on slopes; use the brake or hill-hold.Compared to the XUV 3XO, the Nexon is not as quick when you push hard, and in very heavy stop-go the DCA can feel a touch hesitant if you frequently modulate the throttle.If you are considering alternatives, and a very smooth automatic, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi/ZXi AT uses a simple torque-converter auto and has excellent service reach, but it is not as fast.Overall, for your mix of city and Mumbai-Pune runs within budget, the Nexon DCA lines up best with what you described.

Kapil

I am looking to buy my first car for a family of four, with 80% city usage and 20% highway driving. My budget is ₹15–16 lakh, and I am confused between the Brezza automatic ZXi+ and the Kylaq.

Autocar India

•19h

Both the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and the Skoda Kylaq come with torque convertor automatics which is the smoothest type of autobox, thus gearshifts are seamless and this is something you would appreciate in constant start-stop traffic. However, we would lean towards the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi+ AT, as in your case with a family of four, the Brezza's little extra rear room is an advantage. Furthermore, the Brezza's low speed ride is really very plush, which suits your predominantly city usage. The Kylaq performs better in terms of handling and stability out on highways, but since your highway usage is limited, the Brezza would be better.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Skoda Kylaq

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