Mumbai

•17h

Hello Autocar Team, I would appreciate your expert advice in choosing my second car. Please suggest the top three recommendations under Rs 12 lakh, automatic, and comfortable for a family of five. I previously owned a Fiat Punto Dynamic Diesel. I used it daily for around 70km, plus one outstation trip every month. Now I've relocated to Pune, and my running has reduced substantially to under 500km per month, with occasional trips. My requirements are: Budget: Rs 10-12 lakh on-road (slightly flexible). Type: Automatic family car, comfortable for five adults. Priorities: Value for money, low running and maintenance costs, safety, features, good boot space, reliability, and hassle-free long-term ownership. Given my reduced usage, I'm open to petrol, EV, or CNG as well. Please suggest the best options that would suit my requirements. Looking forward to your guidance.

•6m

We'd recommend stretching your budget slightly for the new Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi Automatic.

Although it's priced just above your stated budget of Rs 10-12 lakh on road, the extra spend is justified. The recently launched Brezza brings a more modern package while retaining its proven 1.5-litre petrol engine and smooth automatic gearbox. It comfortably seats five adults, offers good ride quality, generous ground clearance, a practical boot and low maintenance costs. Combined with Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network, it makes for one of the most hassle-free family cars you can own over the long term.

If you prefer to stay strictly within budget, the Toyota Taisor S AMT is another sensible option. It offers Toyota's reliable ownership experience, good fuel efficiency and decent space for a small family. The Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro Automatic is also worth considering if you prioritise performance, although its boot is among the smallest in the segment.

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More questions on similar cars

•3d

I am 65 years old and currently drive a Hyundai Eon Era Plus. I am planning to buy a new car with a budget of under Rs. 15 lakh. My usage is fairly limited - about 40 km per trip, 3-4 times a week, along with 2 - 3 long trips of around 600 km each year. My priorities are: Good fuel efficiency, Low maintenance costs, Comfortable seating for five people, Good ground clearance, and a commanding driving position with good road visibility. I have shortlisted the Honda Amaze, Maruti Suzuki Brezza Facelift, Hyundai Venue, and Skoda Kylaq. Which of these would you recommend?

•2d

Based on your usage and priorities, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is the most suitable choice. Your weekly running is low, so a petrol engine makes the most sense, and the Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is reliable, efficient and easy to maintain. It also offers good ground clearance and a comfortable ride, which will be helpful on your occasional long trips. This Maruti Suzuki car is also one of the more spacious compact SUVs, making it a comfortable option for five passengers. The upcoming facelift is expected to add the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine from the Fronx as an option, but given your requirements, the existing naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol is the better option.The Honda Amaze is a good sedan, but it does not offer the same ground clearance, road presence or interior space as the Brezza. The Hyundai Venue is a strong alternative, and the Skoda Kylaq is a good driver’s car, but the Brezza has an edge in terms of reliability, long-term ownership costs, as well as the price itself.Overall, the Brezza strikes the best balance between fuel efficiency, low maintenance, comfort and practicality for your needs.

I want to buy the Tata Nexon Diesel Smart Plus S due to its torque and mileage, but my driving pattern is as follows: I do a 150 km weekend drive (85% on the expressway) once a month, and during the other three weekends, I drive around 70 km, of which 12 km is in the city and the rest is on an expressway with an 80 km/h speed limit. I also take 3-4 short trips of 400-500 km a year (70-75% on highways or expressways) and one cross-country trip of at least 3,000-4,000 km. I am quite particular about my car's maintenance, as I get it serviced every 8 months without fail. Please suggest whether this is the right choice.

•19h

Based on your usage, the Tata Nexon diesel Smart Plus S is a sensible choice. Your driving pattern is predominantly highway and expressway, with regular long-distance trips and a disciplined maintenance approach. This is exactly the kind of usage where a diesel engine makes sense - the Nexon diesel has good torque or pulling power, which is vital for effortless overtaking and in the hills, and its fuel efficiency on highways will help keep running costs in check over the long term.The Nexon itself is a well-rounded package with a comfortable ride, good safety credentials and a robust build, which makes it well-suited for long-distance touring. This Tata car strikes a good balance between essential features and value, so you are not paying for unnecessary extras.The only thing to keep in mind is that the Nexon is not the most spacious car in the segment. If you regularly travel with a full family, you may want to consider something like the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel, which offers more cabin space and a similarly strong diesel engine but has less luggage space. Overall, the Nexon is the better fit.

Tata Nexon

Mahindra XUV 3XO

•3d

Hi, I am a regular reader of Autocar articles, and this time I thought of asking for some clarification. I have been using a 2022 Nissan Magnite CVT for the last 4 years, mostly for highway driving. I have noticed a significant drop in mileage after the introduction of E20 fuel, and I am doubtful about my vehicle's E20 compatibility. I checked with the dealer, but they simply said it is compatible with E20. However, the mileage drop I am experiencing, especially on highways, is quite significant. I am now planning to buy a new automatic SUV with good mileage. My budget is Rs. 17 lakh (on-road). Please advise.

•2d

Thank you for reading Autocar India and for your question. Your Magnite CVT is E20 compatible, so there is no need to worry about the engine. The drop in mileage you are seeing is normal. E20 petrol has a lower energy content than E10, so fuel efficiency drops by around 5-10%. This is expected and not a sign of a problem with the car.For your new car, your usage is mostly highway and you want good mileage with an automatic within Rs. 17 lakh on-road budget. The best fit is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris mild hybrid automatic. It is a petrol mild hybrid, so it delivers better highway efficiency than a standard petrol, and the automatic is a smooth torque converter unit that is reliable and well suited to long-term ownership. The Victoris is also a comfortable and spacious SUV with a proven ownership record.If you want a more premium feel and a slightly more engaging driving experience, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is a good alternative. It has a new 8-speed gearbox and the car feels more solid and planted on the highway. However, the Victoris will be the more efficient and easier car to own long term.If you are open to diesel, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel automatic is worth considering. It will deliver the best highway efficiency and strong performance, but diesel makes sense only if your annual running is high enough to justify the higher fuel and maintenance costs.Overall, the Victoris mild hybrid automatic is the best fit for your requirements. It delivers good mileage, a smooth automatic and a hassle-free ownership experience.

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Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

I am confused between the Toyota Innova Crysta and the Mahindra XUV 7XO. I am looking for a comfortable 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium interior, including a high-quality music system. My usage will be mostly on highways, with occasional city driving. Which one would you recommend?

•5d

Go for the Toyota Innova Crysta. Your usage is highway-heavy with occasional city runs, and you want a proper 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium feel. The Crysta is still the benchmark for this kind of requirement. It is genuinely spacious in all three rows, has a large and usable boot even with all seats up, and is built for long-distance comfort and reliability. The diesel engine is strong, refined and well-suited to highway cruising, and Toyota’s ownership experience and long-term reliability are hard to beat. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more modern product with a more premium-looking interior and a better sound system, but it does not match the Crysta for outright space, practicality or long-term peace of mind. If your priority is a proper 7-seater that will serve you well for years, the Crysta is the safer and more sensible choice. If you want a more premium cabin and a richer feature set, the XUV 7XO is the alternative, but it is not as practical as the Crysta.

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•4d

Hi, I am a teacher and a first-time female driver with a budget of Rs. 11.5 lakh. I am looking for an automatic car that I plan to keep for the next 15 years, but I am confused about whether to buy a petrol AMT, CNG AMT, or an EV due to the uncertainty surrounding ethanol blending. My daily commute is 46 km, of which 22 km is on the highway, 18 km is on normal roads, and 6 km is on bumpy village roads in poor condition. Please recommend the most suitable fuel type that will keep my overall cost of ownership low.

•3d

We'd recommend a petrol automatic. With a daily running of around 46km and an ownership period of 15 years, it offers the best balance of low ownership costs, reliability and ease of use for a first-time driver.We wouldn't let E20 fuel influence your decision. Modern E20-compliant petrol cars are designed to run on it, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20. It isn't a reason to avoid buying a petrol car today. A CNG automatic will certainly reduce your fuel bills, but the higher purchase price, reduced boot space and limited automatic options make CNG car less attractive unless fuel savings are your overriding priority. An electric car will have the lowest running costs, but at your budget, you'll have to compromise on size or features, and recovering the higher upfront cost will take time.Given your budget and usage, we'd look at the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift automatic which will launch soon if you can stretch slightly, or the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta+ AGS if you want to stay within budget. Both are easy to drive, have good ground clearance for the 6km of rough village roads and come backed by Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network. If you prefer a smoother automatic, the Hyundai Exter SX AMT is also worth considering.

Hi, I am confused about which car to buy within a budget of Rs. 8-9 lakh (on-road). This will be my first car, and my daily running is around 50 km, with an occasional 1,000 km round trip. Kindly suggest the best car in this budget with good fuel efficiency, reliability, safety, and comfort.

•4d

For your first car with a daily 50km commute and occasional long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXI is the most sensible choice. It is fuel efficient, reliable and compact enough for daily use, while also being comfortable enough for longer journeys. The Swift’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is reliable and easy to live with, and Maruti’s service network and low maintenance costs make ownership straightforward. Safety is adequate for the segment, and the Maruti Suzuki car offers a good balance of ride comfort and practicality. If you prefer a slightly higher driving position, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx with the 1.2-litre petrol engine is worth considering.

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