I want to upgrade from my 2020 Maruti Suzuki Swift manual. My budget is 13 lakh, and I want an automatic SUV. My daily office commute is around 50km, and most of my driving is in the city. Which SUV would you recommend?

autocar.india

•6h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. It fits your brief perfectly: it has a strong, naturally aspirated petrol engine with no turbo lag, low maintenance costs and a proven ownership record. This Maruti Suzuki car has features on offer that cover all the expected basics with none of the fancy, flashy bits. Maruti’s service network and affordable parts make long-term ownership and maintenance easy. Wait for just a month, as an updated Brezza is due to arrive. On flex fuel, there is no need to wait. India is currently at E20, and there is no set roadmap as yet for higher blends. In any case, modern engines are engineered to handle E20, and the impact is mainly a slight drop in fuel economy rather than any major reliability concern. Maruti has also gone on record to state that their E20 engines are material compliant for slightly higher ethanol blends, so from a reliability point of view, you will be fine; however, mileage could drop. A used diesel is not the right call unless your running is very high and you are comfortable with the risks of DPF issues and higher maintenance as the car ages. For most buyers today, a good petrol SUV is the safer and more sensible long-term choice.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•1d

Given that your mother is moving from a Swift VXi manual, the priority should be ease of driving, comfort and reliability. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is the most sensible recommendation here. It uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is smooth and predictable in city traffic, and the car itself is easy to drive with good visibility and a comfortable ride. It is also backed by Maruti’s strong service network, which is important for long-term ownership. Do note, the updated Brezza comes later this month and is worth waiting for.If you want something a bit more premium and feature-rich, you could consider the Hyundai Venue Turbo DCT. It's got a peppy engine, is easy to drive and feels modern. Hyundai's service network is also vast, and ownership is stress-free.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

•21h

Yes, the clutch could well be a contributing factor to your knee pain, especially in stop-and-go traffic. As a car ages, the clutch can become heavier, and considering your Renault Kwid is almost a decade old, repeated use in traffic can put strain on the knee over time. Moving to an automatic will make a significant difference, as it eliminates the constant clutch operation and allows you to focus on braking and accelerating with your right foot only.Between the Kia Seltos IVT and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, the Seltos IVT would be the better choice for your needs. The IVT gearbox of the Kia car is smooth and effortless in traffic, and the higher seating position, wider cabin and more supportive seats will help with comfort on longer drives. The Brezza is a solid, reliable car, but the Seltos feels like a more substantial upgrade from the Kwid and will be more comfortable over the long term.Do keep in mind that while a higher seating position can help with visibility and comfort, the key benefit here is the automatic transmission. If you are not too tall, make sure you adjust the seat height and distance from the pedals so that your knee remains slightly bent when pressing the brake pedal fully. This will help reduce strain.Overall, the Seltos IVT is the better fit for your needs. It will make your daily commute far more comfortable and should help alleviate the knee pain you are experiencing.

Renault Kwid

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza