Delhi

•2h

I drive around 30,000km annually and plan to keep my car for 6-7 years. I am considering a mid-size SUV like the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or a larger 7-seater like the Kia Carens Clavis DCT. Given my usage, which would be the better choice: a naturally aspirated petrol automatic, a DCT or a diesel automatic? I would also like to understand which of these powertrains offers better long-term engine reliability and how many kilometres they can typically cover before requiring major repairs. Kindly advise.

•1h

The suitability of an engine and gearbox combination largely depends on the kind of driving conditions and not necessarily on the overall mileage. If your driving has a majority of heavy start-stop traffic then a naturally aspirated torque convertor or CVT gearbox is ideal as the engine will not have any turbo lag; turbos tend to produce a sudden power increase which makes des not give you a smooth drive in constantly varying traffic speeds.

The torque convertor gearbox is also the smoothest type of autobox around with seamless shift, the CVT too works ok and better than DCT's and AMTs as these can be jerky shifting in traffic. If however your driving is more highway then a turbo DCT would be fine and you could enjoy a more peppy drive. As for repair expenses most modern powertrains are very reliable however a naturally aspirated engine with a torque convetor gearbox would be the most robust powertrain to have.

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•4m•

For your purpose the grand vitara AT will be the most reliable long term pick. Clavis DCT will be fun but less reliable in the long run with lower fuel efficiency too The Clavis diesel AT is going to be the perfect fit for your needs with a turbo diesel having decent punch and Torque convertor AT having good reliability but the future of diesel remains uncertain for a 7 year use case. Vitara will be smooth, convenient, comfortable, reliable, economical and practical but the only thing it just will not be is fun.

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•1d

I'm getting heavy discounts on Victoris but I'm thinking for Grand Vitara as well, which should I go for?

•1d

I had booked Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.5L NA Zxi manual about a month ago in Thane. Still I got no update on its delivery. Dealer says that there is no update from Maruti and they cannot commit when they can deliver. Is it a right choice to upgrade to Grand Vitara Delta which is in stock or should I wait for Brezza?

•1d

We would suggest you to wait for the Brezza ZXi manual rather than switching to the Grand Vitara Delta purely because it is available immediately. A month without a delivery update is frustrating, but the Brezza is currently facing strong demand, with Maruti confirming a waiting period of over three months nationally. Supply is expected to improve, but your specific delivery timeline will depend on the variant and colour. The Grand Vitara is a larger, more premium-feeling SUV, with a more spacious cabin and a better sense of occasion. However, the Delta is a lower variant, so you would be giving up on some of the features available on your Brezza ZXi. Both share the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, so there isn't a significant performance upgrade either.Our recommendation would be to stick with the Brezza ZXi. Ask your dealer for your booking's status and whether another colour or dealership allocation could speed up delivery. If you genuinely prefer the larger cabin of the Grand Vitara and are comfortable with the feature trade-off, consider it. But don't switch simply because it is available in stock.

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•5d

Hi, I am keen on buying a petrol AWD. In case, the vehicle will be used for trips to mountains where there are kaccha roads with unmetalled surface and loose stones. Which would be a better choice between Victoris and Grand Vitara?

•4d

The Victoris and Grand Vitara are essentially the same vehicle with the only differentiation being their body style, and interior colour and design. The Victoris feels more modern, and its light grey and black coloured interiors look airier and more inviting than the Grand Vitara. It is also better-equipped, but that makes it around Rs 50,000 more expensive than the equivalent Grand Vitara. Overall, if you're not limited by budget, the Victoris AWD AT would be the one we'd recommend.

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•3d

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?

•3d

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.

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•4d

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?

•3d

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.

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•2d

Hi Autocar India team, I would appreciate your advice on choosing a used automatic car for around Rs 12 lakh. I currently own a 2009 Maruti Alto LPG, which has covered 1.1 lakh km. My annual running is around 7,000km. My village is about 350km away, so I make two to three highway trips there every year. I have a family of four and want to keep my fuel expenses within Rs 5-6 lakh over the next 10 years. My priorities, in order, are an automatic gearbox, good road presence and reliability, followed by maintenance costs, as I have a close friend who is a mechanic. I want to avoid diesel cars, DCT gearboxes and gimmicky features. The Nexon, Venue and Punch feel a little too small for my needs. I would also prefer to avoid 1.2-litre three- or four-cylinder engines, as I don't want too much vibration at highway speeds. My shortlist, with all these cars test-driven and available for around Rs 12 lakh, includes the Hyundai Alcazar 2.0, Maruti Grand Vitara mild-hybrid, Hyundai Creta/Kia Seltos IVT and Honda Elevate CVT. I am also open to MPVs and sedans as a last resort. I have a few questions: 1. Which of these would you pick, and why? 2. If E30, E85 or E100 petrol is introduced, would retrofitting the Alcazar with a CNG kit make sense? I do not need the third row. 3. Are there any other used cars I should consider? 4. Would a 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid be worth considering at around Rs 6-9 lakh? 5. What about a Toyota Innova Crysta for around Rs 9 lakh? 6. Should I consider EVs? I would love to hear your opinion.

•1d

Since you don't need the Alcazar's extra third row, why not consider a Hyundai Creta 1.5 IVT instead? It is a smooth, spacious, comfortable and sensible choice. You should get a 2022-23 manufactured, well-maintained example in your Rs 12 lakh budget.Alternatively, in case you're looking for road presence, you could also consider a used Jeep Compass diesel-automatic. It is an excellent highway car, and the 2.0-litre diesel and 9-speed torque converter automatic combination will ensure that your fuel costs are in check compared to its petrol-automatic version.

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