I'm considering buying a second family car. My priorities are a comfortable 5-seater, high ground clearance and a smooth driving experience, with a budget of under 10 lakh. Which is the better choice among the Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Skoda Kushaq?

autocar.india

•2h

With a Rs 13 lakh budget, a 50 km daily city commute and a clear preference for an automatic SUV, the Skoda Kylaq or the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic would be sensible upgrades from your Swift.The Brezza is a genuinely comfortable and reliable city SUV with a smooth automatic gearbox, low running costs and Maruti's unmatched service network. This Maruti Suzuki car also offers a comfortable low-speed ride, good ground clearance and a spacious cabin, which is good if you have a family. The Kylaq automatic is the more fun-to-drive alternative, so if that's what you prefer, consider the Skoda. Overall, the Brezza automatic is the best fit for your requirements, but wait a few weeks, as an updated model is around the corner.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Skoda Kylaq

autocar.india

•8h

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

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