I currently own a Himalayan 450 and am looking to upgrade to a twin-cylinder ADV with a refined engine and good electronics. I mainly use the bike for long rides and highway touring and am not particularly interested in off-roading. My budget is up to Rs 8 lakh. Could you suggest some good ADV options that would suit my requirements?

autocar.india

•3h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol manual. It is the most sensible first car for your needs. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, easy to drive and forgiving for a new driver, while the clutch and gearbox are light and user-friendly in city traffic. The Brezza is also one of the most reliable cars in the segment, with Maruti’s strong service network and low maintenance costs, which is important for a first-time owner. It is also a safe car with a solid build and good crash test ratings. The rear seat is comfortable enough for three adults on short city runs, and the boot is adequate for your occasional long highway trips. In your budget, you can get the base LXi variant with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine. While it misses out on fancy features, it covers all the essentials well.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•6d

The answer we give you will vary based on whether or not you will retain the Hunter alongside a new RE 650 upon its purchase. If you were to keep the Hunter for daily use, the Continental GT 650 makes for a good step up, given your sporty leanings. We'd recommend opting for the colour with allloy wheels for added peace of mind that tubeless tyres bring when fixing a puncture. You could even wait for the upcoming Continental GT-R 750 which will offer an even bigger step up in terms of performance and features, although it will be priced higher than the 650. If, however, you plan to only keep one bike to do it all, the Continental will feel cramped, uncomfortable and committed for repeated daily city use. We'd recommend the Interceptor instead because its upright ergonomics will allow you to be comfy in the city and it still handles reasonably well when you venture out on the weekend. Do bear in mind that if you expect razor sharp handling akin to a smaller, lighter machine (like a KTM RC 390 or Aprilia RS 457) from these heavier, simpler and larger bikes, you will not find that here and while the RE 650s handle well, that's in the context of heavy, relaxed neo-retros.

autocar.india

•2d

With 40 percent city and 60 percent highway use, the 3XO is the better fit among your three choices. Its turbo petrol engine has considerably stronger low- and mid-range performance than the Brezza and Amaze, which will be useful on state highways, particularly when carrying passengers and luggage. It also has a well-judged ride that copes well with broken roads.The Brezza ZXi AT would be the choice for easier ownership. Its petrol engine is smoother, and Maruti's service network is a significant advantage, while its ride quality is very good on poor roads. It is also the more relaxed choice if outright performance is not important.The Amaze ZX CVT is worth considering if you prefer a sedan. Its CVT is smooth, and the suspension is comfortable over rough city roads, while the large boot is useful for highway trips. However, its engine lacks the punch of the 3XO, particularly with a full load, and the cabin is narrower.The Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI AT is also worth adding to the shortlist if driving enjoyment is important. It has a well sorted chassis and a conventional automatic, making it particularly appealing for your highway heavy usage.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Honda Amaze

Skoda Kylaq