Maruti Suzuki cars in India (19)

Autocar India

•1h

Keep your budget around Rs 6-8 lakh and go for a simple petrol car. With a Rs 70,000 in-hand salary, the idea is to keep ownership easy and stress-free rather than stretching your budget, especially since your job involves regular travel and you are new to owning a car.For your usage, a petrol car makes the most sense as it is easier to maintain and better suited to mixed driving. Since you live in a village, focus on comfort, durability and ease of use over features or performance, because what will matter most is how reliably the car handles daily travel.Within this, go for the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R if you want maximum practicality. It is spacious, simple and extremely easy to live with, making it a perfect first car for both family use and regular travel. If you want something that feels a bit more modern and stylish while still being easy to own, then the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is a good alternative.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Autocar India

•7h

With mostly city use, low running and Rs 10-12 lakh to spend, in that situation, the Hyundai Exter HX10 Petrol AMT is the one you should pick. Go for the AMT automatic gearbox, because it will make stop-and-go traffic much easier on your left leg. It's also the top variant, so it will have all the features you need.The Exter suits city life well. It is small on the outside, so parking and tight lanes are easy, but the seat is set a bit higher so you see the road clearly and glide over speed breakers without worry. The 1.2 petrol feels smooth at low speeds and is calm in traffic, which is what you will do most of the time with 5-6k km a year. Hyundai’s cabin is user-friendly, gets the basics you will use every day, and their after-sales reach in cities is strong, so upkeep is simple.Two trade-offs to note. The AMT can feel a bit slow to change gears if you press hard, so quick gaps need a light right foot, but it's worthwhile for the convenience trade-off. And if you plan a highway trip with a full load of passengers, the engine will feel just about enough during fast overtakes.If you prefer a slightly larger feel and Maruti’s network, look at the Maruti Fronx 1.2 Petrol Delta+ AMT. It keeps the easy-driving nature, sits a bit higher than a regular small car, and the petrol is well suited to short city runs. Overall, for mainly city use and this budget, the Exter HX10 AMT lines up best.

Hyundai Exter

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•4h

Mostly city use, a few family trips and a Rs 15 lakh cap, in that situation, the Maruti Fronx 1.0 turbo automatic, ideally the Alpha 6-speed auto, fits your brief best. It uses a smooth torque-converter automatic, so it is very easy for a beginner in stop-and-go traffic. The 1.0 turbo has enough pull for four or five people on an occasional highway run, so you will not feel it struggle the way some small non-turbo engines can with a full load. And for low-stress ownership, Maruti’s service reach and costs are hard to beat, which takes the worry out of maintenance in the long run.A few trade-offs to note for your use: five adults plus luggage will feel tight, so longer trips need some smart packing. Also, in the mid trim, you will miss some extras like a 360-degree camera or ventilated seats, though the basics you need every day are covered.On the cars you listed: the Nissan Magnite CVT drives well for the price, but Nissan’s network is thinner. The Tata Punch AMT is great for tough roads, but the AMT can feel a bit jerky in traffic. The Hyundai Venue DCT drives well but gets pricey, and dual-clutch gearboxes can feel a bit hesitant in slow city use. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a good alternative too, with a smooth torque-converter automatic, high seating and a manageable size.Overall, for your city-first routine and peace of mind, the Fronx 1.0 turbo automatic lines up best with what you want.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Nissan Magnite

Hyundai Venue

Tata Punch

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•9m

For mostly city use and with a hard cap of Rs. 6 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio LXi (manual) fits you best. It keeps the same easy, light feel you’re used to in the Santro, so traffic and parking stay simple. Space is good for this price, with a rear seat and boot that work better than those of very small cars, so daily chores and the odd airport run won’t feel tight. And like Hyundai, Maruti has a wide service reach and low running costs, which suits someone who just wants a simple, fuss-free car.Know that the LXI is the base version, so it is quite basic inside and does not come with a music system or wheel covers, though these can be added through dealer accessories. If you want a bit more style and features at this price, the Renault Kwid is also worth a look, but first check service support in your area.Overall, for your city use and budget, the Celerio LXI lines up best with what you described.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Renault Kwid

Autocar India

•2d

With your 120 km daily running, your choice of a CNG automatic is spot on. It will keep running costs low while still being easy to drive in traffic. The Tata Punch suits this role well with its comfortable ride and robust nature.The Accomplished S Plus variant is the most feature-loaded, with a larger touchscreen and added convenience features. If you specifically want a more premium feel and those extra features matter to you, then the top variant does make sense.That said, from a value-for-money perspective, mid variants like Adventure or Adventure S make a lot of sense as they already cover the essentials and are significantly more affordable, making them a better fit for high running usage like yours.If you are open to alternatives, the Hyundai Exter CNG AMT is worth a look for a smoother engine, and the Maruti Fronx CNG offers better performance and space, but only with a manual gearbox.Overall, for your usage, the Punch CNG AMT is a good choice, but the mid variant strikes the best balance, while the top variant is only worth it if you prioritise features over value.

Tata Punch

Hyundai Exter

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•2d

Go for a diesel SUV in your case, but also consider a strong hybrid as a serious alternative. With your history of long-distance driving and ownership of a diesel like the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, you are clearly used to the strengths of a diesel: strong low-end torque, relaxed highway cruising and good real-world efficiency. At a Rs 20-25 lakh budget, options like the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos diesel will feel like natural upgrades, offering more power, space and features while retaining that effortless long-distance ability.However, it is worth noting that new-age diesels are not as dramatically efficient as older ones used to be, mainly due to stricter emission norms and heavier vehicles. While they are still more efficient than petrols, the gap has reduced compared to what you may have experienced with your Ciaz.This is where strong hybrids like the Toyota Innova Hycross and Maruti Grand Vitara come into the picture. They offer a very different ownership experience - smooth, quiet, petrol-like driving with excellent real-world efficiency, where you can expect to get in excess of 20 kpl not only on the highway but in the city as well, and without diesel-related concerns like DPF.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Toyota Innova HyCross

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Autocar India

•1d

With mostly Pune city use at about 1,000 km a month and an occasional 600 km highway run, the Renault Duster Techno Plus 1.3 Turbo Petrol DCT is the best of all your shortlisted SUVs within Rs. 20 lakh. It suits your mix because an automatic will take the strain out of traffic, the 1.3 turbo petrol feels smooth at city speeds yet punchy when you need it to be, and the Duster feels sturdy and stable on the highway.Coming from a base Kia Seltos diesel manual, you will notice easier driving in stop-and-go traffic, better features, and a more comfortable ride. This version should sit close to your budget. Do check the current on-road prices in Pune. One trade-off to keep in mind is that a petrol will consume more fuel than your current diesel Seltos. However, given your usage pattern, petrol makes more sense than diesel.You could consider the strong hybrid Maruti Suzuki Victoris, or even the new-gen Kia Seltos, which is a big upgrade from your 2019 model, but they won't offer as much bang for your buck in your budget. A second-hand luxury SUV under Rs 20 lakh is tempting, but upkeep and repair costs can be high. Only consider it with a full service history and a strong warranty. Overall, for your city-heavy use and budget, the Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT lines up best.

Renault Duster

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•1d

Budget permitting, you should go for the Honda Elevate ZX CVT. It is the easiest, most hassle-free upgrade from your Amaze for a mid-size SUV. You are used to a diesel CVT, and the Elevate’s CVT keeps that smooth, calm feel in traffic. The higher seat and good all-around view make city driving and parking simple, and the suspension handles bad roads well. Size-wise, it is not too big, so it is easy to live with, but it still gives you more space and ground clearance than your Amaze. Honda’s engines are reliable, and service quality is generally consistent in most cities.One thing to be aware of is that, coming from a diesel, the Elevate's naturally aspirated petrol engine will not feel as strong at low speeds with a full load or on steep hills, and you will need to press the accelerator more. Also, your monthly use is high, so petrol running costs will be higher than your Amaze diesel.If fuel cost is your top worry at 1,750 km a month, look at the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, again, budget permitting. It is very smooth and uses a lot less fuel in the city. If you do frequent highway runs with family and luggage and want that strong pull you had in your diesel, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic is the better fit.Do a back-to-back drive. Take four people, climb a flyover and try a quick overtake. If the Elevate’s pull and refinement feel fine to you there, you’ll be happy with it.

Honda Elevate

Honda Amaze

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Autocar India

•2d

Pick Honda Amaze VX MT. For your parents’ age and your low monthly running with a driver, it is the most comfortable choice from your shortlist within this budget and will feel like a nice upgrade from the Tiago.Compared to your Tata Tiago, the Amaze will feel roomier in the back, the seat is wider, and the ride is calmer over bumps. The door opening is large, and the seat height is friendly, so getting in and out is easy for 60-year-olds. The petrol engine is smooth and quiet in the city, and since a driver will handle the gears, a manual transmission works fine. It also offers great build quality and a large boot, and Honda cars are reliable and long-lasting.Pick the Maruti Suzuki Baleno if a longer features list matters more, as you'll get a higher variant at this price. Maruti’s service network is the widest, which helps for long-term ownership and easy parts availability almost anywhere.When you test drive, let your parents sit in the back, do a few speed breakers and rough patches, and check how easy it is for them to step in and out. That will make the choice clear.

Honda Amaze

Tata Tiago

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Autocar India

•2d

Just to clarify, in your Rs 15 lakh budget, a strong hybrid or plug-in hybrid option won't be available, and you would have to opt for versions with a mild hybrid system, with an integrated starter generator (ISG), a secondary lithium-ion battery and engine stop-start function, which are also beneficial for fuel savings and emissions, though not to the extent of a strong hybrid.That being said, go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi+ AT. For Delhi traffic, it fits your parents best. It's compact like the Grand i10 but gives a higher seat for better view, light steering for tight streets, and a smooth 6‑speed automatic that takes the stress out of stop-start traffic. The mild-hybrid system of this Maruti car helps the engine switch off at long signals and start again quietly, which keeps the drive calm. We'd advise you to move up to the ZXi+ for the full set of features, though it is slightly outside your budget.You could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.0 Turbo Petrol Alpha AT. It comes with a mild-hybrid setup, is slightly more affordable, and offers a punchier engine, though it isn’t as spacious as the Brezza. As for the Grand Vitara, for your budget, you simply don't get a high enough variant, nor do you get as much seating space in the back as you do in the Brezza. Overall, for your budget and easy service with low running costs, the Brezza ZXi+ AT is a simple, stress-free upgrade.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx