Maruti Suzuki cars in India (19)

For your usage of around 300 km per month, purely in city conditions, it makes more sense to go for a simpler and more fuss-free setup rather than a turbo petrol with a DCT.

The Kia Sonet 1.0 turbo DCT is a good car. But this combination is better suited for higher usage and mixed driving, where you can actually enjoy its performance. In heavy city traffic, especially in Delhi, DCT gearboxes can feel a bit sensitive in slow crawling conditions, and with your low running, you won’t really benefit from what it offers.

In comparison, the Maruti Fronx 1.2 AMT is a simpler and more reliable option for your kind of usage. It is easier to live with in the long run, especially since your running is low and mostly in stop-go traffic. While the AMT is not as smooth as a DCT and performance is modest, it is perfectly adequate for daily city use.

Overall, for your usage, the Fronx AMT is the more practical and stress-free choice. The Sonet turbo DCT makes sense only if you specifically want better performance and are comfortable with a more complex setup.

Honda has no plans to launch the WR-V in India, at least not in its current avatar. If a new sub-four-metre SUV is launched, it won't be before 2029, with several other products planned before then, such as the 0 Alpha EV, a new Honda City, a new 7-seat SUV and a new Elevate, as well as some CBUs.

Until then, check out the Maruti Suzuki Fronx (or its sibling, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor), specifically with the 1.0 Boosterjet turbo petrol engine and 6-speed AT gearbox. This powertrain delivers, at once, performance, smoothness and efficiency, giving the best of all worlds. 

The Fronx is a sharp-looking compact crossover that's surprisingly practical and well equipped. It's got good ground clearance and a comfortable ride, and space is more than enough too. Plus, being a Maruti, running costs are low, and reliability is rock solid.

Go for the Maruti Suzuki XL6 Alpha+ 6‑speed automatic; with 3-4 km daily runs and six onboard, it best blends easy ingress, smooth city drive, and comfortable captain seats.

Captain seats in row two make entry and exit easier for ageing knees, and the 2740 mm wheelbase opens usable room in all three rows. The 6‑speed torque‑converter automatic is easiest in stop‑go traffic, smoother than an AMT at 10-20 km/h and simpler than a DCT. With just 300-400 km a month and 3-4 km daily, a petrol XL6 fits and avoids diesel DPF issues on short trips. Its compact footprint keeps parking stress low while still seating six comfortably.

The one thing you give up is strong highway punch; the XL6’s naturally aspirated petrol feels adequate, not quick, when fully loaded and overtaking at 80-100 km/h.

If your trips grow longer and frequent around 500+ km a month with 4-6 hour highways, consider the Kia Carens with 1.5‑turbo DCT (6‑seater) for stronger performance and 2780 mm wheelbase.

During the test drive, seat your parents in the second row, try the one‑touch tumble to the third row, and check creep smoothness and gear changes at 10-20 km/h.

It will be hard for a larger car to match the fuel efficiency you get from your i10, but the new Maruti Suzuki Swift with the Z-series engine does a very good job. In our real-world tests, we managed 14kpl in the city and 19kpl on the highway with the manual gearbox. The AMT is only marginally less efficient, and you also get the same engine in the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire, which will fit your budget.

The Swift and the Dzire get cruise control in the higher trims and also feature rear AC vents. The cabins of both cars are more spacious than before, with comfortable seating for four and decent refinement. The Swift’s boot is 265 litres, and if you need more space, the Dzire is the better choice.