Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

•12m

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT is a good option for your wife’s city use in Pune, it is the right size, has a smooth automatic and is not too powerful, and it's easy on the pocket. Compared to your Hyundai Creta, the Brezza feels much smaller in traffic and easier to park. The high seat and big windows make it simple to judge gaps and U-turns, which will help on narrow Pune roads. The AT here is a regular automatic (not an AMT), so it moves off gently, shifts with minimal jerks, and is very calm in stop-go traffic. AC performance is strong, and overall fit and finish are better than in the Maruti Suzuki Swift or Baleno. Maruti’s service reach in Pune is a bonus for easy ownership. The cabin does not feel as plush as a Venue or XUV 3XO, but for daily city use, it works very well. If you want to spend less and still want a very smooth auto, look at the Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT. It is very compact, and the CVT is easy in traffic, though the cabin feels simpler, and Nissan’s service network is smaller. If you do stretch, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5L AT is also easy to drive despite its power and offers top safety and features.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Hyundai Creta

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

•4d

Go for the Hyundai i20 Sportz IVT automatic for your 12-13 lakh budget and mostly city driving, it is the easiest and most stress-free choice right now. The IVT is Hyundai-speak for a CVT automatic gearbox, and it's a smooth and seamless unit. The car is compact, the steering is light, and visibility is good, which makes driving in tight lanes and parking simple. It rides well over speed breakers and broken patches, and Hyundai’s big service network means ownership is easy in most cities.One thing to be aware of: if you often go with five adults, it will feel tight as the back seat is best for two.If you prefer a taller car with a higher seating position, more ground clearance and a punchier engine, look at the Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT. If you have access to home charging and mostly go on short city trips, the Tata Punch EV is also a great option with low running costs.

Hyundai i20

Tata Punch EV

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

•1w

The Renault Kiger 1.0-litre turbo-petrol CVT will feel like a clear upgrade from your Renault Kwid AMT. In fact, it is one of the smoothest automatics you can get at this size and price. Performance feels smooth and effortless. Alternatively, check the Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT, which shares its platform and powertrain with the Kiger CVT. The Maruti Fronx/ Toyota Taisor 1.0 turbo automatic is also a good option that you could consider.

Renault Kiger

Nissan Magnite

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•1w

One important point up front: we haven’t yet driven the 1.0-litre engine in the Renault Duster itself, but we have experienced this engine in the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite, where it feels more than adequate in both city and highway use. However, since the Duster is a larger and heavier car, it is unlikely to feel as effortless, especially under load or on inclines.The 1.0 TCe 100 is the more economical option. For mostly city use and plain terrain, it will do the job and should be slightly more fuel efficient, which helps keep running costs in check.The 1.3 TCe 160, however, is a big step up. It will offer much stronger pulling power, which you will clearly feel with a full load, on highways and on hilly roads. It will make the car feel more effortless and relaxed to drive, with fewer gear changes and better overtaking ability.If you want strong performance, better pulling power and a more relaxed drive, the 1.3 TCe 160 is worth the extra Rs 1.4 lakh.

Renault Duster

Renault Kiger

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

•1w

You're right, it's difficult to find a car at this price that's suitable for a tall driver. Try the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, which does offer a bit more space than its counterpart, the Maruti Suzuki Swift. Moreover, it uses the older 1.2-litre four-cylinder K12 petrol engine, which is smoother than the three-cylinder Z12 engine in the Swift. You could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, in which you can get the option of a punchier 1.0 turbo-petrol engine, although space remains the same as the Baleno. Finally, also consider the Nissan Magnite or Renault Kiger, which could offer a bit more space, and if you don't mind a sedan, there's also the Honda Amaze, which is known for its interior packaging efficiency.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Nissan Magnite

Renault Kiger

Honda Amaze

Autocar India

•2w

Pick the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi AT, which costs around Rs 13.7 lakh on-road. The Brezza has a refined 103hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic, which has a claimed efficiency of 19.8kpl. The Brezza also has one of the most roomiest back seats in the segment, and it has a substantial 328 litre boot. With a ground clearance of 198mm, it won't be an issue for you on your drives in hilly areas. Being a Maruti, service reach is wide, and you'll also appreciate the familiarity with your current S-Cross. The one thing you give up is a strong mid‑range punch; the 1.5 petrol feels a bit underpowered, so uphill overtakes with 4 adults may need a downshift and some planning.Alternatively, if you want a CVT gearbox, stronger performance and more boot space, consider the Nissan Magnite CVT.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

•2w

For your requirement, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol Renault Duster should be adequate for your usage, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Although we haven’t driven this engine in the Duster yet, we have experienced it in cars like the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite. In those cars, the engine feels peppy and responsive, especially in city conditions.Now, the Duster is a larger and heavier car, so performance will take a slight hit compared to those smaller SUVs. However, for city driving, it should feel more than sufficient, and thanks to the turbo, it will still offer good low-end torque, making it easy to drive in traffic. On the highway, it should be able to keep up with fast-moving traffic comfortably, and overtaking should not feel stressful.That said, we strongly recommend that you test drive the 1.0-litre version before deciding. Since it is a 3-cylinder engine, you may notice some vibration at idle and hard acceleration, something we have experienced in the Kiger and Magnite.If your priority is smoothness and refinement, you can also consider options like the Tata Sierra, Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos, which offer more refined petrol engines. However, in terms of outright punch and torque feel, the turbo Duster will still feel stronger.

Renault Duster

Renault Kiger

Nissan Magnite

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

•3w

At your budget of Rs 12 lakh, the best all-rounder you can get is the Nissan Magnite, which really delivers what you and a lot of buyers are looking for without breaking the bank. It's a compact SUV with good ground clearance and offers good ride comfort.The interior of this Nissan car is spacious, and within your budget, you'll get a good amount of features too. It's also achieved a 5-star crash test rating from Global NCAP, and gets 6 airbags as standard, among many other safety features.At your budget, you'll also be able to get its more powerful engine option - the 1.0-litre turbo petrol - with either a manual or CVT automatic gearbox. This engine is also very fuel efficient, and Nissan has been known to offer good reliability and reasonable maintenance costs as well.

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

•3w

For your requirement of a proper automatic under ₹12 lakh on-road with mostly city usage, we would suggest going for the Hyundai i20 IVT.The CVT gearbox is extremely smooth, which makes it very easy to drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The car is also compact, easy to manoeuvre and has good visibility, which is important for daily city driving. It feels premium inside, well-equipped and offers a fuss-free ownership experience with good after-sales support.If you specifically want a higher driving position, then you can also consider the Nissan Magnite CVT. It offers SUV-like seating, is easy to drive and still comes with a smooth automatic gearbox.

Hyundai i20

Nissan Magnite

Autocar India

•4w

Yes, the Tata Punch Adventure AMT is an excellent option, given your requirements. It's tall with a high seating position, which gives you a commanding view out - great for a new driver, yet it's compact enough not to be intimidating around town. It will also feel like a good upgrade from your old Celerio.Since safety is also a consideration for you, the Punch has been given a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating and gets 6 airbags as standard, plus a good amount of standard safety equipment. If there's a potential drawback, it's that the Punch's 1.2 petrol engine and AMT gearbox aren't the smoothest combination, and as a new driver, the jerkiness at low speeds is something you will have to learn to drive around.Also consider the Hyundai Exter SX Smart AMT and the Nissan Magnite Kuro AMT as well, as both have smoother powertrains than the Punch.

Tata Punch

Hyundai Exter

Nissan Magnite