Petrol Cars Under 5 Lakh in India (7)

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Given your low annual running, weekend city use and a monthly highway trip, a petrol automatic is the right choice. Since you had a poor experience with Tata cars, we would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic. It is a reliable, hassle-free SUV with a proven service network, which is exactly what you are looking for. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth and the 6-speed torque converter automatic is far better than the AMT you had in the Tata Nexon. It is not the most powerful car in the segment, but it is dependable and easy to live with.If you want something with a bit more power and a more engaging driving experience, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic is a good alternative. The turbo petrol engine is punchy and the 6-speed torque converter automatic is smooth in the city. Skoda's service network is not as extensive as Maruti's, but it has improved significantly in recent years.The Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol automatic is also worth considering. It is one of the most powerful cars in the segment and offers a strong feature list, but the boot is on the smaller side.Overall, the Brezza is the safest recommendation for your requirements. If you want more performance, the Kylaq is the better choice.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Tata Nexon

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq

autocar.india

•7h

We would recommend the Renault Duster with the turbo-petrol engine paired with the six-speed manual. It is the best fit for the stated usage and priorities. With relatively low annual running, a petrol engine makes more sense, and while the Honda Elevate’s naturally aspirated engine is smooth, reliable and easy to live with, it does not have the Duster’s sense of toughness.The Elevate also feels less modern inside compared with the Duster. The Duster has a strong SUV stance, a commanding driving position and good ground clearance, which should provide greater confidence on rough patches and light off-road trails. Its handling and suspension are particular strengths, while the overall build quality also feels reassuring.Renault’s service network is not the strongest, but support should be better in Bengaluru, given that it is a major city. As an overall package, and considering the requirements, the Duster makes for the better choice. A relatively limited service network for Renault cars is a drawback, but the Duster’s strengths make it a more suitable option for this particular usage.

Renault Duster

Honda Elevate

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You should consider the Honda Elevate ZX CVT. As far as reliable, no-nonsense midsize SUVs go, this Honda car is among the best. Honda's 1.5-litre i-VTEC is a great mix of smoothness, reliability and efficiency, and with 120hp on tap, it has enough punch to handle the hills of Uttarakhand and Himachal when you need it to. It's a fuss-free SUV that will serve you well over a long period of time; Honda's service is known to be of high quality, and you get quite a few features within your budget of Rs 18-19 lakh.Other options you could look at are the Maruti Suzuki Victoris/Grand Vitara, which use a similarly reliable 1.5-litre petrol engine with a torque-converter automatic, but it isn't quite as punchy as the Honda engine and may feel lethargic in the hills if the car is loaded up. In a similar vein are the Hyundai Creta/Kia Seltos, which also use a 1.5 petrol engine and CVT, though these aren't quite as efficient, and in your budget you'll only get the base models of these cars. Overall, we feel the Honda Elevate is the best bet for you.

Honda Elevate

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Hyundai Creta

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Between the two, the Kia Seltos is the better overall package. It is larger outside, roomier inside, and feels more modern and premium. The 1.5-litre engine and IVT combination is also excellent in terms of refinement and makes for a very relaxing car to drive in the city. With regard to your lighting concerns, this Kia car does come with LED headlights from the base model onwards, but LED fog lights are only standard from the HTX onwards. However, LED fog lamps should be part of the official accessories catalogue, so check with your dealer about the same.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXi (O) is also a well-equipped variant with LED headlamps and a good feature set. Its engine is also very refined, and the 6-speed automatic transmission is very smooth-shifting. The downside compared to the Seltos is that it isn't as spacious inside.Overall, the Seltos is a better choice for your needs.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.5 petrol AT. Since you plan to keep the car for at least 15 years, there's nothing quite like Maruti's reputation for reliability, low maintenance costs and wide service reach to give you peace of mind. What's more, the Maruti Brezza is good value, and you can get a petrol auto with a good features list well within your budget. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is unique in the segment for its large displacement, which means it has the advantage of being smooth and effortless at both low and high speeds, without suffering from turbo lag, and also being very fuel-efficient.The 6-speed torque converter auto is one of the best around and pairs well with this engine. The recently updated Brezza has also received a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating, so safety should not be a concern either.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza