Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Since you prefer a low service cost and an easy-on-the-pocket car, it would be better to stick to Maruti Suzuki as a brand. 

Maruti is renowned for low service and running costs and will offer peace of mind, just like the Maruti Celerio has. If you want a bigger car in particular, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is a good option to consider. It has a roomy cabin, a comfy ride, the automatic is convenient for the city, and the running costs are low, too. 

Also, it has a good boot space and holds its value well. The other, more compact option would be the Maruti Suzuki Fronx with a turbo-petrol engine and a 6-speed automatic gearbox. It isn't as big as the Brezza, but it is very nice to drive and quite practical too. Both cars in their top-spec variants will fit in your budget. 

Given your requirements, you should choose between the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. 

Both models come with petrol engines mated to a torque converter automatic gearbox, and being a Maruti car, you know they will be reliable and fuss-free to live with. 

The Brezza gets a 103hp, 136Nm, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine, and it has more interior space and features than the Fronx. The Fronx, meanwhile, gets a punchier 100hp, 147Nm, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, and it comes across as the better-looking model of the two thanks to its coupe-SUV-like design. 

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Brezza's naturally aspirated engine should be more efficient than the Fronx's turbo on your daily city commutes. 

A car with a torque converter automatic will suit your usage best, as it builds power smoothly at low speeds and feels the most responsive. It also crawls easily off the throttle and offers strong hill-hold behaviour. Unlike a DCT, it does not overheat in slow uphill traffic.

In the Maruti Suzuki car, you have two options with this transmission: the Brezza and the Fronx turbo automatic. Between the two, we suggest the Brezza as its naturally aspirated engine delivers smoother power, which is ideal for hilly regions, and it feels nicer to drive around corners.

In a Hyundai car, the only torque converter option in your budget is the Venue diesel. You can get the Venue HX 5 variant if you are comfortable with a diesel engine.

Since you are looking for an additional car and mainly for office commutes, a sub-4-meter car along with an automatic transmission would be best. Check out the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, it is compact enough for the city, and the automatic gearbox is a torque converter unit. It is much smoother than an automated manual (AMT), which is what most others at this price offer. 
 

Having a Mahindra XUV 400 means you would be used to a smooth drive and a higher seating position, too, both of which you will find in the Brezza. It also fits within the sub-4-meter dimension and thus would be a tad easier to find parking in the city. 

The XUV 3XO you have shortlisted is a sub-4-metre SUV, but don't rule it out as it has a wide and spacious back seat. 

In fact, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, which is also a sub-4-metre SUV, also has a wider back seat and more headroom than its larger siblings, the Maruti Victoris and Grand Vitara, while having the same petrol engine and 6-speed AT.

What's more, you will get a fully loaded Brezza ZXi+ AT for the same price as a lower spec Victoris VXi AT, and within your budget of Rs 15 lakh, on road. 

If you're fine with Kia as a brand, and don't mind the polarising exterior look, the Kia Syros 1.0 T-GDi HTX DCT is an excellent option in your price range, with superb interior space.