Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Since you are used to the ease-of-ownership and good economy from the Maruti Dzire, it would be ideal to look for an upgrade in the Maruti family. The Fronx in Delta Plus guise will be a good option for relaxed city driving. It features an AMT gearbox that takes away the hassle of a manual gearbox and the efficiency is strong for an automatic at around the 14kpl. 

What's also nice on the Fronx is the ride quality and seat comfort that makes driving around pothole-ridden city roads a lot nicer. It gets a good set of features, wireless connectivity, LED headlamps and rear AC vents. Being a Maruti, it will also hold its value well, and you can trade in your Dzire and get a much better price in exchange bonus. 

In your budget, you will end up with the absolute base variants of the Mahindra 3XO and Skoda Kylaq. So, compared to cars with a lower starting price, they can feel a bit basic in terms of features and equipment.

That said, even in their base trims, both SUVs offer effortless performance, a more sophisticated driving experience thanks to their strong ride and handling, and in the case of the 3XO, excellent interior space.

We’d recommend considering the recently launched Skoda Kylaq Classic Plus, as it adds a good mix of essential and premium features like a single pane sunroof, 16 inch steel wheels with covers, cruise control, an auto dimming IRVM, and rain sensing wipers.

If you want to stay within the Maruti Suzuki family, you can look at the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta Plus. It offers more features, but it may not feel like a meaningful upgrade over the Maruti Suzuki Baleno you already own.

Given your requirements, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx would be a better choice, as it offers higher fuel efficiency. The 1.2-litre petrol engine is efficient and also has enough performance for the hills. What is also better on the Fronx is the ride quality, which is an advantage over rough terrain. 

The Delta+ version also gets a decent set of features, including LED headlamps, keyless entry, automatic climate control, and more. Our pick between the two would be the Maruti Fronx. 

​If you are looking for good mileage, you can consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.2 litre. In our real-world testing, it returned over 13 kpl in the city and around 20 kpl on the highway. It has a 190mm ground clearance and a 308litre boot. 

Another option - if you have access to CNG stations, you could look at the updated Tata Punch CNG. While the petrol Punch is not the most fuel-efficient option, the CNG version will lower your running costs significantly. 

While its 193mm ground clearance is sufficient for most roads, the 210-litre boot space (CNG) is smaller and may not meet your requirements.

Given that you previously owned a Ford Figo, we would suggest considering either the Skoda Kylaq or the Mahindra XUV 3XO. Within your budget, you can easily get the top Prestige Plus variant of the Kylaq. The AX7 Luxury variant of the 3XO is more expensive but still fits within your budget. Both cars are enjoyable to drive, offer a comfortable ride quality and come well equipped.

The main difference between the two lies in rear seat space and boot capacity. The Kylaq’s rear seat is not as wide and offers less knee room than the 3XO, making it more suitable as a four-seater. On the plus side, it has a much larger boot. Also, keep in mind that both cars use powerful turbo petrol engines, which are not the most fuel-efficient. The clutch is on the heavier side, too, making city driving a bit more effort-intensive.

If better fuel efficiency and a lighter, more progressive clutch are priorities, you could also consider the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor or the Maruti Suzuki Fronx turbo petrol manual in their top variants. Both are more affordable than the Kylaq and the 3XO. While they do not feel as premium inside and miss out on a few features, the 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine is one of the best small turbo petrol engines to drive.

It is smooth, responsive, even at low speeds, with minimal turbo lag. The slick gearbox and light clutch make it very easy to drive in traffic. Both cars are spacious enough, offer a usable boot, and have a comfortable ride. They also deliver much better fuel efficiency. With the Maruti, getting double-digit mileage is easy, while achieving similar efficiency in the Skoda and Mahindra can be more challenging.

You should check out the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, which has a plush ride and scores well on fuel economy. Its interior doesn't wow with the latest tech and gizmos, but scores for space and excellent seat comfort. 

The Maruti Suzuki Fronx Turbo/ Toyota Taisor Turbo would be next on our list. There's a bit more flash inside the cabin, the turbocharged engine is more exciting than the Brezza's and fuel economy is also good. Again, ride comfort is impressive.

The new Hyundai Venue is also an option. It's got a modern interior but trails the Marutis on ride quality.