Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•2h

Given your low annual running of 5,000km and the fact that the car will be idle for long periods, a naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a torque converter automatic is the most sensible choice. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza fits this brief perfectly. It is a simple, reliable and low-maintenance package with a proven engine and gearbox combination that will serve you well over a long ownership period. The Sonet turbo petrol DCT is the more fun-to-drive option on the highway, but the DCT gearbox is not the ideal choice for predominantly city driving and long periods of idling. As for your current Nexon, if the car is running fine now, there is no immediate need to change it. However, given the engine has already been opened and you are experiencing a perceived loss of power and mileage, it is understandable to want to move on. On the ethanol front, there is no official roadmap beyond E20 at this stage, and modern engines are engineered to handle E20 without issue. There is no need to wait for further clarity. The Brezza is the safer and more sensible long-term choice for your usage pattern.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Kia Sonet

Tata Nexon

autocar.india

•7h

With a monthly running of 1,500-2,000km and a 10+ year ownership horizon, diesel might sound like a good idea, but at your budget, there aren't many options. What you will get will only be base model cars with few creature comforts. In that respect, CNG is a better VFM option as you can get mid- to high-spec variants of cars. Plus, diesel requires the added maintenance of a DPF and the cost of AdBlue top-ups, as well as more maintenance costs over time. That said, there are also compromises of CNG ownership, such as lower power and torque, and the inconvenience of refuelling.The Maruti Brezza CNG ZXi would be the best choice, as it has an efficient yet powerful enough engine, a CNG tank located under the floor, and plenty of features within your budget. The Nexon CNG would be the next best bet, offering more power and similar underfloor CNG tanks, but it is not as efficient and is more expensive, spec-for-spec.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Tata Nexon

autocar.india

•3h

Go for the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI. It is the better fit for your requirements. The Kushaq is one of the most engaging cars to drive in this price range, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a well-sorted chassis that makes both city driving and highway runs enjoyable. It is also genuinely spacious for five occupants and has a decent boot, which makes it a practical family car. The Brezza is a very sensible choice with excellent reliability and low running costs. It also now comes with a turbo petrol, but it is not as engaging to drive and does not feel as premium inside. The Kushaq strikes a better balance for your needs. The only caveat is that Skoda's service network is not as extensive as Maruti's.

Skoda Kushaq

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•1d

Thanks to its more effortless performance, the 1.0-litre turbo Maruti Suzuki Brezza should be your choice if you frequently drive on the highway. Even for city drives, the 6-speed manual gearbox is smooth, and the clutch is quite light, which makes the Brezza rather easy to drive. The Turbo MT is also over Rs 2 lakh more affordable than the corresponding 1.5 AT version.Go for the 1.5 AT only if you absolutely need the convenience of an automatic, and you aren't on a tight budget. Otherwise, the 1.0 Turbo MT is a good option.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•2d

Given your usage pattern of regular 800 km highway trips with two occupants, your priorities of fuel efficiency, safety, comfort and low maintenance, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi is the most sensible choice from your shortlist. Since a lot of your driving is going to be on the highway, opt for the turbo petrol manual. It has much better overtaking performance than the naturally aspirated version and with a tall sixth gear, fuel efficiency will be good too. It is also a proven, reliable and low-maintenance car with a comfortable ride, good highway stability and a strong service network, which is exactly what you want in a first car that will see long-distance use. The downside is that the turbo doesn't come with an automatic option.The Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro is the more modern and feature-rich option, however the Brezza still has the edge in terms of long-term reliability. The Honda Amaze VX is a good sedan with a comfortable ride and Honda's reputation for reliability, but given your highway usage and the occasional rough patches you may encounter, the higher ground clearance and more robust nature of the Brezza make it the better fit. The Tata Punch is a good value proposition, but it is a smaller car and not as well roomy as the Brezza.Overall the Brezza VXi remains the most balanced and dependable choice for your requirements.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Honda Amaze

Tata Punch