[ashkamath]

Let's try the elimination method here.
<Quote,>
Requirements :

A <4m vehicle with an automatic transmission.
Preferably having the SUV/Crossoverish stance. (Her words)
High GC and easy ingress and egress.
Budget ~10L +/- 1L OTR
Priority order :
Reliability>Safety>Comfort>Driving Dynamics>Fuel Efficiency
No pre-owned route.
<Unquote>

Over the above and based on your replies to other posts,

EVs are out.
Turbo Charger engine cars are out as they are too powerful.
Mahindra cars are out as you own a 2019 Mahindra XUV 300 & 3XO petrol variants are all turbo engines.
Citroen cars are out due to uncertainty regarding their sparse service network and survival chances in India.
TATA cars are not out but not on top of consideration. Punch out for reasons mentioned. Nexon too not in consideration.
Hyundai & Kia cars are out of budget
I am not even considering Renault Kiger & Nissan Magnite as Brezza is superior in many aspects.

So, the options left are a naturally aspirated engine, sub 4 mtr compact SUV, Automatic that's reliable, safe, comfortable, decent driving dynamics with good fuel efficiency leaves you only with Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXI AT.

I believe you have extremely limited options considering your requirements and it boils down to Brezza. The compromise is that it comes with 2 airbags and interior looks dated and is a tad less safer than some other cars in its segment. But in the end, you have only one car left that's mostly fulfills your requirement, that's Maruti Brezza VXI AT.

[visionrider]

Why don't you check out Maruti Fronx. Has a good stance plus a good engine and also it's a Maruti. You can also check the Nissan Magnite.

[rajaramgna]

2 clarifications regarding Hyundai Exter AMT

It will do ok on steep inclines. My vehicle did climb steep hill incline (Marudhamalai Temple, Coimbatore) on 1st gear, though it was a new car with less kms, still in the drive-in period.

Exter AMT is available in both S and SX variants, S variant will be in the mentioned budget around 10 L and SX AMT came to around 11.xx L OTR. With available discounts currently, maybe negotiated to less than 11 L, so still in the budget range.

As an Exter AMT user, my choices would have this one as well.

Other choices would be Espresso, Ignis, Fronx (base variants) with their AGS.

Brezza might be a bigger car both in size and CC, I would prefer a smaller car for her, easier in city drive and parking.

[ByKaizen]

If ready to wait for a quarter or 2, I believe 2 strong products will be launched.
1. MG Bingo EV
2. Fronx Series Hybrid

Can make a decision after these are launched.

[Ad_J]

Originally Posted by rajaramgna

2 clarifications regarding Hyundai Exter AMT

It will do ok on steep inclines. My vehicle did climb steep hill incline (Marudhamalai Temple, Coimbatore) on 1st gear, though it was a new car with less kms, still in the drive-in period.

Thank you so much for the clarification.
I am narrowing it down to Exter AMT and Brezza AT. We took TD of a relative's i20 Sportz iVT and my mum's verdict was - not bad but not remarkable either. Maybe it was the low-slung stance of i20.

We will keep looking. She wants something that isn't as big as our XUV300 and not as hatchback-ish like our Tiago (these two vehicles are her benchmarks and wants the best of both cars) which leaves us with Exter/Punch/Fronx segment. However, my personal inclination is towards Brezza as it has a proper AT GB because I am apprehensive about the behavior of AMT on hills. As a matter of fact, I haven't driven any AT car on hills.

Let's see what happens.

I will post an update and let you guys know.

[Rshrey22]

You can get a 2019 Verna SX optional variant in mint condition for 9-10 lacs. It comes with a powerful engine, ventilated seats, sunroof, and beautiful looks plus other bells and whistles.

[OpenRoads]

Originally Posted by Ad_J

Brezza: Under Consideration

Exter: Under Consideration. However, I am not sure about how AMT. I have never driven one. Moreover, I have a silly doubt as I saw a YT video where the guy said his i10 Nios AMT struggles on steep inclines and gets very confused between 1st and 2nd gear, thus loses the momentum and then starts to roll back. Since Exter is i10 Nios in disguise I am apprehensive about it. Someone please shed some light on it.
Till then open to suggestions.

I recently went through a similar requirement for my parents. Exter has Hill hold assist and I have tested it on an incline. It works fine.

https://www.team-bhp.com/news/why-i-...y-aged-parents

In case you are willing to stretch your budget then definitely aim for Brezza automatic which has a smoother TC automatic transmission.

[Ad_J]

Originally Posted by Rshrey22

You can get a 2019 Verna SX optional variant in mint condition for 9-10 lacs. It comes with a powerful engine, ventilated seats, sunroof, and beautiful looks plus other bells and whistles.

Perhaps you missed my requirements list.
No pre-owned route and sub 4m cars only.

Nonetheless, Thanks for the suggestion.

[kedar_GT]

Considering the situation, my first take would be to dissuade her from taking this route.
But if it has to be done, then I would strongly recommend the Exter AMT (for the footprint and the feature set)
The other car that comes close is the Ignis but it has weird looks at the back and does not come with a 360deg camera.

The Brezza is a tad big IMO (it gives the impression of driving a standard SUV vs a la Sonet or Venue) [to put my opinion in perspective, my daily driver is a XUV7OO]
and this may be a bit intimidating for a new driver.

If it was my mom, I would have picked up the top end Exter.
But if she is comfortable with the Brezza (with the 360cam) , nothing like it (but don’t thrust your opinion on her)

Cheers

[mpksuhas]

Have you considered Ignis?

Not an SUV and below the budget you mentioned, however for a person who is starting to drive newly, I feel the size of the vehicle is just right.

[RRU]

The no brainer choice should be Brezza VXI/ZXI AT any day - this may though push your budget up by 1-2L, but worth it. The other one that you may consider setting aside its polarizing looks and disenchantment with an AMT gearbox is Maruti IGNIS - its truly practical especially in hilly areas and well within your budget. Good luck!

[sapien]

Originally Posted by Ad_J

Requirements :

A <4m vehicle with an automatic transmission.

Preferably having the SUV/Crossoverish stance. (Her words)

High GC and easy ingress and egress.

Budget ~10L +/- 1L OTR

Priority order :

Reliability>Safety>Comfort>Driving Dynamics>Fuel Efficiency

No pre-owned route.

Glad that your mother is doing well!

4 unique options,

C3 AT : Perfectly matches your requirements, but since you’re not keen here’s more.

Wait for KYLAQ : This should be another perfect match.

ELEVATE : Over budget, but its very easy to drive and being a HONDA reliability is a given!

FRONX / TAISOR : Maruti-Toyota, need I say anything more

[emil]

I am a 68 year old senior citizen with frequent back problems since a couple of decades. My advice is unconventional by the standards of the other advice you have received here but it is based on sound experience.

I would say go for the WagonR ZXi AMT or the top ZXi plus variant. Superb stance with nice all-round view, easy ingress/egress, Maruti service and reliability, within budget. The facelifted version of a couple of years ago doesn't look bad. Huge boot space for a hatch back. The 1.2 L K series engine in the ZXi is very peppy as my daughter has the 2023 version of this one.

I have the older VXi AMT version since 2016 and love the car. Never had a problem with the AMT either though I am no racer but do step up to 100 Kmph on the Mumbai Pune expressway.

I know it does not have good crash ratings. I also think 6 airbags is a complete overkill since it appears that your mom will largely be alone in the car. This will also fit in your budget.