If you are shopping for a used compact SUV in Delhi NCR, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and the Tata Nexon will be near the top of your list. There are plenty of both to choose from. Maruti had sold more than 14 lakh Brezzas by February 2026, according to Autocar India, and the Nexon passed 10 lakh cumulative sales the same month, Rushlane reported.
Both cars have changed a lot over the years, so a 2017 Brezza and a 2023 Brezza are very different purchases. Comparing the two names is less useful than comparing the generation, engine and gearbox you can actually afford. This guide sets out the generations side by side, covers the Delhi NCR diesel-age question and lists what to check on each car before you pay.
Quick verdict
- Choose a used Brezza if you want a simple, naturally aspirated petrol engine and, from 2020 onwards, a conventional torque-converter automatic, along with Maruti's widespread service network.
- Choose a used Nexon if safety ratings are your top priority, you want the extra pull of a turbo-petrol or diesel engine, or you want a diesel built after 2020.
- For a diesel: the Brezza was sold only with a diesel engine until early 2020 and has been petrol and CNG only since then. If you want a diesel that meets BS6 rules, only the Nexon offers one.
Brezza generations at a glance
- 2016–2020 Vitara Brezza (diesel only): a 1.3-litre diesel making about 90 PS and 200 Nm, with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT. In 2018 it scored four stars for adult protection in Global NCAP testing with two airbags.
- 2020–2022 Vitara Brezza facelift (petrol only): the diesel was dropped with the move to BS6. In its place came a 1.5-litre K15B petrol making about 105 PS and 138 Nm, with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed torque-converter automatic.
- 2022–2026 Brezza (second generation): renamed simply Brezza and launched in mid-2022, with an updated 1.5-litre petrol engine, a 5-speed manual or 6-speed torque-converter automatic with paddle shifters, a sunroof and a 360-degree camera on higher variants. Claimed efficiency is 20.15 kmpl for the manual and 19.80 kmpl for the automatic. A factory-fitted CNG version arrived in March 2023 with a claimed 25.51 km/kg.
- July 2026 facelift: the updated Brezza earned a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, scoring 30.41/32 for adult and 43/49 for child protection. This rating applies to the facelifted car, not to older Brezzas, and the facelift is too new to be common in the used market.
Nexon generations at a glance
- 2017–2020 Nexon: a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol (about 110 PS, 170 Nm) and a 1.5-litre diesel (about 110 PS, 260 Nm), both with a 6-speed manual, plus a 6-speed AMT added in 2018. After a December 2018 reassessment, it became the first car sold in India to earn a five-star adult rating from Global NCAP. Its child-occupant rating was three stars.
- 2020–2023 facelift: BS6 engines and a new design. Petrol output rose to about 120 PS, and the diesel continued.
- 2023 onwards (second facelift): the 1.2 turbo-petrol (120 PS, 170 Nm) comes with a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed AMT or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCA). The 1.5 diesel (115 PS, 260 Nm) comes with a 6-speed manual or AMT. This version earned five stars for both adult and child protection under Global NCAP's newer, stricter protocol in 2024.
- CNG from September 2024: Tata launched the Nexon iCNG, a turbo-petrol CNG version with a twin-cylinder layout designed to free up boot space.
Head-to-head: what matters on a used car
Engines and driving feel
The Brezza's petrol engines are naturally aspirated and deliver their power smoothly and predictably, which suits relaxed city driving. The Nexon's turbo-petrol and diesel engines have more torque at lower speeds, so it feels quicker when overtaking and with a full load. The Nexon petrol has three cylinders, so expect more vibration at idle than you would get from the Brezza's four-cylinder engine.
Automatic gearboxes
This is where the choice of model year matters most.
- Brezza: AMT on diesels (2016–2020), a 4-speed torque converter (2020–2022) and a 6-speed torque converter (2022 onwards). Torque converters are smooth in traffic and generally cope well with stop-and-go driving.
- Nexon: AMT from 2018, and from 2023 a 7-speed DCA on the petrol. AMTs cost less but have a noticeable pause between shifts. A dual-clutch shifts quickly but needs careful checking at crawling speeds on a used car.
If you are still deciding between a manual and an automatic, our guide on manual vs automatic used cars explains the trade-offs.
Safety
On published crash-test results, the Nexon has the stronger record across most model years. It scored five stars for adult protection from 2018 onwards, and the 2023-on model scored five stars for both adults and children in 2024. The older Vitara Brezza scored four stars for adults, and the 5-star Bharat NCAP result belongs only to the 2026 facelift. Remember that the 2018 Global NCAP tests used an older, less demanding protocol on two-airbag cars, so those scores are not directly comparable with tests from 2024 onwards.
Running costs
Both cars offer factory-fitted CNG on newer models: the Brezza from 2023 and the Nexon from late 2024. That matters if you drive long distances every day across NCR. The Brezza also benefits from Maruti's large service network. In either case, a complete service record matters more than the badge. Our article on used car service history explains what to look for.
The Delhi NCR factor: diesel age limits
This point matters much more in Delhi NCR than in most other markets.
- Every Vitara Brezza built from 2016 to early 2020 is a diesel. A car first registered in 2016 crosses the 10-year mark for diesel vehicles in NCR during 2026, and later cars follow over the next few years.
- The earliest Nexon diesels, from late 2017, reach 10 years from 2027.
- In December 2025, the Supreme Court modified its earlier order. BS-IV and newer vehicles are protected from coercive action based on age alone, while older BS-III vehicles can be acted against. The matter is still before the court, so the position could change.
For a pre-2020 diesel Brezza or Nexon, check the first registration date carefully and price in the shorter usable life and weaker resale value in NCR. Our guides on Delhi's age rules for used cars and the 10-year diesel and 15-year petrol rule explain the details.
What to check on a used Brezza
- Diesel (2016–2020): a cold start with no excessive smoke, a clutch that doesn't slip, smooth AMT shifts, and the first registration date on the RC.
- Petrol automatic (2020 onwards): smooth, timely gear changes with no flare in engine speed or delayed engagement when you select Drive or Reverse.
- CNG (2023 onwards): a factory-fitted CNG kit should appear in the registration details. Ask for the cylinder testing records, and read our used CNG car checklist.
- Suspension and body: listen for knocks over speed breakers and look for uneven panel gaps that may point to accident repair.
What to check on a used Nexon
- Electronics: test the touchscreen, cameras, steering controls, power windows and every warning light before you agree a price.
- AMT: a short pause between shifts is normal for an AMT. Harsh jerks, hesitation pulling away or warning messages are not.
- DCA (2023 onwards): drive at crawling speed in traffic and on a slope, and watch for judder, hesitation or transmission warnings.
- Diesel: check for smoke on a cold start, listen for injector noise, and check the first registration date against the NCR diesel age limits.
- Workshop records: ask the authorised service centre for the car's history, including any campaigns or software updates it has received.
Whichever car you choose, an independent inspection and a proper check of the odometer reading are worth the time.
Which one should you buy?
- City commuter who wants a hassle-free automatic: a 2020-on Brezza with the torque-converter automatic.
- Family focused on safety: a Nexon, ideally from 2023 onwards, which has five-star adult and child ratings.
- High-mileage NCR commuter: a Brezza CNG from 2023 onwards or a Nexon iCNG from 2024 onwards.
- Buyer set on a diesel: a BS6 Nexon diesel from 2020 onwards rather than a 2016–2019 Brezza diesel, given NCR's age rules.
- Tight budget: an older Brezza or Nexon can be good value, but check the fuel type, registration date and service history before anything else.
Prices: compare like with like
Used prices for both cars depend heavily on the year, fuel, gearbox, kilometres and number of owners, so a single average figure would mislead you. Compare cars from the same year and with the same gearbox, and check what a fair price looks like with our car valuation guide. You can browse used Maruti Suzuki cars, used Tata cars and used SUVs under ₹10 lakh on Hooter, and our Tata Nexon buyer's guide covers the Nexon in more depth.
FAQs
Is a used Nexon safer than a used Brezza?
On published crash tests, mostly yes. The Nexon earned a five-star adult rating from Global NCAP in 2018, and the 2023-on model scored five stars for adults and children in 2024. Older Brezzas scored four stars for adults in 2018. Only the 2026 Brezza facelift carries a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating.
Does the Brezza come with a diesel engine?
Only the 2016 to early-2020 Vitara Brezza. Since the BS6 changeover in 2020, the Brezza has been sold with petrol and, from 2023, CNG.
Is a 2016–2019 diesel Brezza worth buying in Delhi NCR?
Only at a price that reflects NCR's 10-year diesel limit. These are BS-IV cars, which currently have protection from age-based coercive action, but the case is pending. Check the first registration date and assume a shorter usable life and weaker resale value in NCR.
Which is better for CNG, the Brezza or the Nexon?
Both offer factory-fitted CNG on newer models. The Brezza CNG (from 2023) uses a naturally aspirated petrol engine, while the Nexon iCNG (from late 2024) uses a turbo-petrol with a twin-cylinder layout designed to free up boot space. Test-drive both, and check the CNG endorsement and testing records on whichever you choose.
Which has the better automatic for a used buyer?
If smoothness and simplicity matter most, the Brezza's torque-converter automatics from 2020 onwards are easy to live with. The Nexon's AMT costs less to buy, and its DCA is quicker, but inspect it carefully at low speeds.
Conclusion
Neither car is better in every case. The right choice depends on the year, fuel and gearbox you can afford. A Brezza from 2020 onwards suits buyers who want an easy petrol automatic, while a Nexon suits buyers who put safety first or want a diesel that meets BS6 norms. In Delhi NCR, always check the registration date on older diesels before you agree a price. When you have narrowed it down, compare listings on Hooter's used cars in Delhi NCR page and arrange a proper inspection before you pay.