Three of the most-requested self drive cars in Vijayawada. Three very different personalities. Three completely different answers to the question: "Which one should I rent?" The Mahindra Thar is the showstopper — 4WD, diesel muscle, built for roads that aren't really roads. The Hyundai Creta is the all-rounder — premium cabin, comfortable highway cruiser, family-friendly. The Brezza CNG is the smart choice — remarkable fuel economy, easy city handling, and the lowest running cost of the three. This guide tells you exactly which car wins for which trip type, with real fuel costs, actual rental prices, and zero marketing spin.
⚡ Quick Answer — Before You Read the Full Guide
🏔 Mahindra Thar 4×4 Diesel — Full Profile
Let's start with the car that gets the most excited calls: the Mahindra Thar. When someone rents the Thar from Aman in Vijayawada, they already know what they want — the rugged stance, the open-top option, the 4WD capability, the bragging rights. The Thar delivers all of that and more. But it's also a car that demands honest understanding before you take the keys.
🏔 The Thar in One Paragraph
The Thar is the most capable off-road car you can rent from Vijayawada — period. Its 226 mm ground clearance and 4WD low-range gearbox handle Borra Ghat descents, forest tracks, and rocky terrain that would strand any other car in this comparison. The diesel engine delivers solid torque for loaded highway drives. The trade-off is real: at 10–12 km/l, it's 50–60% more expensive to run per km than the Brezza CNG. And with minimal boot space, packing for 4–5 people requires discipline.
✅ Thar Strengths
- Highest ground clearance (226 mm) — handles anything
- Genuine 4WD with low-range — true off-road capability
- 300 Nm torque — powerful on ghats and inclines
- Visually dominant — turns heads everywhere
- Robust diesel engine — reliable on long distances
- Best for Araku Valley, forest trails, adventure trips
❌ Thar Weaknesses
- 10–12 km/l diesel — highest fuel cost of the three
- No dedicated boot — luggage must go in the cabin
- 5th seat is genuinely tight for adults
- Stiffer ride on flat highways — not ultra-comfortable
- Highest rental price: ₹5,000/day
- Manual only — no automatic option in Aman fleet
🏔 Thar Rental Tip from Aman
The Thar's 12-hour slot at ₹3,000 is the best value Thar option if you're doing a day adventure trip — Kondapalli Fort + Undavalli Caves, or a Mangalagiri–Amaravathi–Kondapalli loop. You get the full Thar experience without the 24-hour price tag. Note: the Thar is a manual transmission — first-time drivers or those used to automatic cars should practice gear changing before taking it on ghat roads.
🛣 Hyundai Creta — Full Profile
The Creta is the most consistently booked SUV in the Aman Vijayawada fleet — and it's easy to see why. It threads the needle between premium and practical in a way few cars manage. The cabin feels genuinely upmarket, the ride on NH16 and NH65 is comfortable, and with 5 proper adult seats and 433 litres of boot space, it handles family trips without compromise. If the Thar is the adventure specialist and the Brezza is the budget champion, the Creta is the car you rent when you want everything done well.
🛣 The Creta in One Paragraph
The Creta is the most well-rounded self drive rental in the Aman fleet. Its 190 mm ground clearance handles normal highway conditions and village roads with ease. The 433-litre boot swallows luggage for a family of 5 without anyone holding bags on their lap. At 17–19 km/l on petrol, fuel costs are reasonable — not CNG cheap, but far better than the Thar. The automatic transmission option makes it the easiest of the three to drive in Vijayawada's stop-go traffic. For a family weekend trip to Hyderabad, Tirupati, or Srisailam, the Creta is the answer most of the time.
✅ Creta Strengths
- Best boot space — 433 litres for 5-person family luggage
- Genuinely comfortable rear seat with proper legroom
- Dual 10.25" screens, ADAS, premium cabin feel
- Available in Automatic — easiest to drive in city traffic
- 190 mm clearance — handles all standard road surfaces
- Most versatile car for highways, city, and moderate off-road
❌ Creta Weaknesses
- No CNG option — petrol only, running cost higher than Brezza
- 2WD only — not suitable for serious off-road or deep ghats
- ₹3,500/day — more expensive than Brezza at ₹3,000
- Fuel at ₹106/litre makes long highway trips moderately costly
- Larger size means trickier parking in inner Vijayawada lanes
🛣 Creta Rental Tip from Aman
For the Creta, request the automatic petrol variant if available — especially if you're driving through Vijayawada city or Hyderabad. The AT makes the Creta significantly easier to drive in congested traffic and removes the fatigue on long highway drives. The ₹3,500 day rate with 400 km included makes the Creta excellent value for a Vijayawada–Guntur–Nagarjuna Sagar loop or a full family Tirupati run.
🌿 Maruti Brezza CNG — Full Profile
The Brezza CNG is the car that surprises people most. It doesn't have the Thar's dramatic presence or the Creta's premium cabin — but when it comes to what most travelers actually need on most trips from Vijayawada, the Brezza CNG keeps delivering. The CNG engine is the key differentiator: at 22 km/kg and CNG priced at ~₹93/kg, the per-km fuel cost is roughly ₹4.2 — which is nearly half the Thar's ₹9+ per km diesel cost. Over a 400 km trip, that difference amounts to real money in your pocket.
🌿 The Brezza CNG in One Paragraph
The Brezza CNG is Vijayawada's most economical SUV rental for trips within 250 km. CNG running costs are 40–50% lower than the Creta's petrol and 60–70% lower than the Thar's diesel. The 180 mm clearance handles standard Vijayawada roads, NH16, and NH65 without issue. The 328-litre boot is adequate for 2–3 people's luggage. The key limitation to plan around: CNG pumps are not available on all routes, particularly on smaller state highways or remote roads toward Araku. For city use, Amaravathi trips, Guntur runs, and NH16/NH65 highway drives where CNG is available, the Brezza is the most cost-intelligent choice in the fleet.
✅ Brezza CNG Strengths
- Lowest fuel cost: ~₹4.2/km on CNG vs ₹5.9 (Creta) and ₹9+ (Thar)
- Lowest rental price of the three at ₹3,000/day
- SUV stance and 180 mm clearance — handles city roads well
- Compact size — easier to park in Vijayawada city
- Maruti reliability — excellent service network in AP
- Ideal for frequent shorter trips under 200 km
❌ Brezza CNG Weaknesses
- CNG pumps not available on all routes — limits range flexibility
- Boot space reduced to 328 L due to CNG tank
- No automatic transmission option
- Not suitable for ghat roads or serious off-road
- Lower power on CNG vs petrol — noticeable on inclines
🌿 Brezza CNG Smart Tip from Aman
Before you start any trip in the Brezza CNG, always fill the CNG tank to full at pickup. In Vijayawada, the HPCL CNG station near Gandhi Nagar and the IOC pump near Autonagar are reliable. On NH16 toward Vizag, there are CNG outlets at Eluru and Rajahmundry. On NH65 toward Hyderabad, Suryapet and Nalgonda have CNG stations. Plan your stops around CNG availability for routes beyond 150 km from Vijayawada.
Real Fuel Cost Comparison Across Vijayawada Outstation Routes
The rental price is only part of the story. The car you choose has a massive impact on your total trip cost because of fuel. Here's a route-by-route fuel cost breakdown for all three cars using 2026 Vijayawada fuel prices: petrol at ₹106/litre, diesel at ₹99/litre, CNG at ₹93/kg:
⛽ Fuel Cost by Route (2026 Vijayawada Prices)
Petrol ₹106/l · Diesel ₹99/l · CNG ₹93/kg"The Brezza CNG is 30–50% cheaper to run than the Thar on every flat-road trip from Vijayawada. But for Araku Valley, the Thar is the only real answer — and worth every rupee of the extra fuel cost."
Head-to-Head: Thar vs Creta vs Brezza — Every Factor Compared
| Factor | 🏔 Thar | 🛣 Creta | 🌿 Brezza CNG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental Rate (24 hr / 400 km) | ₹5,000 | ₹3,500 | ₹3,000 ✓ |
| Fuel cost per km | ~₹9.0/km diesel | ~₹5.9/km petrol | ~₹4.2/km CNG ✓ |
| Total cost — 300 km day trip | ₹7,700–₹7,970 | ₹5,270–₹5,371 | ₹4,270–₹4,474 ✓ |
| Ground clearance | 226 mm ✓ | 190 mm | 180 mm |
| Off-road / 4WD capability | 4WD + Low Range ✓ | FWD only — moderate | FWD only — city use |
| Boot space | Minimal (no boot) | 433 litres ✓ | 328 litres |
| 5-person family comfort | Tight for 5 adults | Best — proper legroom ✓ | Adequate for 5 |
| Automatic available | Manual only | Yes — AT available ✓ | Manual only |
| Highway comfort | Good — stiff on long runs | Excellent ✓ | Good — smooth on flat |
| City parking ease | Moderate — large footprint | Moderate — larger SUV | Best — compact size ✓ |
| Ghat road suitability | Excellent — 4WD ✓ | Good — manages most ghats | Not recommended |
| CNG availability on long routes | N/A — diesel available everywhere | N/A — petrol available everywhere | Limited — plan carefully |
| Best for solo / couple trips | Adventure trips ✓ | Highway comfort ✓ | Budget day trips ✓ |
| Best for families of 5 | Not ideal | Best choice ✓ | Adequate |
Which Car for Which Road? Vijayawada Routes Rated
The road matters as much as the destination. Here's how each car performs on the road types you'll encounter leaving Vijayawada:
Vijayawada City Roads
One Town, Governorpet, Patamata, Labbipet
NH16 / NH65 Highways
Hyderabad, Vizag, Guntur corridors
Ghat Roads
Araku / Borra Ghat, Eastern Ghats
Village / District Roads
Kondapalli, Undavalli, interior AP
Coastal Roads
Suryalanka, Manginapudi Beach routes
Temple Town Roads
Amaravathi, Mangalagiri, Srisailam
Which Car for Which Trip? 10 Vijayawada Journey Scenarios
Here's the practical guide — matched by trip type, group, and budget — to which car to book from Aman in Vijayawada:
| Trip / Scenario | Distance | Best Car | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vijayawada → Araku Valley via Borra Ghat | ~520 km, 2 days | 🏔 Thar | Steep ghats, unpaved forest stretches — 4WD + 226mm clearance essential |
| Family of 5 — Vijayawada to Tirupati | ~560 km, 2 days | 🛣 Creta | 5 adults need proper legroom; 433L boot for temple trip luggage |
| City errands + Kanaka Durga + One Town shopping | ~40–60 km | 🌿 Brezza | CNG = lowest fuel cost; compact for parking in temple lanes |
| Vijayawada → Amaravathi → Guntur day trip | ~130 km | 🌿 Brezza | CNG available on route; flat roads; lowest total trip cost |
| Vijayawada → Hyderabad highway run (business) | ~275 km one way | 🛣 Creta | Most professional cabin; AT available; comfortable for long highway drive |
| Weekend adventure — Kondapalli Fort + off-road trails | ~80–100 km | 🏔 Thar | Off-road tracks near Kondapalli hills; 4WD handles rough terrain |
| Vijayawada → Vizag coastal road trip | ~330 km | 🛣 Creta | Long highway; family comfort; AC reliability; 433L boot for beach luggage |
| Daily commuter rental for a week (city-based professional) | ~60–80 km/day | 🌿 Brezza | Lowest running cost per day; easy to park; reliable for daily city use |
| Group of 4 friends — boys' weekend adventure trip | ~200–300 km | 🏔 Thar | 4 is the Thar's ideal capacity; adventure character; group energy |
| Vijayawada → Nagarjuna Sagar family day trip | ~200 km | 🛣 Creta | Family comfort + sufficient boot; smooth highway + the dam road |
Who Should Book Each Car — Clear, Honest Guidance
Book the Thar if...
You're heading to Araku Valley, Lambasingi, or any destination involving ghat roads or unpaved tracks. Or you're a group of 3–4 people who want the most dramatic, thrilling self drive experience available in the Aman fleet. The Thar is not the practical choice — it's the right choice for adventure-first travelers who understand the fuel cost trade-off and embrace it.
Book the Creta if...
You're traveling with family (5 people, proper luggage), covering a long highway route like Hyderabad or Tirupati, or you want an automatic car with a premium cabin experience. The Creta is the "never disappoints" choice — it doesn't win any single category by the widest margin, but it performs excellently across every dimension. If you're not sure which to pick and your trip is 150+ km, the Creta is the safe answer.
Book the Brezza CNG if...
Budget is a priority, your trip is within 200 km of Vijayawada, and you'll be driving on flat roads where CNG is accessible. The Brezza CNG delivers the lowest combined rental + fuel cost of any SUV in the Aman fleet. For regular city use, Amaravathi–Guntur–Eluru day trips, and NH16/NH65 runs where you can top up CNG en route, it's the smartest financial choice available.
What Vijayawada Renters Say About Each Car
Took the Thar from Vijayawada to Araku Valley via Borra Ghat with 3 friends. The 4WD made the descent on Borra Ghat genuinely thrilling and completely safe. At one switchback we went off the tarmac briefly — the Thar didn't even flinch. Yes, we spent ₹5,500 on diesel. Worth every paisa. No other car could have delivered that experience.
Booked the Creta automatic for our Vijayawada–Tirupati family trip — 5 of us, two kids. The boot took all our luggage without any squeezing. The rear seat was genuinely comfortable even for the 5-hour drive. The AT made it completely stress-free through Nellore city traffic. Exactly the right car for a family pilgrimage trip.
I rent self drive cars almost every week for client visits across Vijayawada and to Guntur. The Brezza CNG at ₹3,000/day with CNG fuel costing me ₹400–₹500 total per day is genuinely the cheapest and most practical solution I've found. I've saved over ₹12,000 this year vs booking Ola every day. Reliable, clean, easy to park anywhere in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Thar difficult to drive for someone used to a normal SUV?
The Thar drives differently from a standard SUV — it has a longer gear throw, heavier steering, and a stiffer ride. However, it is not difficult to drive. Most people adapt within 20–30 minutes. The key things to remember: the 4WD switch should stay in 2H on normal roads (only engage 4L for genuine off-road), and braking distances are longer than a petrol hatchback. If you've driven a manual car before, the Thar is fully manageable.
Q: Can the Creta handle Borra Ghat on the way to Araku Valley?
The Creta can handle Borra Ghat in normal road conditions — its 190 mm clearance and petrol engine are adequate for the paved ghat sections. However, for the unpaved forest approach roads and during or after rains when the ghat road becomes slippery, the Thar's 4WD and 226 mm clearance are significantly safer. If you're going in monsoon or post-monsoon season, book the Thar for Araku without hesitation.
Q: How much will I spend in total on a Vijayawada–Hyderabad self drive trip in the Creta?
For a Vijayawada–Hyderabad round trip (~550 km, 2 days): rental for two 24-hr packages = ₹7,000, petrol (~550 km at 18 km/l at ₹106/litre) = ₹3,239, NH65 tolls = ~₹420. Total: approximately ₹10,659. Compare that to the Thar doing the same trip: rental ₹10,000 + diesel ₹4,950 + tolls ₹420 = ₹15,370. The Creta is ₹4,711 cheaper for this specific route.
Q: Is there a security deposit for all three cars?
Yes. The refundable security deposit at Aman is ₹3,000 for the Brezza CNG, and ₹5,000 each for the Creta and Thar. Deposits are returned within 24 hours of return provided no damage and within the km limit. The deposit is not a charge — it's a standard protection refundable hold.
Q: Can I take the Brezza CNG to Vizag from Vijayawada?
The Vijayawada–Vizag route on NH16 is 330 km one way. CNG stations are available at Eluru (~60 km) and Rajahmundry (~170 km) — so a Vizag trip in the Brezza CNG is doable if you plan your refills carefully. However, note that in Vizag city itself, CNG pump availability is more limited than in Vijayawada. For a purely highway Vizag trip, the Creta offers more flexibility and comparable comfort. The Brezza CNG is not recommended if your Vizag trip includes detours on smaller roads away from NH16.
The Verdict — Which Car Should You Book?
There is no single "best car" among these three — there is only the best car for your specific trip. Here is the clearest possible final summary:
🏆 Final Verdict — Thar vs Creta vs Brezza CNG from Vijayawada
₹5,000/day
₹3,500/day
₹3,000/day
- Going to Araku Valley or any ghat road? → Book the Thar
- Taking the family to Tirupati, Hyderabad, or Vizag? → Book the Creta
- Doing city errands, Amaravathi, or Guntur day trips on a budget? → Book the Brezza CNG
- 3–4 friends, adventure weekend with rough roads in the plan? → Book the Thar
- Solo or couple trip, highway comfort, automatic preferred? → Book the Creta AT
- Regular weekly renter or cost-conscious professional? → Book the Brezza CNG
Ready to Book Your Car?
Thar · Creta · Brezza CNG — all available now in Vijayawada · 400 km included · Free doorstep delivery · Zero hidden charges
