I want to buy a 5-star safety-rated car with a panoramic sunroof that I can use for the next 10 years, with a budget of under Rs. 14 lakh. Which car would you recommend for me?

autocar.india

•5h

The Tata Nexon CNG is a good pick, but be aware that with your limited running it will take a while to recover the extra upfront cost. The CNG version is about Rs. 1 lakh more expensive than the equivalent petrol, which means that at 600-1,000km a month, it will take over three years to recover the difference. You also have to deal with more frequent refuelling, queues at CNG stations and less usable boot space. If you plan on keeping the car for the long term and these drawbacks are not deal-breakers, then the CNG is a good choice. If not, the petrol will suit your needs just fine.As an upgrade from your 2010 Alto, the Nexon is a big step up in comfort and safety. The higher seating position and softer ride are kinder to your back and knees, and the cabin feels far more solid and quieter over bad roads.Be honest about where you drive. If most of your running is within city limits and there is a CNG station nearby with short queues, then the CNG can work well. Just expect more relaxed performance and some compromise in luggage space.

Tata Nexon

autocar.india

•1d

There are a few cars in that budget that get premium, branded audio systems that sound good. The Tata Nexon gets a JBL audio system that packs a lot of punch and solid bass. The Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet, meanwhile, get 8-speaker Bose audio systems, which have excellent sound quality and a good balance overall. However, in our opinion, the better-sounding system is from Harman/Kardon and is found in the likes of the Mahindra XUV 3XO and the Kia Syros. These systems have excellent clarity, isolation and range, and feel like a premium listening experience irrespective of the type of audio. As for choosing between the vehicles themselves, the Mahindra is the more fun-to-drive and punchy compact SUV, while the Kia is more spacious and practical with a higher-quality interior.

Tata Nexon

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Syros

autocar.india

•1d

The Victoris is a better fit for your needs. It is a segment above the Tata Nexon and is therefore larger inside and out. It also has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and comes with plenty of standard safety equipment, so you will feel secure on both city drives and highway trips. The ride is good over broken roads, which helps keep the family comfortable on long journeys.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is easier to drive in traffic and will use less fuel, but the Nexon, with its turbo-petrol engine, offers stronger highway performance. You are also likely comparing one of the top-spec Nexon variants with the lower trims of the Victoris, which means you will be giving up some features. The other trade-off with the Nexon is that Tata’s after-sales service can be hit or miss, whereas Maruti generally has a strong reputation.Overall, if space is your priority, then the Victoris is the better bet. However, if features and highway performance matter more, then the Nexon is worth considering.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Tata Nexon