I plan to purchase a car next June with a budget of up to ₹17 lakh on-road. Should I choose the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Tata Sierra, or the new Kia Seltos?

The 150/160cc commuter segment is a great one to be shopping in for city duties because it is packed with excellent products that are comfortable, decently powerful and quite fuel efficient. Bikes like the Bajaj Pulsar N160, TVS Apache RR 160 4V, Honda Unicorn / SP160 and the Yamaha FZ models would be our top recommendations in this class. The 350cc segment - while much larger - is geared to provide a more laidback, leisurely riding experience, and this is why you might think that these bikes "lack pickup." You should ask yourself what sort of riding experience you resonate with first before you start shortlisting vehicles. Some bikes in between these two segments that also warrant consideration are the TVS Ronin, Bajaj Pulsar N250, Honda CB300F and the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V.A test ride of everything you're considering will help you decide.

The next-gen Tata Nexon is still on the drawing board and is unlikely to be launched in 2026. At best, the Nexon could see some refreshes next year. The Nissan Tekton is due in Feb 2026, and it is worth waiting. But it is unlikely to come with a DCT and will instead get a torque converter (AT) automatic, which, in our view, is more suitable for Indian conditions. We are not sure about the list of features for the Tekton, but it is likely to be well-equipped and will include most of the features on your list.

Between the cars you have shortlisted, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx stands out as an outlier because it is over ₹3 lakh cheaper than the Hyundai Venue and Mahindra 3XO. If value for money is your priority, the Fronx with the 1.0 litre turbo petrol engine paired with the 6-speed automatic makes a lot of sense. The engine feels punchy, and the automatic gearbox is smooth. The Fronx is also spacious and comfortable with a sufficiently large boot. That said, compared to the others, it offers fewer premium features, and the cabin design and quality feel more basic.Between the Hyundai Venue and the Mahindra 3XO, the choice is much closer as both are strong products. The 3XO is wider and works better as a five-seater, and it is also the more engaging car to drive. The Venue, on the other hand, feels more polished overall, with better feature execution, slicker infotainment and digital instrument screens, and a significantly larger boot than the 3XO.

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO mainly because it has a third row (which the Tata Sierra and Harrier do not), and it will be a comfortable spot for your dog.Apart from the additional seating, the XUV 7XO, which is an updated version of the XUV700, works very well for long trips. It makes a great highway car thanks to strong petrol and diesel engines and good high-speed stability. Mahindra has a vast service network, so your concern is also taken care of.