Since you are looking for a petrol SUV, we would recommend the new Kia Seltos. It is a well-rounded package and is fun to drive. This Kia car also offers a spacious and well-equipped cabin, and the ride quality is comfortable, too. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine is punchy and smooth, but of the two gearboxes available, we would recommend the 7-speed DCT auto.The reason is that Kia doesn't offer a manual gearbox with this engine, but instead an iMT, which is a semi-automatic 'clutchless' manual, wherein you shift gears without needing to use a clutch pedal. While good in theory and certainly a relief for your right foot, it's not great for enthusiastic driving and tends to slow your progress; a proper automatic is ultimately a better bet.

Yes, while the Mahindra XUV 3XO's turbo-petrol engines are punchy and exciting, they are not known to be the most fuel-efficient in real-world usage. You could definitely consider more fuel-efficient cars in a similar price range, but since your usage is largely on the highway, you want some punch too.Check out the Skoda Kylaq, whose 1.0 turbo petrol engine has enough grunt when you need it but can also be efficient when you're just cruising. It's also a safe car, having scored a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating. Plus, it has excellent highway composure and comfort, which should help make light work of long journeys.

Both the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and the Honda Amaze are worth considering as they come with proper automatic transmissions rather than AMTs. The Amaze is the more cost effective option. Its 1.2 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine has adequate performance for city use, and the CVT transmission is smooth and refined.The Brezza, on the other hand, feels better to drive thanks to its larger 1.5 litre petrol engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. However, the most affordable automatic Brezza is available only in the VXI variant, which costs close to Rs 13 lakh on road, putting it well above your stated budget.A more affordable alternative is the Skoda Kylaq in the Signature variant, priced at around Rs 12 lakh on road. The Kylaq is engaging to drive, and its 1.0 litre turbo petrol engine paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic offers smooth performance with enough power for both city and highway driving.If you want to stay well within a Rs 10 lakh budget, the Hyundai i20 is also a strong option. It is powered by a 1.2 litre petrol engine and comes with a smooth CVT transmission, making it suitable for daily urban use.

You should know at the outset that both these SUVs will only be available in their base and lower variants at your budget of Rs 10-15 lakh on road; top variants cost more than Rs 20 lakh. But with that in mind, of your shortlisted two, we would recommend the Kia Seltos.While the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is efficient and smooth, its rear seat feels too cramped for five, and its boot is not huge, either. The Kia Seltos, being a much larger car, offers noticeably more rear-seat space and a bigger boot. It's also better built and has more modern tech on the inside.