Looking for a comfortable SUV mainly for city driving in Chennai. I drive around 35 km per day and do not face too much bumper-to-bumper traffic. I am looking for a spacious 5-seater car with an automatic transmission and preferably a petrol engine, within a budget of ₹20 lakh. I currently own a 2013 Chevrolet Beat petrol manual. I do very minimal highway driving, with yearly highway usage of around 1,000-2,000 km.

Autocar India

•9h

With 100 km a day, 26 days a month, and a Rs 15-20 lakh budget, consider the Kia Seltos diesel manual. The diesel will keep your running costs in check and feel a lot smoother than the old Scorpio. For someone used to bigger cars, the Seltos cabin will still feel comfortable and airy. The tall seats and large windows give a clear view out, and the air conditioning works very well, which you will appreciate.If the Seltos is stretching your budget, then consider the Sonet diesel instead. Its cabin isn’t as roomy, but the large vents mean that the AC cools the cabin very well.Overall, for your commute and budget, the Seltos lines up best.

Kia Seltos

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•11h

With 2,500 km a month and most of it on the expressway, a diesel compact SUV fits you best for Rs 13 lakh. The Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Tata Nexon are models to consider.The new Hyundai Venue is a great all-rounder with a refined diesel engine, a fairly spacious cabin and an upmarket interior. However, the Venue is on the pricey side by segment standard, so you'll have to look at a mid-spec diesel-manual within your budget. If you can extend your budget, go for the diesel-automatic. The torque converter automatic transmission delivers a very premium drive experience.If rear space is not a high priority, the Kia Sonet is also a strong option. The model is due to be replaced in the coming months, so there's scope to haggle hard and get a great deal on the outgoing model. Despite being among the older models in the segment, it impresses with its high-quality interior, feature set and smooth diesel engine. Again, it's the diesel-automatic combo that we'd recommend you go for.The Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel suits long highway runs because of its strong diesel engine and confidence-inspiring high-speed manners. It's also a roomy car and packs in plenty of feel-good features for the money.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•6h

With 50 km a day, a mix of city and highway driving, plus weekend trips, petrol is the safer pick for you. It avoids DPF worries. Modern diesels work fine if you do steady highway runs for 15-20 minutes a few times a week, but if your driving is often slow and short, the filter can clog, and you will see warnings.Between your two choices, pick the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 petrol. It fits your budget and usage better because its turbo-petrol engine feels stronger on highways, so overtaking is easy even with passengers and bags. It also rides well over rough patches and feels steady at speed, which suits your weekend runs. In the city, it is easy to drive and not hard to park. If you are opting for the automatic, the torque-converter gearbox in the 3XO shifts smoothly and makes city driving stress-free.Know the trade-offs. The 3XO’s boot is not the biggest, so fitting two large suitcases plus extra bags may be tight.If you mostly drive in the city and carry a lot of luggage, the Kia Sonet HTK Plus petrol is the better alternative. Overall, for your mix, the 3XO AX5 petrol lines up best.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet