Hi, I’m looking for a compact diesel manual SUV. My priorities are comfort, driving pleasure, and good highway mileage. I drove the Tata Nexon (didn’t like the clutch), Mahindra XUV 3XO (felt the mileage was low), and Kia Sonet (ride felt hard). I’m waiting to test-drive the new Hyundai Venue. I’ll be driving mostly alone on highways. Which compact diesel manual SUV would you recommend and why?

Asked by: Viraj Chavan

The Mahindra 3XO is the better option for your requirement of comfort and driving pleasure. As for fuel efficiency, the difference between these cars is not large enough to be a deal breaker, so it should not be a concern. The Hyundai Venue is a comfortable car, but it will not be as enjoyable to drive as the Mahindra 3XO, though you can expect slightly better efficiency compared to the Mahindra.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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Autocar India Team

Nov 16, 2025

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