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Delhi
KA

Kalmesh

8w

Hi all, I am planning to buy a diesel manual car and am confused between the new Hyundai Venue HX5 and the Tata Nexon Creative variants. My budget is around ₹13-14 lakh. Please suggest which one I should choose.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
7w

The Hyundai Venue HX5 is the better pick. It's got the smoother and more refined engine, as well as the easier-to-modulate clutch. There's a more modern and airier vibe to the Venue's interior, too, and cabin quality is superior.

The Tata Nexon Creative does pack in a few more features over a Venue HX5, but the Hyundai does get the nicer touchscreen. A big miss on the HX5 is a rear wiper, though. It's a pity that the Hyundai Venue diesel manual doesn't come in higher-spec HX6 form that would have been the sweet spot in price and features.  
 

Things that set the Nexon apart are its tough build and rugged suspension that can take quite a beating. The Nexon has been around for a while and, despite frequent updates, has started showing its age in the face of new competition. 
 

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai Venue

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TP

Tarangkumar Patel

1d

Hi, I currently own a Honda Amaze diesel 2014 model. Now, after using it for so long, I want to upgrade to a 7-seater. I shortlisted the Hyundai Alcazar and Kia Carens Clavis and have done test drives for both vehicles. My daily usage in the city is 25 km, and I occasionally do long family trips. Now I am super confused between both cars, as one has premiumness and the other has space. Please suggest the best vehicle for me. Is the turbo petrol good? Now I am super confused.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1h

Both cars are quite closely matched on premium feel, though one aesthetic seems to have worked better for you than the other. It's more a contest of road presence versus space, as the tall, SUV body style of the Hyundai Alcazar makes a strong impression on the road. It is boxy and upright and has the edge on ground clearance, as well as larger wheels.The price you pay is in the third row, where the Kia Carens Clavis' practical MPV shape liberates more space, and there's better ease of access too. Both cars have the same powertrain options, except that the Carens Clavis offers an additional engine option - the 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol. It also gets an iMT automated manual gearbox with the Turbo Petrol engine instead of a conventional manual, which the Alcazar gets.Yes, the Turbo Petrol is a good option, as given your relatively low usage, a diesel doesn't feel necessary. The 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo feels strong enough to haul 7 people and is quite enjoyable to drive too.As for which of the two you wish to buy, if you simply must have an SUV for its visual appeal and ground clearance, that is the only reason to choose the Alcazar. If that is not a bother, then the lighter, more spacious, more practical Kia Carens Clavis is the one we recommend.

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Ajinkya Sonar

22h

I am looking for a 7-seater manual car which is easy to maintain. My budget is around ₹15 lakh. My annual running is 80% on the highway and 20% in the city. I am confused between two options: Carens or Clavis. Please advise which one I should pick and whether to go for a petrol manual or a diesel manual.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
3h

With your budget of Rs 15 lakh, you can move past the Kia Carens and up to the Carens Clavis, which is essentially a facelift of the Carens, with more features and an additional engine option. The trickier choice is which engine to choose, between the 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel, both of which are available with a manual.The diesel is the more obvious choice, given that your usage is 80% on the highway, where the additional torque will be beneficial, not to mention the better mileage. However, in your budget, you'll only get it in the base HTE spec. If that's fine with you, then you should go ahead with that; otherwise, note that the Carens 1.5 petrol MT is available in the higher HTE (EX) trim, with more features.You could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, which comes in petrol and CNG guises, has lower maintenance costs, and is far more affordable than the Kia.

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Posted on: 19 Jan 2026