I want a sub-4-meter compact SUV for mostly city driving. I am only looking at petrol automatic options. The car should have decent rear space as we are a family of five, and maintenance should be low. Can you suggest some good cars? Also, is there any car expected to launch within the next 3-4 months that I should wait for?

Autocar India

•1w

Since you are a family of 5, we would recommend the Mahindra XUV3XO as it has a wide rear seat, which will allow for comfortable three-abreast seating. The 3XO also comes within the 4-meter mark and offers two petrol engine options. We would recommend the regular turbo MPFi unit and not the direct injection (TGDi) engine. It delivers more than enough performance for city driving and would be more efficient in real-world scenarios. With Mahindra, the maintenance costs will also not be very high.

As an option, you can also consider the Kia Syros, which also has a spacious rear and feels more premium inside.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹8.37 Lakh

Kia

Syros

from ₹9.82 Lakh

Recommended questions for you

Amay

•2d

I am planning to buy a new petrol car with a manual gearbox. My budget is around ₹13 lakh. My usage will be 70% city and 30% highway. Could you please suggest SUV options within this budget?

Autocar India

•1d

The Mahindra XUV 3XO REVX A 1.2 Petrol GDI with the manual gearbox would be a good option to consider. It gets a 1.2-litre 131hp turbo-petrol engine that is the most powerful in the segment. It is a light and brisk 6-speed manual gearbox that is easy to use in the city. It is spacious on the inside with comfy, broad seats up front and a good amount of room at the rear. Bootspace isn't the best at 364 litres, but if you're primarily going to drive in the city, this shouldn't be a big problem. The performance is very good, the ride comfort is excellent, and you get a good amount of kit as well. A panoramic sunroof, LED headlamps, keyless entry with push button start, dual-zone climate control and more.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Shubh

•2d

Hi everyone, I’m planning to buy a compact SUV automatic for city driving in Delhi NCR with occasional highway trips. I’m confused between the Mahindra XUV 3XO TGDi AT and the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ AT. My priorities are: smooth automatic for traffic, good ride comfort for NCR roads, reliable ownership and reasonable maintenance, and decent mileage. Would love to hear feedback from owners or experts on which would be the better long-term choice.

Autocar India

•21h

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ AT. In Delhi traffic, it's automatic is very smooth, and the ride is mature on broken roads, and although not as supple as the Mahindra XUV 3XO, it is not a sore point. The 6-speed torque converter is known to be reliable and futureproof, as most torque converters are.For your stop‑and-go NCR commute, the Kylaq's calibration makes creeping and low‑speed shifts feel natural, reducing head‑nod in queues. You’ll also appreciate the 446‑litre boot on occasional highway trips. Ownership is predictable with 15,000 km/1‑year service intervals, and you can add an extended warranty (up to 6 years; confirm coverage in your city). Expect roughly 9kpl in Delhi traffic and 13kpl on relaxed highway runs at 90-100kph.The one thing you give up is the XUV 3XO TGDi’s stronger low‑end punch and overall power; the Kylaq AT feels calmer off the line and asks for kickdown for quick overtakes.If you prioritise a punchier engine and more rear seat space, consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7 TGDi AT instead, but if that is not a high priority, the Kylaq is more enjoyable to drive.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Yogesh Gautam Kamble

•1d

I need a car for my daily commute, and my travel will be around 50-60 km every day. Most of my driving will be within the city, along with occasional highway drives on weekends. My budget should allow for an EMI of less than ₹20,000 per month. Considering my usage, should I go for a diesel or a CNG car, and which option would you recommend?

Autocar India

•2h

With your daily running of around 50-60 km, your monthly usage will easily cross 1,500 km, so choosing a fuel with low running costs makes sense. In this case, CNG is generally a better fit than diesel, especially since most of your driving is in the city.One of the better options to consider is the Tata Nexon CNG. Unlike most CNG cars, the Nexon uses a turbo-petrol engine, which means it still feels reasonably strong and comfortable even on the highway. The turbo engine produces good torque, which helps maintain performance despite running on CNG. This makes the Nexon CNG a good balance between low running costs for the city and decent highway performance for weekend drives.Another practical option is the Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG, particularly the LXi or VXi variants. The Brezza uses a 1.5-litre engine with factory-fitted CNG. It is known for being smooth and reliable while still offering good mileage and reasonable performance.

Tata Nexon

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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