I am planning to buy a new SUV. The budget is 12-14 lakh. Which is the better choice, the Mahindra 3XO AX5 diesel automatic or the Tata Nexon Pure Plus diesel automatic, in terms of overall maintenance and mileage?

autocar.india

•22h

Get the Maruti Suzuki Fronx petrol. It fits under Rs. 15 lakh easily, is very easy to drive in the city, and gives good real-world mileage, so your running costs stay low without the fuss of CNG or charging. Maruti’s huge service network also keeps ownership simple for many years. The flip side is it isn’t very exciting to drive, and the rear isn’t the widest, but as a first, no-drama car, it just works.If your daily drive is mostly city and you have a private parking spot with power, an EV will save the most per km. Look at the Tata Tiago EV for the cheapest entry, or the Tata Punch EV for a more solid small SUV feel. If you do long highway trips or 1,000+ km a month, diesel makes sense - the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and Mahindra XUV 3XO diesels are the pick. If you only want rock-bottom fuel costs and don’t mind slower performance, CNG works - Maruti Wagon R CNG for city or Ertiga if you need 7 seats.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Tata Punch EV

Hyundai Venue

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•1d

Both are excellent choices, but given your penchant for performance, we would lean towards the XUV 3XO. The Mahindra has a lot going for it - the most powerful engines (petrol or diesel) in the segment, a long wheelbase and well tuned chassis that delivers a great blend of ride quality, stability and fun dynamics, a weighty steering with decent feedback, and a very spacious cabin. While all the engines are strong, since you do a lot of outstation travel, perhaps the diesel is the better choice - but test drive both and take your pick.The Sonet is the better all-rounder, with greater refinement, flashier features, better fuel economy and arguably stronger reliability and aftersales service quality. Spec for spec, it could even be better value for money, too. However, its back seat is nowhere near as spacious and the ride quality is very firm and choppy, which could become an issue on longer drives. Plus, it isn't quite as engaging to drive as the Mahindra car, and thus we would recommend the XUV 3XO for your upgrade from the Swift.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

autocar.india

•1d

Pick the Mahindra XUV 3XO; it gives you the most fun performance in your budget while staying safe and comfy for city runs and the odd highway trip. Pick the 1.2 MPFi which feels eager and makes it easy to manage traffic and highway overtakes and is also more efficient than the direct injection 1.2 litre engine, do note it still will not be as efficient as something like the Hyundai Venue. Ride comfort is mature for broken roads, steering is light in town yet steady at speed, and the cabin now has the space you wanted. You also get a proper safety kit and a solid body, so it feels reassuring compared to your Datsun. Features are modern and the cabin looks sporty enough without going over the top.As an option consider the the Nissan Magnite, its turbo engine is peppy and it is a great value pick with good features and space, and is safe and has a comfortable ride too and will return a better mileage than the Mahindra car.

Nissan Magnite

Hyundai Venue

Mahindra XUV 3XO