I currently own a 2021 Hyundai Venue (iMT) Petrol. I usually travel to my hometown in Punjab once a month, and the rest of the time, I drive within the city. I am looking to buy an SUV with good aesthetics and build quality; the first car that comes to mind is the Tata Harrier. I was eagerly waiting for the petrol variant, and this year, that wish finally came true. I am planning to purchase the Fearless+ variant in white. However, considering Tata's reputation for manufacturing defects and resale value, should I stick with my choice, or would you suggest a better option, like a Mahindra XUV700? My priority is safety, looks, average maintenance cost and mileage should fall between 12-18kmpl (which is usually what every car offers right now). Thanks in advance

Autocar India

•18h

The Hyundai Venue Diesel-Automatic is a far superior powertrain compared to the Tata Nexon's unit as far as smoothness and refinement go. Also, the Venue gets a 6-speed torque converter (automatic), which is much smoother-shifting and more comfortable, compared to the Nexon's automated manual transmission (AMT), which can feel relatively slow and a bit jerky in comparison. Between the two, it is the Venue diesel-automatic that gets our vote.

Hyundai Venue

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•20h

With your usage of under 800 km a month and long-term ownership in mind, we would first question whether CNG is actually necessary. CNG makes the most financial sense when the cost of running is significantly higher. At your usage, the payback period becomes much longer, so spending substantially more upfront purely for fuel savings may not be the smartest move. Also, while petrol prices do rise, CNG prices tend to rise too, so the savings gap does not remain fixed forever.Between your two choices, the Smart iCNG is actually the more rational pick if you are set on the Tata Punch. Yes, it is the base variant, but it still gets the essentials like LED headlamps, front power windows and central locking. So it does not feel bare bones from the usability perspective.The Pure Plus iCNG does add a lot more premium equipment like the touchscreen infotainment with wireless smartphone connectivity, reverse camera, cruise control, rear AC vents, all power windows and a more premium cabin feel. But the key question is whether you would want to stretch your budget significantly to have those niceties. That said, if fuel efficiency is your top priority and you are open to alternatives, Maruti’s CNG options make stronger sense than the Punch. The Fronx or Baleno CNG will generally offer better efficiency, a wider service network and a more proven CNG ownership experience.

Tata Punch

Autocar India

•23h

Given your usage pattern of mostly city driving with traffic and a few highway runs, pick the Kia Sonet diesel automatic. It suits you better because its automatic is a torque converter unit, unlike the Nexon's AMT, which feels smooth and quick, so driving in traffic and hill starts are easy. The 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine is refined and responsive, which makes driving less tiring. Plus, the cabin feels more premium than the Nexon's.Know the trade-offs: the Sonet’s back seat is not as spacious as the Tata Nexon, and the ride can feel a little firm at low speeds on broken roads.

Kia Sonet

Tata Nexon