COMPACT SUV CONUNDRUM

I want to buy a new car with good safety features, decent fuel efficiency, great ride quality, reliable engine and good service network. I will be using the vehicle personally and plan to keep it for long. I usually commute 500km a month, coupled with occasional long drives. I currently own an i10 Kappa and consider buying either a compact SUV or premium hatchback under Rs 15 lakh. My shortlisted vehicles include the Hyundai i20 NLine N8 DCT, Hyundai Venue DCT SX+, Honda Jazz ZX, Tata Nexon XZA+ and XUV300. Is there anything else I should take a look at?

Gowtham R, Secunderabad

For your budget, the Hyundai Venue and i20 with a DCT transmission are good choices. However, we feel the best for this budget is the Kia Sonet diesel AT, which you have not shortlisted. The Sonet 1.5 diesel is much nicer to drive than the others, thanks to a strong and smooth engine and an even smoother 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The Sonet is well equipped, has brilliant interiors, and is quite reliable too. The only drawback is that the backseat isn’t very spacious. If you want a spacious back seat then the XUV300 is your best bet.