I currently own a Grand i10 (2015 model). Planning to upgrade to a compact SUV (automatic). My budget is approximately ₹14 to 18 Lacs. The expected usage is up to 1,000 km per month, primarily on weekends within Mumbai, with occasional highway trips. Based on this, which option would you recommend? My shortlist: Brezza, Grand Vitara, Victoris, Creta, Seltos (2025), or Elevate?

The new Kia Seltos with the 1.5 petrol-automatic should be your top pick as it is the newest, most spacious, and most modern car, packing in all the latest in terms of tech and features. The powertrain is smooth, and it will serve your needs well on city and highway drives.Prices of the 2025 Seltos 1.5 Petrol IVT will be revealed on January 2, 2026, but going by the variants revealed, Kia will introduce this powertrain across multiple variants, and this version should easily fit within your budget.

You are on the right track in considering the BMW iX1, which we honestly think you should not think twice about and buy. The iX1 is an exceptional value offering excellent space, especially at the rear, good features and a premium feel. It is very enjoyable to drive too, and the decent range it gives means you won’t have to charge it too frequently if your usage is in the city.We assume you have the possibility of installing a home charger because that is a must to ensure a worry-free ownership experience. Yes, the resale value of EVs is bad, but we feel that is compensated for by the easy driving experience an electric car gives.

The Skoda Kylaq is a premium compact SUV, so with that comes a premium price, but you do get your money’s worth because, other than the design and interiors, which you like, the Kylaq is brilliant to drive.The 1.0-litre TSI engine is one of the best small-capacity petrol engines in the market and offers superb performance and refinement. Skoda cars are not as easy on the pocket as Japanese or Korean cars, but they're not going to make a hole in your pocket either. It is solid enough to last 10 years or more.Yes, the 1.0 TSI works best on 95 octane, which is now the base octane rating for normal E20 petrol that has been rolled out nationwide. So you really don’t have to search for 95 octane fuel and can fill anywhere.

We would narrow your choice down to the Mahindra XUV700, but suggest you wait for a month when its replacement, the XUV 7X0, will be launched.The Mahindra XUV 7X0 will be absolutely feature-packed with a three-screen layout, a full suite of ADAS, and connected tech. Though your running isn’t very high, we would still recommend the diesel as it's smooth, economical and will command better resale value.