I want to buy a new automatic car in the price range of the top-end Kia Sonet or the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The car will be driven around 7,000 km per year and will be used as a second vehicle. So, an EV may also be worth considering, as I have a solar plant at home. I like premium interiors and prefer a relatively maintenance-free vehicle. I also want good ground clearance to handle potholes. What would you suggest? Should I stick to sub-4-metre SUVs, or should I also consider larger options?

autocar.india

•16h

Three cars come to mind that meet your requirements of a 5-star crash test rating and panoramic sunroof in a budget of Rs 14 lakh - the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Kia Syros. However, within your budget, you will have to settle for mid-range variants of all three. In terms of long-term ownership, Kia has been known to offer a better after-sales and service experience than Tata or Mahindra, which is worth keeping in mind as you're keeping the car for 10 years. The Syros is also the most spacious for both passengers and luggage, has the highest-quality interior and the most modern tech of the three. That being said, its firm suspension gives it the bumpiest ride and its engine, though refined, doesn't feel as punchy as the others. Between the Nexon and the XUV 3XO, the Mahindra is the better all-rounder, with more cabin space, a smoother, more powerful engine and better refinement. Overall, however, we think the Syros will be the better option for you.

Tata Nexon

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Syros

autocar.india

•1d

With an annual running of just 5,000km, fuel efficiency shouldn't be the deciding factor. Instead, you should prioritise comfort, reliability, ease of ownership and how well the car will age over the next 10 years. That's why we wouldn't prioritise the Victoris Hybrid. While it is an excellent strong hybrid, the price premium will be difficult to justify with such low annual running.Between the remaining options, the Seltos strikes the best balance. It offers a refined and proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a spacious and premium cabin, excellent comfort and a strong ownership experience. It also feels newer and more upmarket than the Elevate and 3XO, while the current Creta is due for a generational update sooner.The Honda Elevate deserves a mention for its simplicity and reliability. If absolute mechanical simplicity is your priority, it is arguably the safest long-term bet. However, it doesn't feel as premium as the Seltos, and the engine and CVT combination isn't quite as refined.As for ethanol blending, we wouldn't let it influence your purchase decision. While there is plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and E30 fuels, there is currently no confirmed roadmap for such a transition. More importantly, all of these cars are E20 compliant, and manufacturers have engineered a degree of tolerance beyond that. The most likely effect of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

autocar.india

•1d

Pick the Skoda Kushaq Classic Plus automatic. Your driving mix of traffic and open roads suits its 6-speed torque converter very well. It creeps smoothly in jams and never overheats, and the 1.0 turbo petrol is punchy for quick passes. It also feels more surefooted at speed than the others here, which makes longer runs less tiring, and it’s among the safest in this lot thanks to its 5-star crash safety rating. It's also the only one here that's not a compact SUV (sub-4 metre).The Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet are tempting for the features they offer, but their DCTs aren't as smooth. The XUV 3XO with the torque converter is also a good fit and roomier, but the Kushaq still feels nicer to drive overall.Be aware that the Skoda’s cabin and feature list in Classic Plus isn't on par with the Koreans, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller. If you value a calm, durable auto for daily congestion and a confident feel on weekend runs, the Kushaq Classic Plus AT is the one to buy under Rs. 15 lakh.

Skoda Kushaq

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet