Hi. I own a 2017 TUV300 T6 Plus (9-seater), and I’m looking to upgrade. My requirements are- solid safety, ample space for 4-5 passengers with luggage (a roof carrier is an option), good driving ergonomics on bad roads and rough terrain (not necessarily 4x4), reasonable running and maintenance costs, and a relatively smaller vehicle. The T6 Plus is a beast and becomes difficult to manage on narrow rural roads, so I want something more practical.

Considering all your requirements, the Tata Nexon would be a good option to consider. It has strong safety with a 5-star crash test rating, a roomy cabin for 5 passengers and a big boot as well. 

The driving ergonomics are good too, with a light steering and smooth powertrains and should you opt for the diesel, you can expect low running costs as well. The Nexon is a sub-four-meter SUV, so it has a small footprint, but the ride and suspension cope very well over bad and broken roads.