Hi Autocar Team, I’m looking for a 1.5-litre diesel manual car suitable for both city and highway driving. I prefer diesel for its mileage and highway performance. I’ve shortlisted the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7L and the Hyundai Venue HX7 diesel manual. The Venue looks great and has good road presence, but misses out on features like all four disc brakes, leatherette seats, and the panoramic screen available in the top variant. On the other hand, the 3XO AX7L is fully loaded. I plan to keep the car for the long term. Which one would you recommend?

Autocar India

•1h

Between your two options, neither is ideal if your priority is comfortably seating three people in the rear. The Hyundai Venue has a relatively narrow cabin, which makes it tight for three adults, while the Skoda Kushaq has a heavily contoured rear seat that is very comfortable for two, but not as accommodating for three.Between the two, the Kushaq is still the more comfortable car overall. It belongs to a segment above, so it offers more knee room and better overall comfort. Its torque converter automatic is also smoother and better suited to city driving compared to the Venue’s DCT, which can feel slightly jerky in slow traffic.If rear-seat comfort for three passengers is a key requirement, it is worth looking beyond your shortlist at the Mahindra XUV 3XO. It has a wider cabin than the Venue and the Kushaq, which makes it more accommodating for three passengers at the back. It also gets a smooth torque converter automatic paired with a strong turbo-petrol engine.

Hyundai Venue

Skoda Kushaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•1d

With your 60% highway use and Rs 12 lakh budget, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 turbo petrol gives you stronger performance and better value. The 1.2 turbo pulls harder from low speeds, so overtakes feel easy even with family and luggage, and you won’t need to change gears as often. It also feels steady at speed, which suits your frequent highway runs.A few things to know about this engine: being a 3‑cylinder, you may feel a bit more vibration at idle, and the engine sounds a touch louder than the Maruti's. If you drive fast and press the accelerator hard, the turbo will use more fuel. If you cruise calmly, highway mileage will be similar to the Maruti Brezza.Pick the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI if you value a smoother, quieter engine and slightly better real‑world mileage more than outright punch. Its 1.5 petrol is very easy in the city and feels relaxed, but on the highway, you will need to downshift for quick overtakes with a full load. Maruti’s service reach is also wider, which helps long‑term peace of mind.Given your usage, the XUV 3XO AX5 fits better.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Autocar India

•1d

Since your usage is primarily on the highway, we'd suggest you shortlist the Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO. Both of these cars are solid, safe options, and both deliver strong performance. Between the two, the XUV 3XO feels more spacious at the rear, while the Kylaq has a slightly larger boot.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO