I want to upgrade from my current sedan to an SUV. I’m 50 years young and drive up to 500 km/month. My priorities are high ground clearance (to handle water-logging in Delhi), easy entry for elderly parents, strong safety, low maintenance, and a petrol automatic that balances power and mileage. My budget is ₹20 lakh. Please suggest an ideal SUV.

autocar.india

•7h

About E30, using it in an E20‑compliant car is not advised but the harm will be a drop in mileage rather than major material compliance issues. Most manufacturers have material compliance for blends in the higher 20's now mainly due to the fact that this is the case in international markets (like Brazil e27) and it makes little sense to develop a separate material standard for India. Thus, pick the Creta petrol automatic, because your life is mostly tier 2 city runs with only occasional Bangalore or Pune trips, and petrol avoids the DPF fuss that modern diesels can throw up in short, stop‑go use. It is already E20 compatible, so you’re aligned with current fuel, and the petrol is quieter and smoother in traffic.Go diesel only if you drive a lot every month and do long drives of about 20 to 30 minutes and with speeds above 50 to 60kph at least once in two weeks, where the DPF will get a chance to heat up and burn off the soot.

Hyundai Creta

autocar.india

•2d

Pick a used Hyundai Creta petrol automatic. It keeps the easy, fuss-free feel you’re used to in the City, adds a higher seat and better ground clearance, and within Rs. 10 lakh, you’ll find clean 2018-19 cars with good kit or even the new 2020 model with a higher mileage. Cabin and boot space are plenty for family use, the automatic is smooth in traffic, and Hyundai’s wide service network helps when you’re buying used.You may see lower mileage than your i-VTEC and the drive is relaxed rather than exciting. If sheer cabin space is the priority and you can stretch a bit, a first‑batch MG Hector petrol automatic is huge and very feature rich, but it usually sits just above Rs. 10 lakh and drinks more fuel. If you prefer a fresher feel and sharper features, an early Kia Seltos petrol automatic can land near your budget in some cities, though its rear seat is a touch tighter than the Creta.

Hyundai Creta

MG Hector

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•1d

The Hyundai Creta SX Premium 1.5 Petrol IVT would be the recommendation here. On paper, the Tata Nexon Fearless Plus A DCA looks like the stronger value proposition because it offers a long list of features for significantly less money. However, the Hyundai Creta justifies much of its price premium through its larger cabin, superior rear-seat comfort, better refinement and a more polished overall driving experience. The naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the IVT is also exceptionally smooth in city traffic.The Tata Nexon counters with stronger safety credentials and a richer feature-to-price ratio, but it still cannot quite match the Creta's sense of space, comfort and overall maturity. If you regularly travel with family, the difference is immediately noticeable.As for resale value, both cars perform well, but the Creta traditionally enjoys stronger demand in the used car market and tends to hold its value exceptionally well.

Hyundai Creta

Tata Nexon