I am planning to buy a new car this month. I am a first-time buyer and a new driver. I am confused between the Tata Nexon Creative Petrol AMT and the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 AT. I will use the car to go to my hometown once in a while, from Bangalore to Warangal and very few times for office commute. I am a bit budget-oriented, and my budget is ₹13 lakh. I am preferring to buy the Tata Nexon Creative Petrol AMT due to the following reasons: it is within budget, and a 360-degree camera is available in this version compared to the 3XO AX5. But my worry is whether the AMT in the Nexon has any problems while driving. What do you suggest? In case AMT is not advisable, then I will go for the 3XO AX5 by stretching my budget.

Autocar India

•11m

If you are a first-time driver, the type of automatic gearbox matters a lot, and this is where the difference between these two cars becomes important. The Tata Nexon AMT is not problematic as such, but it is a basic automatic. You will feel gear shifts, slight pauses and head-nod movement, especially in stop-and-go traffic and during overtakes. It works fine if you are on a strict budget, but it is not the smoothest or most refined experience, and over time, you may start noticing these traits more.

On the other hand, the Mahindra XUV 3XO A5X automatic comes with a proper torque converter gearbox, which is much smoother, more natural to drive and easier for a new driver. In city traffic as well as on your occasional Bangalore to Warangal highway drives, it will feel more effortless and confidence-inspiring.

Yes, the Nexon gives you the 360-degree camera and fits better within your budget, but that is more of a convenience feature. The gearbox affects your driving experience every single day, and that is where the 3XO is clearly better.

If you can stretch your budget, go for the XUV 3XO A5X automatic. The smoother gearbox will make a bigger difference to your daily driving than the extra features in the Nexon.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹8.66 Lakh

Tata

Nexon

from ₹8.61 Lakh

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Veluchamy P

•1d

Dear Autocar Team, I am currently using a Tata Altroz XT Petrol (2022). Due to my height (6.2 feet), I am required to push the driver's seat to its maximum extent, which results in restricted visibility on the right side while driving. I am now planning to purchase a new car, and after comparing options such as Nexon, XUV 3XO, and Hyundai Venue, I have shortlisted the Kia Sonet HTK(O) Diesel (Manual), as it appears to offer good value for money. However, I have some concerns regarding rear seat space and overall driving comfort for my height. In this regard, I request your expert advice on whether this would be a suitable choice, or if there are better alternatives available within an on-road budget of ₹12 lakhs. My usage is predominantly city driving (around 70%), with occasional highway travel (approximately 30%). Most of the time I drive alone, and occasionally with my wife. I would greatly appreciate your guidance and recommendations. Thanking you in advance.

Autocar India

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While the Kia Sonet Diesel HTK (O) is a good value-for-money car, it may not be the best choice for your height. At 6.2 feet, you will likely have to push the seat all the way back, just like in your Tata Altroz. In that position, the Sonet’s cabin can feel a bit tight, and visibility issues may still persist. Also, once the driver's seat is pushed fully back, the rear seat space becomes quite limited, which may not be ideal even for occasional use.Instead, we would suggest looking at the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel. It offers a wider cabin and more driver space, which will make a noticeable difference for your height. Even with the seat pushed all the way back, there is still usable space in the rear, making it a more practical choice overall. The wide cabin also makes it a genuine 5-seater, unlike many compact SUVs.The diesel engine is punchy and enjoyable to drive, and it works well for both city and highway usage. It feels strong in the mid-range, which makes overtaking easier and driving more effortless. The only real drawback is the boot space, which is on the smaller side compared to rivals, especially for larger luggage . If you frequently travel with a lot of bags, this is something you should keep in mind.

S Sinha

Is it advisable to buy the diesel automatic of the XUV 7XO over its petrol automatic to save fuel costs, given my annual mileage would be below 10,000 km? The diesel automatic 2WD costs about ₹2 lakh more than the petrol automatic, which I can recover in 2 years, but I am confused because of potential DPF issues. My driving would be 80% in Bengaluru, which is notorious for traffic.

Autocar India

•1h

With under 10,000 km annual running and 80% driving in Bengaluru traffic, we would strongly suggest going for the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic. The biggest concern with diesel in your usage is exactly what you mentioned, DPF-related issues. Since most of your driving will be in slow, stop-and-go traffic, the engine may not get the kind of sustained runs it needs for proper regeneration, which can lead to inconvenience over time.Also, while on paper it may seem like you can recover the Rs 2 lakh price difference in 2 years, in reality, the gap is not that significant. The diesel automatic is not exceptionally efficient, and the real-world difference between petrol and diesel will not be huge, especially in city conditions. With your running, the actual savings will take much longer to justify the higher upfront cost.The petrol automatic, on the other hand, will be smoother, quieter and more hassle-free in everyday city driving. It will simply be easier to live with, given your usage pattern.

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Balaji

•3d

Hi, I am in the market for buying a compact SUV. I am a proud Kia Carens 1.5 TGDi owner as well. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos NA 1.5 IVT (HTK or HTK(O)) to drive in Bengaluru (a lot of traffic). I personally like the new Duster as well. I have test-driven the Seltos and am yet to see the Duster in action. Being a Kia owner, I really like the new Seltos, but I have postponed the buying decision because of the Duster. I would happily choose the Techno+ or Iconic variant. My only concern is that the Duster has a DCT (wet clutch), but I am not sure about its reliability in the long run. Seven months of standard warranty gives some peace of mind, but I still have concerns about overheating issues in DCTs (like Kia’s). Kindly share your suggestions on choosing a reliable car. Thanks!

Autocar India

•3h

For your usage in Bengaluru traffic and focus on long-term reliability, we would suggest going ahead with the Kia Seltos 1.5 NA IVT (HTK/HTK(O)) rather than waiting for the new Duster. The Seltos’ naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the IVT/CVT gearbox is one of the smoothest combinations in this segment.In heavy stop-and-go traffic, it feels very easy and predictable to drive, with none of the hesitation or heat-related concerns that are sometimes associated with dual-clutch transmissions. Since you already own a Kia Carens, you are also familiar with Kia’s after-sales experience, which adds a layer of confidence for long-term ownership.That said, the new Renault Duster is a very interesting option and worth considering. On paper, it looks like a strong package with a more powerful turbo-petrol engine, expected to offer strong performance, a solid ride quality and a more rugged overall character. We would suggest test-driving the Duster before making a final decision.

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