I want to buy a new car. My driving usage is around 60% highway and 40% city. Since fuel efficiency is important to me, I am considering a CNG car and have currently shortlisted the Tata Nexon CNG Creative + PS variant. However, I am also thinking that in a similar price range, I could buy a bigger SUV like the Hyundai Creta in a lower variant and install a CNG kit from the aftermarket. Another option I am considering is buying the new Hyundai Venue Automatic and installing an aftermarket CNG kit, so I can keep the features and also enjoy the convenience of an automatic along with CNG mileage. A sunroof is one of my requirements, which is why I am not considering the Maruti Grand Vitara. I am quite confused between choosing a factory-fitted CNG option like the Nexon or buying a bigger petrol SUV and installing a CNG kit aftermarket. Please help me choose the right car.

Autocar India

•1d

Pick the Mahindra XUV 3XO MPFi petrol automatic. Its torque-converter automatic gearbox is the most robust for your mostly city use with smooth crawling and far lower risk of costly clutch wear than a dual-clutch. While efficiency will not be as high as others like the Nexon or Brezza, your low 1,000 km a month should not make this too much of a worry and on the whole it stays well within your budget. Mahindra service can vary from dealer to dealer, so do check your local dealer options.If your Mahindra dealer is really weak, between the others, you could wait a for just about two months when the new updated Maruti Brezza is due to arrive. It too has a torque convertor autobox and its low ride is very plush and really a boon to have over bad city roads.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•1h

With a 40km daily commute, fuel efficiency, refinement and ease of ownership become more important than outright performance. The naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol in the Kia Seltos is smoother in stop-start traffic, easier to drive and should return better real-world fuel economy than the Duster's 1.3-litre turbo-petrol.The Renault Duster's strengths lie elsewhere. It feels tougher, rides better on poor roads and has a more robust SUV character. The 1.3 turbo-petrol also delivers noticeably stronger mid-range performance, making it the more enjoyable car on highways. However, turbo-petrol engines generally reward a lighter right foot and tend to consume more fuel when driven enthusiastically.For weekend family trips, the Seltos also scores highly with its spacious cabin, feature-rich interior and overall refinement. The HTX trim offers a strong equipment list without stretching the budget, and the Seltos remains one of the most rounded family SUVs in the segment.

Kia Seltos

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•4h

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara as well as the Victoris all share the same Toyota hybrid system and battery and are thus essentially the same when it comes to long term use. Both brands are also very well established with a service network - Maruti even more so. Thus, among these cars, pick the one that you prefer or are getting a better value deal. In terms of long term, we would lean towards Maruti cars. Thanks to the brand's better network and brand strength across the country, Maruti tends to hold its value very well and is a bit of an easier sell too, which helps when its time to sell your car.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder