I am planning to buy a new car, and am confused between the Tata Nexon Creative+ and the Mahindra 3XO AX5 variant, both petrol and manual transmission. Can you please advise me on this, as I am pretty confused?

Autocar India

•19h

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.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•1d

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.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

Tata Altroz

Autocar India

•2d

The Tata Nexon would suit you well. It has a host of safety features like 6 airbags and electronic stability program (ESP), and has earned a 5-star safety rating from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP for adult and child occupant protection in the crash testing protocol.As safety is your first priority, the Nexon would do you well. Since you want a car with a 360-degree camera, opt for the Creative trim, which will come in around your budget. The Nexon also has a good and stable ride, which at higher speeds has good body control, so your highway drives would be safe and comfortable too.

Tata Nexon