I am confused about whether to buy the Thar Roxx or the Tata Sierra. Right now, I have an Ertiga diesel VDI Smart from 2019 and a Venue diesel from 2021. By selling both, I am looking to buy one SUV, or should I wait?

Autocar India

•1d

The Kia Seltos DCT is a solid pick for your requirements. It's got the space, power and comfort for your requirements, including hill station trips with the family. The Kia Seltos is also a reliable package that will not give you trouble over the duration of your ownership. The dual-clutch transmission should serve you well and is unlikely to pose issues if you drive with care and are timely with regular maintenance. Do note, the DCT works well for long-distance drives but isn't super slick in slow-moving traffic, where it can feel a bit jerky between shifts now and then. Even so, the turbo-petrol engine's power and DCT's quick shifts make the Seltos DCT the one to buy for your kind of usage. Alternatives include the Renault Duster, which has a hardy feel to it and a smoother DCT. And while it's not as roomy as a Seltos, it actually feels comfier for three at the back, in case you travel five up often.If space is a high priority, the Tata Sierra is worth a look. It's easily the roomiest of the SUVs for the money. The turbo-petrol engine is strong and refined, and its torque converter auto delivers smooth gearshifts. However, Tata cars are not quite up there with Kia vehicles in long-term reliability.We'd sum up by saying the Kia Seltos DCT is the right pick for you.

Kia Seltos

Renault Duster

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

•6h

Given your comfort with the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, we'd advise you against a conventional hatchback and recommend you look at a sub-compact SUV. The high seating is a boon and will put you at immediate ease in the car. Options that meet your requirements within a Rs 10 lakh budget include the Hyundai Exter, Tata Punch and Citroen C3. The Tata Punch offers more of what you need. It's got the widest cabin (though it's still not ideal as a 5 seater) and packs in all the features that you need, and then a whole lot more. The Citroen C3 makes a compelling case for itself with the best engines, well-sorted ride and handling and the cabin experience is also vastly improved with the recent feature update. However, it's not quite as roomy as the Punch, and Citroen's service network is also not as widespread as Tata or Hyundai's.The Hyundai Exter is an easy-going option that's also worth a look.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Hyundai Exter

Tata Punch

Citroen C3

Autocar India

•5h

Of the two options on your shortlist, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios automatic is the better choice. It is a small, friendly car to learn in, with light steering, good all‑round view, and a tight turning circle, so parking and U‑turns feel simple. The engine and automatic are smooth at low speeds, and it handles bumps well, which helps in traffic and on broken roads.Know that the Nios is not as roomy as the Baleno, and the boot is smaller. Also, like most budget automatics of this type, you can feel a slight jerk when crawling and stopping in heavy traffic.Pick the Maruti Suzuki Baleno automatic only if you want more cabin space and a calmer feel on occasional highway runs. It is the bigger car and feels more solid at higher speeds, but it is a bit longer to judge in tight lanes, and the view out is not as open as the Nios for a new driver.We'd also recommend you check out the Maruti Suzuki Swift AMT. Like the Grand i10 Nios, the Swift is a friendly pick for a new driver. What works in favour of the Swift is that it's newer and has a more fuel-efficient engine too.

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki Swift