If you travel 140km every day, an electric vehicle (EV) would be a good choice. The running cost of an EV is much lower than that of a petrol or diesel car, and the maintenance costs are also lower.The only downside is that the initial cost of an EV is higher than that of a petrol car. However, the running cost savings will help you recover this cost over time.If you are looking for a compact SUV for city commutes, you can consider the Tata Punch EV, which is a good option.

Without knowing further requirements, it is hard to recommend the ideal pick for you. However, we feel the New Kia Seltos will be the best pick in your budget. Prices will only be announced on January 2, but assuming a reasonable increase over current model prices, you should be able to get a decently equipped model within Rs 17 lakh. The Seltos has the edge over the other two with a far superior naturally-aspirated petrol engine. The Seltos also scores for space. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is a sensible package and is good value. However, the dull engine and relatively small cabin mark it down. Tata's Sierra is the roomiest of the three options, but versions within your budget miss many features that you'd expect. The bigger issue is that the Sierra's 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine feels underpowered, and performance is disappointing.

All the models you have shortlisted have their highlights and weaknesses. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is a well-rounded vehicle that excels in space and comfort. Maruti's service network is a huge plus in its own right. However, as you rightly identified, the Brezza is not exciting to drive. This Maruti Suzuki car's performance is fine in city driving conditions, and it will cruise comfortably on the highway. But the engine lacks punch in case that's important to you. If strong performance and good handling are requirements, the Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO are the ones to be most interested in. Both models are good to drive, but fuel economy could be a concern in bumper-to-bumper city driving. We feel you will find a good balance in the Hyundai Venue 1.0 Turbo DCT. The engine is strong enough, and the gearshifts are also nice and quick. DCTs do tend to fumble at low speeds and aren't as smooth as torque converter autos. Although, it's not really an issue and surely not to the extent of avoiding the gearbox type altogether. Fuel economy should also be better than what you'd get with a torque converter. The new Venue is also quite a wholesome package. The cabin is quite spacious, and the material quality is impressive.

Since you are a new driver, we would recommend that you go for an automatic car. This will make your driving experience much easier and stress-free.In your budget, you can consider the Maruti Suzuki Swift, which is available with a 5-speed AMT automatic gearbox. The Swift is a fairly spacious and practical hatchback that is easy to drive and own. Prices for the Maruti Swift AMT range from Rs 7.04 lakh to Rs 8.65 lakh (ex-showroom).Alternatively, you could consider the Hyundai i20, which comes with a more spacious cabin and a smoother CVT automatic gearbox.