I am looking for a petrol SUV with automatic transmission. I have a maximum budget of ₹20 lakh and am confused between the Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos, and Harrier. Please advise which one I should choose.

Autocar India

•2h

For long-term usage, the Toyota Innova HyCross GX (O) and the Maruti Victoris ZXi (O) strong hybrid are safer bets than the Tata Sierra Accomplished+ Turbo Petrol. Both come with a solid reputation for reliability and strong after-sales support, which is what really matters over 8-10 years of ownership.Between the Toyota HyCross and the Victoris, the HyCross is the more comfortable and practical choice. Its very spacious cabin, better third-row usability and comfortable ride make it a nicer long-distance family car. The 2.0-litre petrol engine is simple and proven, and its relaxed highway manners are a big plus if you do a lot of intercity trips.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid scores on efficiency and smoothness thanks to its hybrid powertrain, which is especially nice in traffic and helps keep running costs low. However, the boot is smaller, and the cabin is the least spacious of the three, so it’s not as versatile for full-family use. If you mainly drive yourself with only occasional passengers, the Victoris, which is also the most compact and city-friendly of the lot, is the easiest to live with in daily urban driving.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Sierra

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Autocar India

•21h

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT, which seems like the best fit among these three for your needs. It's not quite as spacious as the Kia Seltos, but for a family of four, there's more than enough space. And it's not as exhilarating as the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI to drive, but it's still quite enjoyable and far more fuel efficient for your usage of roughly 40km per day in the city. While all three cars have decent warranties, with the ability to extend them for a fee, but Honda offers a unique 'Anytime Warranty' which lets you extend in increments of 1-year/20,000km for up to 10 years. Plus, Honda is known for its reliability and rock-solid after-sales experience, which should give you the best overall long-term experience. The downside is that the Elevate is a bit plain and not quite as well equipped as the others, but then it is also considerably more affordable. Your next best bet is the Kia Seltos, but be prepared to shell out a bit more money for spec.

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•22h

For your usage, which is largely highway driving with some hilly terrain, the Kia Seltos turbo automatic makes more sense as an overall package. The difference in torque figures between it and the Renault Duster is not something you will notice in isolation, as both offer strong mid-range performance. In real-world conditions, it is more about how the power is delivered than the number itself.Where the Seltos has an edge is in terms of overall ease of ownership. Kia’s wider service reach and more established support network make it a more predictable choice, especially if you are planning to keep the car long term and will be driving across varied terrain. The Duster, on the other hand, is an all-new product, so while it promises to be a tough, no-nonsense SUV, real-world long-term ownership experience is still an unknown at this stage.The missing spare wheel in the Duster is also something to consider seriously for your usage. In hilly areas, having a proper spare is important, as puncture kits may not be sufficient in case of a major tyre issue like a side wall cut.

Renault Duster