I have been using a Skoda Superb car for the last few years. I am now planning to buy a new car. For some time now, I have developed knee pain. Considering this, would a SUV be better suited for me as compared to a sedan? Can you please also give me some recommendations for the car? My budget is up to ₹75 lakh.

Autocar India

•1h

The Kia Sonet is an excellent, polished compact SUV. It has got a great interior, and it makes you feel like you've spent your money well. This iteration of the Sonet is due for a generation change, that's slated for a 2027 launch in India. The next-gen Sonet will be based on the new Hyundai Venue's platform, and is likely to share a lot of similarities.Between the two cars you've listed, the Venue is the one to go for. As of today, this Hyundai car, feels more modern, has a brighter interior which adds to its cabin's sense of space, and it is also well-equipped. While both cars share their turbo-petrol engine and dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Venue has a lighter steering, a (relatively) softer suspension setup, which makes it a touch more user-friendly and comfortable.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•3h

You want to build a serious off-road machine and still live with it day to day. In that case, the Fortuner 4x4 AT is the stronger fit for you. It addresses your concerns about rear seats and comfort much better than the Hilux. The Fortuner’s back seat is more relaxed, the ride is softer for passengers, and the cabin works better for friends and family on long drives. Off the road, its shorter length makes it a touch easier on tight, broken paths and over sharp crests.The Hilux does look cooler and the discounts are real, and we get why that tempts you. But its rear seat is upright and space is tighter, and with the empty cargo bed the ride can feel bouncy in the city. The long body can also touch down on sharp humps or ridges. Stock vs stock, neither is clearly 'better' off road. Both Toyota cars share the same strong diesel, four-wheel drive with low range (an extra-low gear for rough ground), and a locking rear axle. Tyres, ground-clearance add-ons, and driver skill will make the bigger difference.If you want a build-first truck and you rarely carry people in the back, the Hilux High 4x4 (MT or AT) then makes sense. The flat load bed is perfect for a winch, spare wheels, jerry cans, and a canopy, and the discount can fund tyres and protection parts. But for mixed daily use plus trail days, the Fortuner 4x4 AT lines up best with what you described.

Toyota Hilux

Toyota Fortuner

Autocar India

•17h

If your goal is a stronger, more exciting drive than the 2023 Creta 1.5, you should opt for the Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus. It is a lower, lighter car with a strong turbo-petrol engine and a quick-shifting DSG gearbox. The Creta's turbo-petrol engine option may have a 10hp advantage on paper, but this one feels far stronger in practice. The steering also feels more direct, so on a fast road, the car goes where you point it with less delay. Coming from your current Hyundai Creta, you will immediately feel the extra shove in the mid-range and the sharper response. There are a couple of trade-offs. You will feel bumps a bit more than in your Creta, and though ground clearance is good, it's not as good as that of an SUV.So, for pure driving fun and a real step-up in how it pulls, go Virtus GT Plus DSG. Apart from everything else, it will also feel like a different car, while another Creta will feel too similar to your 2023 model. Do note, there is a facelift for the Vento coming later in the year, so if you can wait a few months, consider doing that.

Volkswagen Virtus

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•6d

On paper and in real-world ownership, these are very different cars, and the Mahindra XUV 7XO sits in a clear segment above. The XUV 700 is a bigger, more complete SUV. It offers more space, better road presence, stronger performance and a far richer overall experience, including the option of a third row and a more premium cabin. It is designed as a proper family SUV and feels more capable on highways and long drives.The Renault Duster, even in its new form, is a simpler, more driver-focused and lighter SUV. It will likely be easier to drive in the city and feel more rugged and straightforward, but it is still a step down in terms of overall size, features and cabin experience.So the decision really comes down to intent. If you are moving because you want something more compact, easier to use daily and less feature-heavy, then the Duster can make sense. But if you are expecting it to feel like an upgrade or even equal to the XUV700 in terms of space, comfort and overall experience, it will not.

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•6d

Between the three, the Skoda Kylaq is the best automatic for the money. It doesn’t use an AMT but a proper 6‑speed torque-converter with the 1.0 TSI, which is smooth, robust and easily the nicest for your occasional highway runs.The Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.0 turbo also gets the same 6‑speed torque-converter auto, and while it is refined and efficient, it doesn’t have the same solid, European feel or driving dynamics as the Kylaq. However, from an overall cost-of-ownership point of view - price, fuel efficiency and service, the Fronx is likely to work out cheaper.The Tata Nexon in your budget doesn’t get a torque-converter. You mainly have a 6‑speed AMT, which is convenient but nowhere near as smooth or quick as a proper automatic. There is also a 7‑speed DCA dual‑clutch option, which is noticeably better than the AMT, but still not as seamless as the autos in the Kylaq and Fronx, and it can push the price higher.For 11-13 lakh, 1,000km a month in the city and the odd long drive, we would pick the Kylaq auto. If budget discipline and running costs are top priority, go for the Fronx 1.0 turbo automatic.

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•2d

Between the two, the Tata Safari does a great job of projecting toughness. It feels solid, has that reassuring heft, and its suspension setup really shines on broken roads and you can carry speed with confidence and it just shrugs off rough patches.That said, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more rounded package overall. Its 2.2-litre diesel is not just more modern, but also noticeably smoother and stronger than the older Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre unit in the Safari. It delivers better drivability in everyday conditions, which makes a difference in city use as well as on the highway.Mahindra car has also worked well on the suspension, and the improvements show. The 7XO feels more composed, offers better ride comfort over a wider range of surfaces, and is simply easier to drive. It has lighter controls, better balance, and a more user-friendly nature overall.Where the Safari still holds an edge is in the third row. It’s more usable and accommodating, whereas the 7XO’s last row is quite tight and best reserved for occasional use.So unless third-row space is a priority, the 7XO stands out as the better all-rounder. It’s more refined, easier to live with, and ultimately the more modern SUV.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO