Hello, we are a family of five and want a sub-4-metre automatic SUV for occasional city use (~30%) and mostly highway trips. Annual driving will be under 1,500 km. We need a safe, comfortable car with a good ownership experience. We’re torn between diesel and petrol automatics and deciding between Hyundai Venue AT variants (HX5 Diesel AT, HX6 Petrol AT, Venue N Line N6 AT) and Mahindra 3XO variants (RevX A AT, AX5 AT). Please advise which is the better choice.

Asked by: Deepesh

Considering your needs, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 in diesel-automatic guise will be a good option. While the Hyundai Venue is newer, the XUV has a more spacious rear seat and is better for five passengers.

It also has a more comfortable ride, and the engine is refined, too. Yes, the AMT gearbox in the XUV will not be as smooth as the automatic in the Venue, but that is a small compromise in what is an otherwise compelling package.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Answered by

Autocar India Team

Nov 30, 2025

Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts

Help and Support

Latest questions

Asked by: Roshan Hi Autocar, I have booked the Creta King Edition 1.5 Turbo DCT. Now, as the new Kia Seltos is in line for launch, should I wait for it or go ahead with my booked car? When can we expect the delivery of the new-gen Kia Seltos? I am quite impressed by the co-passenger electric seat in the Creta King. Will we get that in the next-gen Kia Seltos? While we don't have the features list for the new Kia Seltos yet, it is likely that it will get a powered front passenger seat with a boss mode for operation from the rear as well. We will know more when the new Kia Seltos makes its world debut on December 10.This new-gen Kia car is expected to grow in size, with the price announcement not before January 2026, and deliveries only later in Q1 2026.Therefore, if you'd prefer to get your car sooner, you might be better off going ahead with your booking of the Hyundai Creta King. It remains the midsize SUV segment benchmark for now and is a well-rounded and fully loaded package.

Autocar India Team

Dec 06, 2025

Asked by: Jayant Parihar Hello team, I read your blogs regularly and value your reviews. Please guide me on which car I should buy from my shortlisted options. This will be my first car, and I enjoy driving. My requirements are a minimalist design (not too many gadgets), a manual transmission, good comfort and space, and a roomy boot. I’ve shortlisted the Volkswagen Virtus, Honda Amaze, and Hyundai Basalt. My budget is ₹12–14 lakh. Please advise. Thank you for your support. We're happy to help! Coming to your question, the Honda Amaze, while practical and comfy, does not have the driving thrill you would want. The Volkswagen Virtus, while impressive, will not fit in your budget apart from the base variant, which isn't too impressive. The Citroen Basalt X will be a good pick out of this lot. It has a punchy turbo-petrol engine that is lovely to drive, the ride comfort is excellent, and it has a large boot as well. Also, while it is feature-packed, it isn't unnecessarily complicated, and the functions are easy to use. The Basalt X would be our recommendation.

Autocar India Team

Dec 05, 2025

Asked by: Akshit I’m looking for a 7-seater EV for daily commuting and occasional long trips. My immediate family is four people, but since my extended family often visits, I need the extra seating. The Kia Carens Clavis EV would be a great choice for you. It is hugely practical with a spacious cabin, the EV powertrain is smooth and efficient, and it isn't uncomfortably large to drive as a daily car. It gets a feature-rich cabin, well-sorted ergonomics, comfy ride and seats and Kia's reliability and after-sales. It is a hassle-free car to own, and one that is our top recommendation.

Autocar India Team

Dec 05, 2025

Asked by: Ram I currently own a 2020 Tata Tiago petrol, and have driven about 100,000 km over the last five years. I’m now looking to upgrade. I expect to drive around 1,800–2,000 km per month. My budget is ₹10-12 lakh, and I’m considering switching to a diesel car. Given my usage, would you recommend switching to diesel or sticking with petrol - and which car should I upgrade to? Considering your high annual usage, a diesel SUV would be a better choice for you. The Kia Sonet with a diesel engine would be a good upgrade for you. It has a torquey 1.5-litre diesel engine that is refined and has good punch on highways while also being efficient. The 6-speed manual gearbox is slick to use, and within your budget, you can opt for the Kia Sonet HTK+ trim that gets a well-appointed cabin as well. Equipment like automatic climate control, reversing camera with sensors and a better quality interior and bigger boot tips the scales to the Sonet.

Autocar India Team

Dec 05, 2025

View all questions

Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts

Help and Support