I want to buy a diesel-powered compact SUV with an automatic transmission and good mileage. My budget is about ₹12 lakhs, and one of the options I am considering is the Tata Nexon Diesel AMT. Kindly suggest.

Autocar India

•6w

The Tata Nexon is a good option to consider. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is quite efficient, and the AMT gearbox is smooth enough for city use. The Nexon is also a very safe car, with a 5-star Global NCAP rating.

What is also segment-best on the Nexon is the ride comfort. The suspension is tuned well for our roads, and it feels confident over bad patches. The feature list is extensive too, with ventilated seats, sunroof, a large and high-resolution touchscreen and a 360-degree camera.

Another car you can consider is the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The diesel engine is very strong and more refined, and the AMT gearbox is smooth. The XUV 3XO is also very safe, with a 5-star Global NCAP rating. The rear seat is more spacious than the Nexon's, but the boot is smaller.

However, out of the two, it is a nicer SUV to drive, but not as good in terms of fuel efficiency. If the economy is the top priority, the Nexon is the one to go for.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Nexon

from ₹8.61 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹8.66 Lakh

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Prasanth

•2d

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car. I prefer SUV style. I have test-driven the 3XO, Nexon, Creta, Kushaq, Kylaq, Brezza, and Taisor. I love the handling of the 3XO diesel. The Creta is a good car, but the base diesel variant is around ₹15 lakh, and a facelift is expected. The Kushaq has good handling, but the engine and tyre noise are annoying. So what should I choose? I am planning for the 3XO MX3 diesel, which is around ₹12 lakh. Your suggestions? For me, good mileage, handling, reliability, and safety are important.

Autocar India

•5h

The XUV 3XO MX3 diesel is a solid choice at Rs 12 lakh. As you pointed out, the handling of the Mahindra XUV 3XO is among the best in its class, and the engine delivers punchy performance along with good fuel efficiency. It has a five-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, so it meets your requirements on that front as well. Mahindra has also done well to make the cabin feel premium, though the layout is starting to show its age. The cabin is comfortable, particularly in the rear seat, but boot space is less than what some rivals offer.If you would like a more modern interior and a bigger boot, then the Hyundai Venue diesel HX5 is a good alternative. It is not as engaging to drive as the Mahindra car, but its diesel engine is very refined, and if you are considering an automatic, it uses a smoother torque-converter unit.Test drive both cars and assess ride comfort, handling and engine responsiveness.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Hyundai Venue

Vignesh

•2d

Recently, I sold my 2012 i20 Magna, which I bought 4 years ago. Fixed my budget to 5 lakhs and looked for a car in second hand market. Then my friends and relatives suggested me to go for a new car. I didn't get any for my budget. So, I increased my budget to 8 lakhs. I've shortlisted Exter, Punch, Magnite and Citroen. First, I visited the TATA showroom. I'm 6'1" tall, and my legs were colliding with the steering wheel, and it was the same with the Altroz. I was shown Nexon, which is more than 10 lakhs, so I went for my other choices. Next, I visited Hyundai, I checked the i20 and the Exter. Same issue with the i20, and I was comfortable with the Exter. So I did not check Nissan and Citroen. The showroom I visited did not offer a Test drive, but the other showroom (PeeYesYem) I enquired offered a test drive and followed up. Then I searched for Cons in Exter, the main thing that can be found on the internet is rear suspension and Body roll. So I waited, then came 3XO into the picture and I seems worth for money. I picked 3XO RevX M, and I visited 3 showrooms, but none of them offered a test drive. Initially, they will ask for arranging the test drive, and then they will arrange it. They don't follow up. One of the showrooms I visited twice, and asked for a test drive. Still, they didn't provide. I gave feedback on the official website as well still no response. The attitude is very poor from the Mahindra sales team across the showroom, so I took a step back. My mind is stuck between Exter SX and 3XO RevXM. Can you please suggest one from above or any other car around 10L? Requirement: Mileage and Value for money. Want to hold for the long term. Thanks a lot!!!

Autocar India

•15m

Between your two choices, the Mahindra XUV 3XO offers more for your money. It sits a segment above the Hyundai Exter and therefore has more interior space. That said, only go ahead with the Mahindra if the showroom is willing to offer a proper test drive.In terms of the powertrain, the XUV 3XO’s turbo-petrol engine offers stronger performance than the Exter’s naturally aspirated unit, while ride and handling are also superior. While you will be giving up some creature comforts compared to the Hyundai, such as a dashcam and keyless entry, the XUV 3XO is still very well equipped for the price. In our real-world tests, the XUV 3XO managed 10.4kpl in the city and 14.9kpl on the highway, which is actually better than what we recorded in the Exter.What you do give up is boot space. Despite its larger size, the XUV 3XO actually has a smaller boot than the Exter. If that is a concern, then consider the Kia Sonet HTK 1.2-litre petrol MT instead.On the test drive, check if the clutch and shifter action are to your liking, and whether performance and refinement meet your expectations.

Nitish

I am planning to buy a new car this month. I am a first-time buyer and a new driver. I am confused between the Tata Nexon Creative Petrol AMT, Skoda Kylaq, and Maruti Suzuki Brezza. My usage will include occasional trips to my hometown (around 120 km from Ranchi to Jamshedpur) and very limited daily office commuting (6-7 km). I am slightly budget-conscious, with a budget of around ₹13 lakh. Please suggest which option would be the best for me.

Autocar India

•1d

For your usage, which is mostly short daily city runs with occasional highway trips, the Tata Nexon Creative Petrol AMT does make a lot of sense. It offers the convenience of an automatic, a comfortable ride and a slightly higher driving position, which helps build confidence for a first-time driver. It also fits well within your ₹13 lakh budget, making it a sensible and practical choice for your needs.However, you should be aware that the AMT gearbox can feel a bit jerky at low speeds in stop-go traffic, which is something you will experience in your daily 6-7 km runs.The Skoda Kylaq is also worth a serious look. In fact, you can get the automatic in the Signature variant at a similar price to the Nexon Creative. While it misses out on a few features, nothing feels like a deal breaker, and it still comes with all the essentials. More importantly, its torque converter automatic is smoother and easier to drive in traffic. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is another strong option, especially for a first-time buyer, as it is very easy to drive, smooth in traffic and known for low running and maintenance costs.So the choice comes down to priorities. If you want to stay strictly within budget and are okay with a slightly less smooth automatic, the Nexon is a good pick. If you want a smoother and more effortless driving experience at a similar price, the Kylaq Signature automatic is a very strong alternative, while the Brezza remains the most fuss-free option overall.

Tata Nexon

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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