Latest questions answered by experts

Autocar India

•1h

While both SUVs are strong contenders, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza offers a more polished and well-rounded ownership experience. The CNG integration feels very well sorted, fuel efficiency is excellent, and Maruti's service network and long-term reliability are major advantages. It is also one of the few CNG SUVs that does not feel significantly compromised in everyday driving.The Tata Nexon iCNG counters with a stronger safety package, a more modern cabin and a larger feature list. It also benefits from Tata's twin-cylinder CNG setup, which preserves a usable boot. The Brezza CNG, meanwhile, is available only with a manual gearbox.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•2h

Consider the Kia Seltos HTK 1.5 petrol, manual. It suits your use because you already have the Tata Tiago EV for 100 km daily runs, so a simple petrol makes more sense than a costly diesel. The Kia Seltos is well-equipped on the lower trims and will feel like a significant upgrade over your Brezza, gives decent highway economy, and Kia service has a good reputation.For family drives, it’s roomy, the ride is comfy, the cabin feels airy, and you get a big, useful boot. On the odd office run, the manual is light and easy to use, but alternatively, the IVT will make city driving even more effortless.One thing to note is that with a full load and luggage, it feels just “enough” for quick overtakes.If you don't need something quite as big, the Hyundai Venue is a solid choice too.

Kia Seltos

Tata Tiago EV

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•3h

The Skoda Kylaq Automatic would be the top recommendation for your requirements. Coming from a Tiago, the Kylaq will feel like a substantial upgrade in terms of performance, refinement, ride quality and overall sophistication. Its turbo-petrol engine paired with the automatic gearbox is smooth and responsive in city driving, while also being reasonably efficient for a compact SUV. Given that 90% of your usage is in the city, it strikes an excellent balance between ease of driving, comfort and fuel economy.The Mahindra XUV 3XO Automatic would be the second choice. It offers a more spacious cabin, especially for rear-seat passengers, and comes loaded with features. However, despite being roomier inside, it has a smaller boot than the Kylaq, and real-world fuel efficiency is unlikely to be quite as good.As for hybrids, there are currently no strong hybrid SUVs available within your Rs 12-14 lakh budget. Models such as the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid and Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid sit in a significantly higher price bracket.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Autocar India

•4h

Of your three shortlisted SUVs, the Hyundai Venue 1.0 T-GDi makes the most sense as it's the best all-rounder in the segment. It's got a good blend of performance and efficiency, maintenance is relatively cheap and hassle-free, and there are loads of features on offer, even in mid-level variants. It offers a good mix of rear-seat space and boot volume, which are both big improvements on the last-gen Venue. If there's a downside, it's that its DCT automatic can be jerky in low-speed traffic, and needs to be driven with this in mind. The manual, meanwhile, has a light and smooth clutch and gearshift action, so consider it as well.The Mahindra XUV 3XO scores high on performance, with the strongest engine in the class, and it has great space inside the cabin. Its downside, however, is that boot space is not so great, and neither is fuel economy. The Tata Nexon is also a decent all-rounder, but in most areas, it can't quite keep up with the newer and more polished Venue. Overall, the Venue is the one we think you should go for.Diesel is certainly a feasible option if you plan to keep the car for 5 years, and the mileage will certainly be better. But these engines are nowhere near as refined or punchy as their petrol counterparts, and thanks to newer emissions mitigation technology, they're far more expensive to buy, and require extra maintenance to run. Thus, for your usage, and for a first car, we would stick to petrol.

Hyundai Venue

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•5h

Since you travel around 30km on the highway every day, the TVS iQube ST 5.3kWh makes more sense because its larger battery pack gives you a substantial range buffer, meaning you won't need to charge it very often.At higher highway speeds, EVs tend to consume more energy than they do in city conditions, where speeds are generally lower. In that regard, a larger battery pack is a significant advantage.On top of that, the iQube is as straightforward and easy-going as an electric scooter can be. It feels very much like a conventional scooter to ride and live with, apart from the EV-specific traits of silent operation and instant torque. It has also built a strong reputation in the market, with very few issues reported so far, and it benefits from the backing of an established manufacturer like TVS.