I currently drive a Volkswagen Polo petrol, and my yearly running is around 15,000-20,000 km. I am now planning to buy a diesel manual SUV with a budget of around ₹15 lakh on-road. I am mainly confused between the Tata Nexon diesel manual and the Kia Sonet diesel manual. Could you please suggest which would be the better option for me?

autocar.india

•18h

We would recommend the Tata Nexon Diesel over the Punch if you regularly drive in the hills. The diesel engine's strong low end torque makes climbing steep inclines much easier, especially with a full load of passengers or luggage. It also requires fewer gear changes on winding roads and feels much more relaxed than the Punch's naturally aspirated petrol engine.The Nexon is also the better all round vehicle. It has a more planted feel at highway speeds, a larger cabin, a bigger boot and better long distance comfort. If your hill trips are frequent or you live in a hilly area, the diesel suits this usage very well. Just ensure you also undertake regular longer drives, as modern diesels are happiest when they get enough running to keep the emissions system healthy.The Punch is a good choice if your driving is almost entirely in the city and you want a smaller, easier to park SUV. However, for hill driving, especially with family or luggage, it can feel underpowered compared to the Nexon diesel.

Tata Nexon

Tata Punch

autocar.india

•1d

We'd recommend the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ Manual. If driving pleasure is your top priority, the Kylaq remains the more rewarding car. In our comparison, it stood out as the best driver's car in the segment, with sharp steering, a well-balanced chassis and an excellent ride and handling combination. This Skoda car's front seats are also among the most supportive in the class, making it a great companion for long drives.The Hyundai Venue has, however, made a big leap forward. Its cabin is a noticeable improvement over the previous model, rear seat space is much better, and it now feels like a far more rounded SUV. In fact, it emerged as the overall winner in our comparison because it doesn't have any major weaknesses. It may not be the most exciting car to drive, but it does everything very well, from comfort and practicality to features and everyday usability.The decision, therefore, comes down to your priorities. If you enjoy driving and want a more engaging car, the Kylaq is still our pick. If you're looking for the most well-rounded package with a more premium cabin and better all-around usability, the Venue makes a very strong case.Since you've already driven both and liked them, we'd suggest taking your family along for one final test drive. If your heart still says Kylaq, then go with it. If your head says Venue, you won't be disappointed either, as it is currently one of the most complete compact SUVs on sale.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

•2d

Stick with the Exter CNG, you liked its easy drive, light clutch and smooth shifts - that matters every single day in traffic. You also already have a good experience with Hyundai’s CNG with your Aura and so you can expect much the same experience with the Hyundai and keeping it healthy to 3 lakh km is realistic without surprises. The Nexon CNG is tempting for comfort and looks and yes the ride is better too, but Tata Motor's dealer network quality varies a lot from city to city and with your plan of keeping it for quite a few years and clocking 3 lakh kms you will need a good proven dealer support which may not be the case with the Tata dealer in your area. Go with the Nexon only if you are absolutely confident of the dealer reputation, else stick with the Exter.

Hyundai Exter

Tata Nexon