Mumbai

Irtiza khan

•30w

I’m currently using a Tata Tiago Diesel XZ (2020) and want to upgrade to a diesel SUV under 4 metres. My daily running is about 15-20km. Please suggest suitable options.

Autocar India

•30w

There are 4 diesel compact SUV options you can choose from. The new second-gen Hyundai Venue makes for a great choice and is now better than its cousin from Kia, the Sonet. The Hyundai and Kia torque converter automatic gearbox is a highlight in case you are looking for an auto.

You could also look at the Mahindra XUV 3XO and Tata Nexon, though we’d recommend the Mahindra car overall. For a detailed comparison between the two, read the Mahindra XUV 3XO vs Tata Nexon diesel article.

Do note, given your limited running, a diesel SUV isn't an ideal choice. Not only will it be more expensive than a petrol SUV to buy, but it will also require more care to keep the systems running without issue. BS6 diesel engines require slightly longer running, ideally on a highway, to let the diesel particulate filter (DPF) regenerate properly.

There are plenty of petrol sub-4m SUVs that you can look at.

Explore cars mentioned

Hyundai

Venue

from ₹9.39 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹8.86 Lakh

Kia

Sonet

from ₹8.63 Lakh

Tata

Nexon

from ₹8.67 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

Mayur

•7h

Hello, I am planning to buy my first car and am seeking a petrol automatic with a good engine, strong reliability, good fuel efficiency, and a 5-star safety rating. I would also like modern features such as a sunroof. I am not considering Maruti Suzuki models. My budget is around Rs. 13-14 lakh, and most of my driving will be on highways. Could you please suggest the best options for my requirements?

Autocar India

•3h

Go for the new Hyundai Venue 1.0 Turbo-petrol DCT HX5 or HX6. It is powered by a good and proven powertrain. Fuel efficiency is at par with what rivals offer in this segment, and there's also an Eco mode, to maximize efficiency. Furthermore, it has scored A BNCAP 5-star safety rating, and it gets features like sunroof, twin-screens, etc. Hyundai's service network is widespread, and overall, your ownership experience is likely to be fuss-free.You could also consider a Skoda Kylaq Signature Plus AT, which will feel more confident to drive on the highway, and it also packs all the goodies that the Hyundai offers.

Hyundai Venue

Skoda Kylaq

Neerav Parmar

•5d

Hi. I have a Maruti Suzuki S-Presso CNG that I bought in August 2020. It has already covered 1,60,000km. My daily running is approximately 115km, with 85% on highways and 15% in mixed city traffic. I want to replace it before Diwali 2026. Please suggest a car for long-term ownership. Should I continue with CNG, or switch to an EV or diesel?

Autocar India

•2d

An EV could make a lot of sense for your usage, but only if you can install a home charger. Covering 115km a day, mostly on the highway, is easy for today’s EVs, and your heavy running will cut fuel and service costs significantly. You will also get much stronger cruising performance and overtaking ability than your S-Presso CNG, with no fuel station queues to worry about.The Tata Nexon EV 45kWh is the sensible pick for value and service network support, and it will comfortably manage two days of driving on a single charge. If you are on a tighter budget, then the Punch EV 40kWh is also a good choice.The honest catch: highway fast chargers can still be patchy on some routes, and the upfront purchase price is higher.If home charging is not possible, then buy a diesel and keep life simple on the highway. The Hyundai Venue diesel and Kia Sonet diesel are both good choices for your needs.

Karthik

Hello, I am looking to buy a diesel SUV in a strict budget of 16 lakhs and have currently down-selected the XUV 3XO and the Hyundai Venue. Actually, I am living in town, so I will drive it in town, or I will get it onto the highway a few times a month. I am confused about purchasing a car between these 2 which car do I need to purchase?

Autocar India

•1d

While both the Mahindra XUV 3XO and Hyundai Venue are competent compact SUVs, the Mahindra offers a more complete package for your budget. The diesel engine is strong and refined, making it well-suited to both town driving and highway trips. It also feels more spacious inside, especially in the rear seat, and offers a richer feature set for the money.The Venue's strengths lie in its proven ownership experience, widespread service network and easy-to-drive nature. However, it feels narrower inside and does not offer the same level of cabin space or overall value as the XUV 3XO.Since you will be using the car both in town and on highways a few times a month, the XUV 3XO's more powerful diesel engine, roomier cabin and better overall value give it an edge.However, if you are specifically considering an automatic diesel, the recommendation shifts towards the Hyundai Venue. The Venue uses a torque-converter automatic gearbox, which is smoother and more refined in everyday driving than the automated manual transmission (AMT) offered on the XUV 3XO diesel. For frequent stop-start driving, the Hyundai's gearbox delivers a noticeably better experience.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Hyundai Venue

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Popular discussions right now

Jayvir Deol

•5d

I want to buy an SUV, and my budget is around 20 lakh. I have seen the MG Hector, the Mahindra XUV and the Tharr Rox. Which car should I buy, and given the current scenarios on the govt policies, should I go for petrol or diesel?

Autocar India

•5d

Pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO. At around Rs. 20 lakh, it gives you the best mix of space, strong performance and safety, and it is far easier to live with every day than the Thar Roxx while being a better value than a low or mid Hector variant. You also get both petrol and diesel choices, so you can match it to your running.Fuel choice is simple. Go petrol if most of your use is in the city or your running is under about 1,200 km a month. It is quieter, has fewer policy worries, and resale stays safe even if some cities tighten diesel rules. Pick diesel only if you drive long highway distances often, want a longer tank range, or haul a full family with luggage regularly.The only real downside with the XUV 7XO is that the fanciest features push you beyond Rs. 20 lakh, and there may be a wait period. If you mainly want a rugged toy, the Thar Roxx is great, but for family life, the XUV 7XO fits better.

Abhishek Das

I am planning to purchase a new automatic car and am confused between the Honda Amaze ZX CVT and the Skoda Kylaq Signature Plus AT. My usage will be around 90% city driving, primarily for office commuting between Dwarka, Delhi and my office near IFFCO Chowk, Gurugram (approximately 25 km one way). However, I will not be driving daily, as I often use the Metro as well. The car will also be driven by my 69-year-old father, so ease of driving, comfort, visibility, ingress/egress, and reliability are important considerations. Our previous car was an Alto K10 Manual, so this will be our first automatic car and a significant upgrade. Considering my usage pattern, family profile and the fact that we intend to keep the car for a long period for around 10 years, which of these two would you recommend?

Autocar India

•6d

Based on your requirement, we would recommend the Honda Amaze ZX CVT over the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ AT. The reason is that your priorities are not outright performance or driving excitement. You are looking for a car that will spend 90% of its life in city traffic, will also be driven by your 69-year-old father, and is expected to stay with the family for around 10 years. In that context, Amaze's strengths line up perfectly with your requirements. The CVT is smoother than the Kylaq's torque converter automatic in stop-and-go traffic, visibility is excellent, the car is easy to place on the road, ingress and egress are straightforward, and Honda's long-term reliability record is hard to fault. Coming from an Alto K10, it will already feel like a substantial upgrade in comfort, refinement and features.The Kylaq Signature Plus AT is the more desirable car from an enthusiast's perspective. The 1.0 TSI turbo petrol has more punch, the higher seating position is nice, and the overall package feels more substantial. However, it is also a larger vehicle to manoeuvre, and while the automatic is good, it is not quite as seamless in everyday traffic as Honda's CVT.Another point in Amaze's favour is that the ZX variant gets Honda Sensing ADAS, which adds useful safety features without making the car complicated to operate. Since your father will also be driving it, that extra layer of safety is a nice bonus.

Honda Amaze

Skoda Kylaq

•2d

I am confused between buying Skoda Kylaq and Kia Seltos. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•2d

Buy the Kia Seltos. It is simply easier to live with for most buyers, thanks to a much wider service network and many more variant and powertrain choices, including good automatics across a wider price range. For daily city runs with the odd highway trip, the Seltos will feel like the more complete package and it has a more spacious and premium cabin. The Skoda Kylaq will suit you only if you really enjoy driving. It feels tighter and more confidence inspiring on the move, and the steering has more feel. If you plan long, frequent road trips and care more about how it drives than gadgets, that’s where the Kylaq shines. The flip side is fewer dealers and fewer variant choices.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kylaq

View all Posts

Posted on: 12 Nov 2025

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I’m currently using a Tata Tiago Diesel XZ (2020) and want to upgrade to a diesel SUV under 4 metres. My daily running is about 15-20km. Please suggest suitable options.

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I’m currently using a Tata Tiago Diesel XZ (2020) and want to upgrade to a diesel SUV under 4 metres. My daily running is about 15-20km. Please suggest suitable options.

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