My budget is ₹11 lakh. I want a petrol manual car with good safety and features. Which car should I go for?

Autocar India

•1d

Get the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic. It fits within Rs. 18-20 lakh, is compact enough to be easy in Mumbai traffic, and the turbo-petrol with the smooth automatic has the kind of mid-range shove that makes quick gaps, and flyover overtakes feel natural after an XUV500. You also get auto AC, central locking, power windows and a reverse camera in the Ambition/Style trims.What makes it work in the city is the clean, creep-friendly automatic and light steering, without the heat worries some dual-clutch setups can have in bumper-to-bumper. On the highway, it feels stable and confident, and the 1.0 turbo pulls stronger than most 1.5 NA rivals, so you won’t feel shortchanged when you need to get a move on.It isn’t as wide or roomy as your old XUV500, and fully loaded hill climbs won’t feel as effortless as a big diesel, but for daily Mumbai use with regular weekend runs, it strikes a good balance within your budget.If you want even more punch, consider the Renault Duster. Its wet-clutch DCT is smoother than the dry-clutch units found in cars such as the Kia Seltos, and it is less prone to overheating in stop-and-go traffic. On the downside, fuel efficiency is not particularly impressive, and rear seat space is more restricted than in the Skoda Kushaq.

Skoda Kushaq

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•5h

For your requirements, the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Maruti Suzuki Brezza are the options to consider. The Tata Nexon feels tough, and its suspension does a great job on broken roads, which you encounter frequently. Performance is decent, but the manual gearbox is not the slickest. The Mahindra XUV 3XO delivers stronger performance, and you'll also appreciate the ride and handling balance. It tackles bad roads comfortably, and as a bonus, it's the roomiest for five passengers in case that's a requirement. However, fuel economy isn't the best. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza also makes for a sensible choice. It delivers a comfortable ride quality even on poor roads, while its naturally aspirated petrol engine delivers consistently good fuel economy. Maruti's hassle-free service is a big point in the Brezza's favour too.

Tata Nexon

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Autocar India

•17h

Mostly city use in Hyderabad and a few long trips - in that brief, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic fits you best among your picks. It pulls strongly when you need to pass, so you won’t face the same dull pick-up you felt in the Brezza, and it stays steady at highway speeds. The AC cools the cabin quickly, and the rear seat is shaped well for a child seat with one adult beside it.A few watch-outs: the boot is not very big, so check whether your stroller fits. It also lacks ventilated seats, which is something you might want. Alternatively, consider the Kia Syros if you want a roomier cabin and a bigger boot.If a Honda Elevate fits your budget, it would be a better choice than the sub-4 metre SUVs, but you might have to opt for a lower trim and miss out on some features. Overall, the Mahindra is a good fit for your needs.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Kia Syros

Honda Elevate