Hi, I prefer a 5-seater or maybe a 6-seater SUV/MUV within a budget of up to ₹25 lakh. It will be driven by a driver. The passenger seat in the back row should be spacious with plenty of legroom. There will be limited city running, with maybe 1-2 outstation trips per month within a range of 300-400km. Please advise. I currently have a Honda City.

Autocar India

•2h

Consider the Hyundai Venue 1.2-litre MT in the HX6 trim. It has recently received a full five-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP and comes with six airbags, ABS with EBD, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. The naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol offers sufficient performance, along with good refinement and efficiency. The official claimed fuel efficiency is 18kpl, and you should get reasonably close to that on a steady highway cruise.Alternatively, if you are looking for a larger car, consider the Kia Seltos HTE with the 1.5-litre NA engine and manual combination, which also offers good efficiency for its size.On the test drive, check if the pick-up from the engine is satisfactory and whether the cabin feels comfortable for longer journeys.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•2h

Go for the Hyundai Venue 1.2-litre MT in HX6T trim. It has the naturally aspirated engine and low maintenance you are looking for, and is very well-equipped for its segment. Your 5,200 km/year running suits a simple NA engine; you avoid turbo complexity while still getting adequate performance for a 50:50 city/highway mix. For everyday use, the NA engine is silent and refined, with good throttle response. The new Venue’s cabin also looks and feels premium, and the space has improved compared to the previous generation.The one thing you give up is outright punch. Quick overtakes above 80kph may need a downshift, whereas small turbo engines feel stronger here. If you find pick-up lacking, then try the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol, which has a lot more power and will make highway journeys easier.On the test drive, check second-gear crawl over speed breakers, in-gear pick-up and highway cruising ability.

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•15h

Between the two, the Hyundai Creta IVT is the better choice, largely due to Hyundai’s wide service network and reputation for hassle-free ownership. You will appreciate its light steering and the IVT’s gentle creep function. The 1.5-litre engine is refined, and the IVT makes good use of the available performance. Ride quality is comfortable, and it is easy to step in and out of, which is important for you. Hyundai’s wide service network also means shorter trips for routine care and faster parts availability, keeping ownership simpler. Opt for the latest model, which was launched in 2024.Also, ideally, buy from sources like Hyundai’s own certified used car platform or trusted outlets like Spinny, which can offer you a warranty.During the test drive, do three park-reverse cycles and a tight U-turn; check thigh support, lumbar comfort, and that brake-to-accelerator transitions feel effortless. Also, ask the dealer about any remaining warranty, along with the terms and conditions of the used-car warranty.

Hyundai Creta