The Tata Sierra and Mahindra XUV700 are slightly different vehicles, and it depends on your requirements and priorities. Also, the Mahindra XUV700 is due to be discontinued and replaced in Jan 2026 with the XUV7X0, which is essentially an upgraded XUV700.If you want power and performance, the Mahindra XUV 7XO, with its strong petrol and diesel engine options, is the one for you. However, the petrol engine is a bit of a guzzler and will burn a hole in your pocket. Another reason to buy the XUV7X0 is the space and the on-board tech, which is very impressive.The Tata Sierra is a more compact car, which makes it much easier to park and manoeuvre, and overall it's easier to drive thanks to fantastic all-round visibility. The Sierra’s 1.5 turbo-petrol, though nowhere near as powerful as the XUV7X0’s 2-litre petrol, is smooth and strong enough to give you enough punch for everyday driving. Also, a plus is the 6-speed auto, which is jerk-free and refined.The Sierra’s long-term performance is not yet known, and Tata’s poor reputation for quality and service precedes it. However, since it's made in a new plant with a far better quality culture, we are hopeful that with the Sierra, Tata will put this reputation behind it. We would lean towards the Sierra as it's a similar kind of car to the Hyundai Creta, which you are currently using.

We recommend the Hyundai Exter, a very well-rounded compact car with a refined engine, good features, and the AMT is the smoothest in the segment. The ride and handling are also excellent, and being a crossover, it has good ground clearance too to make easy work of bad roads, both on the highway and in the city. The Hyundai Exter SX variant will fit your budget.

Yes, NVH levels in the Honda Elevate are quite high, and thus, if it's only the ghats and long drives that you are considering, the Honda City will do just fine. Moreover, the City will be more fuel efficient than the Elevate, even more so if you get the hybrid version, thus you will save on fuel bills during your long-distance travels. The only downside of the City is that its ground clearance is low, which can be a problem on bad roads. However, if you are not going to go off-roading and the roads in your area are generally in good condition, this should not be a deal-breaker.

We would advise you to look at other options than the Royal Enfield Bear 650 because we found the rear suspension to be very stiff in our time with it. This means that on less-than-perfect city roads, your back will bear the brunt of the bumps, which won't be ideal given your long daily commute.Instead, we would recommend you look at the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 because it has much better suspension comfort and will have exciting performance while also fitting in your price range. If your heart is set on a 650cc bike, then the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is the best bet for city use with its supple suspension, neutral ergonomics and creamy smooth engine. Take a test ride and decide before you buy.