Hi Autocar, I own a 2021 Nexon XZA+S Petrol and am now looking for a replacement. My annual running is around 15,000 km, mostly in the city, with decent highway runs every alternate month. We’re a couple with two children under 10. My requirements are an automatic gearbox, family comfort, great driving dynamics, good boot space, and a good music system for long drives. My budget is a maximum of ₹30 lakh OTR in Gurgaon.

Autocar India

•4d

Given your requirements, the Skoda Slavia would be a good option to consider. Within the Slavia range, we would recommend the 1.5-litre TSI engine with the DSG gearbox. This will give you the enthusiastic driving dynamics you want, which frankly, no mid-size SUV can offer. It also has fantastic handling manners and is extremely stable on the highways. The bootspace at 521 litres is massive, and it has a good ground clearance to clear most of our badly built roads.

In the city, the Slavia also gets cylinder deactivation that helps save fuel, and it is light and breezy to manoeuvre. Also, the music system in the Slavia is one of the best stock systems out there. It is punchy, clear and feels properly high-end. If you're an audiophile, you will enjoy it compared to any other car or SUV south of Rs 30 lakh.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Slavia

from ₹11.30 Lakh

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HARSHIT

•3d

I bought a Slavia 1.5 automatic last October for highway use and have been using it in Chandigarh for local travel too. Having driven it to Dehradun and Massoorie during bad weather. I would say you do not need to worry about the ground clearance. The only qualm I have with the car is the rear view camera as I would suggest you upgrade it because you can't really see much out of the rear view mirror. I haven't test driven the Kushaq but the sitting was good in that as well. I would suggest you test drive that car as well if you want to go for an SUV

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BJP

•1d

I currently own a Renault Duster and have been driving it since 2016. As I am planning to upgrade, I am looking for an automatic petrol SUV with an on-road budget of around ₹30 lakh. I live in Pune, and my daily commute is about 40 km (home-office-home). Around 60% of this drive is on the highway, although traffic in the evenings is usually slow.I would prefer an SUV with good boot space, strong ground clearance, good safety, and modern features. Could you please suggest which car would be the best option for my requirements?

Autocar India

•21h

At this budget, your best bet is the Mahindra XUV 7XO. It's spacious, comfortable and loaded with features, and will feel like a worthy upgrade to your Renault Duster. Your daily usage isn't that much, but since a large chunk of it is on the highway, you'll appreciate the XUV 7XO's stability, ground clearance and good ride quality. And as safety is a priority, you'll be happy to know it comes with a long list of standard safety kit, and has been given a 5-star crash test rating by Bharat NCAP. Whether you choose the petrol or the diesel is really a matter of preference, given your limited usage, and both come with smooth automatic gearboxes to help make your commute a little less tiresome.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Sant

•2d

I am looking to buy a new car, preferably an SUV with an automatic gearbox. My previous car was the Hyundai Elite i20, and now I am looking for something more comfortable, premium, and reliable. My budget is around ₹22 lakh, and my usage will be less than 1,000 km per month, mostly city driving with occasional long trips. I have already booked the Tata Sierra, but I am now having second thoughts due to the long waiting period and concerns about Tata’s service and reliability. I am open to other brands as well, but would prefer petrol or hybrid engine options. What would you recommend?

Autocar India

•23h

With your running of less than 1,000 km a month, going for a strong hybrid may not really make sense. Hybrids typically justify their higher price only when the running is higher, and you are able to recover the extra cost through fuel savings.In your case, we would suggest considering the Hyundai Creta turbo-petrol with the 7-speed DCT automatic. Since your previous car was the Hyundai i20, you are already familiar with the Hyundai brand and its ownership experience. The Creta’s 1.5-litre turbo petrol paired with the DCT offers strong performance and smooth shifting, making it both enjoyable on the highway and easy to drive in the city.Another strong option to consider is the Kia Seltos turbo-petrol with the 7-speed DCT. The Seltos is the newer car, slightly bigger and more spacious than the Creta, yet priced very similarly. It uses the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine paired with a DCT gearbox that delivers quick and smooth shifts.

Hyundai Creta

Kia New Seltos

Rachna Hans

•2d

I have been driving a Hyundai Santro (AMT) for the last six years, and now I am planning to upgrade with a budget of ₹12-13 lakh. My current car has done only 15,000 km in six years, so my usage is relatively low. In my next car, I am looking for features like a reverse camera, Android Auto, and voice commands to make driving easier. I am interested in the Kia Seltos, Kia Sonet, and Tata Nexon, but I am open to other suggestions as well. Which car would you recommend?

Autocar India

•1d

The Hyundai Venue will feel like a big upgrade from your Hyundai Santro AMT. The turbo petrol engine paired with the DCT gearbox offers strong performance and smooth shifts, which makes driving in the city effortless. It also gets features like a reverse camera, Android Auto connectivity and voice commands that you are specifically looking for. Overall, it will be a noticeable step up in terms of power, features, space and overall comfort.Among the other cars you mentioned, the Kia Sonet is also a good option. However, the Venue is the newer car and is more spacious. Also, a replacement for the Sonet is expected next year, which means it may feel dated sooner. The Tata Nexon petrol is another option that offers good space and a comfortable ride, but the Venue feels more refined and easier to drive and is the newer car as well. As for the Kia Seltos, it is a good SUV, but it belongs to a higher segment and will stretch well beyond your ₹12-13 lakh budget in comparable variants.

Hyundai Venue

Kia New Seltos

Tata Nexon

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