Hi, currently I have been driving a Honda Amaze diesel top model since 2019. Now I want to upgrade my car to an SUV. My daily running is 45 km and monthly up to 1300 km, with 20% in the city and 80% on the highway. Please suggest a fuel-efficient and safety-loaded SUV under an ₹11-12 lakh budget. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•49m

If an upgrade necessarily means a larger car for you, the Mahindra 3XO won't be the right move after a Honda City. You'd be best served by midsized SUVs, which measure between 4.3 and 4.5m. Of the current crop of mid-sized SUVs, the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta and Tata Sierra are the best-rounded. The new-gen Renault Duster that launches on March 17 also has promise.If vehicle size isn't a dealbreaker, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a good pick. It's got powerful petrol engines, feels solid, and ride and handling are also impressive. The interior is also spacious for what is a compact SUV, and higher-spec versions pack in loads of equipment too. In fact, a fully-loaded 3XO is better equipped than a fully-loaded City.Within the compact SUV segment, you could also consider the Hyundai Venue, which is a well-rounded package.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Honda City

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Tata Sierra

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•1h

The Tata Sierra is the most practical option for you. It has a spacious cabin, a comfortable ride, and a punchy petrol engine. What helps its case in the city, especially compared to the other two, is the compact dimensions that make it easy to park and manage in traffic. The turbo-petrol engine with the DCT would be our recommendation as the naturally aspirated version lacks performance. The automatic gearbox is smooth, the engine is refined, and the ride comfort is excellent. It is also fresh on the inside with the latest tech and features.However, if you have a big family and a third row is a must, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is a good option. It has a strong and refined petrol engine, and it also has a comfy ride. But you will have to manage its size in the city, and it will not be as easy as the Sierra.The Mahindra Thar Roxx is not as comfortable as the Tata Sierra or the XUV 7XO. It has a lot of character in its design, but lacks the plush ride of the Sierra and the premiumness of the 7XO. If you don't venture off the tarmac or don't do much off-roading, best to avoid the Roxx. The Sierra would be a good fit overall.

Tata Sierra

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Autocar India

•2h

The Skoda Yeti was a unique and very special SUV, and there's nothing quite like it on the market anymore. In fact, the entire Rs 30-40 lakh space is virtually empty at the moment, with only a few electric cars filling it, and diesel options on the whole are becoming fewer by the day.You should definitely retain the Yeti for as long as you can, but with the knowledge that it will become more difficult and expensive to maintain with each passing year. 130,000km is a lot of mileage, and the model has long been discontinued globally, after all.Your best bet in that price range that will give you something close to that tough, adventurous feel the Yeti was so good at delivering is the Jeep Meridian. Like the Yeti, it feels solid yet luxurious, has a strong diesel engine and comes with the option of 4x4; the advantage here is that it gets an automatic option as well.

Jeep Meridian