I currently own a VW Polo that has done around 50,000 km. I am looking to upgrade to a midsize SUV. I have shortlisted the Duster 1.0, Creta S(O), and Nexon Creative diesel. I drive 90% on highways. My budget is Rs 18 lakh. My requirement is low maintenance and good mileage.

autocar.india

•7h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 automatic. At Rs 13.5 lakh on-road, it gives you everything you've asked for: a smooth automatic, strong safety, and a roomy cabin, and keeps you comfortably within budget. Its 1.2 turbo-petrol engine is paired with a proper torque-converter automatic, which is smooth in town and relaxed on the highway. This Mahindra car also has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, and its wide cabin seats five better than most compact SUVs. The one weak spot is the boot, which is small.Stretching to the Hyundai Creta EX(O) only makes sense if you need the extra space. It's a size up, with a roomier rear seat and a bigger boot. But that's Rs 3-3.5 lakh more for a lower-spec variant, and an all-new Creta is due next year. If this Hyundai car appeals, wait for the new one rather than buying the current one now.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Hyundai Creta

autocar.india

•9h

Go for the new Kia Seltos petrol, and there's no need to wait. Your driving is fairly light: short daily runs plus a 200km trip every fortnight, and that's exactly what the 1.5 petrol with the IVT gearbox does well. It's smooth in Bangalore traffic and settles down nicely on the highway. A diesel only pays off if you drive a lot more than you do. A strong hybrid would sip less fuel in town, but it costs more and eats into the boot, and you've said boot space matters.As for waiting, the Seltos you're looking at is the brand-new generation, so it isn't about to be replaced. If you want a second opinion on the road, drive the Hyundai Creta too, but keep in mind that an all-new one is due next year.On buying in Gujarat, we'd advise against it. Road tax goes to the state where the car is registered and used. Once it's running in Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh, you'll have to re-register it and pay tax there anyway. Whatever you save upfront will likely disappear, and you'll have the paperwork on top. Register the car where you live and drive most, and check the exact charges with your local RTO.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

autocar.india

•15h

Go for the Hyundai Creta automatic. At 73, your priorities are clear: ease of use, comfort and a stress-free ownership experience. The Creta’s automatic gearbox is smoother and more refined than the Honda Elevate’s CVT, especially in stop-start traffic, and the overall ride quality is softer and more comfortable, which makes a real difference on longer journeys. The front seats are comfy, and the cabin feels more premium and better insulated from road noise.The Honda Elevate is a good car, but its CVT can feel strained under hard acceleration, and the ride is a bit firmer. Do note, however, that there is a completely new-generation Creta due in about 4 to 5 months' time, so we would recommend you wait for that if you can, or bargain hard for a good deal on the current car.

Hyundai Creta

Honda Elevate