All the cars you have shortlisted are good options, but you should take a closer look at the Mahindra XUV 3XO. It offers a spacious and comfortable cabin that can seat 5 adults, and it has also received a full 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP.The Mahindra XUV 3XO is equipped with two turbo-petrols and one diesel engine option, all of which can be had with an automatic gearbox. Since your usage isn't high, go for the 1.2-litre MPFi turbo-petrol version with the 6-speed torque converter automatic. Go for the AX5 variant, which costs around Rs 13.3 lakh on-road, and comes with features like a sunroof, cruise control, 360-degree parking camera, auto climate control, electronic parking brake and much more.

Between the two, considering your budget, we would suggest going for the new Tata Sierra over the Creta.The Hyundai Creta is still a competitive product, but the Sierra has moved the game forward. It is larger on the outside, more spacious inside, and comes equipped with premium features, including a triple-screen layout and a powered tailgate. In turbo petrol automatic form, the Sierra is well matched to Hyundai’s turbo petrol DCT and, in fact, feels smoother at city speeds thanks to its torque converter gearbox. It also feels more confident at higher speeds, and combined with the roomier and more comfortable cabin, makes for a better long-distance car.That said, if you are looking at a diesel, the Hyundai diesel engine is more refined of the two. Similarly, in the case of naturally aspirated petrol engines, there is no real competition. Hyundai’s 1.5-litre NA petrol is superior on all counts, and its CVT automatic is smoother than Tata’s dual clutch transmission.One reason to be cautious about the Creta is that it is expected to be replaced early next year, which means it could start to feel dated sooner.Another car you should definitely consider is the new Kia Seltos. It carries over the Creta’s strengths thanks to shared powertrains, but builds on them by being a newer generation car. It is larger than the Creta, even longer than the Sierra, offers more space than the Creta, has the most premium interiors of the three, and also undercuts the Sierra by over Rs 1 lakh, making it a very strong value

Unfortunately, we will not know the price of the new Renault Duster for at least 6 to 8 weeks. Worse still, Renault has chosen not to offer an automatic gearbox option with the smaller, less powerful 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, even though the same engine is offered with a CVT in the smaller Renault Kiger.However, Renault has been known to undercut rivals in each of the segments it operates in, and there may be a chance that the new Duster with the 1.3-litre turbo petrol and DCT auto could fit in your budget of Rs 12 lakh.If not, you could consider other compact SUVs, such as the Maruti Suzuki Brezza or the Tata Nexon, which are similarly tough SUVs that will get you an automatic at your budget, albeit in a slightly smaller size.

It really depends on what you prefer: a car from a higher segment that is nicer to drive but has fewer features, or a car from a lower segment that offers far more premium features.For daily commutes, the Hyundai i20 IVT (CVT) works beautifully. It is silky smooth, and the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine has enough poke for quick overtakes at lower speeds. Combined with its compact dimensions, it is very easy to drive, which is a big plus for a first-time buyer. It is only on the highway where it can feel a bit underpowered, and this is where the 1.0-litre turbo DCT in the Venue has a clear advantage.The new Venue is spacious enough for a family of four. The 1.0-litre turbo engine with the DCT is smooth in the city, but what makes it more versatile is the fact that it feels far more effortless on open roads compared to the i20 IVT. It is also easy to drive, with good all-around visibility. That said, the most affordable Venue variant with the DCT is the HX5, which is still over ₹12 lakh on road and only offers basic features. With the i20, however, you can get the top Asta (O) variant, which comes loaded with premium features, including a Bose audio system.So, the final choice really comes down to what you value more: driving ease and premium features, or an SUV that offers greater comfort and better highway performance.