I need an SUV or crossover under Rs 20 lakh on-road that can handle bad roads on a daily basis without major suspension issues and also deliver good mileage. I am open to both diesel and electric vehicle options.

Autocar India

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The Jeep Compass (2026) is offered only with a diesel engine, while the new Renault Duster comes only with a petrol engine. So your choice really begins with the powertrain, depending on the kind of driving you do.The Duster’s 1.3‑litre turbo‑petrol and 6‑speed automatic make it the better urban SUV. It’s smooth, refined, and quite efficient in stop-and-go traffic, while also capable on highways. For its price, it offers impressive comfort and a well‑rounded driving experience.The Compass, on the other hand, has stronger off‑road credentials and feels more rugged overall. Its 2.0‑litre diesel engine paired with a 9‑speed automatic makes it a solid long‑distance cruiser, and its suspension handles rough roads with ease. The cabin quality and premium feel are clearly a notch above the Duster. However, the gearbox can feel a little lazy in city driving, and it’s not as nimble or responsive as the Duster at low speeds.Do note that the Compass is significantly more expensive to buy and maintain, and its rear seat and boot aren’t the most spacious in this segment.If your priorities are value, urban comfort, and practicality, the new Duster is the smarter choice. It’s roomy, easy to live with, and offers great bang for the buck. But if you’re willing to spend more for a tougher, more premium SUV that shines on highways and bad roads, the Compass still has strong appeal.

Jeep Compass

Renault Duster

Autocar India

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Consider the Kia Seltos HTX IVT. The 1.5 litre petrol engine combined to the IVT (CVT) transmission is smooth and refined in most everyday driving conditions. Its easily one of the best CVTs around with little of the typical rubberband effect - where the engine revs rise before you feel a corresponding increase in vehicle speed. Seating comfort is also good with the new car offering a bit more space in the rear where legroom has improved significantly and will suit six-footers, headroom will be about adequate. Three average-sized adults can sit abreast in resonable comfort, and the seatback angle is adjustable. The suspension has been tuned with a focus on improving ride quality - that was firm with the previous car. The cabin interiors are also well built and equipped well, thus the Seltos would suit your requirements quite well.

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

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The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a good choice in the segment, though you will rely heavily on the infotainment screens for many functions, including the AC, which your dad might not appreciate. Consider the Kia Carens Clavis with the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol DCT instead. It has physical controls for major functions and a simpler user interface for the infotainment system. It is also more compact and therefore easier to drive and park in the city, where you will be spending most of your time. Despite its dimensions, the third row in the Kia is actually more usable than the one in the Mahindra. With 90 percent slow city use and a 70-year-old driver, the petrol is a better choice, and you avoid DPF issues that can crop up with limited use.One thing to be aware of: the Carens Clavis won’t ride as plush as the XUV 7XO. If that is a priority, then go for the Mahindra instead. Also, if the Clavis’s MPV-like design doesn’t appeal to you, then consider the Tata Safari petrol.On the test drive, do a long run in bumper-to-bumper traffic and check two things: how the DCT reacts at low speeds and how easy it is for your dad to get in and out of the second and third rows.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Carens Clavis