Both the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta are mechanically identical, so you can pick either one without any hesitation. That being said, Kia recently launched the new-gen Seltos, which has a more spacious cabin, more features and a comfier rear seat than the Creta. Both SUVs are powered by the punchy 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that's paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Alternatively, if you love driving, the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq might be worth considering. Both these SUVs come with a 150hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol with a 7-speed DCT gearbox and offer better handling than the Kia and Hyundai cars.

Unfortunately, there aren't many cars that would meet all those requirements under Rs 13 lakh. You could increase your budget and get a more premium offering, or be prepared to sacrifice a few things and stick with your budget. Within your budget, your two best bets are the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger, which both offer exceptional value for money. They come with 1.0-litre turbo petrol engines and smooth CVT auto gearboxes, and if driven carefully, can deliver good fuel economy. Their touchscreens are decent but not great, and it's a similar story with their audio systems; neither gets a sunroof. The Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch facelifts are more affordable but not spacious enough for five, and get clunky AMT auto gearboxes.

Overall, the new Mahindra XUV 7XO is the better car. It is more refined, has stronger engines and is much nicer to drive thanks to an updated suspension system. The cabin has also been updated, and the talking point is the three-screen digital display carried over from the XEV 9e and 9s.The new Mahindra Scorpio has a special tough-as-nails character and feels indestructible, but compared to the XUV 7XO, it doesn’t have the same polish or sophistication.

Between the Hyundai Creta and Seltos, both cars offer the same engine and gearbox options. However, the Kia Seltos is all-new, features a larger body, more cabin space, and feels a notch up in quality as well.Your choice of seven-seaters isn’t as similar. The Mahindra Scorpio N is built on a body-on-frame chassis, which means it's very tough and can take a lot of beating, but it's nowhere near as comfortable as the XUV 7XO, which has a larger cabin and far more features.The biggest difference between the two is ride quality: the Scorpio N, a tall-riding SUV, rocks from side to side and is quite bumpy on rough roads. In contrast, the Mahindra XUV 7XO, with its updated suspension, feels incredibly refined and comfortable. It softens the bumps and feels very stable at high speeds. So if you don’t travel on really bad roads, the XUV 7XO is a far better option.