I am planning to buy a sub-4-metre SUV and have shortlisted two options: the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7 and the new Hyundai Venue HX8. Both variants are priced around ₹15 lakhs (on-road, manual). What attracts me to each: I love the premium interiors and overall cabin feel of the new Venue. I really want the peppy, responsive performance of the 1.2L TGDi petrol engine in the XUV 3XO. My priorities: I want Hyundai’s hassle-free ownership experience (service, reliability, low maintenance stress). At the same time, I want Mahindra’s strong value-for-money (VFM) proposition. Usage pattern: The car will be used mostly on weekends and for long highway trips/getaways. No daily office commuting. We strongly prefer the manual transmission. Help me decide: Between the XUV 3XO AX7 and the new Venue HX8, which one should I go for, considering my mix of priorities (performance + interiors + ownership experience + VFM), and given the light usage?

Autocar India

•9h

The Maruti Brezza CNG and Fronx CNG will be more fuel efficient than the Nexon iCNG, and their clutch and gearbox make them friendlier to drive, too. The Brezza is due for a facelift in the coming weeks, so you might want to wait for that to arrive. The Kia Sonet diesel will feel punchier to drive (than the CNG options listed above), while being very efficient too. Also, by opting for a diesel, you won't need to wait in long queues to refill CNG. Even the Sonet is due for a generation update, which is likely to be launched this year. Another option you could consider is the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel MX2, which is more spacious than a Sonet. Its ride-handling balance is very impressive; the Sonet, however, has an edge in terms of fuel efficiency.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Kia Sonet

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•2d

Considering your requirements, the Hyundai Venue in HX5 trim would suit your needs the best. The HX5 variant offers good value for money with the necessary features and even a sunroof. The Venue is the newest car in the segment and feels modern and up to date. The cabin is well-appointed, the quality of materials is a lot better, and overall, it impresses with its ease of use.The diesel engine is refined and frugal and unlike most of the competition, it gets a torque converter automatic gearbox instead of an AMT, which is nicer to perform and smoother too. The Venue HX5 with the diesel-auto combination would be our recommendation.

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•1d

It's a shame that the Skoda Kylaq's rear seat space is not quite up to the best in the segment, because otherwise it is a superb compact SUV that scores highly on most other counts. Of the other options, the Nissan Magnite, while capable and a great value for money, feels like a sub-segment lower in terms of quality, space and performance. The Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX should be your best bet because it offers both - performance and rear-seat space. In fact, it has one of the most spacious cabins in the segment, although the boot is a bit smaller than others. The RevX offers a good feature set as well, along with a few unique styling embellishments, and overall, we feel this is the one you should pick.

Nissan Magnite

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq