Citroen Suv Cars in India (3)

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The Citroen C5 Aircross diesel automatic is worth it if your top priority is comfort and a calm drive. It rides over broken roads better than almost anything at this price, the seats are soft and supportive, and the diesel is quiet and smooth, so long trips feel easy. Space is good, the back seat is friendly for three, and the boot is big for airport runs or weekend bags.The catch is value. At this price, others give more showy features and tech. Also, the Citroen brand has a small dealer network, so ready service is available only in pockets. Further, the Citroen brand is not very strong at the moment, and this will impact resale value down the road.Also note, the diesel engine is best suited for longer runs. If your daily life includes rough roads and frequent highway trips, pay for the comfort. If you want rich features, badge pull, or mostly city use, the price feels high.

Citroen C5 Aircross

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The Kia Carens diesel automatic is the closest match to your brief. It is not an SUV in shape, but it gives you the space, easy access to the third row, and the features you want at this price. Pick the diesel with the automatic gearbox, because that is the one most likely to meet your 15kpl goal in real-world use while still feeling strong enough with a full load. The Carens also offers important safety gear across trims like multiple airbags and stability control, and mid-to-higher trims offer a sunroof, which makes long trips nicer for the second row.Two things to keep in mind for your budget. The exact Carens trim that bundles diesel, automatic and a sunroof may sit a bit above Rs 15 lakh on-road in Pune, so you may need a small stretch of the budget. Also, it feels more like a family car than a tough SUV, so if you want a high, rugged feel, this will not give you that.If the sunroof is not a must and you want to stick closer to Rs 15 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki XL6 automatic 6-seater is the value pick. It is smooth in the city, uses less fuel than most petrol rivals, and is easy to live with, but it does not offer a sunroof, and its engine isn't punchy. If you must have an SUV, there is the Citroen Aircross, which also offers smoothness and punch. That said, its third row is not as spacious as the others, and it also doesn't offer a sunroof.

Kia Carens

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Citroen Aircross

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Given your requirements, you could shortlist Skoda Kushaq Classic+, Citroen Aircross X Max and Honda Elevate V MT. All of these are excellent options with powerful engines and manual transmission. The Kushaq has been updated recently, and its entry-level Classic+ variant covers the basics well, and is the most affordable of the bunch. The Citroen car that we have mentioned has an excellent turbo-petrol engine, and the nicest ride quality. It is also gives you the option of seven seats at this price. The Elevate is a no-nonsense SUV with a strong, high-revving naturally aspirated petrol engine and an excellent ride-handling balance. We'd recommend you drive all three and pick the one that meets all your requirements.

Skoda Kushaq

Citroen Aircross

Honda Elevate

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You can opt for Kia Carens Clavis in your Rs 15-18 lakh budget; it gives you the most space and the most upmarket feel for the money. You already have a Volkswagen Taigun, which is a great driver’s car, but the Clavis will feel far roomier the moment you get in. The second row has lots of knee room, the third row is usable for adults on short trips, and with the last row folded, the boot is huge for airport runs or a long holiday. Plus, Kia’s service reach in most cities is strong, so upkeep is simple.One thing to be aware of: it won’t feel as lively to drive as your Taigun, and the steering feels lighter, so cornering won’t be as engaging. Moreover, within your budget, you'll get the mid-range HTK+ variant, which, though it has more than just the basics, doesn't offer the full suite of features you get higher up the range. Much better value for money is the Citroen Aircross, which comes in a 7-seat variant with a flexible third row of seats that can be removed when you don't need it. It has a supremely comfortable ride, and for under Rs 17 lakh, you will get the top-spec X Max 7-seat automatic variant. Just bear in mind, Citroen's service network isn't as wide as Kia's, so make sure there's an outlet near you.

Kia Carens Clavis

Citroen Aircross

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In terms of outright value for money, two midsize SUVs stand out above the rest, at your budget, albeit for very different reasons - the Honda Elevate and Citroen Aircross. Both have fully loaded top-spec petrol automatic variants that come well within your budget and though they might not get all the high-tech features or wow factor some newer rivals do, they have all the essentials and then some. The Citroen scores high on space and comfort, even giving you the option of a third row of seats. Its turbo-petrol engine is punchy, its 6-speed AT is smooth and its ride is super comfortable, with fun driving dynamics too. However, quality isn't quite a strong as others, and Citroen's service network is quite small. Honda's, on the other hand, is not, and its products have been known to be reliable and easy on maintenance. Its CVT auto is smooth, as is its naturally aspirated i-VTEC petrol engine. Refinement, however is not great, and while it's competent, it's not particularly exciting to drive. Between the hassle-free Honda and the quirky Citroen, we would recommend the latter, as its turbocharged engine's punch will be appreciated on your occasional road trips. A third option is the newly launched Renault Duster, but you won't get a top-spec variant in your budget.

Citroen Aircross

Honda Elevate

Renault Duster