Citroen Aircross

Out of the cars you have shortlisted, we suggest the Citroen Aircross X. Even the top variant fits within your budget, and the car itself is a well-rounded product. It is comfortable thanks to supportive seats front and back, and there is ample space. The wide cabin also allows five people to sit comfortably.

Another good five-seater in your budget is the Mahindra 3XO. Its wide and spacious cabin seats five in good comfort, and its shorter length makes it easier to park. However, the boot is on the smaller side, which you should keep in mind.

Regarding the upcoming Renault Duster, it is one of the most anticipated launches early next year. If you are willing to wait and check it out before deciding, it would make a lot of sense.

All the compact SUV options you've listed are powered by turbo-petrol engines, and since you are looking for efficiency, be warned, in typical city driving (stop-go conditions), these turbo-petrol engines aren't likely to be very efficient. 

Also, these are very sensitive to the driving style and ambient conditions, which can drop the mileage down to single digits. Among the options you've listed, the Mahindra XUV3XO 1.2 Turbo (MPI) AT is likely to satiate your need for performance while offering a smoother and comfortable experience overall. 

Another option you may consider is the Citroen Basalt X/Aircross X, provided there is a Citroen touchpoint in your city. However, if you want to keep the running costs down at all costs without sacrificing performance, go for the Tata Nexon EV 45.

The Honda Elevate would be a better choice between the two. It has a smooth and refined petrol engine that has more power than the Citroen Aircross, and the CVT gearbox is excellent in the city. Also, it is a well-sorted car that will do the job without any drama. 

The equipment kit and the ride comfort are also good, while not as good as the Aircross, it is still quite nice. Honda cars are also better in terms of their network, and after-sales touchpoints. Moreover, it also holds its future value better than the Aircross. 

The Citroen Aircross X will suit your needs the best. It has a superb ride that is comfy and adept over bad roads. The space inside the cabin is large enough for tall adults, and it is ergonomically sorted as well. 

The turbo-petrol engine offers strong performance, and it has all the necessary tech as well. The Aircross is also a three-row SUV, but a good feature is that you can remove the third row entirely and use the space as a big boot. 

Citroen is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future, but the only concern could be a relative lack of aftersales and service touchpoints, depending on where you live. 

The Citroen Aircross X is fundamentally a good product, especially after the recent update, offering a punchy petrol engine and superbly comfortable ride. 

However, given you have elderly people as passengers, the Kia Carens Clavis might be a better option, as it has easier ingress and egress, and a more accessible seating height.

Automatic options without a sunroof but equipped with a factory-fitted 360-degree camera include the Maruti XL6 and the Citroen Aircross X. The XL6, being an MPV, offers smooth, comfortable, and the assurance of Maruti’s reliability. What's nice is that ingress and egress is a breeze. with an all-new more (than before) upmarket interior and excellent driving dynamics. It delivers stronger performance, though its fuel efficiency may not match that of the XL6.

If by rough driving you mean regularly encountering bad roads, you can consider the Citroen Aircross X - it has a brilliant suspension setup. However, choose it only if a Citroen service centre is available in your city. The Mahindra XUV3XO and Tata Nexon are also rugged compact SUVs with turbo petrol engines - the Mahindra offers a stronger engine, while the Nexon comes with a relatively bigger boot. Among used options, the Jeep Compass is worth considering.