Hyundai cars in India (14)

You will find plenty of good petrol-automatic examples of the Mahindra XUV700 in the used car market. It is a very comfortable SUV, that's big on size and power. 

Alternatively, you could also consider the Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 Turbo-DCT, which isn't as spacious but is a bit narrower than the Mahindra, making it a bit easier to drive in the city.

Your limited usage doesn’t justify a diesel, so we recommend sticking to a petrol engine. If you’re happy with the Hyundai experience, the new Venue fits your needs well. The latest generation has grown in size, and the interior is roomier than before.

Within your budget, you could opt for the HX6 variant with the turbo-petrol and DCT combination. It comes well equipped with features like a sunroof, automatic climate control and cruise control. The engine is powerful enough for your long highway tours, and the DCT works well in the city. Do take a test drive before you commit to a purchase.

Among your three choices, the Hyundai Creta is in high demand in the used market and therefore holds its value the best. The current Kia Seltos is too new to accurately predict its resale value, but going by the resale values of the last generation, we expect it to be only slightly behind the Creta. Interestingly, the Elevate, despite Honda's good reputation, will likely see the most depreciation of the three, but in the V CVT variant you've chosen, it is also the cheapest to buy, and Honda dealers regularly offer sizeable discounts on it.

The Creta is the safest bet if you want the best value for money and strong resale value. It is good to drive, well-equipped, the engine is smooth and refined, and the IVT works seamlessly. However, do take a test drive of the Elevate as well. It offers better acceleration than the Creta, the seats are very comfortable, and the suspension feels more robust. If you can negotiate a good deal, it can represent very good value for money.

1 lakh kilometres is significant mileage and speaks volumes about the durability of the Fiat-sourced MultiJet diesel in your Maruti Suzuki S-Cross. It also reflects Maruti Suzuki’s reputation for reliability. That said, once the odometer crosses 100,000km, you are entering a phase where wear-and-tear components, suspension, clutch, injectors, turbo, etc., start demanding attention. 

Also, since the S-Cross is now discontinued and was never a high-volume model, sourcing certain parts in the long term could become more time-consuming or expensive. On balance, this is a reasonable time to consider switching.

Given your positive ownership experience, staying with Maruti makes sense. The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is a strong option. The strong-hybrid variant, around the Rs 20 lakh mark, will deliver very low running costs. It is possibly even better in city use than your current diesel, which suits your 60 per cent urban driving pattern. It should also give you the same easy ownership experience you’re used to.

If you prefer sticking with diesel for highway efficiency and torque, the Hyundai Creta diesel is a very good alternative. It offers a more spacious rear seat than the Grand Vitara and a more usable boot, since the Grand Vitara's hybrid battery slightly eats into luggage space. For a family of four with a mix of city and highway use, both are sensible upgrades within your Rs 20 lakh budget.

Both the Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV 3XO, in their HX 6 DCT and RevX AT guise, are extremely close when it comes to price and what they offer. The Venue is the newer, more modern-looking car on the inside and out, but the 3XO is more powerful with a 131hp engine. 

The 3XO is also more spacious in the rear seat, while the Venue gets a slightly bigger boot. Features on the 3XO are better, boasting a panoramic sunroof, leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control, to name a few. 

When it comes to ride and handling, too, it is the 3XO that pips ahead of the Venue. We would recommend the 3XO in this case as it offers a lot more for the money and is the better value proposition.