Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXI Plus AT

With a monthly running of around 1,500 to 1,600 km, the petrol version of the Kia Seltos HTK(O) makes more sense than the diesel. Earlier, the big fuel efficiency gap between petrol and diesel helped recover the higher diesel purchase cost fairly quickly. 

Today, with tighter emission norms, diesel engines are no longer as efficient as they once were, especially in city conditions. As a result, recovering the roughly ₹2.3 lakh premium you pay for the diesel is likely to take well over five years. This makes it a less logical choice purely from a cost point of view.

If most of your driving is in the city, the petrol engine will also be quieter, smoother and easier to live with daily. The diesel still makes sense only if you have very high highway usage and plan to keep the car for a long time. Otherwise, the petrol Seltos fits your usage better and keeps the initial investment lower.

If fuel efficiency is a key concern and you are open to other powertrains, you could also consider a strong hybrid like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, which will be significantly more efficient in city driving. It is also worth noting that the next-generation Hyundai Creta and even the current Seltos are expected to get strong hybrid options by early next year.

Between the two, based on your requirements, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXI is the more sensible choice. Unlike the Tata Sierra Smart Plus, the VXI sits one variant above the base and is noticeably better equipped. In fact, the Smart Plus variant of the Tata Sierra feels quite bare for a midsize SUV, missing features that are now considered standard in the segment. It includes a proper infotainment system, which matters for day-to-day convenience and ease of ownership.

From a driving perspective, the Victoris is easier to live with, especially for a beginner. Its 1.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth. It offers better performance than the Sierra’s petrol motor and, paired with a light clutch and slick gearbox, makes city driving far less tiring. Maruti Suzuki’s engines also have a long-standing reputation for reliability, low running costs and fuss-free ownership, which is reassuring for a first-time buyer. The Sierra’s 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is refined. But in a car of this size, it feels underpowered and requires more effort to drive, particularly with passengers on board.

Where the Sierra does score is space and comfort. Its cabin feels roomier, and rear seat comfort is a notch or two better than the Victoris, making it the more comfortable option if rear seat usage is frequent.

Since you’re looking for a CNG-equipped SUV with practical boot space, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris is the most sensible choice in the current lineup. Thanks to clever packaging, the CNG tank is placed under the boot floor rather than eating into luggage space, so you still get a very usable boot that will work well on long family trips with luggage.

The Victoris CNG is also well priced and well equipped for what it offers, making it a strong value pick in the segment if your priority is practicality and low running costs with CNG.

However, since you currently have the first-generation Hyundai Creta, it’s worth noting that the Victoris won’t feel as big or as spacious as the Creta in terms of overall interior size and presence; it isn’t a big step up. 

You have a wide choice of cars, but based on your requirements, we would suggest going for the new Kia Seltos.

Within the Seltos range, the 1.5 litre IVT automatic in the HTX variant fits within your budget and offers a very good mix of premium and essential features. It meets almost all your requirements. The 1.5 litre naturally aspirated engine is refined, and the IVT gearbox is silky smooth, especially at low speeds, which makes it extremely easy to drive in stop go city traffic. It also has enough performance for weekend highway use and, while fuel efficiency is not phenomenal, it should consistently return better figures than the turbo petrol options you have shortlisted. The newer generation Seltos has also grown in size, interior space and overall cabin quality, which is now among the best in the segment. Ride quality has improved significantly too, and it feels comfortable both in the city and on the highway.

The Tata Nexon and the new Hyundai Venue are good options, but their turbo petrol engines paired with DCT gearboxes are not as smooth as the Seltos’ IVT. The Seltos is also a size larger, more comfortable and feels more premium overall. The same applies to the turbo petrol powered Skoda Kushaq, which again will not feel as smooth as the Seltos in daily use. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is another size up and, while its 2.0 litre turbo petrol engine is powerful and smooth, the larger size makes it less easy to drive in the city and fuel efficiency will be much lower. Within your budget, the AX3 variant just about fits, but it misses out on several features that the Seltos offers.

The Hyundai Creta is also a good option and uses the same engine and gearbox as the Seltos. However, it is expected to be replaced early next year and, compared to the Seltos, it is smaller, less spacious, offers fewer features and is similarly priced. Because it is nearing replacement, the current model will also age quicker. That said, if you are getting a strong deal on the Creta, it is still worth considering.

Another car you should look at is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Strong Hybrid. It meets most of your requirements and will be even smoother to drive at low speeds, as it runs on electric power for a large part of city driving. Being a Maruti Suzuki, reliability and after sales support are strong points. It has also scored a 5 star BNCAP rating, and as a hybrid, fuel efficiency is exceptional. In fact, you can expect close to double the mileage of most of the cars you have shortlisted.

A few things to note, however: the Victoris is not as spacious as the Seltos, especially in the rear seat, and boot space is compromised due to the hybrid battery pack under the boot floor.

Since your running is quite high, a CNG car would do you well, however make sure there are easily accessible CNG pumps in your area. 

If there is a lot of traffic in your area and your driving requires a lot of gearshifts, then yes, an automatic makes sense; however, unfortunately, there aren't any mid-size CNG automatics available. 

Your best option here would be the Tata Punch CNG, which is available with an automatic gearbox and has a usable boot with dual CNG tanks tucked in below the floor. 

However, if you want to stick with a mid-size vehicle, then you would have to opt for a manual, and the Maruti Suzuki Victoris would be a good option here. It too has a clear boot as the CNG tank is below the floor.