SUV cars in India (174)

autocar.india

•5h

With a budget of Rs. 13 lakh and running of less than 1,500 km a month, the Mahindra XUV 3XO MPFi petrol automatic is the best fit. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide rear seat that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater. The turbo petrol engine is punchy and the torque converter automatic is smooth and well suited to city driving. It is also a very well equipped car for the money, with a strong safety package and a good ownership proposition. The only real drawback is the boot, which is on the smaller side for the segment, but for most family use it is still adequate. If you want something with a larger boot, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is the alternative. It is not as powerful or as feature-rich as the 3XO, but it is a very reliable, low-maintenance car with a bigger boot and a strong ownership track record. If you want something that's more engaging to drive, consider the Skoda Kylaq automatic. Overall, the 3XO offers the best balance of space, performance, features and value at this price point.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Skoda Kylaq

autocar.india

•10h

For your usage, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the best fit. You are doing very high mileage with long highway runs, so diesel efficiency and strong performance are the priorities. This Mahindra car is one of the most refined and powerful diesel SUVs in this price range, and it is also a very comfortable long-distance car with a spacious cabin - including a third row of seats - and a strong feature set. The Tata Harrier is also a good highway car with a strong diesel engine and a comfortable ride, but the 7XO is a more refined and better-rounded package overall. However, both these are in a higher segment, which means your budget will only get you a low- to mid-range variant. In the segment below, the Tata Sierra diesel is a newer product and looks very promising, but its diesel engine doesn't feel particularly strong considering its size and weight. The Hyundai Creta is just a facelifted version of your current car and hence won't feel as new, while the Seltos, though new and larger, uses the same engine as your Creta, and like the Sierra, doesn't feel as powerful given the SUV's size. Overall, the 7XO feels like the more premium and more complete product for your usage, but if you're not happy with the features on offer in your budget, try the Seltos instead.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Harrier

Tata Sierra

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•9h

We'd recommend the Hyundai Creta S(O) Petrol Manual, though the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Zeta (O) Petrol Manual is an equally sensible choice if service reach is your top priority.Your monthly running of around 500km, split equally between city and highway driving, doesn't justify a diesel or hybrid, so a naturally aspirated petrol SUV is the right fit. The Creta stands out with its more premium cabin, better rear seat comfort, more composed ride and handling, and a driving experience that feels like a bigger upgrade from your 14-year-old Dzire. It is also a more refined highway cruiser for your occasional 350km trips.The Grand Vitara's biggest strength is its strong hybrid powertrain, and by choosing the regular petrol version, you miss its key advantage. That said, it remains an easy car to own, is likely to be slightly more fuel efficient and benefits from Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network.Since both are available at almost the same on-road price, we'd still choose the Creta S(O) Petrol Manual for its more premium overall package and superior comfort.

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

autocar.india

•1d

With a Rs 12 lakh budget and your usage pattern of frequent 450km highway runs, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel is the best fit. The diesel engine is the key here - it offers strong mid-range performance for effortless overtaking and excellent fuel efficiency on long highway drives, which will make a meaningful difference given your high monthly running. This Mahindra car is also one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater for long journeys. It is also a safe car, having scored a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, and it offers good ride comfort on highways. The only real drawback is the boot, which is on the smaller side for the segment, but for your usage - mostly highway driving with occasional city use - the diesel engine and overall package make it the most sensible choice.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•11h

The Kia Seltos is the right car for you, as it meets your requirements of features, size, space, quality and performance. The flush door handles can be annoying, especially during the rains when they collect dirt inside, but are not a deal-breaker and can be grown accustomed to. The Seltos is the most complete package in this segment: it offers a premium cabin, strong feature list, good rear seat space for five, and a driving experience that strikes a nice balance between comfort and engagement. The turbo petrol is punchy and not as thirsty as some others, and the overall ownership experience is dependable.Your concerns about the other cars are valid, and while no model is perfect, this Kia car feels like the one that suits your needs best. If you're looking for an alternative, don't rule out a sedan. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both due for facelifts soon, and the updated versions might be worth your while, offering driving pleasure, space and features in good measure.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus