Tata Nexon CNG Creative MT

Between the Tata Punch and Tata Nexon, the Nexon is much better, purely because it has a more comfortable back seat and is a better highway car for long trips. Yes, indeed, Tata Motors' service reputation is not good, but what we understand is that it is improving, especially in the last 6 months. 

If you want to play it safe and want absolute peace of mind, then the Maruti-Suzuki Brezza is a good option. It has a spacious cabin, good boot space and is easy to drive in the city. The 1.5 litre naturally aspirated (NA) engine feels a bit weak on the highway, but you can live with that lack of power if you’re only doing 3-4 long-distance trips a year. And over 10 years, the Brezza is likely to be more reliable and easier on your pocket 

The Tata Nexon is a good option to consider. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is quite efficient, and the AMT gearbox is smooth enough for city use. The Nexon is also a very safe car, with a 5-star Global NCAP rating.

What is also segment-best on the Nexon is the ride comfort. The suspension is tuned well for our roads, and it feels confident over bad patches. The feature list is extensive too, with ventilated seats, sunroof, a large and high-resolution touchscreen and a 360-degree camera. 

Another car you can consider is the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The diesel engine is very strong and more refined, and the AMT gearbox is smooth. The XUV 3XO is also very safe, with a 5-star Global NCAP rating. The rear seat is more spacious than the Nexon's, but the boot is smaller. 

However, out of the two, it is a nicer SUV to drive, but not as good in terms of fuel efficiency. If the economy is the top priority, the Nexon is the one to go for. 

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.

The DCA or twin clutch automatic is a much better choice than the AMT if your budget allows for it in the Tata Nexon. In fact, the only real reason to opt for the Nexon AMT is its significantly lower cost and a marginal improvement in fuel efficiency.

Otherwise, the DCA is superior in every respect, including smoothness, responsiveness and shift quality. That’s why it is worth spending the extra ₹1 lakh or so over the AMT and choosing the Nexon DCA, as it is far more pleasant to drive.