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Between the three cars, if you are looking for a car for city commutes and considering your budget, we would suggest the Kia Seltos. In your budget, you will get the HTE (O) powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. The engine is smooth, refined and has enough power for daily usage and even for highway driving, it feels enough. The new Seltos too feels premium inside out, and even in the bottom or in this case mid variant comes very well equipped.

The Tata Sierra’s 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine feels just about enough for city driving, but out on the highway, it could have done with more power. In your budget, you will get only the base Smart + variant, or if you stretch by 50,000 over your budget, then the Pure variant will fit. But the Sierra in the lower variants is not that well equipped. In fact, the base variant does’t come with an infotainment at all.

The Skoda Kushaq facelift will be launched in March 2026, and if you are willing to wait, do glance at it. It will come with revised design and more features than the current car.

The Tata Sierra and Kia Seltos remain two of the few SUVs in this segment that still have a diesel engine option. 

As such, they're quite similar on paper - both are 1.5-litre, four-cylinder units and both are mated to smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic gearboxes. Their outputs are similar too; the Seltos produces 116 hp and 250Nm while the Sierra a slightly higher 118hp and 280Nm, and in practice, the Sierra's diesel engine feels the stronger and punchier of the two as well. 

It is better suited to quick overtakes, and its 6-speed AT is a bit more responsive too. The Seltos has the advantage of being more refined, but other than that, its gearbox is not as snappy, and overall it feels the lazier of the two powertrains.

Between the two options on your shortlist, the Tata Sierra makes for a better upgrade from your Volkswagen Taigun. The Sierra's larger dimensions, roomier cabin and modern vibe make it feel like a step up from the Volkswagen. The Grand Vitara, though likeable, doesn't offer much more by way of space or features versus your current car.

You should also consider the new Kia Seltos. Its large size and sleek styling give it a premium appeal. There's sufficient cabin space for three at the back (a Sierra is roomier, though), and it's packed with lots of tech too.   

The choice really comes down to what you are looking for from your car, and without knowing that its hard to pinpoint one. If you drive mainly in the city, we would rule out the Harrier. It is quite large, and though the steering on the petrol is light, on the whole, the car does not really feel nimble on its feet. 

It is best for highways and longer drives. Between the Tata Sierra and the Hyundai Creta, the Sierra has the advantage of newness and novelty value. You will also get more equipment, like a three-screen setup, a better-sounding audio system and a powered tailgate. However, you will have to pay more than Creta. Thus, if your budget is strict, then the Hyundai Creta will prove to be a very good all-rounder. 

The choice of car really comes down to what you are looking for, without knowing this its hard to pinpoint one. If you drive mostly in the city, the Harrier would not be a good option. It is large, and even though the steering is light, the car does not really feel nimble. It is best suited for highways and longer drives. 

Between the Tata Sierra and the Kia Seltos, the Sierra has the more classical good looks, and you will also get more equipment like a three-screen setup, an air-purifier, a better-sounding audio system and a powered tailgate. However, you will have to pay more than the Seltos. Thus, if you are strict with your budget, then the Kia Seltos will be a good all-rounder. 

If you are buying a petrol automatic, the Tata Sierra makes more sense if mileage, features and lower running costs are your priority. Its smaller 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine and overall size should make it more efficient. You also get a more feature-rich cabin at a lower price, as the two sit in different segments.

The Mahindra XUV 7XO suits buyers who want a more traditional SUV feel with stronger road presence and a proven mechanical package. Its powerful 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine delivers more effortless performance. But the petrol automatic will be less efficient and costlier to run. If long term reliability and established credentials matter more, the XUV 7XO is the safer bet.

Since you are very tall, we would recommend the Tata Sierra as it will offer you sufficient head and legroom too. Stay away from the naturally aspirated petrol engine as the performance is weak. Instead, opt for the turbo direct injection petrol engine as it offers a strong and seamless power delivery, which will make overtaking on highways easy. If your running is very high, you could also opt for the diesel, which delivers a reasonably good performance. 

As always, we would recommend you check out the car, especially to see if you are comfortable inside, as besides personal preferences in terms of seating posture, position and even body ratio can make a big difference to roominess.  

For you, we would recommend the Kia Seltos. You only seem not like the Kia for the front end look, and we think you should not override the other bits you like about it. Also, as you have pointed out, it makes more rational sense, since as you go higher up the variants, you get similar features on the Seltos at a lower price point than the Tata Sierra. 

Moreover, concerning your other worry about service quality and reliability, given the two brands' past track record, the Kia would be the safer bet.