2 cars with filtered options

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Coming to your question, the Honda Amaze, while practical and comfy, does not have the driving thrill you would want. 

The Volkswagen Virtus, while impressive, will not fit in your budget apart from the base variant, which isn't too impressive. The Citroen Basalt X will be a good pick out of this lot. It has a punchy turbo-petrol engine that is lovely to drive, the ride comfort is excellent, and it has a large boot as well. 

Also, while it is feature-packed, it isn't unnecessarily complicated, and the functions are easy to use. The Basalt X would be our recommendation. 

That is a difficult balance to achieve, but two cars come close to your requirements, the Volkswagen Taigun GT 1.5 turbo and the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSi. 

Both use the same engine, and their performance is on par with the Hyundai Creta 1.5 turbo, which already offers strong performance. The advantage of the VW and Skoda engines is cylinder deactivation, which helps significantly on the highway. 

When the engine is under low load, it can shut down two of the four cylinders to save fuel and improve efficiency. Both cars are well-equipped, too. We would suggest waiting for the facelift versions, which are expected very soon.

Your usage should determine which car suits you best. The Volkswagen Virtus, being a sedan, is one for keen drivers as it's got punchy turbo petrol engines and a sorted ride and handling balance. 

A midsize SUV like the Hyundai Creta, on the other hand, will be better for the family-oriented as it has a more spacious and practical cabin.  

Given your requirement and budget, you currently have four options. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are mechanically identical, and they stand out for their punchy turbo petrol engine options and ride and handling balance. 

The Honda City has a refined 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine and has the best back seat. The Hyundai Verna, meanwhile, has the most features, and it can be had with either a turbo-petrol or a naturally-aspirated petrol engine. 

The Slavia, Virtus and Verna have also received a full, 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP.    

As per your requirements, you should choose between the Skoda Kushaq and the Volkswagen Taigun. Both midsize SUVs offer decent ride comfort, good high-speed stability and both come with powerful 150hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines. 

You'll also appreciate both SUVs' driving dynamics. Both are mechanically identical and differ only in terms of exterior and interior design. Dealers will also be offering sizeable year-end discounts on both.  

Since you prefer performance and like to drive, the Volkswagen Taigun or Skoda Kushaq will be a better choice. 

While we are yet to sample the Sierra on the road, it isn't the sort of SUV to be designed for spirited driving. An even better option compared to these would be the Skoda Slavia or Volkswagen Virtus. 

They are sedans, but still get good ground clearance and are superb to drive. The 1.5 TSI engine offers excellent performance, and they are well-equipped and practical too. 

You might want to consider the Kia Syros - a quirky, boxy compact SUV, with high-quality interiors and a surprisingly spacious cabin. It's a 60:40 split seats slide and fold too, adding flexibility, and its rear windows roll fully down, which is a positive for your pet. If you want something that's larger and more premium, you may want to check out the Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun, both of which are nicer to drive, especially for your outstation trip.