Hyundai cars in India (13)

autocar.india

•6h

Since your father has been driving an Octavia for a while, a good replacement would be within the family. The Skoda Kylaq is what we would recommend. The Hyundai Venue is also good, but the DCT gearbox isn't as smooth in the city. The Kylaq is compact, making it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces and easy to park and it gets a strong 1.0-litre TSI engine with a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The seat position too is comfortable, and getting in and out is rather easy. The steering is light, visibility is good, and within your budget you can get the top-spec Prestige+ trim with all the bells and whistles.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

•11h

Of the three, the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara Zeta makes sense. The two Tata EVs are strong value propositions, with the Nexon being a good city car. For you, however, the e Vitara offers a good range, and Maruti's extensive and reliable service network can come in handy on your long family trips. Over your 8-10 year ownership period, it is also likely to be more reliable and give you a more predictable ownership experience. However, a point to note is that the rear is not very spacious and the boot is very small, so your family may not be very comfy at the rear over long distances, and the boot may not suffice for your family's luggage. If you can stretch your budget, you can opt for the Creta electric, which has a more comfortable rear seat experience and a larger boot too. It will also be very reliable and is nice to drive, with a well-tuned powertrain and easy and handy controls like a paddle shifter for regen control. However, with the base variant you will have a smaller battery, so depending on your long route, it might mean an additional charging stop. All in it is a much better all-rounder than the three you have mentioned, but the only point of concern is that you would have to pay more.

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara

Hyundai Creta Electric

Tata Nexon EV

autocar.india

•19h

With a budget of Rs 15-18 lakh, city-focused running in Bangalore, and a family of six, the Kia Carens Clavis or the Maruti XL6 would be good options. Both offer comfy seating for 6, and between the two, the Kia car mentioned above feels a bit more upmarket. They are both not your traditional SUV's but come with some strong styling cues to minimize the MPV stance. If you must have an SUV body style, then opt for the Hyundai Alcazar, which also offers seating for 6, though the third row is best for kids.

Kia Carens Clavis

Hyundai Alcazar

Maruti Suzuki XL6

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Renault Duster 1.3 DCT. You have already identified the key point: you will enjoy driving the Duster, and that matters a lot when you are planning to do more long trips. The Duster also has an exceptionally comfortable ride, and the 1.3 turbo petrol paired with the DCT is a strong, enjoyable combination on highways. It is also a proven package, so reliability is not a major concern.The Seltos and Creta are both excellent cars, and from a purely practical standpoint, they are very strong options. The Seltos feels slightly more premium inside, while the Creta prioritises comfort and refinement. However, neither car offers the same level of driving engagement or ride comfort as the Duster.The only real drawback with the Duster is that the rear seat is not the most spacious in the segment, but for a family of 3-4 with average builds, it is perfectly adequate. Overall, the Duster strikes the best balance between comfort, driving enjoyment and long-term ownership satisfaction.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi. With your daily running of around 22km and a monthly long drive, a petrol compact SUV is the right choice, and the Brezza is the most sensible upgrade from your Swift. It offers a comfortable ride, good ground clearance for bad roads, a reliable and efficient petrol engine, and Maruti’s strong service network, which keeps ownership simple and affordable.This Maruti Suzuki car also now gets the Boosterjet engine, though it is only paired with the manual. The ZXi variant is well equipped and fits your budget comfortably.The Hyundai Venue is a good alternative with a more premium cabin feel, but the Brezza is the more practical and dependable long-term choice. The Tata Nexon is also a strong contender, but Maruti’s ownership experience edges it out for your usage.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Venue

Tata Nexon