Mahindra cars in India (13)

While the Tata Sierra is an impressive-looking SUV, we have yet to drive it on the road and experience its performance. 

Also, the price list for all the variants is not out yet, so it’s uncertain which variant will be available within your ₹15 lakh budget.

Tata's after-sales and service support does have some catching up to do in comparison to Maruti and Hyundai. If you really liked the way the Sierra looks and what it offers, it would be worth waiting for. 

However, if it does not turn out as per your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 3XO in AX5 L variant is very good. It has a smooth powertrain and a good feature list, along with a spacious rear seat and low maintenance costs. 

The Hyundai Alcazar and Mahindra XUV700 are both competent SUVs. However, given your requirements, the Hyundai Alcazar would be a better fit for you. 

The Hyundai Car is slightly smaller in terms of dimensions, and that, coupled with its light control, means it's easier to drive in the city. It also gets a refined 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine that can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The Hyundai Alcazar mileage is 20.4kpl for the diesel manual and 18.1kpl for the automatic (company claimed).

The Mahindra Scorpio N is a ladder-frame SUV, meaning the body is bolted onto a chassis. This construction makes it more hardy, however, the Scorpio N will have that typical body sway that is associated with chassis vehicles. 

The ride is thus not settled over undulations, and this is where the Mahindra XUV700 is better. It utilizes a monocoque construction, which is where all components are bolted to the body shell itself. This gives the car overall better rigidity, resulting in better ride and handling, something that is noticeably better with the XUV700. 

Engine refinement and performance are similar, given that the two SUVs share the same powertrains. However, real-world efficiency is better with the XUV700 as it has active safety. Also, the XUV700 has better and more stable handling at higher speeds.            

Since you are looking for an additional car and mainly for office commutes, a sub-4-meter car along with an automatic transmission would be best. Check out the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, it is compact enough for the city, and the automatic gearbox is a torque converter unit. It is much smoother than an automated manual (AMT), which is what most others at this price offer. 
 

Having a Mahindra XUV 400 means you would be used to a smooth drive and a higher seating position, too, both of which you will find in the Brezza. It also fits within the sub-4-meter dimension and thus would be a tad easier to find parking in the city. 

Since your usage isn't particularly high, a petrol automatic would make sense. Not only will it be more refined than a diesel, but also be more affordable to purchase. Within your budget, there are plenty of options, with naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines and CVT, DCT, AMT and torque converter automatic gearbox options.  

If you want a well-rounded SUV, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is the one to go for. It's got a spacious cabin, it comes loaded with features, and there are two petrol options as well. However, if you enjoy driving, you'll find good value in the Skoda Kylaq.