Volkswagen Taigun

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.

It is hard to recommend a car without knowing more about your needs, like driving pleasure, mileage, safety, rear space, etc. However, on a broad level we would recommend the Creta. It is a very good all-rounder. The Venue will be better if you are looking for a compact car for crowded areas, and the VW Taigun is a good car for those looking for driving pleasure.   

The Taigun 1.5 TSI DSG might not fit into your ₹18 lakh (on-road) budget. The Honda Elevate, price ranges between ₹13.08 lakh and ₹19.19 lakh (on-road in Mumbai), which falls within your range.

If you liked the drive experience, you should definitely go for it. The Elevate is a very comfortable car with good driving manners. Its engine delivers strong performance, so you will never feel short of power, even when traveling with five people on the highway.

The Mahindra Thar is a bit of an outlier among these three options. It’s the only 3-door model, the only one built on a tough body-on-frame chassis, and the only one that comes with a diesel engine. Going for a diesel SUV is absolutely fine, in fact, the lack of diesel options in the Taigun and Kushaq petrol variants can be a disadvantage if you value fuel efficiency and torque for highway or off-road driving.

If the Thar is going to be your second or third car that will be used occasionally for off-road trips or wilderness drives, then it’s a compelling choice, and the 1.5-litre diesel is significantly cheaper too.

However, in terms of refinement, comfort, driveability, and on-road sophistication, the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are far superior. They are smoother, more comfortable, and easier to drive daily, making them better all-rounders for city and highway use.

Given your requirements, the Hyundai Creta is a good choice. It offers great resale value and reliable service. Higher variants come with a Bose sound system, impressive refinement, and pleasant ride comfort. If you’re open to a diesel (keeping in mind resale could be a concern in a few years), the diesel-automatic SX(O) is ideal. Otherwise, the turbo-petrol variant delivers ample performance. It’s best to avoid the N Line, as its larger wheels affect ride comfort.

If a fun driving experience is your priority, the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG are worth considering. They feature strong engines, fun handling, punchy sound systems. Their tough build is also something you'll appreciate over broken roads.