[Aditya]

Volkswagen Taigun

What you'll like:

• Has its own fresh, European character and complements its cousin (the recently launched Skoda Kushaq) nicely in a segment dominated by Indian, Korean and Chinese SUVs
• Unmistakably VW styling matched with solid European build quality
• Cabin has good legroom to offer, supportive seats, perfect ergonomics & lots of storage
• 148 BHP engine makes the Taigun one of the most fun-to-drive crossovers in the segment!
• Sporty 1.0L & 1.5L turbo-petrols are mated to slick 6-speed MTs & smooth ATs
• Sorted suspension offers a balanced ride & handling package
• Safety features include up to 6 airbags, ESC (all variants), 3-point seatbelts for all, electronic differential lock, brake disc wiping, multi-collision brake and more
• Features like active cylinder tech, ventilated seats (weirdly 1.0 TSI only), sunroof, 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and CarPlay, auto headlamps & wipers etc.
• Advantages over the Kushaq = a top AT variant with 6 airbags, design that stands out more, cabin 'feels' better, fabric seats are executed in a nicer manner...

What you won't:

• No 1.5L diesel is a major disadvantage in a world where petrol costs over 100 bucks/litre
• GT customers will need to choose between the rock (potential DQ200 transmission problems) and a hard place (GT manual variant misses out on many top-end features)
• Narrow cabin width makes a 5th adult completely unwelcome. Best for 4 onboard
• Interior colour scheme and quality don't feel up to traditional VW standards. Some polarising details too (chrome outside, painted plastics inside...)
• Sure lacks the street cred / presence offered by some competitors
• VW’s after-sales service can be a hit or miss. Many VW owners find it expensive too
• Missing some now-expected features such as 6 airbags in the MTs, a subwoofer, driving modes (sport), panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric driver's seat adjustment & rear window blinds
• Turbo-petrols are very sensitive to driving style. FE will drop drastically when you drive hard
• Kushaq's 'clever' touches are missing = no spot on top of the dashboard to place a deity, no smartphone holders on the front seatbacks, no ticket clip on the windshield, no elastic band in the doorpad to keep items in place, or even something as simple as the small reflective tapes on the doorpads

Review Link

Skoda Kushaq

What you'll like:

• A breath of fresh (European) air in a sea of Korean, Chinese & Indian SUVs
• Classy exterior & interior styling matched with solid European build quality
• Cabin has good legroom to offer, supportive seats, perfect ergonomics & lots of storage
• 148 BHP engine makes the Kushaq one of the most fun-to-drive crossovers in the segment
• Sporty 1.0L & 1.5L turbo-petrols are mated to slick 6-speed MTs & smooth ATs
• Sorted suspension offers a balanced ride & handling package
• Safety features include 6 airbags (sadly MT only), ESC (all variants), 3-point seatbelts for all, electronic differential lock, brake disc wiping, multi-collision brake and more
• 6-year extended warranty & 4-year all inclusive service packages available
• Features like active cylinder tech, ventilated seats, sunroof, wireless Android Auto and CarPlay, audio system with a punchy subwoofer, auto headlamps & wipers etc.

What you won't:

• No 1.5L diesel is a major disadvantage in a world where petrol costs over 100 bucks / litre
• DQ200 DSG transmission has a history of poor reliability & breakdowns in India
• Narrow width makes a 5th adult completely unwelcome. Best for 4 onboard
• Lovely 1.5L TSI is only available on the top variant
• At 385 litres, boot space is lesser than its direct rivals (Creta & Seltos = 433L)
• Sure lacks the street cred / presence offered by some competitors
• Skoda’s notorious dealerships & after-sales horror stories
• Missing some now expected features such as 6 airbags on the ATs, driving modes (sport), panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric driver's seat adjustment & regular USB ports
• Turbo-petrols are very sensitive to driving style. FE will drop drastically when you drive hard

Review Link

Hyundai Creta

What you'll like:

• A superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a premium experience
• We find the Hyundai Creta to be well-priced for what it offers
• User-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good quality parts
• Loved the 1.4L turbo-petrol & 1.5L diesel. These are fantastic engines
• Smooth & competent automatic gearboxes available. With the useful "auto-hold" feature too
• Sorted road manners & handling for a Hyundai, including on the highway. You will be surprised!
• The Creta's safety package includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (panoramic sunroof, paddle shifters, Bose sound system, cooled seats, cabin air purifier & loads more)
• Hyundai's competent after-sales service, fuss-free ownership & upto 5-years standard warranty

What you won't:

• Oddball love it or hate it styling. We find the Creta's exterior design to be too weird & futuristic
• Firmer suspension isn't as cushy as the 1st-gen Creta. It is more comfortable than the Seltos though
• Back seat's width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults
• Some misses (no auto wipers, 360-degree camera, illuminated window buttons, full-size spare tyre on top trims)
• Dual-clutch ATs (like the Hyundai Creta Petrol DCT) have a history of poor reliability in India
• Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – are the lowest in the segment. Old 1.6L CRDi was superior
• No manual transmission available with the fast 1.4L Petrol (Seltos offers this combo)
• The stiffer Seltos has an edge in the handling department. IMHO, the Kia is better looking too
• You get bigger SUVs & Crossovers for the same money (e.g. Hector, Harrier, XUV500)

Review Link

Kia Seltos

What you'll like:

• A superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a premium experience
• Handsome, contemporary styling. Looks very sharp
• We find the Seltos to be well-priced for what it offers
• Nice, user-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good quality
• Loved the 1.4L turbo-petrol & 1.5L diesel. They are BS6 compliant too
• Both the automatics - Diesel AT & Petrol DCT - are simply fantastic!
• Mature on-road behavior, including at highway speeds. A+ brakes as well
• Unusually wide variant offering. Seems there is something for everyone
• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, blind spot monitor, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (360 degree camera, HUD, front parking sensors, Bose sound system, cooled seats, cabin air purifier & loads more)

What you won't:

• Barely managed 3-stars in the GNCAP crash tests (full discussion)
• Firm suspension. Liveable, but bad roads will bother you (especially on 17" wheel variants)
• Back seat's width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults
• Niggles are being reported by owners (details here)
• Some misses (illuminated window buttons, thinner spare tyre on top trims, no dual-tone option on GTX+ / HTX+)
• Dual-clutch ATs (like the Petrol DCT) have a history of poor reliability in India
• Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – are the lowest in the segment.
• Extremely confusing & complicated variant spread. We still haven’t gotten the hang of it!
• Kia's after-sales service quality is an unknown. We await details in our ownership reports
• You get bigger SUVs & Crossovers for the same money (e.g. Hector, Harrier, XUV500)

Review Link

Jeep Compass

What you'll like:

• Handsome Cherokee-inspired styling & loads of character
• Solid build. Feels very robust, just as a Jeep should
• Powerful 2.0L diesel. Good driveability in the city, fast on the open road
• 1.4L turbo-petrol makes 161 BHP! Offers fast performance.
• Mature suspension setup, nicely-tuned EPS & rock-solid stability
• Capable AWD available (unlike some competitors)
• City-friendly: Compact size, higher seating, smooth gearshift, soft clutch & low NVH
• Topnotch safety: Strong all-disc brakes, a plethora of electronic aids & 6 airbags
• We think the Compass is well-priced for what it offers. The driving experience & overall package feel premium

What you won't:

• Small size for the price! A sentiment echoed by most people who saw it in person
• Suitable for 4 adults, not 5. Boot is small too
• Tiny dealership network. Plus, after-sales quality & long-term reliability are unknown factors
• AWD's premium is over 2 lakh rupees on-the-road
• Turning radius of 5.65m is wide. Also, 17º approach angle is too low
• Missing goodies (blanks on the steering, lumbar adjustment, reclinable rear seats)

Review Link

Review Link - Petrol AT

Link to Report - The Trailhawk

Tata Harrier

What you'll like:

• Smooth & competent 6-speed automatic transmission
• Stunning looks & strong road presence. Solid build too
• Classy, spacious cabin with comfortable seats & a chilling air-con
• Fantastic 9-speaker audio system. Sound quality & bass are enjoyable
• The Harrier's 2.0L diesel now gets 30 BHP more & offers good performance
• 205 mm of ground clearance + terrain response system. Latter will make monsoon driving safer
• Topnotch safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, break reminder, hill hold, brake disc wiping & more
• Features such as the panoramic sunroof, Eco & Sport modes, auto headlamps & wipers, cruise control…

What you won't:

• Heavy steering gets cumbersome at parking / u-turn / crawling speeds (<5 km/h)
• Harrier AT’s focus is on smoothness & comfort; gearbox is not the most responsive
• Concerns over niggles & long-term reliability associated with Tata cars
• Service visit every 6 months / 7,500 km (12-months is the norm today)
• Diesel engine does get loud at 3,500 rpm & its engine note is quite sad too
• No petrol option (almost all competitors offer it). No AWD for enthusiasts either
• Although improved, the Harrier's steering @ 120 km/h is still a level too sensitive
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble

Review Link

Review Link - Diesel AT

MG Hector

What you'll like:

• Big size & lots of bling for the money! We find the Hector to be well-priced
• A spacious cabin that can easily seat 5 adults. Massive 587 litre boot too
• Fiat-sourced 2.0L diesel is simply fantastic
• Compliant ride quality. Suspension is tuned for comfort
• Lots of kit (panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric seats & tailgate etc.)
• ‘Connected’ Tablet ICE with an embedded SIM & lovely sound quality
• 5-year / unlimited km warranty with roadside assistance
• Top safety equipment includes 6 airbags, ESP, HSA, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS & more

What you won't:

• Awkward styling on the side & rear profiles. Looks weird from some angles
• Sloppy high-speed handling, noticeable body roll & easy understeer
• The petrol engine is “adequate” at best. Its guzzling Automatic variant is unimpressive
• No Diesel AT (Creta, Seltos, XUV500, Hexa offer this combination, which we love)
• Some annoyances like the ~6 meter turning radius, strange rpm meter…
• Small after-sales network. Service quality & long-term reliability are big unknowns
• Waiting period runs into a couple of months
• Don’t get blinded by the British branding. This is a Chinese car

Review Link

Mahindra XUV500

What you’ll like:

• A well-engineered, contemporary SUV with a value-for-money price tag
• More mature styling. Front end no longer looks garish
• Acres of space on the 1st & 2nd seat rows
• Competent engine delivers fantastic urban driveability, as well as fast highway performance
• Balanced ride & handling package
• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP with rollover mitigation, ABS + EBD and all-wheel disc brakes
• Expansive feature list (sunroof, touchscreen ICE, powered driver's seat, cruise control etc.)

What you won’t:

• Absolutely no luggage capacity with all the seats in place
• Cramped 3rd seat row is best suited to children only. A sliding middle row is sorely missed
• Interior quality, although better, still has a lot of scope for improvement
• Clutch is lighter now, but has a long travel range & high resting point. Gets cumbersome in traffic
• Niggles & issues, as reported by existing XUV500 owners
• Mahindra's inconsistent sales & service experiences

Review Link

Review Link - Diesel AT

[GTO]

Whoa, the 15-25 lakh crossover customer is really spoilt for choice, isn't he? Very, very tough.

We can actually split it up in 2 buckets. One with the Taigun, Kushaq, Creta & Seltos, and another (higher) one with the Compass, Harrier, Hector & XUV500 (soon, XUV700). In the former bucket, I would pick the Kushaq because it's a whole lot of fun to drive, is soon getting 6 airbags on the DSG and has a subwoofer (ICE is important to me) which the Taigun doesn't. I couldn't live with the Creta's concept car looks, while the Seltos badly disappointed me with its GNCAP rating (would consider the Kia as a purely city car though).

In the higher bucket, I'd either go for the Compass or wait for the XUV700. But the latter, only after giving Mahindra 1 - 2 years to sort out all the niggles in that electronically complex SUV. Tata still needs to sort out the Harrier, while the Hector isn't my cup of tea. I understand the value that people see in the MG for its space & sheer comfort, but I need a car that's fun to drive on the open road.

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by Aditya

Volkswagen Taigun
Skoda Kushaq
Hyundai Creta
Kia Seltos
Jeep Compass
Tata Harrier
MG Hector
Mahindra XUV500

I feel we should add the Astor to this list and also include the 7OO instead of the 5OO. It’s virtually launched now and for a September end thread its much more relevant to put an option that people would consider “going forward”.

For the higher end I’m surprised to see the Tucson is missing considering the list goes all the way to Jeep pricing / segment.

Originally Posted by GTO

We can actually split it up in 2 buckets. One with the Taigun, Kushaq, Creta & Seltos, and another (higher) one with the Compass, Harrier, Hector & XUV500 (soon, XUV700). In the former bucket, I would pick the Kushaq

Agree with the bucketing.

Re the lower bucket, I would actually like to see how the Astor drives. If it can come close enough to the VAG twins in the driving experience it might just be at the top of my choice list if I were choosing.

In the higher end, I’d make it a choice between the 7OO, Compass and the Tucson (the key Tucson negative being its dated look and that its on the verge of a major generation change).

I’ve had a few diesel Compass A/Ts purchased in my immediate circle in the last few months and that car is really something else. Solidly built and absolutely plush interior quality. It’s a bit of a shame they couldn’t hit the absolutely sweet spot on engine / tranny else it would be an eyes shut “top pick” for me. I’m hoping the Meridian will correct these missteps when it launches next year.

[Rajeevraj]

Wow, that is a lot of choice of Compact and Urban SUV's. Since we are considering the Harrier, XUV, Compass which are one size higher and at the upper end of the spectrum, I think we should include the one size lower CSUVs also- The Venue, Sonet, Nexon and Kicks, Duster(?). So we are essentially talking 3 buckets all of which would meet the requirements of 80-90% of customers in this segment.

So in short, in the ~12-25L segment OTR you have the Nexon, Venue, Sonet, Kicks, Creta, Seltos, Taigun, Kushaq, Astor(upcoming), Harrier, Compass, XUV, Hector. Almost all of them significantly overlap on price, have similar engine and gearbox options, and are loaded with features across the board. Real tough choice for customers in the segment. But tough in a good way.

You really need to drill down 2-3 levels into specifications and features to match against what you want exactly. Even hypothetically speaking, I guess I have no clue what I will buy. Probably the Taigun as I have a soft spot towards that brilliant TSI+DSG.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

IMHO - these products fall into three broad categories -

1. Compact 10-20L SUVs (Taigun, Kushaq, Creta and Seltos)
2. Large 15-25L SUVs (XUV 7OO, Harrier and Hector) where size and parking requirements defines affordability and not the pricetag.
3. 20-30L premium SUV (Compass).

Few customers can cross shop, but unfortunately for many, parking requirements will mean the second category can't be considered. Hence XUV 7OO is out, although it looks like an obvious winner on paper.

Compass is quite simply put - a segment above! It feels like one with the updated interiors and is priced like one too - the entry level Sport AT is priced a couple of lakhs higher than the top-end 1.5 /1.4 AT from the Germans and Koreans. If you can afford one, well and good. But the competition to Compass is more from the likes of TRoc (may be discontinued soon) and Tucson.

Between the compact options - it is a tough choice. I feel the mass market will simply continue with the Koreans because the Taigun and Kushaq feels like budget options when you are sitting inside the cabin - despite the biggest price tag and the smallest feature list. Those who want variety will wait for the Astor. The enthusiast, however, will differ because of the safety and FTD factor provided by the German cousins.

Between the two cousins - it's a hard choice. You win some, lose some. With the Taigun getting better feeling interiors and 7 year extended warranty option for when that DSG fails (and it will!) and also that GT badge, if that matters. Whereas Kushaq gets better features with the updated 1.5 DSG - subwoofer + noisy ventilated seats. A compromised cabin either ways to get that FTD experience.

What confusion, despite a dozen options.

[Eddy]

Easy choice for me = Creta. I don't really care about how it looks.

Had I not been living in Delhi where diesel cars are rendered useless at 10 years, it would have been either the XUV 500 right now or the XUV 700 if the purchase decision was a couple of years away.

[Shreyas_H]

I would split this into 2 broad categories -

For Diesel -

Choice 1: Jeep Compass - great car and the facelift takes the interiors to the next level. Amazing handling and a great Diesel engine
Choice 2: Tata Harrier - same Diesel engine, great automatic gearbox and stunning looks. Might face some niggles with ICE / electronics but the basics of the car will be reliable

For Petrol -
It becomes a bit complex here! While Creta is the de-facto choice of the segment, I personally think it looks weird!
While earlier I used to think Kushaq looks better than the Taigun, I think the market will rally behind the Taigun more than it's cousin. The Astor will make it very very interesting.

For a no-nonsense fuss free city car - Creta/Seltos
For driving pleasure & a safe car (?) - Taigun / Kushaq

Final vote to the Jeep Compass

[abhishek46]

I have voted for the Creta.

Reasons:
1. Huge price range. Starts from Rs 12.xx Lakh and goes on till Rs 22.xx Lakh.
One can simply pick the one which suits his/her wallet!

2. Multiple Powertrain & Gearbox Combinations.
3 Engines, 3 Gearbox Options.
Just Pick what you like!

3. Fairly Reliable Mechanicals. If not bulletproof.

4. Adequate Size. Neither too big, Nor too small.

5. Excellent Dealership Reach. More 1200+ Service touchpoints.

[Hayek]

Very interesting thread, albeit with several omissions. I would have added the Hector Plus, Alcazar and the Safari to this poll, in addition to the MG Astor and XUV700 as suggested by Axe77 - they clearly fall in the same broad segment(s). Do agree one could arguably break this into two categories - but these are spaces where there would be considerable cross shopping. What amazes me is the increase in variety here since I was shopping for a new car in January / February this year - the Taigun, Kushaq, Safari, Hector Plus, Alcazar and Astor didn’t exist back then. Each car has its merits and demerits - I avoided the Seltos at least partly because of the GNCAP results even though it was great to drive, the Jeep was rejected largely on price, and the Hector because I found it terrible to drive. The Creta had insane waiting times, and my son hated its looks (as I once said about the Santro, the only benefit of buying the Creta is that you don’t have to look at it while driving). As such, I upgraded several segments to the Tiguan Allspace - and that sets out where I stand on voting here - would pick the Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG, largely because I find the rear of the Taigun more than slightly overdone.

Still need to test drive the Harrier, Safari, Alcatraz, Taigun and Kushaq - so perhaps this is not the best poll to vote on - but this vote is based on reviews and my assessment of how some cars will drive.

[Floyd de Souza]

For me its the Compass hands down at the upper end of the scale and the Kushaq/Taigun 1.5 DSG at the mid end. This is basis my preference for driving pleasure.

[RaghuVis]

How times have changed! A small flashback to showcase the legend of Creta and where they stand today!

2012 --> Renault springs a huge surprise with Duster, a compact SUV unheard in India at that time at affordable prices. With absolutely no competition, it rules the charts.

2015 --> First direct competitor for Duster, Hyundai Creta is launched. A stylish looking car loaded with features and big spread of variants across petrol and Diesel. Not to forget badge Hyundai. Runaway success that not only demolishes Duster, but rules effectively with absolutely no threat from any single car.

2015 -2020 --> Many cars launched but no one dares to directly compete with Creta. Such is the power of the car. look at the amount of cars other launched:

1. Maruti Scross -- They themselves were too afraid to call it a direct competitor to Creta. Lame effort with automatic choice and the 1.6L pricing Fiasco ensured it does not even fight with Creta.
2. Nissan Kicks -- Not even worth mentioning considering the effort put by Nissan to market it.
3. Renault Captur -- Shooting at their own feet by lying about their car ensured they did not even start on a good note.
4. Jeep Compass -- Finally everyone thought we have a proper competitor to Creta by 2017. Pretty soon realized, this is going to be a bigger vehicle and in higher priced category. Again King Creta rules.
5. MG Hector -- A promising start by MG but again did not wish to compete directly with Creta and brought a bigger vehicle to compete with Compass.
6. Kia Seltos -- 4 years after ruling the segment, Creta finally got a true competitor. Alas, it turned out to be its own Cousin. However fierce they may compete, but at the end of the day all the money goes to a single family. Masterstroke by Hyundai to ensure there is no competitor to themselves.

2021 --> After 6 long years, Creta and its cousin Seltos finally gets a direct competitor; Another set of cousins Kushaq and Taigun . This is soon to be followed by MG Astor which currently is looking like real scene stealer with pretty amazing build up and positivity around them. Another competitor ready to roar is XUV700 with its 5 seater configuration.


You would wonder why I am writing all this.
1) Customers are finally spoilt for choices. I am looking for an upgrade to my Polo is another couple of years and as of today, I am pretty confused as the choices are plenty and one has to be thankful for that.
2) Even if Kushaq, Taigun, XUV700 and Astor were to do 2-2.5K cars per month, that is 10K cars in the segment. A good chunk of this surely is going to be from Creta/Seltos.
3) I am eagerly waiting to see how Hyundai/Kia is going to strike back. Hyundai is a fierce competitor and won't give an inch of space to anyone. Exciting times ahead.
4) Where is market Leader Maruti in all this? Close to 30K cars in this single segment and all Maurti can do is wait on the sidelines and be content with disamal figures of Scross.

[KungFuPanda]

Voted for Taigun - keeping in mind competitors of Kushaq, Creta and Seltos. I feel this is where the real battle is at the moment. Of the lot, Taigun for me is the jack of all trades, master of none. Engine and Handling are super important and from what I hear, the 1.5 DSG should have that ticked. And looks are very important to me so out goes Creta. Am not an audiophile, so can live with above average ICE.

I suspect that MG Astor will take the lead in this segment when it sees the light of day.

[MegaWhat]

Voted for Compass. But like others, I agree that this poll goes across multiple classes. I would include the CSUVs and rather break this into three segments as per the price band: 10-15L, 15-20L and 20-30L.
For 10-15L, I would vote for the Nexon
For 15-20L, Taigun
For 20-30L, Compass
Honestly that's the dilemma I find myself in if I were to buy my next car in a year or so .

[skx007]

The option's in this poll are an indication of how far this segment has come. We are absolutely spoilt for choice, especially considering all the latest or upcoming cars like Taigun, XUV700, Astor etc.

As a prospective customer in the market, looking to buy exactly from this particular segment, I have run circles around my pros and cons list, to buy (or what I think is) the perfect car. In an ideal world, the Jeep Compass would already be sitting in my garage but I simply could not justify the price for what it offers in terms of space or features.

After a more realistic approach, I finally settled on the (yep cliche answer) Creta. I found, it has the perfect mix of everyday comforts coupled with an all around competent driving experience. Now if my SA can actually deliver the car before I die is another matter.

So in short, If I could vote in this poll it would go to the Creta.

[eccentric]

Surprised to see Nissan Kicks/ Renault Duster out of the contention. Couldn't understand how the options for the poll are decided considering different category cars are being compared.

I would vouch for the Nissan Kicks since it offers decent cabin room, robust suspension, hydraulic steering, ample GC and the ability to conquer broken tarmac. Seems to be the perfect VFM proposition barring the lazy sales and service network.