Tata Nexon Facelift
Review link Kia Sonet
What you'll like:
A mini-Seltos in almost every way! Same formula, in a smaller package
Sharp & handsome styling. In our opinion, this is the best-looking Compact SUV
Excellent spread of powertrains including a fast & enjoyable turbo-petrol
Diesel AT is fantastic; the only smooth torque-converter gearbox in a sea of AMTs
Well-tuned suspension offers a good balance between ride & handling. 205 mm GC too
Top safety package includes 6 airbags, ESP, HSA, TPMS etc.
Very enjoyable 7-speaker Bose sound system
Impressive kit (ventilated seats, sunroof, auto LED headlamps, cruise control, wireless charger)
What you won't:
Rear seat legroom is just adequate, while its limited width makes the Sonet a 4-seater
Top variants are pricey! More expensive than its sibling, the Hyundai Venue too
Some misses ( 60:40 rear seat split, auto wipers, steering reach adjustment, illuminated window buttons, full-size spare tyre on top trims
)
Dual-clutch ATs (like the Petrol DCT) have a history of poor reliability in India
As always with Kia, the variant spread is tough to figure out. Good luck finding your perfect Sonet!
Review Link 2022 Hyundai Venue
What you'll like:
A mini-Creta in almost every way! Same formula, in a smaller package
Precise build & quality (including interiors) are easily among the segment best
Competent engines mated to slick gearboxes
Fast shifting dual-clutch Automatic gearbox available
Balanced road manners. Very easy to drive as well
Loaded to the gills with equipment (paddle shifters, drive modes, sunroof, BlueLink telematics, cabin air purifier etc.)
Top safety equipment includes 6 airbags, BAS, ESP, HSA, ISOFIX and more
Hyundai's competent after-sales & fuss-free ownership experiences
What you won't:
Diminutive street presence. Looks more hatchback than SUV from some angles, especially the rear
Strictly a 4-seater; the rear bench has very awkward seating for the middle occupant
Missing kit (auto wipers, auto-dimming IRVM, steering reach adjustment...)
Long term reliability of the DCT is a concern
Engine noise is very prominent, more so in Sport mode
AT only on the petrol, not the diesel. Kia Sonet gets a Diesel AT
Review Link 2022 Maruti Brezza
What you'll like:
Good-looking Compact SUV with improved road presence & mass appeal
Well-rounded product. Takes a successful formula and improves upon it
A competent BS6 petrol with Smart Hybrid tech and excellent fuel efficiency
Smooth 6-speed torque-converter AT comes with paddle shifters
Well-mannered suspension setup riding on 16-inch wheels and 215/60 section tyres
Decent cabin space for a sub-4 meter car. Lots of storage & a powerful air-con too
Now gets a sunroof, 360-degree camera, head-up display, rear A/C vents, wireless charging, ambient lighting, tilt & telescopic steering adjustment, connected car features etc
Long feature list includes dual projector LED auto headlamps, LED DRLs & foglamps, auto-dimming IRVM, cruise control and a 9-inch touchscreen HU paired with an Arkamys sound system
Safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, hill-hold assist and ISOFIX. Built on the same platform as the outgoing car, which had received a 4-star GNCAP safety rating
Marutis excellent after-sales service, wide dealer network & fuss-free ownership experiences
What you won't:
Feels more like a significant facelift rather than an all-new product
No diesel option like its rivals! Petrol-only as of now. CNG may be offered in the future
1.5L petrol engine lacks outright grunt. Tuned for fuel-efficiency and suitable for relaxed cruising only
Expensive! AT variants are priced higher than competitor turbo-petrols with more advanced transmissions
AT option commands a stiff Rs. 1.5 lakh ex-showroom premium!
Interior quality and fit & finish are underwhelming for the price. The game has moved on
Short gearing of the 5-speed MT and lack of 6th cog results in an unusually busy engine at 100-120 km/h
328-litre boot is among the smallest in the segment
Some missing features like ventilated seats, leather upholstery, TPMS, drive modes, auto wipers and front parking sensors
Review Link Mahindra XUV300
What you'll like:
A truly premium crossover. Nice build, quality & refinement levels
Great looking! Smart design has none of the usual Mahindra quirkiness
Cabin has enough space for 5. Quality-wise, the interior is more like a Hyundai
Fantastic engines. The petrol & diesel, both, offer fast performance & good driveability
A compliant ride with neutral road manners
Top safety kit. 7 airbags, ESP, ABS, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS, seatbelt reminders for all & more
Loaded to the gills with equipment (front parking sensors, sunroof, cruise control, auto headlamps & wipers etc)
What you won't:
One of the most expensive Compact SUV in India! Not overpriced, but definitely higher than expected
257-liter boot is the smallest in the segment. There are cheaper hatchbacks which have a larger boot
Lack of a proper middle variant. W6 trim is simply too bare-bones, while W8 is expensive!
AMT doesnt suit a truly premium crossover like the XUV300
Sad audio system by current standards. The bass, especially, is poor
Mahindra's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
Some important features missing (dead pedal, parcel tray, rear air-con, steering reach adjustment etc)
Review Link The 2021 XUV300 Petrol AMT BHPian naadopaasaka's XUV300 Turbosport ownership review Maruti Fronx
What you'll like:
Smart looking crossover with sharp & attractive styling
Feels better built than some other Maruti cars
1.0L Boosterjet turbo-petrol engine is quick and has minimal turbo lag. Driveability is satisfactory
Smart Hybrid system ensures excellent fuel efficiency. ARAI = 20.01 to 22.89 kmpl
Nicely tuned suspension glides over small bumps, potholes and road imperfections
User-friendly cabin with loads of space! Can easily seat 5 adults (unlike many competitors)
Long feature list includes LED auto headlamps, LED DRLs, cruise control, 9-inch touchscreen HU paired with an Arkamys sound system, 360-degree camera, head-up display, rear A/C vents, wireless charging, footwell lighting, tilt & telescopic steering adjustment, connected car features etc
Safety kit includes 6 airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all, ESP, traction control, hill-hold assist and ISOFIX
Marutis excellent after-sales service, wide dealer network & fuss-free ownership experiences
What you won't:
On the inside, its almost identical to the regular Baleno. Differentiation shouldve been more
Quality of some plastic parts and fabric upholstery is mediocre
1.0L turbo-petrol although quick, is not exciting enough for enthusiasts
308-litre boot is among the smallest in the segment
No diesel option like some rivals
Rear seats under-thigh support is lacking for taller passengers
A few missing features like sunroof, TPMS, rear armrest, drive modes, auto wipers and front parking sensors
Lesser height means, despite the smart styling, it doesnt have the road presence of typical crossovers
Review Link Nissan Magnite
What you'll like:
The Magnite looks really good
that handsome face is a head-turner
Sheer value-for-money pricing. Turbo-petrol with a proper AT under 10 lakhs!
Peppy performance from the Magnites 1.0L turbo-petrol engine
Smooth well-tuned CVT in a sea of jerky AMTs. Has Sport and L modes too
Healthy legroom for rear passengers. Space packaging is brilliant
Impressive kit (cruise control, LED headlamps, rear air-con vents, 360-degree camera, wireless charger, wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay)
205 mm of ground clearance is more than enough for any kind of bad roads
Safety kit includes ESP, TPMS, ABS, EBD & hill start assist
Base variant also gets a reasonable kit, including a rear wiper. Its not poverty-spec
What you won't:
Stiff & basic ride quality. You feel each and everything on the road
The Magnite is built to a cost and it does show, especially in the budget-grade cabin
Lower variants 1.0L naturally-aspirated petrol is a boring, unimpressive engine
Clunky, firm MT gearshift & a clutch pedal that has more weight than it should
No diesel option available on the Nissan Magnite
Cabin is narrower than some competitors. Narrow width makes it best for 4 adults
Missing features such as an auto-dimming IRVM, full-size spare tyre
Doesn't have the finesse or quality of premium crossovers like the XUV300, Sonet etc.
Nissan's tiny dealership network & lousy after-sales quality
Review Link Renault Kiger
Driving Report Mahindra Bolero Neo
What you'll like:
A 7-seater SUV at a price comparable to 5-seat crossovers & compact sedans
Robust, abuse-friendly build & body-on-frame construction. A typical Mahindra UV in that sense
Likeable & roomy cabin. 1st & 2nd seat rows are spacious
1.5L diesel offers excellent urban driveability & fuel economy
Tall seating, comfy front seats with armrests, excellent visibility & good presence make city driving easier
Healthy boot space with the last row of seats folded. Can drop 2nd row to haul more cargo
New additions such as the mechanical locking differential & cruise control
Dual airbags, ABS + EBD, Corner Braking Control etc. are offered on every variant
What you won't:
3-cylinder diesel has no top-end. Expressway performance is mediocre, vibrating gear lever a turnoff
Ride quality is nowhere as cushy as its car-based rivals. Does get bouncy & bumpy
Steering is on the heavier side at parking / low speeds
No automatic in a market that loves its ATs. No 4x4 or petrol engine either
Some missing features like a reversing camera, leatherette seats, lumbar support adjustment, underseat storage, roof rails, smaller fuel tank...
Side-facing 3rd-row seats are very uncomfortable
Some important features missing (climate control, Android Auto / Apple CarPlay, rear a/c vents, good speakers, auto-dimming IRVM etc.)
Mahindra's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
Review Link