15-20L SUV war: MG Hector vs XUV 700 vs Harrier vs Seltos vs Creta

Enthusiasts can blast the Hector all they want, but the fact is, it is unbeatable as a spacious, comfortable, family cruiser with a softly sprung suspension.

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
• Refined 1.5L petrol is mated to a smooth CVT
• 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 turbo-petrol engine is “adequate” at best. Nothing for enthusiasts here
• Petrol CVT combination is a gas guzzler. Realistically, you can expect ~10 km/l
• No Diesel AT (Creta, Seltos, XUV500, Hexa offer this combination, which we love)
• Some annoyances like the ~6 meter turning radius, strange rpm meter (digital)…
• Small after-sales network. Service quality & long-term reliability are big unknowns
• Don’t get blinded by the British branding. This is a Chinese car

Review link

Tata Harrier

What you'll like:

• Stunning looks & strong road presence. Solid build too
• Well-priced for the package on offer
• Classy, spacious cabin with comfortable seats & a chilling air-con
• Fantastic 9-speaker audio system. Sound quality & bass are enjoyable
• The 168BHP, 2.0L diesel offers good performance
• Smooth & competent 6-speed automatic transmission
• 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:

• Concerns over niggles & long-term reliability. Few customers have reported problems
• Heavy steering gets cumbersome at parking / u-turn / crawling speeds (<5 km/h)
• Although improved, the Harrier's steering @ 120 km/h is still a level too sensitive
• 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
• Harrier AT’s focus is on smoothness & comfort; gearbox is not the most responsive
• Service visit every 6 months / 7500 km (12-months is the norm today)
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble

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:

• Scored just 3-stars in the GNCAP crash tests
• 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)
• You get bigger SUVs & Crossovers for the same money (e.g. Hector, Harrier)

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. Creta 1.6L is faster
• 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

Maruti Grand Vitara

What you'll like:

• A competent hybrid car for the mass market
• 20+ km/l FE in city driving conditions makes the Grand Vitara cheaper to run than a diesel!
• Lower emissions will appeal to environmentally-conscious buyers. And those who aren’t ready for an EV yet
• Toyota’s reliability & expertise in hybrid systems is very reassuring in the Maruti
• Seamless Hybrid system that makes driving a breeze. A car you will enjoy driving in traffic
• Maruti's AWD system provides impressive soft-roading capabilities. Can get you out of tricky situations when touring
• Compliant ride quality coupled with balanced driving dynamics
• Well-equipped with features such as driving modes, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, wireless smartphone charging, connected car features, wireless Android Auto + Apple CarPlay and more
• Maruti’s excellent after-sales service, wide dealer network & fuss-free ownership experiences
• Does most things well, but doesn’t excel in any particular area (other than fuel economy)

What you won't:

• Practicality is compromised due to reduced boot space in the full-hybrid variant
• Interior quality and fit & finish are underwhelming at this price point
• AllGrip AWD is only available in a single MT trim. Missed opportunity to market a USP
• Interior is narrow and doesn't feel as roomy as some competitors. Rear seat is best for 2 adults
• Lacks the outright performance of the competition. Runs out of steam above 110 km/h
• Not as engaging to drive as the German competitors, or the Creta / Seltos turbo-petrols
• NVH levels from the drivetrain are surprisingly poor for a hybrid. Sounds from the 3-cylinder engine, electric motor and brake vacuum pump filter into the cabin
• The Honda City’s Hybrid system is smoother, more sophisticated & more refined
• Missing features such as rain-sensing wipers, premium audio + subwoofer, electric seats, electric parking brake, LED interior lighting, etc.
• Does most things well, but doesn’t excel in any particular area (other than fuel economy)

Review Link

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

What you'll like:

• Very good attempt at making a mass-market hybrid car
• 20+ kmpl FE in city driving conditions makes the Hyryder cheaper to run than a diesel!
• Seamless hybrid system that makes driving a breeze. A car you will enjoy driving in the city
• Lower emissions will appeal to environmentally-conscious buyers. And those who aren’t ready for an EV yet
• Toyota’s reliability & expertise in hybrid systems is very reassuring
• Compliant ride quality coupled with balanced driving dynamics
• Well-equipped with features such as driving modes, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, wireless smartphone charging, connected car features, wireless Android Auto + Apple Carplay and more
• Only Crossover in this segment to provide AWD capability
• Toyota’s after-sales quality is usually regarded as top-notch by owners
• Does most things well, but doesn’t excel in any particular area (other than fuel economy)

What you won't:

• Practicality is compromised due to reduced boot space in the full-hybrid variant
• Quality of interior plastics feels more “Maruti” than Toyota. Frankly, the S-Cross cabin feels better in quality
• Interior is narrow and doesn't feel as roomy as some competitors. Rear seat is best for 2 adults
• Missing features such as rain-sensing wipers, premium audio + subwoofer, electric seats, electric parking brake, LED interior lighting, etc.
• Lacks the outright performance of the competition. Runs out of steam above 110 kmph
• Not as engaging to drive as the German competitors, or the Creta / Seltos turbo-petrols
• NVH levels from the drivetrain are surprisingly poor for a hybrid. Sounds from the 3-cylinder engine, electric motor and brake vacuum pump filter into the cabin
• AWD available only on the MT (not the AT) and the mild-hybrid (not full-hybrid)
• The Honda City’s Hybrid system is smoother, more sophisticated & more refined
• Does most things well, but doesn’t excel in any particular area (other than fuel economy)

Review Link

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...
• 5-star GNCAP safety rating - full details here!

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.
• 5-star GNCAP safety rating - full details here!

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 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

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
• 4x4 is no longer available with the MT. AWD AT commands a ~4 lakh premium over 4x2 MT
• 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

Mahindra XUV 700

What you'll like:

• Handsome styling matched to solid build quality. Has street presence, feels robust
• Very spacious interiors with comfy seats and sorted ergonomics. 6-footer passengers welcome!
• 182 BHP turbo-diesel & 197 BHP turbo-petrol make for a potent line-up
• Smooth 6-speed torque converter Automatics available with both engines
• Sorted suspension with good road manners & high speed stability
• AWD available for the adventurous, unlike most FWD crossovers in the segment
• Loaded with features like radar-based driver assistance system, pop-out door handles, panoramic sunroof, driver memory seat, 360-degree camera, 10.25" infotainment & instrument cluster etc.
• 12-speaker Sony audio system is fantastic! You'll enjoy its sound quality
• Safety features include 7 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, hill hold, hill descent control, driver drowsiness detection, TPMS, ISOFIX...

What you won't:

• Negligible boot space with the 3rd-row seat up. Either 5 onboard, or 7 with a roof-top carrier
• Cramped 3rd-row seat is best suited to children only. A sliding middle row is sorely missed
• Petrol AT is thirsty due to its hefty weight, 197 BHP & torque-converter AT
• Some cabin plastics & a few rough areas don't feel premium in an otherwise loaded SUV
• Missing features such as an auto-dimming IRVM, ventilated seats, paddle shifters, full-size spare wheel, ambient lighting, rear sunblinds...
• Concerns over niggles & bugs in a freshly baked, complex Mahindra. We saw 2!
• Mahindra's after-sales service is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
• AWD is available just with the Diesel AT, and not the MT or petrol motor

Review Link

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Enthusiasts can blast the Hector all they want, but the fact is, it is unbeatable as a spacious, comfortable, family cruiser with a softly sprung suspension. I have recommended the Hector to many people in my circle who were looking purely at a comfort-mobile and each of them is very happy with the purchase. MG also scores well on sales & service experiences.

It is however, not my kind of car. If I were buying an SUV in this segment, it would be the XUV700. If high running, then the practical Diesel AT. If the usage is on the lower side, then the fast & refined Petrol AT.

Here's what BHPian AtheK had to say on the matter:

Great comparison, and I eventually settled for facelift Hector. The enthusiast in me has taken a back seat as years have gone by, and my prime requirement in the car was for my 9 year old son to be comfortable on long drives. Secondary was to have a very good music system that I can listen to, when I put the car on cruise control at 110 on highway and have a good relaxed drive. Hector is slow of the block but once turbo kicks in it cruises silently at 110 with enough power on tap to make some quick overtakes. Hector checked both my requirements and wife loved the view and space in passenger seat as well. The worldly creatures like ventilated seats, ambient lights, electrnic boot and wireless CarPlay adds up to overall mood uplift. We took the car for a long 100 KM drive to see if my son was comfortable and he really had a good time in the car which sealed it. Need to zero down on the bling though as I personally don't like chrome at all, so a lot of that will be taken out.

For the enthusiast in me I have my bikes, I can have all the fun I want and no one to bother me every second to slow down.

All in all I echo GTO sentiment and he has put it perfectly this car is not for enthusiasts they need to look at XUV. I had also given XUV a long thought but 9-10 months of waiting was something I was not ready for and also deal with the niggles in the car, they still have issues with wireless android auto and CarPlay.

PS: One car which can now make entry to this list is Alcazar, now with a new turbo engine which puts in a very good power it can actually be a great choice. As a matter of fact I was thinking of going to take a test drive if new engine but got a message that my hector has been allocated so now will take delivery of hector next week.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.