In this Compact SUV Mega Comparison: Seven's a Crowd, we compare seven popular SUVs: Hyundai Venue, Skoda Kylaq, Kia Syros, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Brezza.
Which SUV offers the best combination of price, performance, mileage, comfort, features and practicality? Let's find out!
 |
| Hyundai Venue |
 |
| Skoda Kylaq |
 |
| Kia Syros |
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| Hyundai Venue |
 |
| Skoda Kylaq |
 |
| Kia Syros |
1. Seven Compact SUVs: Price Comparison
Here is the ex-showroom price comparison of the seven selected automatic variants.
SUV |
Tested variant |
Ex-showroom price |
|---|---|---|
Hyundai Venue |
HX10 1.0 Turbo DCT |
₹14.56 lakh |
Skoda Kylaq |
Prestige+ AT |
₹12.99 lakh |
Kia Syros |
HTX+(O) DCT |
₹15.29 lakh |
Mahindra XUV 3XO |
AX7L T-GDi AT |
₹14.55 lakh |
Kia Sonet |
X Line DCT |
₹13.65 lakh |
Tata Nexon |
Fearless+ A DCT |
₹13.53 lakh |
Maruti Brezza |
ZXI+ AT |
₹12.85 lakh |
Prices refer to the specific variants in the Autocar comparison and may change.
The Maruti Brezza is the most affordable top-spec automatic in this comparison, while the Kia Syros is the most expensive. The Skoda Kylaq also offers an attractive price considering its turbo-petrol automatic powertrain.
Winner: Maruti Brezza for the lowest tested-variant price.
2. Exterior Design: Which Compact SUV Looks Best?
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Hyundai Venue |
 |
Skoda Kylaq |
 |
Kia Syros |
 |
Mahindra XUV 3XO |
 |
Kia Sonet |
 |
Tata Nexon |
 |
Maruti Brezza |
All seven SUVs have their own styling identity.
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Hyundai Venue: Modern lighting elements, bold grille and updated proportions.
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Skoda Kylaq: Clean European styling with a strong front appearance.
Kia Syros: Unique boxy shape and distinctive design.
Mahindra XUV 3XO: Muscular stance and sporty front styling.
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Kia Sonet: Premium appearance with attractive lighting and sporty details.
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Tata Nexon: Curved body design, modern lighting and strong road presence.
Maruti Brezza: Simple, practical and familiar SUV styling.
Winner: Subjective. The Syros looks the most distinctive, while the Sonet and XUV 3XO appeal to buyers who prefer sporty styling.
3. Dimensions Comparison
Dimensions play an important role in cabin space, passenger comfort and road presence.
Dimensions |
Venue |
Kylaq |
Syros |
XUV 3XO |
Sonet |
Nexon |
Brezza |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Length (mm) |
3995 |
3885 |
3995 |
3990 |
3995 |
3995 |
3995 |
Width (mm) |
1800 |
1783 |
1805 |
1821 |
1790 |
1804 |
1790 |
Height (mm) |
1665 |
1619 |
1680 |
1647 |
1642 |
1602 |
1685 |
Wheelbase (mm) |
2520 |
2566 |
2550 |
2600 |
2500 |
2498 |
2500 |
Ground clearance (mm) |
190 |
189 |
189 |
201 |
205 |
208 |
198 |
The Mahindra XUV 3XO has the widest body and longest wheelbase. The Maruti Brezza is the tallest, while the Tata Nexon offers the highest ground clearance at 208mm.
Winner: Mahindra XUV 3XO for wheelbase and width; Tata Nexon for ground clearance.
4. Interior and Cabin Comparison
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Hyundai Venue |
 |
Skoda Kylaq |
 |
Kia Syros |
 |
Mahindra XUV 3XO |
 |
Kia Sonet |
 |
Tata Nexon |
 |
Maruti Brezza |
Each SUV offers a different interior experience.
Hyundai Venue: The new-generation Venue features a modern twin-screen dashboard, improved cabin quality and better rear-seat space.
Skoda Kylaq: Its cabin feels solid and well-built. The front seats offer excellent support, although rear-seat space is comparatively limited.
Kia Syros: The Syros has one of the most premium cabins in this comparison. Its sliding and reclining rear seats offer excellent flexibility and comfort.
Mahindra XUV 3XO: The cabin feels spacious, with comfortable rear seats and soft-touch materials. It is particularly suitable for families.
Kia Sonet: Its sophisticated dashboard, premium materials and excellent fit and finish make it feel like a more expensive SUV. However, rear-seat space is relatively tight.
Tata Nexon: The Nexon offers a modern dashboard and useful features, but its rear-seat design is more comfortable for two adults than three.
Maruti Brezza: The Brezza focuses on practicality, comfortable seats, simple controls and excellent cabin usability.
Winner: Kia Syros for cabin quality and rear-seat flexibility. The XUV 3XO and Brezza are also strong choices for family comfort.
5. Boot Space Comparison
Boot capacity is important for families who travel with luggage.
SUV |
Boot space |
|---|---|
Hyundai Venue |
375 litres |
Skoda Kylaq |
360 litres |
Kia Syros |
390 litres |
Mahindra XUV 3XO |
295 litres |
Kia Sonet |
385 litres |
Tata Nexon |
382 litres |
Maruti Brezza |
328 litres |
The Kia Syros offers the largest boot capacity at 390 litres, helped by its sliding rear seats. The Kia Sonet and Tata Nexon also offer useful luggage space.
Winner: Kia Syros. It offers the largest boot in this comparison.
6. Engine and Performance Comparison
Engine performance is one of the most important factors when buying a compact SUV.
SUV |
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
Hyundai Venue |
1.0L Turbo Petrol |
120 hp |
172 Nm |
Skoda Kylaq |
1.0L TSI Turbo Petrol |
115 hp |
178 Nm |
Kia Syros |
1.0L Turbo Petrol |
120 hp |
172 Nm |
Mahindra XUV 3XO |
1.2L Turbo Petrol |
131 hp |
230 Nm |
Kia Sonet |
1.0L Turbo Petrol |
120 hp |
172 Nm |
Tata Nexon |
1.2L Turbo Petrol |
120 hp |
170 Nm |
Maruti Brezza |
1.5L Petrol |
103 hp |
137 Nm |
The Mahindra XUV 3XO produces the highest power and torque in this comparison.
The Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and Kia Syros share a similar 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and seven-speed DCT automatic gearbox.
The Skoda Kylaq uses a 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine paired with a six-speed torque converter automatic.
The Tata Nexon uses a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine with a seven-speed DCT, while the Brezza uses a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine with a six-speed torque converter automatic.
Winner: Mahindra XUV 3XO. Its 131 hp engine and 230 Nm torque give it the strongest performance figures.
7. Acceleration Test: Which SUV Is Fastest?
Autocar India tested the acceleration of all seven SUVs from 0–100 km/h.
SUV |
0–100 km/h |
|---|---|
Mahindra XUV 3XO |
11.10 seconds |
Skoda Kylaq |
11.31 seconds |
Kia Sonet |
11.52 seconds |
Hyundai Venue |
11.62 seconds |
Tata Nexon |
12.71 seconds |
Kia Syros |
13.62 seconds |
Maruti Brezza |
14.29 seconds |
The Mahindra XUV 3XO takes first place with an impressive 11.10-second acceleration time. The Skoda Kylaq comes very close, completing the same test in 11.31 seconds.
The Maruti Brezza finishes last, mainly because its naturally aspirated petrol engine produces less power and torque than the turbocharged competitors.
8. Features and Technology Comparison
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| Hyundai Venue |
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| Kia Syros |
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| Mahindra XUV 3XO |
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| Tata Nexon |
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| Kia Sonet |
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| Maruti Brezza |
Features |
Venue |
Kylaq |
Syros |
XUV 3XO |
Sonet |
Nexon |
Brezza |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panoramic sunroof |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Ventilated seats |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
360° camera |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
ADAS |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Wireless smartphone connectivity |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Rear seat ventilation |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Feature availability varies by variant; this is a simplified comparison of the tested/top-spec equipment described in the source.
The Kia Syros is the most comprehensively equipped SUV in this group. Its sliding rear seats, rear-seat ventilation and large panoramic sunroof make it particularly attractive for families.
The Hyundai Venue also offers a strong technology package with its modern dashboard and ADAS features.
Winner: Kia Syros. It offers an impressive combination of premium features and passenger comfort.
9. Ride Comfort and Handling
Ride comfort is essential for Indian roads, especially when travelling with family.
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Hyundai Venue: Offers a composed ride, predictable handling and improved cabin comfort.
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Skoda Kylaq: Excellent handling, balanced suspension and enjoyable driving dynamics.
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Kia Syros: Softer suspension setup prioritises comfort, although body roll is more noticeable.
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Mahindra XUV 3XO: Excellent ride and handling balance, with strong mechanical grip.
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Kia Sonet: Stable at higher speeds but feels firm over some low-speed bumps.
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Tata Nexon: Feels stable at high speeds but its suspension can feel firm and slightly jittery.
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Maruti Brezza: Delivers impressive low-speed comfort and absorbs bumps effectively.
Winner: Mahindra XUV 3XO for overall ride and handling balance. The Skoda Kylaq is the better choice for driving enthusiasts, while the Brezza is excellent for comfortable city driving.
10. Mileage and Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency depends on the engine, transmission, traffic and driving style.
SUV |
Powertrain in comparison |
Fuel type |
|---|---|---|
Hyundai Venue |
1.0 Turbo DCT |
Petrol |
Skoda Kylaq |
1.0 TSI AT |
Petrol |
Kia Syros |
1.0 Turbo DCT |
Petrol |
Mahindra XUV 3XO |
1.2 Turbo AT |
Petrol |
Kia Sonet |
1.0 Turbo DCT |
Petrol |
Tata Nexon |
1.2 Turbo DCT |
Petrol |
Maruti Brezza |
1.5 AT |
Petrol |
The Maruti Brezza's naturally aspirated engine is designed for easy everyday drivability, while the turbocharged engines in the other SUVs focus more on performance.
For buyers who want CNG or diesel choices, the wider model ranges also matter. The Tata Nexon, for example, offers petrol, diesel, CNG and electric powertrain options.
Winner: No clear winner without a like-for-like real-world mileage test. Buyers should compare official figures for their chosen variants.
11. Safety Comparison
Safety is an important consideration for family buyers.
These SUVs offer different combinations of airbags, electronic stability control, cameras and driver assistance technology.
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Hyundai Venue offers advanced driver assistance features in selected variants.
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Skoda Kylaq offers essential modern safety equipment but misses ADAS in this comparison.
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Kia Syros offers a comprehensive technology and safety package.
Mahindra XUV 3XO provides a strong safety equipment package.
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Kia Sonet offers several modern safety and convenience features.
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Tata Nexon has a strong reputation for safety and offers multiple safety technologies.
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Maruti Brezza focuses on practical everyday safety equipment.
Do not assume that all variants offer the same safety equipment. Check the exact variant and independently verified crash-test rating before buying.
Winner: No definitive winner from equipment alone. Safety ratings and variant-specific equipment should decide this category.
12. Final Verdict: Which Compact SUV Is Best?
After comparing all seven SUVs, each model has its own strengths. However, the Hyundai Venue takes the overall victory in Autocar India's comparison because it offers a well-rounded combination of comfort, technology, performance, practicality and everyday usability.
Best all-rounder with modern features, improved cabin space and good performance.
2. Skoda Kylaq
Best for driving enthusiasts, handling and solid build feel.
3. Kia Syros
Best for spacious rear seats, cabin quality and premium features.
4. Mahindra XUV 3XO
Best for engine performance, acceleration and ride-handling balance.
5. Kia Sonet
Best for premium interiors, sophistication and sporty appearance.
6. Tata Nexon
Best for multiple powertrain choices and ground clearance.
7. Maruti Suzuki Brezza
Best for practicality, easy driving and comfortable everyday use.
My Recommendation
If you want one SUV that does almost everything well, the Hyundai Venue is the best overall choice in this comparison.
However, if your priorities are different:
Best performance: Mahindra XUV 3XO.
Best rear-seat comfort: Kia Syros.
Best driving experience: Skoda Kylaq.
Best premium interior: Kia Sonet.
Best ground clearance: Tata Nexon.
Best everyday practicality: Maruti Brezza.
Best overall package: Hyundai Venue.
The final decision depends on your budget, driving requirements and family needs.
13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which is the best compact SUV in India in 2026?
The Hyundai Venue is the overall winner in Autocar India's seven-SUV comparison, thanks to its well-rounded performance, features and practicality.
2. Which compact SUV has the most powerful engine?
The Mahindra XUV 3XO has the most powerful engine in this comparison, producing 131 hp and 230 Nm of torque.
3. Which SUV is the fastest among these seven cars?
The Mahindra XUV 3XO is the fastest, completing 0–100 km/h in 11.10 seconds.
4. Which compact SUV has the best interior?
The Kia Syros offers an excellent cabin with premium materials, flexible rear seats and impressive passenger space.
5. Which SUV has the biggest boot space?
The Kia Syros has the largest boot capacity at 390 litres.
6. Which SUV is best for family use?
The Hyundai Venue, Kia Syros, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Maruti Brezza are strong family-friendly choices.
7. Which SUV has the highest ground clearance?
The Tata Nexon offers the highest ground clearance in this comparison at 208mm.
8. Which compact SUV is best for driving enthusiasts?
The Skoda Kylaq is particularly enjoyable to drive because of its excellent handling, balanced suspension and responsive engine.
9. Which SUV is the most affordable in this comparison?
The Maruti Brezza ZXI+ automatic is the most affordable tested top-spec variant at ₹12.85 lakh ex-showroom.
10. Which SUV should I buy in 2026?
Choose the Hyundai Venue for an all-round package, Mahindra XUV 3XO for performance, Kia Syros for comfort or Maruti Brezza for practicality.
