The SUV and EV markets are booming in India, with most automakers now offering electric and SUV models to meet customer demand. With so many options available, deciding which best suits your needs and budget can get confusing. To help make this decision easier, we compare four popular models on key parameters – the Hyundai Venue and Tata Nexon compact SUVs, the Tata Tiago EV hatchback, and Hyundai’s Exter micro-SUV.
Read on as we compare these models across dimensions, features, driving range, pricing, and more to reveal which is the best for space, comfort, practicality, features, and overall value.
The Venue has an eye-catching, athletic design flaunting updates like a bolder chrome grille, split headlamps, and rugged skid plates. You can also check the Venue price for different variants.
The Nexon facelift sports a radically changed front fascia compared to the outgoing model. The eye-catching details include sleek LED DRLs with indicators, beefy bumper, and LED lamps. It looks like an all-new generation SUV.
The Tiago EV inherits a balanced design from the standard Tiago, which has aged gracefully. The EV version adds distinct touches like tri-arrow inserts, blue highlights, and LED DRLs while retaining the clean lines.
The Exter follows Hyundai’s new boxy design trend instead of the signature cascade grille. The black parametric grille with integrated headlamps and H-shaped DRLs give it a distinctive front-end look. The skid plate and lettering add to the style.
The Venue offers three engine options – a standard petrol, a more powerful turbo-petrol, and a turbo-diesel. The engines range from 1.0L to 1.5L capacity.
The Nexon car keeps things simpler with just 2 engine choices – a 1.2L turbo-petrol and a 1.5L turbo-diesel. Both produce good power and torque.
As an electric vehicle, the Tiago EV uses an electric motor rather than a traditional engine. Thanks to the instant torque delivery, it offers an engaging driving experience.
As a micro-SUV focused on affordability, the Exter offers just one standard 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol engine. A factory-fitted CNG version is also available for enhanced efficiency. Power and torque output are modest.
The Venue offers predictable handling and decent ride quality. The steering weighs up nicely as the speeds increase. There is some body roll when thrown around corners. The petrol and diesel engines offer adequate performance for city use but struggle on the highway.
The Nexon impresses with its sharp handling capabilities. The steering is well-weighted and offers good feedback. Ride quality is also excellent, with the suspension absorbing bumps nicely. The turbo-petrol and diesel engines deliver strong performance with smooth power delivery.
Being an EV, the Tiago EV has instant torque available right from the start, which helps in easy drivability. The motor is refinement personified and makes no noise even when accelerating hard. Handling is decent, but the battery pack’s extra weight means body roll is present. The ride quality is firm but still comfortable.
Thanks to the light steering, the Hyundai Exter offers easy manoeuvrability in city traffic. The ride quality is good, but handling could be more inspiring due to the budget suspension setup. The 1.2-litre petrol motor feels adequately powerful for urban commutes but lacks punch on highways.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Venue delivers. No matter which engine you choose, you’ll get great mileage – the 1.2L petrol manual gives 17km per litre, the 1.0L turbo petrol with either a manual or dual-clutch transmission returns 18km per litre, and the diesel manual option tops the charts at an impressive 22km per litre.
The Nexon petrol variants deliver around 17kmpl for both manual and automatic versions. The diesel is even more efficient, with the manual offering 23.23kmpl and AMT delivering 24.08kmpl. So, if fuel economy is key, the Nexon diesel is a great choice.
As an electric vehicle, the Tiago EV consumes no petrol or diesel. Instead, it is powered solely by its battery pack, which is charged through electricity. So, in terms of running costs, it beats the conventional engine options. The claimed range is over 250km on a single full charge.
The Exter offers 19.4 km/l in the petrol manual form and 19.2 km/l for the AMT variant. Switch to the factory-fitted CNG, and efficiency rises significantly to 27.1km/kg, making it the most frugal Exter. So, CNG is the pick if you want maximum fuel economy.
When comparing mainstream compact SUVs like the Venue and Nexon to the electric Tiago EV and micro Exter SUV, they all have something unique to offer buyers in India. The Venue and Nexon score high on driving dynamics, while the Tiago EV provides a green and quiet EV experience on a budget. However, if you want maximum features and space at a reasonable price, the Exter is an appealing package for many urban buyers.
Ultimately, the right choice comes down to your priorities – performance, efficiency, driving range or affordability. Each model makes a strong case in its respective category.
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