Since you are looking for a petrol SUV, we would recommend the new Kia Seltos. It is a well-rounded package and is fun to drive. This Kia car also offers a spacious and well-equipped cabin, and the ride quality is comfortable, too. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine is punchy and smooth, but of the two gearboxes available, we would recommend the 7-speed DCT auto.
The reason is that Kia doesn’t offer a manual gearbox with this engine, but instead an iMT, which is a semi-automatic ‘clutchless’ manual, wherein you shift gears without needing to use a clutch pedal. While good in theory and certainly a relief for your right foot, it’s not great for enthusiastic driving and tends to slow your progress; a proper automatic is ultimately a better bet.