I am looking for a 7-seater SUV with an automatic transmission, as it will also be driven by the female members of my family. It will be used for both city driving and long trips, so I am looking for a diesel engine. Comfort and ADAS are also important features for me. Please recommend a suitable vehicle. We currently use a Ford EcoSport diesel.

autocar.india

•5h

Between the two, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more complete package. This Mahindra car offers a more refined turbo-petrol engine, better performance, a well-appointed cabin and a more polished driving experience. It is also our preferred choice over the Safari for its overall value, safety and ownership experience. While the Tata Safari Petrol is expected to offer excellent ride comfort and a spacious cabin, the powertrain is still new and doesn't yet have the long-term track record of Mahindra's turbo-petrol engine.Since your hometown is Nagercoil, after-sales support should also influence your decision. Both Mahindra and Tata have a presence there, but Mahindra has built a stronger reputation in recent years for service consistency and parts availability. Given that you'll be overseas for much of the year, it's important that your family has access to dependable service without hassle.Based on your usage and ownership plans, we'd go ahead with the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 Petrol. It is the more proven product today and should prove to be the easier and more satisfying SUV to own over the long term.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•12h

Although your annual running of around 12,000km sits on the fence between petrol and diesel, your usage pattern is predominantly highway, which plays to a diesel's strengths. The concern about DPF is understandable, but it's often overstated. DPF issues are far more common in vehicles used almost exclusively for short city trips. Since your driving is mainly on highways, the system will get the opportunity to regenerate properly. As for the car remaining parked for 3-6 months, that's not ideal for either fuel type. Diesel cars require some precautions, such as keeping the tank full and using fresh DEF when the car is put back into regular use. Still, long periods of inactivity are not a reason to avoid diesel altogether.We wouldn't let E20 fuel influence your decision either. Modern E20-compliant engines are designed to run on it, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20. While ethanol can marginally reduce fuel efficiency, it is not a reason to avoid buying a petrol car today.Among your shortlist, we'd place the Mahindra XUV 7XO ahead of the others. It is the most rounded package, offering excellent space, comfort, safety and highway ability.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•1d

With a car under Rs 25 lakh and low annual running costs, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 petrol automatic is the most sensible recommendation. The petrol engine is well suited to hill driving thanks to its punchy character, which makes steep climbs and overtaking much easier. The XUV 7XO also offers a genuinely usable third row, good ride comfort and a robust build, making it a very practical family car. With your running of 6-7,000 km a year, a hybrid or a diesel does not make financial sense, and the petrol will be much more straightforward to maintain as well. The Tata Safari is also worth considering if you prefer a more premium cabin and a slightly softer ride, but the XUV 7XO is the more complete package overall.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari