Mumbai

•13h

I want to purchase a 7-seater SUV. My options are the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and Scorpio N, and I am considering installing an aftermarket CNG kit for better fuel economy. Could you please suggest which one would be better suited for CNG?

•45m

We would strongly advise against installing aftermarket CNG on any of these SUVs. All three – the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO and Scorpio N - are large, heavy vehicles with powerful turbocharged petrol engines. Fitting CNG to such engines is not recommended, as it can lead to drivability issues, increased wear and potential reliability concerns over time. More importantly, these SUVs are not designed with CNG in mind, and the installation can compromise safety and performance.

If fuel economy is a top priority, opt for their diesel versions instead. The Mahindra and Tata offer strong torque, excellent highway efficiency and are well-suited to long-distance touring. If you are set on CNG, it is better to look at smaller, naturally aspirated petrol cars that are either factory-fitted or specifically designed for CNG use.

Between the three, the XUV 7XO diesel would be our recommendation. It offers a more modern package, better ride comfort and a more premium cabin than the Scorpio N, while the Safari diesel is also a strong contender if you prefer Tata's design and feature set. But CNG should not be the deciding factor here.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Safari

from ₹15.82 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.51 Lakh

Mahindra

Scorpio N

from ₹16.16 Lakh

•3m

@autocar.india thanks for reply. As I live in Delhi so considering only petrol and not diesel.In terms of best mileage in petrol which among them has the highest numbers

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•1w

I’m looking to buy a 7-seater SUV and currently have two options shortlisted: the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX Petrol and the Tata Safari Pure Plus Petrol. I’m not very concerned about features, bells and whistles, or premium interiors. My main priorities are engine performance, long-term engine reliability, reliability with low usage, mechanical durability, ownership experience, highway stability, and comfort. My running is extremely low, but I occasionally do a ~1,500 km continuous highway trip. Between the XUV 7XO 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the Safari 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, which one would you choose specifically for performance and long-term reliability? Also, are there any other SUVs I should consider in a similar price range?

•1d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX petrol. It is the better fit for your priorities. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol is a proven engine with a strong ownership track record, and delivers significantly better performance than the Safari’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol. The Mahindra XUV 7XO feels more effortless on the highway, especially with a full load, and overtaking is easier thanks to its stronger mid-range.It is also the more mechanically sorted package overall, with a better-calibrated gearbox and a more mature ownership experience.The Tata Safari’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol is adequate for city driving, but it can feel strained on the highway with a full load and does not offer the same level of performance, refinement, or long-distance ease as the engine in the Mahindra car.For your usage pattern, low running with occasional long highway trips, petrol is the right choice, and the XUV 7XO’s engine is better suited to this kind of usage. It is a robust, reliable powertrain that can handle high mileage over the long term, and it does not suffer from the same concerns around DPF or diesel-related issues that can arise with low usage.If you are open to alternatives, the Toyota Innova HyCross is worth considering. It is not an SUV, but it is the benchmark for long-term reliability and ownership experience. The hybrid powertrain is extremely well suited to your usage pattern. It is also a genuinely comfortable long-distance car with a proven track record.

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•4d

Hi Team, I’ve finally decided to go ahead with the Tata Harrier Adventure X+ Diesel AT instead of the petrol variant. I was previously a WagonR owner, and for the last three years, I’ve been driving a VW Taigun 1.5 MT Petrol. My only concern with switching to a diesel is the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). My running is around 500 km per week, so I believe that should be sufficient, but I’m still not entirely clear about the DPF requirements. Does a diesel car need to be driven every day, or is regular weekly running of around 500 km enough to keep the DPF healthy? I’d also like to know about real-world experiences with diesel cars, particularly regarding DPF regeneration and maintenance. I’d really appreciate any suggestions or experiences you can share. Also, I’m a big fan of the Harrier. I did consider the 7-seater, but honestly, it feels a bit too long for my preference and has more of a “taxi” feel to it. The 5-seater Harrier looks much more proportionate and suits my taste better. Looking forward to hearing about your experiences.

•1d

With 500km a week, you are well above the threshold where DPF becomes a concern. The DPF is designed to capture soot from the exhaust and then burn it off during a process called regeneration. This regeneration typically happens automatically when the engine reaches operating temperature and is held there for a sustained period, usually during a 15-20 minute drive at steady speeds. Your weekly running is more than sufficient for this.You do not need to drive the car every day. What matters is that the car gets regular runs where the engine is warm and running at a consistent speed. Short, stop-start city trips are what cause issues, not the frequency of use. As long as your usage includes some highway or longer stretches, the DPF will regenerate as intended.In real-world experience, modern Diesel cars are far less fussy about DPF than people fear. The issues tend to arise only with very low-mileage, purely urban cars. With your usage, the Tata Harrier Adventure X Diesel AT is a perfectly sensible choice. It is a strong, refined engine with good long-distance capability, and the automatic gearbox is well suited to both city and highway driving.The Harrier is also the right choice from a proportion and feel perspective. The Tata Safari is a good car, but if you do not need the third row, the Harrier is the more balanced and better-looking option.Go for the Harrier diesel without hesitation. Your usage is exactly what modern diesels are designed for.

Tata Safari

Tata Harrier

•4d

I am confused between the Tata Safari Petrol MT and the Tata Sierra Accomplished/Accomplished+ Petrol AT. This will be my first car, and I plan to keep it for around 8-10 years. My primary requirement is a real-world city mileage of at least 10-11kpl. Most of the driving will be in the city, with a monthly running of around 300km and one long trip every 1-2 months. Good road presence is also important. I would also prefer an engine with enough power for effortless highway overtaking. My wife is particularly interested in the passenger screen available on the Sierra Accomplished+, which is why I am considering stretching the budget for it. However, the Accomplished+ is around Rs 2 lakh over my original budget. Considering my usage and requirements, which car would make the most sense? If the Sierra is the better choice, should it be the Accomplished or Accomplished+? Is spending around Rs 2.5 lakh more on the Accomplished+ mainly for the passenger screen and additional features actually worth it?

•1d

Firstly, ask yourself whether you need the third row seating. If yes, then the Tata Safari is your best bet - it is a spacious three-row SUV. That said, its manual gearbox is not the smoothest, nor is its clutch as effort-free as that of most other smaller mid-size SUVs. Also, to extract 10-11kpl from your short city runs will be difficult. These are trade-offs you will have to make for its road presence, performance, as well as cabin space.If you don't need the extra row of seats, it makes sense to opt for the Tata Sierra instead. Do note, it isn't an efficient turbo-petrol-automatic combination, so be prepared for higher monthly fuel bills. The good news is that the 1.5 Turbo-Petrol's performance is strong, and the 6-speed automatic gearbox works smoothly. It is a spacious, sturdy SUV; you can choose from the multiple variants on offer.If you plan to keep the car for an 8-10 year period, it could be worth stretching your budget a bit and getting all the bells and whistles.

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•6d

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I want to buy a car for 40% city use and 60% long trips. I own a 2015 model of Celerio AGS. Should I buy Baleno AGS considering E20 fuel in the future.

•6d

Given your usage pattern of 40% city and 60% long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS is actually a sensible upgrade from your 2015 Celerio AGS. The Baleno offers a more comfortable cabin, better highway stability and a more refined driving experience, which will make those long trips far more enjoyable. The AGS gearbox is also well suited to your occasional city use, keeping things simple and efficient.On the E20 front, there is no reason to worry. The Baleno is E20 compliant, and modern engines are engineered to handle this blend without any long-term reliability concerns. Maruti has also stated that their E20 engines are built for a material tolerance of slightly more than E20, so on the material front the car should be good for something like E22 for example. The main impact of a higher blend would be a reduction in fuel efficiency.The only thing to consider is whether you want to stick with AGS or move to a more conventional automatic. If you are happy with how AGS behaves, the Baleno is a solid choice. If you want a smoother and more premium automatic experience, you could look at something like the Hyundai i20 IVT or the Honda Amaze CVT instead. Both offer a more refined automatic gearbox, which can make a difference on long highway drives.Overall, the Baleno AGS is a good fit for your usage and there is no E20-related reason to avoid it. The decision really comes down to whether you are happy with AGS or want to move to a more conventional automatic.

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