Kannauj

•10w

Hi team, I already own a 2022 Tata Safari and want to replace it with a more powerful, comfortable, and feature-rich SUV. My budget is Rs. 35 lakh (on-road). I checked out the MG Majestor, but it is out of my budget, as the on-road price is around Rs. 48 lakh. I also looked at the Toyota Hycross, but I didn't like its interior. Kindly suggest the best 7-seater SUV within my budget. I usually drive in the city, covering around 30-40 km daily, and take one or two trips to hill stations every year.

•10w

At this price point and with your requirements, there isn't much choice available so the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel would be the most sensible option. It offers a more powerful diesel engine, a more refined driving experience and a premium cabin with a strong feature set. The diesel engine is punchy and well suited to both city driving and occasional hill station runs. The third row is not as spacious or comfy as your Tata Safari but it is usable.

If the Mahindra car does not feel like an upgrade, you could consider the Jeep Meridian. It would feel larger and has a premium and classy cabin. The diesel engine of this Jeep car is the proven and familiar 2.0 litre multijet unit - the same engine that powers the diesel Safari. The Meridian will also do well for your long drives to hill stations as the ride and handling balance is outstanding with a secure handling for the ghats, good highway stability at higher speeds and a well judged ride quality over broken roads.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹15.95 Lakh

Tata

Safari

from ₹15.28 Lakh

Jeep

Meridian

from ₹26.95 Lakh

•10w•

@anuj.16 Go for XUV 7XO because it has allthe bells and whistles of a more expensive car. Go for the top of the top but one model which will give all the features. And it's comparatively value for money.

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•2d

My monthly running is 3000km that translates to 40000 kilometers annually with most round trip of around 400-500 km thrice a month on highway. I own a petrol car and its mileage is close to 14 kpl. Should I opt for EV under 20 lakh budget or should I look for diesel or strong hybrid?In hybrid, we will not have a better boot space since we always use it to carry stuff.

•2d

With 40,000 km a year and frequent 400-500 km highway trips, a diesel SUV is the most sensible choice. At that kind of running, fuel efficiency and ease of long-distance travel become the top priorities. Diesel engines are still the most cost-effective option for high-mileage highway use, and you will recover the higher purchase price very quickly. An EV under Rs 20 lakh is not the right solution for your usage pattern. While EVs are excellent for city driving and predictable daily commutes, your frequent long highway runs would require careful charging planning and add unnecessary complexity to your ownership experience. Strong hybrids are a good middle ground, but as you rightly pointed out, many hybrid SUVs compromise boot space due to battery packaging, which is a problem if you regularly carry a lot of luggage. A diesel SUV like the Mahindra XUV 7XO or if you want something smaller then the Kia Seltos is the most practical and cost-effective solution for your usage.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos

•1d

I am planning to buy a 7-seater car and am confused between the Kia Carens Clavis HTX (O) Petrol DCT and the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5 Diesel. My confusion is mainly around a few points. The XUV 7XO has better looks and more power than the Clavis, while the Clavis offers better third-row space and a more spacious cabin. I do not have a very high annual running either. With my current car, I drive around 12,000-14,000km a year, including both city and highway driving, with occasional hill trips. This has left me confused about whether I should opt for a diesel or petrol. The XUV 7XO petrol is also not known for particularly good mileage, which makes the decision even more difficult. With the diesel option, I am also concerned about potential DPF-related issues, especially given my relatively low annual running. Since the car will primarily be driven in NCR, there is also some uncertainty around the applicability of BS6 diesel vehicles when GRAP Stage 4 restrictions are in force, as government regulations can change. Another concern is the DCT transmission. I have heard about DCTs facing heating issues in bumper-to-bumper traffic, although I am not sure how significant this issue is with the Carens Clavis. During my test drive, I also felt that the Clavis seemed somewhat underpowered in Normal mode, particularly when starting from a standstill. I had to press the accelerator pedal quite hard to get it moving more quickly. Is this simply a characteristic of the DCT and its calibration, or could it be specific to the particular test-drive car? I would really appreciate any suggestions or experiences that could help me clear up these doubts before making a decision. Thanks in advance.

•1d

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis HTX (O) Petrol DCT. Your annual running of 12,000-14,000km with a mix of city, highway and occasional hill drives is pretty healthy actually, but given your other concerns like DPF regeneration and NCR policies, petrol is the safer long-term choice. A turbo petrol gives you the punch you need out on the highway and in the hills, while also the benefits of a petrol engine that you're looking for. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more powerful and more rugged SUV, but the Clavis is the better family car. It has a more usable third row, a more spacious and practical cabin, and a more comfortable ride for everyday use. On the DCT, yes, it can feel a bit hesitant at low speeds and in bumper-to-bumper traffic, but Kia’s DCT is one of the better ones in the market, and it is not a deal-breaker. The slight lag you felt in Normal mode is more to do with the car’s tuning than the gearbox itself. Switch to Sport mode and it feels much more responsive. The Clavis is not as powerful as the XUV 7XO, but it is quick enough for family use and much easier to live with in the long run. And as you pointed out, the heavier, more powerful XUV 7XO petrol is is nowhere near as efficient as the Clavis.

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•1d

Three months into my Safari diesel. Highway comfort's been the standout so far, still getting used to the size in city parking though.

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•1w

I am confused between the Elevate and the Creta. I understand that the Creta is the more established one, but with Honda, the value it brings is amazing, while the price of the Creta is a bit higher than the value it offers. I am mostly a city driver, with around 95% of my driving in the city and occasional highway trips, covering around 10,000km per year. Can you help me get some perspective?

•6d

The Hyundai Creta is the more premium product with a richer feature list. Since your usage is mainly in the city, you are likely to appreciate the Creta's smoothness and refinement, as well as the additional features it offers. Sure, this Hyundai car might cost a bit more, but it is a proven product that commands strong brand equity, which is likely to translate to higher resale value. The Honda Elevate gives you most of what you need at a significantly lower cost, and Honda’s service network is strong enough to make ownership hassle-free. Go for the Elevate if you value its stronger engine performance, else for a refined drive experience, pick the Creta.

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•4d

I currently drive a Hyundai i10 CNG, with daily running of around 6 km in Gurgaon city traffic and a monthly highway drive of around 200 km. I am now planning to upgrade my car, with an on-road budget of Rs. 12 lakh for a petrol sub-4-metre SUV, up to Rs. 14 lakh for a petrol midsize SUV, and Rs. 15 lakh for an EV. I live in a rented apartment on the second floor, so I am apprehensive about getting an EV. I prefer an EV, but installing a charger could be complicated due to the sanctioned load. My running could increase to nearly 800 km per month in the future. My key priorities are: - Good suspension and ride comfort, as I have a back problem - Decent fuel efficiency in heavy city traffic - Low to medium maintenance costs - Auto hold and ventilated seats would be good to have I sometimes consider buying a manual, but I mostly prefer an automatic. I am currently considering the Maruti Brezza, Baleno AMT, Fronx AMT/AT, Sonet iMT, Exter AMT, and even the upcoming Inster, VF3, and Bayon. I am open to other suggestions as well. Note: I had a bad driving experience with the Punch AMT, as it caused back fatigue.

•3d

Given your priorities of ride comfort, fuel efficiency and low maintenance, the Maruti Brezza automatic is the most sensible upgrade. It offers a comfortable ride, a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine and Maruti's strong service network, which keeps long-term ownership costs in check. The torque converter automatic is smooth in city traffic, and the Brezza's higher seating position will help with your back issues. The Sonet iMT is not the right choice here. While it is a good car, the iMT is not a true automatic and will not offer the same ease of use in Gurgaon traffic. The Baleno AMT and Exter AMT are also not ideal given your back issues and the fact that AMT gearboxes are not as smooth as torque converter automatics in stop-start conditions.On the EV front, your apprehension about charging is valid. Without a straightforward home charging solution, an EV will add unnecessary complexity to your ownership experience. The upcoming Bayon is interesting and if you can wait a few weeks you would have a better picture before making a decision. For now, the Brezza automatic strikes the best balance between comfort, efficiency and hassle-free ownership.

Hi, I’m confused between the Skoda Kylaq and Tata Punch EV and would like some advice on which one to buy. The car will primarily be used for city driving, with occasional highway trips. The budget is Rs 10-14 lakh on-road. I previously owned a Volkswagen Polo GT TDI, so I’m looking for a car that can offer a similar level of driving satisfaction while also being practical for everyday use. I’m currently confused between these two options and would appreciate some guidance.

•2d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI. With your budget of Rs 10-14 lakh, mostly city usage and occasional highway runs, the Kylaq is the better fit. It offers a familiar driving experience coming from a Polo GT TDI, with a punchy turbo petrol engine, solid build quality and a sorted ride and handling balance. The Tata Punch EV is a good city car, but the Kylaq is more versatile for occasional highway trips and long-term ownership. The Kylaq also offers better rear seat space and a more premium feel overall. The Punch EV makes sense only if your usage is almost entirely city-based and you have reliable home charging. Given your budget and usage pattern, the Kylaq is the more balanced and sensible choice.

Skoda Kylaq

Tata Punch EV

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