I am planning to buy a 7-seater with a panoramic sunroof, which is a must-have for my kids. I drive around 2,200 km per month, mostly solo, with 95% of my usage on highways. The 7-seater will be used only occasionally, about 5-6 times a year. Given my usage, is it worth going for a 7-seater, or would a spacious 5-seater like the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara be a better choice? I also need good driver seat comfort, as I drive long distances frequently.

autocar.india

•21h

With 12,000km a year and 70% highway driving, you are actually the ideal diesel owner. The Thar Roxx AX7L Diesel AT 4x4 is a great choice for your usage pattern, and you should not be worried about DPF issues. The DPF system needs sustained higher exhaust temperatures to regenerate, and your regular highway runs will take care of that naturally. Even if you are only using the car on weekends in the city, as long as you are doing occasional long highway drives, the system will regenerate as intended. The real DPF problems tend to occur with cars that are used exclusively for short, low-speed city trips with no highway running.On the isobutanol front, there is nothing to worry about. Isobutanol is being considered as a diesel blend, but it is not a major policy direction like E20 petrol. Mahindra diesel engines are designed to handle the fuel blends available in the market, and there is no evidence to suggest that isobutanol blends will cause any issues. The bigger concern with diesel ownership is always usage pattern, not fuel blends.The Thar Roxx is a very capable and enjoyable SUV, but it is worth being aware of its limitations. It is not the most practical family car, and the ride can be a bit firm on broken roads. But for your usage pattern, it is a solid choice. If you are looking for a more practical alternative with similar diesel capability, the Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel AT is worth considering. It offers a more comfortable ride, better practicality and the same strong diesel engine. But if you want the Thar Roxx for its character and off-road capability, your usage pattern supports that decision.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra Thar Roxx

autocar.india

•2d

For a family of three with a five-month-old child, your priorities should be comfort, safety, space for a child seat and luggage, and a relaxed driving experience for both city and highway use. Your budget of Rs. 10-20 lakh gives you a wide range of options, but the key is to choose a car that will remain comfortable and practical as your child grows and your travel increases.The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a strong recommendation. It offers a spacious cabin, a wide rear seat that easily accommodates a child seat and an adult, and a comfortable ride that makes long drives less tiring. The Mahindra car is also well equipped and feels like a genuinely premium product for the price. The only drawback is the relatively small boot, which can be a limitation on longer trips with a lot of luggage.If boot space is a concern, the Tata Sierra is worth considering. It offers a larger boot and a more premium cabin, making it better suited to long trips with family and friends. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is also a good option if you want more space and a more powerful engine for highway cruising, but it is a larger car and may not be as easy to manoeuvre in the city.Overall, the XUV 3XO strikes the best balance between city usability, comfort and value, while the Sierra and XUV 7XO are better choices if space is your top priority.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Sierra

autocar.india

•2d

Consider the Kia Seltos DCT. For a 12km commute and occasional 5-6-hour road trips, you will find it comfortable in the city, quick on the highway and easy to own long term. The latest-generation Seltos is larger than before, so feels spacious inside. The cabin is tech-laden and upmarket, and the ride quality has improved too. The turbo-petrol DCT has good performance for quick overtakes on the highway, and the DCT is responsive. The downside is that it can occasionally hesitate in the city, but with your short commute this shouldn't be a deal-breaker. Kia's service is also amongst the best in the business.If you want something larger, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is also a solid choice in your budget. It is a genuinely comfortable car with a spacious cabin, excellent ride quality and strong highway manners. The petrol engine is smooth and refined, and the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Mahindra's service network is strong in Thane and Mumbai. The drawback is that the big petrol engine will be thirsty in the city.An electric car makes sense if you can charge at home and if there are fast chargers on your usual highway route. In that case, the Hyundai Creta Electric is a safe bet. It is well suited to your short daily commute and offers very low running costs. In our real-world testing, it managed an impressive 486km on a single charge in the city and 378km on the highway.Overall, the Seltos is the best balance of comfort, reliability, running costs and ownership experience for your needs.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Creta Electric