It’s time to replace my beloved Tata Hexa XTA 2017 model. It is a car I truly loved, but since it is BS4, I am now forced to replace it. Which cars should I consider as replacements? I plan to buy in December 2026. Please suggest the exact variants and provide a detailed comparison of specifications. My budget is ₹15–25 lakh. Diesel is not a must, but I do prefer good torque. A 5-seater is more than enough. My usage is mostly (80%) highway driving. I am almost 55 years old and plan to keep the car for at least the next five years. I prefer an automatic transmission, but I am aware that not all automatics are the same. Safety is another key consideration.

Autocar India

•55m

After almost a decade with your Hexa, a good idea is to replace it with a tough and powerful diesel SUV, and we'd recommend the Tata Harrier Adventure X Diesel AT. It gives you the relaxed, solid, long‑distance feel that you liked in your Hexa, but in a newer and easier‑to‑drive package.

It works for you because the diesel has strong pull at low and mid speeds, so overtakes on two‑lane roads need less effort. The 6-speed automatic is the torque-converter type that uses a fluid coupling, which is known for smoothness and long life, and it does not get hot and fussy in traffic. Safety is strong too, with a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and must‑have features like 6 airbags and stability control. Ride comfort is good, and though not quite as tough-feeling as your ladder-frame Hexa, this Tata car feels softer and more comfortable overall.

If you want the option of a third row of seats, there's also the Tata Safari at a slightly higher price point, which has all the same strengths of the Harrier. There's also the XUV 7XO, which is a better all-rounder and more fun to drive, but it doesn't feel quite as solid and commanding from behind the wheel as the Harrier or Safari.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Harrier

from ₹15.24 Lakh

Tata

Safari

from ₹15.71 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.14 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Huzaifa mulla

•2d

Hi Team Autocar, currently I am driving a Volkswagen Vento diesel 2014 model and have driven 2.2 lakh km. I am now planning to buy a 7-seater because we are a family of six (3 adults and 3 children, all under 8 years). My driving is 50% city and 50% highway, as I live in a rural area. I am considering the XUV 7XO diesel automatic AX7L. Please let me know if I should go for it or consider any other big-size, proper SUV. My budget is ₹30 lakh but I can stretch it slightly beyond this if needed.

Autocar India

•1h

With a family of six, a 50:50 mix of city and highway use, and some rural roads in the mix, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a good choice. It rides well on rough roads, has good cabin space, and fits your budget well.The diesel has strong pull at low speeds, so it moves easily with a full load and makes safe passes on two-lane highways. The layout works for your family since the second row is roomy, and the third row is fine for your young kids.There are trade-offs as well. With all three rows up, the boot is small, so you will need to plan luggage. The third row is also more cramped than the Tata Safari, which is worth considering if you plan to seat adults there.If you regularly deal with very rough rural roads, then the ladder-frame Scorpio N is an alternative, but you will be compromising on-road dynamics, interior space, and features. Overall, for your use, the Mahindra car is a great choice.

Abhishek

I am planning to buy either a 7-seater MUV (Mahindra XUV7XO or Scorpio N, diesel variants), but my usage pattern is quite low. I do not drive daily - typically just a couple of short trips per week (5-20 km) and one long drive of 200-300 km once a month or every two months. Given this usage, would a diesel engine make sense, or should I go with petrol? I also plan to use the car for long trips of 1,000–2,000+ km per year, including drives in the mountains and on rough roads.

Autocar India

•1d

With mostly short weekly trips, a 200-300 km run once a month, and a few long mountain drives each year, I would still pick diesel for you, and within your two, the Mahindra Scorpio N diesel 4x4 automatic fits this use best. It pulls strongly at low speed, so steep climbs with a full family and luggage feel easy, and its tougher build and 4x4 give you extra grip and confidence on broken roads or wet, uneven patches. On long highway and hill runs, the diesel will also use less fuel than the petrol in a big 7-seater like this.The one thing to watch with any new diesel is the exhaust filter. Lots of very short, stop-start trips can clog it over time. Your monthly highway run should help, but try to give the car a 20-30 minute continuous drive at a steady speed every couple of weeks to keep it happy. Also expect a bit more engine noise at idle than a petrol.If you want a softer, more family-friendly feel and mostly stick to good roads, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the other strong choice from your list. If your weeks turn into only short city hops and you do not want to think about a diesel filter at all, the XUV 7XO petrol automatic will be smoother in town, but it will drink more fuel on hills and with seven on board.Overall, for your mountain plans and rough patches, the Scorpio N diesel 4x4 suits you best if you can give it those regular, longer runs.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Rahul Bansode

•2d

I am currently using a 2014 Maruti Wagon R CNG, which has completed 1,05,000 km in Maharashtra. The car is still in very good condition, and about 4 years are still left before it completes 15 years. I would now like to buy an automatic car. My family consists of 6 members (including 2 children). I use the car mainly for outstation travel once every 1–2 months, with around 80% highway usage and 20% city driving. My key requirements are good power, safety, and spaciousness. I am not interested in features like a sunroof or ADAS. My budget is ₹15 lakh and can be stretched up to ₹22 lakh.

Autocar India

•1d

Highway trips with the whole family of six and an automatic in the Rs 15-22 lakh range point us to the Kia Carens Clavis, specifically the 1.5 turbo-petrol DCT. Pick the HTK+ that comes without a sunroof. It fits your use because it has true three-row space, the third row is easier to get into than most taller cars, and even your older parents will find the ride comfortable on long runs. Coming from a Maruti Suzuki Wagon R CNG, you will feel a big jump in power and highway ease; the turbo-petrol has strong pull for quick overtakes, even with all six on board. Safety basics are well covered with six airbags and stability control across the range, and it feels steady at 100 kph, which matters for your 80 percent highway use.A couple of things to note. With all three rows up, the boot is small, so you may need to use soft bags or fold one seat for luggage on longer trips. Also, the DCT can feel a bit jerky in very slow, stop-and-go traffic, though your driving is mostly highway, so it should not bother you. If you often travel fully loaded and want an even calmer drive with better fuel efficiency on long trips, the Kia Carens Clavis diesel with the smoother 6-speed torque-converter automatic is also worth a look.If you want an even tougher-feeling highway cruiser, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is larger and feels very solid, but it will cost more and is harder to park. Overall, for your use and feature preference, the Carens Clavis automatically lines up best.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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