I have been driving a Mahindra XUV500 for the past 10 years, and the odometer now shows 1,60,000 km. I am planning to change my car and want to stay in the same segment. I have a stipulated budget of ₹18 lakh and am looking for a similar 7-seater SUV with minimal electronics, great comfort, better mileage, and strong safety. My typical running is about 10,000 km every six months. Please suggest what I should go for.

Autocar India

•1d

Purely financially, it isn’t optimal to sell your car so soon, as 12-18-month-old cars take the sharpest depreciation hit. Expect a resale value of approximately Rs 20 lakh for your outgoing car - a financial hit of around 20 percent. If you still wish to satisfy your itch to upgrade to a larger car, consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO. It is thoroughly modern, and it’s a genuine size upgrade over your Hyundai Creta with a punchier engine, and the nicest drive in this class. Of course, it isn't the most spacious 7-seater out there; space in the third row is tight, but for occasional use it does the job.If you plan to use all three rows regularly, you could even opt for the Tata Safari. It is more spacious than the Mahindra, and its road presence is great too.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Creta

Tata Safari

Autocar India

•23h

For your usage, which is largely short in-town drives with occasional hill trips carrying family, the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol with the IVT automatic is the most suitable choice. It offers a very smooth and easy driving experience, especially in stop-go city conditions, with light controls and seamless power delivery that will feel far more relaxed compared to your current Vista. On hill drives, while it may need to be worked a bit harder on steep inclines, it has enough power and is easy to manage.A diesel automatic is not a bad choice, but in your case, it is not the most ideal fit. With mostly short city runs of around 20km, modern diesel engines can sometimes require longer, sustained drives to maintain optimal health, and you may not fully utilise the diesel’s strengths. The extra cost also becomes harder to justify given your usage pattern.The turbo petrol with DCT is another option, but for your kind of driving, it is not the best fit either. Dual-clutch automatics can feel less smooth at low speeds, in crawling traffic, and in hilly conditions; they require a bit more care.So, overall, the petrol IVT strikes the best balance of smoothness, ease of driving and long-term peace of mind. If you are also considering the Kia Carens Clavis, it could be worth a look for its added practicality. But if you specifically want an automatic petrol, you will have to opt for the turbo petrol with DCT, as the 1.5 naturally aspirated engine is offered only with a manual transmission.

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•2d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel AT as it fits your criteria. Coming from a Rapid diesel AT, you’ll appreciate the XUV 7XO’s 2.2‑litre diesel engine that's refined and punchy and paired with a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. It makes for a seamless drive in the city and out on highways. You also get the flexibility of a third row of seats, and the 7XO comes loaded with safety kit like 6 airbags, traction control and Level 2 ADAS tech. Although it hasn't been crash tested yet, the pre-facelift XUV 700 did receive a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP, which should bode well for the XUV 7XO as well. It also has a spacious and comfortable cabin that has features like a triple screen setup, panoramic sunroof and ventilated front and middle row seats.

Mahindra XUV 7XO