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Delhi
PG

Prashant Gavhad

•1w

I currently own a diesel Swift and am planning to upgrade to a bigger vehicle like the Tata Safari. I need advice on whether I should choose a petrol or diesel variant. My monthly city driving is around 2,500 km. Also, which is the most affordable variant with the essential features? Additionally, is it possible to buy the car from Goa to get a cheaper price?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1w

Since your driving is on the higher side, a diesel makes more sense, particularly since you are considering a big car like the Tata Safari. The Safari is a good choice, and even in the Pure X variant (one above base). It comes well equipped with features like a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera and a 10.25-inch HD infotainment system. Given that most of your driving is in the city, opting for the automatic will also be a worthwhile investment.

We also suggest you have a look at the new Mahindra XUV 7XO. Even the base AX variant is very well equipped, the diesel engine is powerful, and the automatic transmission is seamless. Ride quality has also significantly improved with Mahindra's new Da Vinci suspension, which is standard on the base model.

Tata Safari

Tata Safari

Explore cars mentioned

Tata Safari

Tata

Safari

from ₹15.44 Lakh

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹15.87 Lakh

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AN

Anshul

•1w

Be6

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KR

Kr

•5d

I am currently planning to buy a new car in the ₹17-19 lakh range. My priorities are safety, decent performance, and good mileage. I am considering the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX diesel and the Kia Seltos HTK variant. I do not have a fixed running pattern since I am a doctor, so my daily driving can range anywhere from 10 to 100 km per day. I was also thinking about waiting for MG Motor to launch a plug-in hybrid. Considering my usage pattern and priorities, what would be the best option for me?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•18h

Considering your priorities, the Kia Seltos in diesel guise would be the better choice. It is compact for the city but also has good space on the inside. The quality of the interior is very good, and the 1.5-litre diesel engine is tried and tested. It has a good amount of punch and response, and should you opt for the manual version, the clutch is light and convenient in traffic. The Seltos also has a better after-sales and service network, and Kia's are known to be quite reliable too. The Mahindra XUV7XO is also a good choice, but if you don't need an extra row of seats, it is a bit more cumbersome than the Seltos. Also, within your budget, you will only get the entry-level version of the 7XO, whereas the Seltos on HTK trim gets a decent equipment list.

VehicleKia New Seltos
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VI

Vivek

•4d

I am interested in buying the Mahindra XUV700 AX7 L diesel automatic. However, since I work in the Navy, my car will remain parked in the garage for about 4-5 months each year. My concern is whether there could be any issues with the diesel engine if the car remains unused for 4-5 months. When I return from ship duty, my monthly running is around 2,000-3,000 km. I am not interested in the petrol version due to its lower fuel efficiency. Could you please advise whether going for the diesel model would still be a good choice in my situation?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•2d

With your usage pattern, the diesel version of the Mahindra XUV 7XO actually makes sense. Once you are back from deployment, your monthly running of around 2,000-3,000 km is more than sufficient to justify a diesel, both from an efficiency and performance point of view.Leaving a modern diesel car unused for 4-5 months is generally not a problem as long as it is stored properly. Before leaving, it is advisable to keep the fuel tank almost full and disconnect the battery or have someone start the car occasionally if possible. The main thing to watch out for is the battery, which can drain if the car sits unused for long periods.When you return and start using the car again, make sure the car gets a longer highway drive early on. This helps the diesel particulate filter regenerate properly and keeps the engine running smoothly.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO

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Posted on: 8 Mar 2026