Hnahthial

•16w

I am planning to purchase a primarily sub-4 metre automatic SUV for tax-saving purposes under the BH series registration. We are expecting a baby soon, so the car will mainly be used by a family of three, with occasional travel involving four people. I have already test driven the Skoda Kylaq, Mahindra XUV 3XO, and Maruti Brezza. While I am not a driving enthusiast by nature, I found the Brezza’s pick-up and acceleration above 70 km/h somewhat underwhelming. I loved almost everything about the Kylaq except for the AC performance, which feels like a major drawback for Indian summers and traffic conditions. As for the XUV 3XO, I have come across mixed reviews regarding high-speed stability and after-sales service, although I personally did not feel any issues during the test drive. My priorities are: Good fuel efficiency Comfortable city usability (monthly running around 600–800 km in Hyderabad) Performance and highway capability for 2-3 long trips annually Strong safety credentials Decent long-term maintenance costs and peace of mind ownership Good warranty and service packages My budget is around ₹14-15 lakh and can be stretched slightly if required. I am also open to considering sedans like the Honda City or slightly larger SUVs like the Honda Elevate if they make more sense overall. Could you please suggest the best option for my requirements?

•15w

Mostly city use in Hyderabad and a few long trips - in that brief, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic fits you best among your picks. It pulls strongly when you need to pass, so you won’t face the same dull pick-up you felt in the Brezza, and it stays steady at highway speeds. The AC cools the cabin quickly, and the rear seat is shaped well for a child seat with one adult beside it.

A few watch-outs: the boot is not very big, so check whether your stroller fits. It also lacks ventilated seats, which is something you might want. Alternatively, consider the Kia Syros if you want a roomier cabin and a bigger boot.

If a Honda Elevate fits your budget, this Honda car would be a better choice than the sub-4 metre SUVs, but you might have to opt for a lower trim and miss out on some features. Overall, the Mahindra is a good fit for your needs.

Explore cars mentioned

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•2d

I am first time car buyer planning to buy an SUV considering family needs. I will be driving mostly in Bangalore city traffic and plan to drive longer distances every few months, up to 500 kms including ghat roads. I would like to have good service support, automatic option (not decided), front visibility for city traffic. My budget is upto 12L. Can you suggest suitable options?

•5h

For your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is the best fit. It offers a strong balance of city-friendly dimensions, good front visibility and a comfortable ride, which is important for Bangalore traffic. This Mahindra car is also one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, making it a genuinely comfortable family car. It handles highway runs and ghat sections well, with a stable and confident feel. Mahindra’s service network is strong, and the car is well-priced within your budget. The automatic option is a proper torque converter, which is smooth and reliable in city conditions.The Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.5-litre is a good alternative, offering lower running costs and better efficiency. Its new turbo petrol will offer better highway performance, but it only comes with a manual. It is not as spacious as the 3XO, but it is comfortable, easy to drive and backed by Maruti’s extensive service network.Overall, the 3XO is the more complete package for your needs. It combines space, comfort, city usability and highway capability better than most rivals in this price range.

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•2d

Hi, I am planning to buy a sub compact SUV. I have a family of 5 adults and my usage is majorly in the city with occasional driving on the highway. I prefer manual gearbox. Please suggest.

•6h

For a family of five adults with predominantly city use and occasional highway runs, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a solid choice. It is one of the widest cars in the segment, which makes it genuinely usable as a five-seater, and the rear seat is comfortable enough for three adults on city journeys. The 1.2 turbo petrol engine is punchy and well suited to both city driving and highway overtakes, while the manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use. The 3XO also offers excellent value for money, a strong safety package and a good feature set. The only real compromise is the boot, which is on the smaller side, but for your usage pattern that is a reasonable trade-off. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is a good alternative, but the 3XO is the better all-round package for a family of five.

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•1d

Hi, I am currently driving a 2018 S-Cross diesel and wish to upgrade to a new car. My daily commute is around 80+ km, with occasional long trips of 200+ km. My budget is below Rs. 15 lakh. Kindly suggest a few good options available at present. Thanks.

•7h

With an 80+ km daily commute and a budget under Rs 15 lakh, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel is the most sensible upgrade from your S-Cross diesel. The 3XO diesel is one of the few strong diesel options left in this price bracket, and it is well suited to your high daily running. The engine is punchy, efficient and well proven, and the car itself is spacious, comfortable and well equipped for the money. It also offers a good balance between city usability and highway stability, making it a strong all-rounder for your usage pattern.The Hyundai Venue diesel is also worth considering, especially if you're considering the automatic version. The Venue HX5 diesel-auto will fall within your budget - it is smooth, refined, and is likely to return respectable fuel efficiency.

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•4d

I am planning to buy a naturally aspirated petrol automatic car and have shortlisted the Toyota Hyryder mild hybrid and Honda Elevate. Which one would be the better choice?

•4d

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT. Both the Elevate and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder mild hybrid use naturally aspirated petrol engines, but the Elevate’s 1.5-litre engine is more refined, and the CVT gearbox is silky smooth, making it a more relaxed car to drive in everyday conditions. The Elevate also benefits from Honda’s strong reputation for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, which is exactly what you want from a naturally aspirated petrol automatic. The Hyryder is still a good car, but the Elevate is the more complete package for this brief.

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•1w

I am new to driving and am looking for a sub-4-metre petrol SUV with a torque converter automatic gearbox. My budget is around Rs 12-13 lakh on-road. I have shortlisted two options: the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic and the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro automatic. We are a family of five. My current usage is mostly within the city, but based on my future work requirements, it could shift to an 80:20 mix of city and highway driving.

•6d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq Signature AT. For a new driver with predominantly city use, its 1.0 TSI with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic is smooth and easy to drive, while the compact dimensions make it relatively easy to manage in traffic. It also has a more mature, planted feel on the highway.The Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro AT is the better choice if rear-seat space is the priority. Its cabin is wider and more accommodating for a family of five, and its 1.2 turbo-petrol makes 200Nm, giving it stronger low-end and mid-range performance than the Kylaq.However, the 3XO's boot is also one of its compromises, while the Kylaq offers a better balance of driving dynamics, boot space and highway manners. With your usage potentially becoming 80:20 city/highway, the Kylaq's combination works particularly well.

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•6d

Which car should I buy among Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Petrol base or Kia Seltos petrol base? And also tell me if anyone has faced power issue or pickup issue while overtaking as I want the car for long term.

•6d

Between the two, the Seltos is the better choice, especially if you are looking at the base variant. It feels more premium, is the newer product and offers a more complete package even in its lower variants.The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol makes 115hp and 144Nm. It isn't a particularly powerful engine, but it is smooth and refined and is perfectly adequate for normal city driving.For overtaking, it won't have the punch of the Seltos turbo, but it isn't underpowered either. With a full load and during quick highway overtakes, you may need to plan ahead and use higher revs. The Grand Vitara's 1.5 petrol is also a smooth, simple powertrain, but its performance is more relaxed and the base variant is quite sparsely equipped.

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