My annual running is around 25,000-30,000 km, with approximately 60% highway usage. I also undertake one annual adventure trip, such as the Spiti circuit or Leh-Ladakh. Currently, I drive an MG Astor but am not satisfied with its power and fuel efficiency. My budget is around ₹20-23 lakh. Could you please suggest some cars that offer a good balance of performance and fuel efficiency for my usage?

Autocar India

•13m

The Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 diesel manual should be your first choice. It offers a larger, more powerful diesel engine, which will feel like a proper upgrade from your Astor. It pulls strongly on highways and climbs effortlessly in high-altitude conditions. It is also spacious, feature-loaded and very comfortable for long-distance driving. If you want an automatic, go for the AX5 diesel, which is the more value-for-money option.

The Mahindra Scorpio N diesel is the more rugged alternative. It is better suited for tougher terrain and rough roads, making it ideal if your Ladakh or Spiti trips involve more challenging sections. However, it is not as comfortable or as easy to drive daily as the 7XO.

The Hyundai Creta diesel is the more refined and easy-to-drive option if you want something similar in size to your Astor. It is smooth and comfortable for highways, but it does not offer the same level of power or ruggedness as the Mahindra options.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.14 Lakh

Mahindra

Scorpio N

from ₹15.90 Lakh

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.78 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Ajay Gautam

•3d

I am looking for a 7-seater family car for moderate usage, with a maximum budget of ₹50 lakh (on-road). I am also willing to wait for a couple of months for new launches.

Autocar India

•11h

Go for the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid ZX(O) 7-seater costing up to Rs. 50 lakh on road, it suits a family best for comfort, space and easy driving. For moderate use, the petrol-hybrid is the sweet spot: it pairs a petrol engine with an electric motor to help in traffic. So it always feels smooth like an automatic and keeps fuel use in check without any charging. The second row is wide and very comfortable, the ride is calm on most roads, and the driving position is easy for all heights. Toyota’s service reach is strong across India, and resale is usually high, which matters in long-term family ownership.One thing to be aware of: with all three rows in use, the boot is small, so plan for that. Also, top trims with larger wheels can feel a bit firm on sharp bumps, so check this on a test drive.If you want more power and lots of features for less money, look at the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic 7-seater. It is quick, safe and gets driver-assist features that help on highways, but the third row is tighter, and the city ride can feel busier. If you often carry seven adults and drive on rough roads, the MG Gloster 7-seater is big, comfy and feels tough. With a calm highway gait, just note that it is very difficult to park and MG’s service network is smaller than Toyota’s.Overall, the Innova Hycross Hybrid is the most family-friendly and hassle-free pick; during the test drive, load all three rows and drive over broken patches to be sure the comfort works for your family.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

MG Gloster

vivek R Singh

•2d

What is the expected price of the upcoming JSW SUV based on the Jetour T2?

Autocar India

•1d

The Chery-based Jetour T2 will be the first product from JSW Auto, and it is expected sometime before the festive season this year. JSW is planning to launch the Jetour T2 with a fairly high spec, so it won't be cheap and is expected to cost around Rs 38-40 lakh. For that money, you get a 380hp plug-in hybrid variant with around 610 Nm of torque. It is larger than both the Mahindra XUV 7XO and the Tata Harrier/Safari in most dimensions and boasts a 580-litre boot. So if you are looking at the Jetour T2, you need to put aside a budget of Rs. 40 lakh

Ajay Garg

Hi Team, you are doing a fantastic job providing accurate, helpful guidance to your readers. I am planning to buy a new car with a budget of around ₹20 lakh. I will be retiring in about 2.5 years, and until then, my daily commute will be approximately 50 km, along with a 600 km highway trip once every three months. Post-retirement, I plan to travel extensively with my family, at least once a month. We are a family of 4-5 members, and I am considering either an electric or a hybrid car. We really like the Mahindra XEV 9S (Pack One and above, 59 kWh), which costs around ₹22 lakh. Could you please advise if this is the right choice for my usage, or should I consider other options within my budget?

Autocar India

•2d

We can completely understand why your family loved the Mahindra XEV 9S. It is feature‑packed, very refined and smooth, and has enough space for your 4-5 family members, so as a family car it fits your brief well. For your daily 50km commute, the XEV 9S is actually ideal, provided you can install a home charger - you’ll hardly scratch the range of the 59kWh pack in regular city use.It’s your 600km highway trip every three months, when life with an EV requires more planning. With the 59kWh battery, you will have to stop for a fast charge at least once mid‑way, and often again at your final destination if you don’t have a charger there. The public charging network has definitely improved, but charging an EV is still not as quick or as effortless as filling a tank with petrol or diesel. So if you are willing to sacrifice some time and take a bit of extra effort on your three‑monthly highway drives, you can confidently go ahead with the XEV 9S.If you don’t want the hassle of hunting for highway chargers and waiting typically 30-40 minutes each time, then you should look at the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic instead. It has broadly similar features to the 9S, is very comfortable, and for frequent long‑distance touring, it is actually better suited. The XUV 7XO’s suspension is more composed at speed than the softer‑sprung 9S, which can feel a bit floaty on highways.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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