Hi Autocar Team, I am from Goa, and my daily average usage is about 70–80 km. I currently own a 2018 Maruti Suzuki Celerio ZXI (AGS), which has done around 1,25,000 km. Previously, I owned a Renault Duster RXZ 110 (6-speed) and sold it after completing around 1,70,000 km. Now, I intend to buy a new SUV, and my requirements are as follows: It should be a diesel automatic, preferably a monocoque rather than a ladder-frame SUV. It should have a 5-star safety rating (BNCAP). My budget is around ₹25 lakh and can be stretched up to ₹30 lakh. It can be either a 5-seater or a 5+2 seater. I am also open to an electric SUV, provided it has a 5-star safety rating and a real-world range of at least 450–500 km on a single charge. Could you please suggest a car that meets all or most of these requirements?

Autocar India

•19h

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

Autocar India

•22h

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

Autocar India

•23h

The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel suits your usage perfectly. With high monthly running and mostly highway driving, you need a car that is stable, comfortable and effortless to drive, and the 7XO delivers on all three. It has a strong engine, a comfortable ride and feels planted at highway speeds. Driver seat comfort is also very good, which matters given how much you drive. The third row is not the most spacious or practical, but for occasional short trips, it works well and meets your requirements.If you specifically want a 7-seater with a better third row, then the Tata Safari is worth considering. It offers a more comfortable and spacious rear section. However, on most other aspects, the XUV 7XO remains the better overall product.On the question of choosing a 5-seater instead, it is strongly recommended to go for a 7-seater. It is not safe to carry more than five people in a 5-seater, even occasionally, and a proper 7-seater gives you that flexibility without compromise.Now, coming to the sunroof, since it is a key requirement for your children. Both the XUV 7XO and the Safari offer a panoramic sunroof, and it genuinely enhances the cabin experience. That said, it is important to treat it as a feature to enhance ambience, not as something to be used while standing or sticking out. It may seem fun, but even at low speeds, it can be unsafe in case of sudden braking or an impact.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari