Hello Mam/Sir, We already own a wonderful car, an Alto K10, which I have driven across multiple terrains — from smooth highways to challenging hilly roads that even some 4x4s find hard to tackle. I don’t plan to sell it, but since it’s time for an upgrade, we are considering a new car, probably a compact SUV, for our family of four. I am 6 ft tall and everyone in my family is tall as well. We will use this new car mostly for local driving, but we already have the Alto K10 for that purpose. We want something we can drive comfortably on long rides and in rough terrain, especially in the mountains, as well as on highways. I am an avid traveler and I love to drive. We need a manual petrol car. We want a car that packs a punch in performance without compromising on features. It must be safe, solid, and backed by good after-sales service and low maintenance. Our budget is not more than ₹20 lakhs.

Autocar India

•8w

You can consider the Mahindra Thar Roxx. Its rear-wheel-drive layout will come in handy when driving in rough, hilly regions. Furthermore, its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is strong, the 6-speed manual gearbox is smooth to operate, and its highway ride quality is quite good, although not as good as most monocoque offerings in the same price range.

The Thar Roxx has you covered on space and features, too, and its road presence is also second to none. Alternatively, you can consider the more sophisticated Mahindra XUV 7XO for its fantastic suspension setup - it is an excellent long-distance tourer.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

Thar Roxx

from ₹14.41 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹15.87 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Humcha

•2d

It’s time to replace my beloved Tata Hexa XTA 2017 model. It is a car I truly loved, but since it is BS4, I am now forced to replace it. Which cars should I consider as replacements? I plan to buy in December 2026. Please suggest the exact variants and provide a detailed comparison of specifications. My budget is ₹15–25 lakh. Diesel is not a must, but I do prefer good torque. A 5-seater is more than enough. My usage is mostly (80%) highway driving. I am almost 55 years old and plan to keep the car for at least the next five years. I prefer an automatic transmission, but I am aware that not all automatics are the same. Safety is another key consideration.

Autocar India

•1d

After almost a decade with your Hexa, a good idea is to replace it with a tough and powerful diesel SUV, and we'd recommend the Tata Harrier Adventure X Diesel AT. It gives you the relaxed, solid, long‑distance feel that you liked in your Hexa, but in a newer and easier‑to‑drive package.It works for you because the diesel has strong pull at low and mid speeds, so overtakes on two‑lane roads need less effort. The 6-speed automatic is the torque-converter type that uses a fluid coupling, which is known for smoothness and long life, and it does not get hot and fussy in traffic. Safety is strong too, with a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and must‑have features like 6 airbags and stability control. Ride comfort is good, and though not quite as tough-feeling as your ladder-frame Hexa, this Tata car feels softer and more comfortable overall.If you want the option of a third row of seats, there's also the Tata Safari at a slightly higher price point, which has all the same strengths of the Harrier. There's also the XUV 7XO, which is a better all-rounder and more fun to drive, but it doesn't feel quite as solid and commanding from behind the wheel as the Harrier or Safari.

Huzaifa mulla

Hi Team Autocar, currently I am driving a Volkswagen Vento diesel 2014 model and have driven 2.2 lakh km. I am now planning to buy a 7-seater because we are a family of six (3 adults and 3 children, all under 8 years). My driving is 50% city and 50% highway, as I live in a rural area. I am considering the XUV 7XO diesel automatic AX7L. Please let me know if I should go for it or consider any other big-size, proper SUV. My budget is ₹30 lakh but I can stretch it slightly beyond this if needed.

Autocar India

•1d

With a family of six, a 50:50 mix of city and highway use, and some rural roads in the mix, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a good choice. It rides well on rough roads, has good cabin space, and fits your budget well.The diesel has strong pull at low speeds, so it moves easily with a full load and makes safe passes on two-lane highways. The layout works for your family since the second row is roomy, and the third row is fine for your young kids.There are trade-offs as well. With all three rows up, the boot is small, so you will need to plan luggage. The third row is also more cramped than the Tata Safari, which is worth considering if you plan to seat adults there.If you regularly deal with very rough rural roads, then the ladder-frame Scorpio N is an alternative, but you will be compromising on-road dynamics, interior space, and features. Overall, for your use, the Mahindra car is a great choice.

Pundalik Sawant

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

•1d

Apologies for the delayed response. We try to answer as many queries as possible, but occasionally a few do get missed. We are working on improving our bandwidth to respond more consistently.Go for the Mahindra XEV 9e. It is the closest match to your requirements today, especially if you are open to an EV.It meets your key criteria well. It has a 5-star BNCAP rating, offers a real-world range that comfortably covers your daily 70-80 km usage and even longer drives, and feels modern, quick and refined to drive. It is also spacious, with a large boot and very good rear seat knee room, which makes it practical for long-distance use as well. The Pack 2 variant fits within your budget, and with the right deal, you could even stretch to a higher variant.There are a couple of things to keep in mind. The sloping roofline slightly affects rear headroom for taller passengers, and you will need to be comfortable with the charging infrastructure for your usage. However, given your daily running and driving profile, it is still a strong and future-ready option.If you prefer to stay with diesel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO would have been the natural recommendation. It fits your requirement of a monocoque SUV, offers a strong diesel automatic and is comfortable for long-distance use. However, it has not yet received a BNCAP rating. Based on past results, a good safety score is expected, but until it is officially tested, that remains unconfirmed.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra XUV 7XO

View all Posts