Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a new SUV in 2026 within a budget of ₹30-40 lakh. I want a proper off-road capable vehicle that also works well as a family car. Can we expect the Toyota RAV4 to launch in India in 2026? Please advise.

Autocar India

•16h

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

•19h

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

•20h

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

Autocar India

•4d

Between the two, the Tata Safari does a great job of projecting toughness. It feels solid, has that reassuring heft, and its suspension setup really shines on broken roads and you can carry speed with confidence and it just shrugs off rough patches.That said, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more rounded package overall. Its 2.2-litre diesel is not just more modern, but also noticeably smoother and stronger than the older Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre unit in the Safari. It delivers better drivability in everyday conditions, which makes a difference in city use as well as on the highway.Mahindra car has also worked well on the suspension, and the improvements show. The 7XO feels more composed, offers better ride comfort over a wider range of surfaces, and is simply easier to drive. It has lighter controls, better balance, and a more user-friendly nature overall.Where the Safari still holds an edge is in the third row. It’s more usable and accommodating, whereas the 7XO’s last row is quite tight and best reserved for occasional use.So unless third-row space is a priority, the 7XO stands out as the better all-rounder. It’s more refined, easier to live with, and ultimately the more modern SUV.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•2d

If you're comparing ride comfort, the Skoda Kylaq is easily the better pick, particularly variants with 16-inch wheels. Skoda has got its suspension tune spot on, its relatively softer setup makes it more suited to our road conditions. It rounds off speed breakers and rough patches better at slow speeds. Furthermore, the Kylaq feels stable at speeds and is surprisingly nimble and fun-to-drive around corners, too.In contrast, the Kushaq’s suspension feels a little firm at low speeds, so sharp bumps and small potholes do come through more in the cabin.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•6d

If your budget allows, go for a new Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5 diesel automatic. It is the safer and easier pick. You get a fresh car with full warranty, no past accidents to worry about, and the latest software and small fixes that usually come after the first couple of years. Finance is simpler on a new car, resale later will be stronger, and Mahindra’s service network is wide, so upkeep is straightforward. The diesel automatic suits long drives and also handles city traffic well, with strong pull when you need it. Space, comfort and road presence are all there in this Mahindra car, which is why you shortlisted it in the first place.One thing to keep in mind is its size. It is a large car, so tight parking will need practice. Also, a diesel can sound a bit gruff at idle, and if your usage is only short city drives, you should take it on a longer run once in a while to keep the exhaust system in good condition.The only time the 2-year-old previous model with 19,000 km makes more sense is if you are saving good amount of money and it is a well-maintained, single-owner car. In that case, demand a full service record from a Mahindra workshop, get a dealer scan for error codes, check tyre and battery age, and confirm if any extended warranty can be transferred.

Mahindra XUV 7XO