Dear Autocar Team, I am looking to buy a 2-3-year-old pre-owned 6- or 7-seater petrol automatic SUV. My monthly driving is around 200 km within the city, and my budget is Rs 15 lakh. Could you please suggest the best options currently available in the market?

Autocar India

•7w

You will find plenty of good petrol-automatic examples of the Mahindra XUV700 in the used car market. It is a very comfortable SUV, that's big on size and power.

Alternatively, you could also consider the Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 Turbo-DCT, which isn't as spacious but is a bit narrower than the Mahindra, making it a bit easier to drive in the city.

Explore cars mentioned

Hyundai

Alcazar

from ₹17.84 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Saka

•1d

I live in Hyderabad and am planning to purchase a new car with a budget of ₹12 lakh, extendable up to ₹15 lakh on-road. My monthly usage is 800 km in the city, and once every quarter, more than 1,800 km on highways. I am 30 years old, 6'1", and heavily built. While travelling on highways, I need strong performance, as I am used to driving my friend’s Innova Crysta on highways. My priorities are safety, features and interiors, mileage, performance, comfort, and ease of driving. My 2021 Kia Sonet delivered 13–15 kmpl in Hyderabad city traffic and 18–20 kmpl on highways. I would prefer similar mileage in my new car without worrying about fuel efficiency. Can diesel be considered in 2026? I plan to test drive the exact suggested configurations, so specific recommendations would really help.

Autocar India

•14h

Since you already own the Sonet, a natural replacement for you would be the Kia Syros, which has broad and comfy seats, huge cabin space, and with high quality interiors and a lengthy equipment list, it certainly feels like you've spent your money well. The HTK+ Diesel MT variant should easily fall within your budget, and because it uses the same engine and gearbox as the Sonet, you could expect similar (or slightly lower) efficiency and performance too.Alternatively, you could consider a Mahindra XUV 3XO Diesel MT, which is like a tough, confident compact SUV with excellent driving dynamics and strong performance.Yes, you can consider diesel in 2026 as Hyderabad does not have the 10-year diesel cap that applies in NCR. Also, your periodic highway drives will also help keep the DPF healthy.

Naveen

I own a ecosport tdi 2017 Pre facelift with 60,000 km on the odometer after 9 years. I plan to keep it for city use and buy another car mainly for highway drives, as we take long trips twice a year. I am considering an EV or a diesel but am open to suggestions. We are a family of six, including two senior citizens.

Autocar India

•15h

Your requirement is clear. You already have the EcoSport for city use, and now you want a comfortable, dependable long-distance car for a family of six including senior citizens. That means space, ride comfort and ease of ingress matter more than anything else.The Kia Carens Clavis is the most sensible starting point. It is a proper 6 or 7 seater, easy to drive, and far more comfortable than compact SUVs. The ride is soft, the seating is flexible and the cabin feels modern and airy. It is also positioned as a more premium, updated version of the Carens with better interiors and features, which suits family usage well. For highway trips, this Kia car is stable enough and the diesel automatic option works very well if you want efficiency.If you want the best possible comfort and willing to spend more, the Toyota Innova HyCross is in a different league. It offers far better ride quality, more space in all three rows and a much more relaxed driving experience. It is also extremely reliable and easy to own long term. For senior citizens, the ease of getting in and out, and the overall comfort level, are clearly superior.Compared to EVs, your usage does not strongly justify one. Long highway trips are still more convenient in petrol or diesel cars, especially in remote areas where charging infrastructure can be inconsistent.

Kia Carens Clavis

Toyota Innova HyCross

Uma shankar A

•19h

I am looking to buy an all-rounder automatic diesel car within a ₹20 lakh budget. I will use the car equally in the city and on highways. Please suggest the most suitable option.

Autocar India

•16h

Equal city and highway use with a strict ₹20 lakh cap and diesel automatic requirement, points to the Hyundai Creta S (O) diesel automatic. It fits your brief best because the 6-speed automatic is smooth in stop-go traffic, and the diesel has a strong pull at low speeds, so you do not need to push the engine or change gears often. Out on the highway it sits steady, the ride is comfortable on rough patches, and the size is just right for parking in the city while still giving good back-seat space and a useful boot for trips. Hyundai’s service reach is also wide, which makes life easier over the years.A couple of things to note. The S(O) trim skips a few fancy items you may see in top trims, and the diesel is a touch louder at idle than a petrol. Depending on your city, the on-road price of this Hyundai car may edge a bit over ₹20 lakh, so do check current offers.Alternatively, look at the Kia Seltos HTK (O) diesel automatic, which is a more modern, more spacious SUV. However, as it is a larger, heavier car using the same diesel engine as the Creta, it won't feel as effortless, especially out on the highway. Overall, for your mixed use and budget, the Creta S (O) diesel automatic lines up best.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

View all Posts