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Mr singh

10w

Can you recommend an SUV under ₹25 lakhs (I’ll still keep my 2022 Suzuki Ciaz) with a large boot for a family of 4, generous headroom and legroom (my turban often touches the roof), excellent ride comfort, refined cabin experience, and strong engine performance?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
9w

Given your requirements, you should check the Tata Harrier and the upcoming Mahindra XUV 7XO.

The Tata Harrier is large and spacious, with ample room for front and rear passengers as well as a sizeable boot. The Harrier also feels tough and delivers on ride comfort. Within the Harrier line-up, the new petrol versions (prices of which will be announced soon) are the ones we'd recommend for you. 

The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine is smooth and delivers ample performance. Gearshifts on the 6-speed automatic transmission are also very nice. The Harrier petrol, however, isn't as quiet as we'd hoped. You can hear the engine - it's not loud but remains audible. 

Mahindra's upcoming XUV 7XO is essentially an updated version of the current XUV 700. Space is aplenty in the first two rows, and folding down the third row also frees up lots of luggage room. The XUV 7XO will use the same engines as the XUV 700, which means your options include a 200hp, 2-litre turbo-petrol and a 185hp, 2.2-litre turbo-diesel. 

The petrol engine is particularly exciting, delivering brisk performance (though fuel economy is poor). On the other hand, the diesel engine feels strong and is also refined as diesel engines go. Opt for the automatic transmission versions for the best experience. 

 Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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Latest questions people are discussing

VA

Vaibhav

5d

Hello Sir, I am looking to purchase an SUV within a budget of ₹15 lakh (on-road). Initially, the Tata Sierra was one of my preferred options, but after watching your video, I became a bit uncertain about it. Since then, I have also started considering the base petrol variant of the Harrier. I do not drive a car on a daily basis. My average monthly travel is around 400 km, and my annual usage is approximately 6,000-7,000 km. My driving is usually less in the city and more on highways. I frequently travel through the ghat sections of Pune and the Konkan region with five passengers and a significant amount of luggage. Therefore, I am looking for a car that is safe, fuel-efficient, and has relatively low maintenance costs. I would really appreciate your suggestion on which option would be the best choice for my requirements. Thank you.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
10h

The Tata Harrier Smart turbo-petrol MT (base) should be close to your Rs 15 lakh budget (on-road). It is a spacious 5-seater with a large boot, and its turbo-petrol has ample performance to effortlessly drive through the ghat sections with a full-load of passengers and luggage. Do keep in mind that the Harrier is a heavy car, and turbo-petrol engines are very sensitive to your driving style, so we'd advise you to keep your fuel efficiency expectations low.Alternatively, you can consider the Kia Seltos HTE(O) Turbo-petrol iMT. It is spacious, and performance is adequate, too. And being lighter, fuel efficiency is likely to be a bit better.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleTata Harrier
SA

Sandesh

1d

Hi team, I want to buy a 7-seater car. Need advice between Toyota HyCross GX (O), Tata Safari or Mahindra 7XO.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
6h

You should go for the Toyota Innova HyCross GX (O) if you want a true 7-seater with the roomiest third row of seats. The HyCross's 2,850 mm wheelbase and flat floor make the third row friendlier for adults than the Tata Safari or the Mahindra XUV 7XO. Furthermore, it's backed up by Toyota’s proven reliability and hassle-free ownership in India.However, you will have to compromise when it comes to the powertrain. The Hycross' 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine isn't as punchy as the Tata Safari and XUV 7XO's turbocharged units, and real-world mileage is quite poor, as we managed 6.9kpl in the city and 12.4kpl on the highway. The Toyota also doesn't get a diesel engine option like the other two.If you prioritise performance and high-end features, either the Safari or the Mahindra XUV 7XO makes more sense. As for pricing, the Innova HyCross GX (O) is priced between Rs 20.43 lakh and Rs 20.56 lakh (ex-showroom).

VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleTata Safari
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO

Posted on: 4 Jan 2026