Mumbai

•22w

Hello Autocar Team, we are a family of four, and all of us are around 6 feet tall. We have been loyal Honda owners for over 15 years, having driven the Honda City and Jazz extensively. While those cars suited us earlier, we now require a more spacious SUV due to our height and growing needs. We have shortlisted the Jeep Meridian, Toyota Innova Hycross, Mahindra XUV700, and Skoda Kodiaq. However, we have concerns about space in the Meridian, size and safety ratings of the Hycross, interior quality of the XUV700, and maintenance costs of the Kodiaq. Our top priorities are safety, sturdiness, dependability, comfort, and a premium feel. We are not considering Kia, Tata, or MG models. The car will be used for Mumbai city driving as well as long highway trips, and we prefer a petrol automatic. Resale value is not a priority-we value driving pleasure as we will be self-driving. Our maximum budget is ₹50 lakh. Could you please advise which of these options would be the best choice for our requirements?

•21w

For your requirement of a spacious, premium, driver-focused SUV for a tall family of four, the Skoda Kodiaq is the best fit among your shortlisted options.

It offers a solid build, premium cabin quality and a genuinely engaging driving experience, which aligns well with your priority of driving pleasure. For 6-footers, the front and second rows are comfortable with good headroom and support. Also, with the third row folded, you get excellent luggage space for long trips. The petrol automatic is refined and smooth in the city, while also feeling very stable and confidence-inspiring on highways.

The Jeep Meridian, while rugged and solid, does feel tight on space, especially for taller passengers, which you have already noticed. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a strong all-rounder, but as you pointed out, the interior quality does not feel premium enough for your budget car under 50 lakh. The Toyota Innova Hycross is extremely comfortable and reliable. But it is more comfort-oriented than driver-focused, and the interior look, feel, and quality may not meet your expectations of a premium experience.

You can also consider the Volkswagen Tayron, which is essentially Volkswagen’s version of the Kodiaq. Both cars share the same platform, engine and core mechanicals, with the Tayron offering a slightly different design and more features. However, it is slightly more expensive, and the overall ownership experience will be very similar to the Skoda.

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Skoda

Kodiaq

from ₹44.21 Lakh

Jeep

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from ₹28.35 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.51 Lakh

•21w

Hi autocar suggest me which is better for me hundai new venue 1.2 petrol engine or maruti breeza 1.5 petrol, 50% driving in city and 50% on highway

•21w

Check out Toyota Hilux, of you can wait for sometime (honestly a little longer time) you can try highlander or santa FE, BmW X1 but may the pricing would not match but still nice. Youu wrote that you shortlisted XUV 700, alternative would be XUV7XO as it feels all your need that you demand

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•1d

Hi, I am currently using an XUV700 AX5 5-seater petrol manual and have driven 76,000km in four years. I am now planning to switch to an EV and am considering the Mahindra XEV 9S. Should I make the switch now or wait?

•7h

With 76,000 km in 4 years, you are clearly a high-mileage user, and that changes the EV equation. The bigger question is whether you are ready for the electric car ownership experience. If you have reliable home charging and your usage pattern is predictable, the Mahindra XEV 9S can make sense. But if your driving includes frequent long highway trips or unpredictable routes, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol remains the more hassle-free option for now, or perhaps a diesel to bring down your fuel bills.As for the XEV 9S is a very interesting product and will feel like a natural slide over from your 700; however, expect a softer-sprung suspension, which can be discomforting to passengers who feel travel sick, and the electronic features, while plentiful, can cause some more niggles than your 700. These points aside, the XEV9S is a good EV worth considering.

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•1d

I have an XUV500 Diesel 2.2L, which I bought in 2017. It has done 2.1 lakh km, and I have enjoyed driving it and still do. It is still so smooth. I also have a Fiat Punto Diesel 1.3L, which I bought in 2013. It has done 2.4 lakh km, and I have enjoyed driving it and still do. I want to keep both of them for the rest of my life. Now, I am planning to buy one more diesel vehicle and need your suggestion. Thanks!

•1d

Given your ownership history, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the most natural upgrade. It retains the rugged, dependable character you clearly value while offering a more refined, modern package. The 2.2-litre diesel is a proven workhorse, and Mahindra has steadily improved refinement, comfort and technology over the years. The XUV 7XO also offers a genuinely premium cabin, strong performance and a feature set that feels like a meaningful step up from your XUV500.The Tata Harrier diesel is another strong option. It offers a premium cabin, a comfortable ride and a proven Jeep-sourced diesel powertrain. However, the XUV 7XO still feels like the more complete package overall.Given your high-mileage usage and clear appreciation for long-term durability, the XUV 7XO diesel is the recommendation. It is the most logical evolution of what you already enjoy and is likely to deliver the same long-term satisfaction you have experienced with your current cars.

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•2d

I've had a TUV 300 for 10 years and have driven around 1.5 lakh km in it, mostly on long trips in the hills and on treacherous roads. I now want to buy another car with a budget of approximately Rs. 16 lakh on-road. I live in Gurgaon and am confused about whether I should stick to a diesel car or switch to petrol, considering the current E20 situation. I am also wondering if I should move to an automatic. Is an EV a possibility? I do not want a sunroof. My city driving is minimal, at around 200 km a month. Please suggest a low-maintenance car.

•1d

Given your usage, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the most sensible recommendation. Your running is predominantly long highway and hill trips, and diesel still makes the most financial sense in this scenario. The XUV 7XO diesel is a proven engine, and the automatic gearbox will offer you ease of use on steep inclines. The car also offers a comfortable ride, good ground clearance and a robust build, which is important given your experience with treacherous hill roads.On the E20 front, there is no reason to switch to diesel purely because of ethanol. Modern petrol engines are unaffected by E20. The main impact is a drop in fuel efficiency, not reliability. However, in your case since your running is high opt for diesel. EVs are not the right fit for your usage. Your running is low in the city, but your long trips in the hills would make charging infrastructure and range planning a hassle. The XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a lower maintenance car than your TUV 300, and Mahindra's service network is strong in Gurgaon and across North India.If you want a petrol alternative, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is a good option. It is smooth, reliable and easy to drive, but it will not be as efficient as the diesel on long highway runs. Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the best fit for your usage and budget.

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•4d

I am a first-time buyer. My salary is Rs 4.2 lakh per year (CTC). Which company and which model would suit me?

•2d

With a CTC of Rs 4.2 lakh per year, the key is to keep the purchase affordable and running costs low. The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the most sensible starting point. It is reliable, easy to maintain and has excellent service reach, which is exactly what you want as a first-time buyer. The 1.0-litre petrol engine in this Maruti Suzuki car is efficient, and the car is easy to drive in the city.If you need a bit more space, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a good alternative with its tall-boy design and larger boot. If you are open to a slightly higher budget, the Tata Tiago is worth considering for its stronger build and more premium feel, but Maruti's service network and lower maintenance costs make it the safer long-term choice at this budget. The Alto K10 is the most practical and financially sensible first car.

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•6d

I am confused between the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO, and I also like the XUV700. My budget is approximately Rs. 18 lakh. Can you suggest which one I should choose?

•4d

With a budget of Rs. 18 lakh, you're likely to get the entry-level variants of the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. Between the two, the Tata Car has a more spacious third row; however, the XUV 7XO is the better all-rounder.The XUV 7XO is essentially the facelifted XUV700, so you get the same proven mechanical package, along with a more modern interior, updated features and a more premium feel. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is strong and refined, making this Mahindra car well suited to both city and highway driving, while the manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use.The Tata Safari is still a good car, with a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin, but the XUV 7XO feels more modern and premium inside.

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•1w

I’m confused between the 7-seater Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO. My regular usage will mostly be within the city, with occasional trips to rural areas. I am expected to drive around 500 km per month that may sometimes be higher. Considering this usage pattern, which would be the better option for me in terms of comfort, practicality, fuel efficiency, maintenance, and overall value for money?

•6d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. With your usage pattern of 500 km a month, mostly city driving with occasional rural trips, the XUV 7XO is the more practical and comfortable choice. It offers a more refined and modern cabin, better ride comfort and a more premium overall feel. The diesel engine is efficient and well-suited to your occasional highway and rural runs, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. The Safari is a good car, but the XUV 7XO feels more polished and better suited to long-term ownership. If you are open to petrol, the XUV 7XO petrol automatic is also a strong option, especially if your running remains low. Overall, the XUV 7XO strikes the best balance between comfort, practicality, efficiency and value for money for your usage.

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