Autocar India
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Dr DEBASHISH SARKAR

6w

Which car is better, the Sealion 7 or the Volvo EX30? I am looking to buy a premium EV alongside my Fortuner.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2w
As a second car alongside your Toyota Fortuner,  the Volvo EX30 Single Motor Long Range is the stronger fit because it is small on the outside and easy to park, yet feels very upmarket inside. It is also quick, refined, and very quiet in city traffic.
Three reasons it suits your brief. One, the compact size makes daily driving and tight parking far less stressful than a bigger EV, which is what you want when the Fortuner already handles the long trips. Two, Volvo’s safety focus and the helpful driver add peace of mind. Three, the cabin, though cramped at the back, feels special, which keeps the “premium” feel you’re after every time you get in.
A couple of trade-offs to note. The back seat and boot are not very big, so it is not the best choice if you often carry five people or a lot of luggage. Also, most controls sit on the centre screen, which takes a few days to get used to.
If you expect more family use or frequent highway drives in the EV, pick the BYD Sealion 7 instead. It is larger, offers more rear seat space and a bigger boot. Plus, its battery is likely to give you a longer real-world range. The flip side is that it is bulkier in the city, and BYD’s service reach is still building up.
Overall, as a premium, easy-to-live-with city EV to pair with your Fortuner, the Volvo EX30 fits best. Choose the Sealion 7 only if space and range matter more than compact size.
Volvo EX30

Volvo EX30

AK

Ananth KV

2w

Mercedes cla, it is a sedan but at 59lac ex showroom, it offers great value. Mercedes batch, latest technology, most premium interiors and a real world range of 600+km makes it a no brainer. If you want an suv, wait for the glc with eq tech, will be launched this year.

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SM

Satyajit Mukherjee

2d

Hello Autocar team, This question is in two parts. I am tearfully moving on from my beautiful Ford Endeavour 3.2 Titanium AT and am in the market for a new vehicle. Priorities are good ground clearance (laden), a powerful and responsive engine, and preferably a 4-by-4 or AWD. The second part is the tough one. Situated in Delhi NCR, do you think it makes sense to go for diesel again? Because my boxes are mostly ticked only by diesel powertrains, and the petrol ones are either too expensive (Kodiaq), or too small (e.g., the Jimny). Can you please help?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
22h

4WD SUVs are getting rarer by the day, but given what you're looking for, the best fit is the Mahindra Thar Roxx. For the price, it feels the closest to your Endeavour in the stuff that matters - proper 4x4 with low range, generous ground clearance even when loaded, and a strong 2.2-litre diesel that responds eagerly. The Roxx's new-gen chassis is Mahindra's best ladder frame yet, soaking up rough roads without breaking a sweat and handling highway duties reasonably well too. It's also gotten a lot more liveable than previous Thars, with genuine space, premium feel and creature comforts.There's the Jeep Compass and Meridian too, but their interiors won't feel spacious enough after your Endeavour, and on the other end are the MG Majestor and Toyota Fortuner, though those are likely to be out of budget. Of the petrols, the Kodiaq is probably the best AWD bet, but as you said, it is too expensive. A few-year-old example of any of these, however, might be a good option.On diesel in NCR, it might still make sense, if you can make your peace with the 10-year cap - and the associated resale value hit. You may see the odd winter restriction put into place, but new BS6 diesels have generally been clear of those. It's not an easy decision, but if it's for a car you'll enjoy, and you can work out a shorter ownership cycle that suits your needs, it can still work.

VehicleMahindra Thar Roxx
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RM

Raja Mukherji

2d

I want to buy both Mahindra Thar 3-door and a Kia Seltos. I am considering the base variants of both vehicles. The Thar will be used mainly for leisure, while the Seltos will be used primarily for city driving. In that case, would the petrol variant of the Seltos be a good choice? Also, I am looking at the base variant of the Thar, which is priced at around Rs. 9.99 lakh ex-showroom. Would this combination make sense for my requirements?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4h

Yes, that combination actually makes a lot of sense if the roles are clearly defined. For the Seltos, the 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol is perfectly adequate if it is going to be your city car. It is smooth, refined, easy to drive in traffic and ownership costs are reasonable. You do not really need the turbo petrol if the car's primary duty is urban commuting. The NA petrol may not feel particularly exciting, but for city use it will feel relaxed and effortless. Even in its lower variants, the Seltos is surprisingly well equipped, so it does not feel bare bones.As for the Thar 3-door, if it is purely a weekend fun vehicle, the base model can make sense from a value perspective. However, it is worth remembering that the Rs. 9.99 lakh ex-showroom variant is a 4x2 model, so you do not get the full off-road capability that most people associate with the Thar. If your idea of enjoyment is primarily the lifestyle, road presence and occasional beach or trail drives, it will still do the job. However, if you genuinely want to explore tougher trails and off-road terrain, it is worth stretching to a 4x4 variant.

VehicleMahindra Thar
VehicleKia Seltos

Popular discussions right now

SA

Sandeep

3d

I want to buy a car under Rs 12 lakh. It should be a petrol automatic and will be my first car. I need good ground clearance, a good engine and gearbox combination for 70% city and 30% highway use, and my daily running is around 30 km in Bengaluru traffic. Comfort, space, decent fuel efficiency, ease of driving, and long-term ownership are important to me. I do not want a Fronx, Baleno, i20, Exter, Punch, or Nexon. Please suggest a value-for-money option. Thank you.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

Given your exclusions, the Skoda Kylaq automatic would be our first recommendation. Specifically, the Signature automatic is if you can stretch slightly. The 1.0 TSI turbo petrol and torque converter automatic are a very good combination for Bangalore traffic. The gearbox is smooth, the engine has enough punch for highway overtakes, and the car feels more premium and substantial than most options in this price range. Ground clearance is good, it is easy to drive, and it has the solid feel that many first-time buyers appreciate.Another strong option is the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro automatic. It has a wider rear seat, feels bigger inside and is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment. The torque converter automatic is smooth, and it is comfortable for city use. The downside is that fuel efficiency is not that great, and the boot is on the smaller side.If you are willing to consider a sedan, the Honda Amaze CVT is also worth a look. The CVT is exceptionally smooth in traffic, reliability is excellent, and it is the kind of car you can comfortably keep for a decade. The only reason it is not our primary recommendation is that you specifically mentioned wanting good ground clearance.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
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Posted on: 16 May 2026