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Delhi
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Priyanka

•8w

I am looking to buy a new 7-seater vehicle and am mainly considering Mahindra models. Which would be a better choice: diesel or electric?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•8w
Within the Mahindra range, your best options are the XUV 7XO diesel and the all-electric XEV 9S. 
The Mahindra XUV 7XO comes powered by a strong diesel engine, and performance and refinement are impressive. However, the 7XO is not a great 7-seater. Space in the third row is limited and not suitable for adults. It's the 9S that actually offers a better third row experience, and that's because the EV comes with the option to slide the second row, which the 7XO doesn't. In effect, you can balance space for the second and third row occupants, making the 9S a better seven-seater. The 9S also delivers strong performance and scores well on range.
If you have the option to home charge and primarily use your vehicle in the city, the 9S is the better pick. Do note, the 9S does have a softer ride and tends to feel a bit unsettled at highway cruising speeds
Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹15.87 Lakh

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra

XEV 9S

from ₹21.10 Lakh

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I am planning to upgrade from a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga to a new three-row SUV mainly for city driving. The Tata Safari Adventure X petrol AT does not have a dedicated third-row AC unit. Will this affect cooling for third-row passengers in Mumbai’s heat during daily use? I am also considering the MG Hector Plus Savvy Pro AT and the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 petrol AT. Which would be the better choice among these?

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Out of the three mentioned above, the Mahindra XUV 7XO would be the better choice. It is a lot more refined, plush and sorted overall and feels worth the money you pay. The engine is powerful, silent, and the gearbox works well in the city as well. The tech is new-age, and it feels futureproof. However, the third row, despite getting AC vents, isn't the best in terms of space and comfort. The middle row cannot slide ahead, and that restricts room in the last row. Coming from an Ertiga, you will feel the space crunch in the 7XO and even the Hector Plus or the Tata Safari. If the third row is frequently used, the Kia Carens Clavis is the right choice as it has proper space in the third row and is quite practical. It isn't as fast or powerful as the others, but it has enough punch and is almost equally packed with features. Being lighter than the bigger SUVs, it is also easy to drive around the city, and it has a smooth DCT gearbox. If third row space is not critical, then we would recommend the XUV 7XO, but if you want space in the last row, the Clavis would be ideal.

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I am confused between the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5 and Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 variants, as I prefer practicality over extra features. Alternatively, should I consider waiting for the Tata Sierra?

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If you don't mind the additional spend, we'd recommend the Mahindra XUV 7XO in AX7 trim. Elements like its larger 18-inch alloy wheels and leatherette upholstery add greatly to the look and feel of things. While auto climate control, a 540-degree camera and front parking sensors are features you will appreciate every day. The Tata Sierra is not a like-for-like alternative to the Mahindra 7XO. The 7XO is larger, more powerful and also offers three rows of seating.Further, the 7XO is slightly pricier, too. Within Tata's range, the Tata Safari is an alternative to the 7XO.

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•2d

I am confused between Windsor EV (VFM) and XEV 9s (amazing driveability, feature-rich, and future-proof). My daily driving usage is low, around 300km per month, with occasional outstation trips (600kms once in every 3 to 4 months). I enjoy a good torque (acceleration) coming from a diesel world. When I did a test drive of Windsor, the acceleration was okay, but even in the lowest regen level setting, I felt a slight jerk. It makes sense from a VFM standpoint, but it felt like a compromise compared to XEV 9s.

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Verified
•4h

If you don't mind stretching your budget, the Mahindra XEV 9S is the one to buy. It's larger than the Windsor EV and offers the flexibility of a third row of seats. The XEV 9S is also packed with equipment. We aren't fans of the user interface, but it's still better than the MG Windsor.For someone switching from a diesel, the XEV 9S' biggest pull is its power. It's significantly more powerful than the Windsor EV, and acceleration is brisk in its sportiest driving mode.

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Posted on: 15 Jan 2026