Hello Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a new car. I currently drive a 2020 Creta S, which has covered 80,000km. It feels underpowered at times. I am looking for a performance-oriented SUV (petrol). What would be a good purchase? Should I consider the Tata Harrier, Tata Sierra, or a used luxury SUV? Open to suggestions.

Autocar India

•2m

If you're looking for performance first and foremost, check out the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol. Coming from the 1.5 petrol Creta, you will immediately notice how much stronger the XUV 7XO's 202hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol is. Overtakes need a light press on the pedal, hills feel effortless even with family and bags, and it cruises comfortably at highway speeds. Mahindra tunes its engines for performance first and fuel economy second. So, be prepared for poor mileage numbers.

If you’re tempted by a used luxury SUV, a 2-3 year old BMW X3 30i or Audi Q5 with a valid extended warranty will be quick and feel special, but do factor in higher service and repair costs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹15.05 Lakh

Audi

from ₹73.90 Lakh

Recommended questions for you

•1d

I am considering buying the XUV 7XO AX7 Diesel AT variant, but I am hesitant about spending an additional ₹2-3 lakh for the AX7T variant for features like fog lights and ventilated seats. Can these be fitted as OEM accessories post-delivery at a Mahindra authorised service centre, and would that void the warranty in any case?

Autocar India

•2h

Choose the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 Diesel AT and skip the AX7T if you feel the approx Rs 2.5 lakh premium is not worth the upgrade. Genuine fog lamps are available as dealer-fitted accessories, and you can add them to the AX7 without voiding the warranty. Ventilated seats, on the other hand, cannot be retrofitted, as they typically require new seats, ducts and wiring that interact with the seat airbags. Do confirm this with your dealer.If ventilated seats are an absolute must-have, then go for the AX7T, as it also brings other features like Level-2 ADAS, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and a knee airbag.At the dealership, ask for the price of the fog-lamp kit and installation. On the test drive, check if the AC’s cooling is up to your expectations.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Rajat Sethi

•4d

Hi, I am planning to buy the new Tata Safari Petrol AX+, but I am concerned about the engine performance on highways and during hill driving, as we have a second home in the hills and travel there every two months. We need a spacious car within a 25 lakh budget, which is why we chose the Safari. I am also concerned about its overtaking ability on highways. I am not considering the Mahindra 7XO due to its recessed door handles. Please advise.

Autocar India

•1d

The Tata Safari petrol is a very good choice for your needs. During our first drive, we found its performance to be quite effortless despite the modest 1.5-litre displacement. We recorded a 0-100kph time of just 10.5 seconds, which is very respectable for a vehicle of this size. The engine has strong low-down grunt, which helps it pick up speed effortlessly, and it felt adequate even with six people on board. On the expressway, it maintained high speeds with ease and made quick overtakes when required. We haven’t yet driven it in the hills, but all evidence suggests it should be just fine.If performance is still a concern, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is a good alternative. The best way to address your concerns is to take an extended highway test drive with at least five passengers on board. Assess whether its overtaking performance feels adequate for your needs and, if possible, find a hill to do a gradient test.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Harshit Gupta

•2d

Hi, I am looking for a new car in NCR, and my monthly running is 1,000-1,500km. My budget is around ₹18-20 lakh with a BH number. I am confused about which car I should go for. My personal inclination is towards the Scorpio N diesel manual Z8 Select. Will it be a good choice?

Autocar India

•2d

Go for the Mahindra Scorpio N Z8 Select (Z8 S) diesel manual. For your 18-20 lakh budget and 1,000-1,500 km/month in NCR, it offers robust highway performance, space, and tough suspension.Your monthly running suits a torquey diesel engine, which feels relaxed on longer NCR runs and weekend trips. The Z8 S fits your budget while giving you the core comfort and safety kit without stretching to higher trims. Since you’re in NCR, remember that diesel cars are restricted to 10 years of use there. If you plan to keep it 8-10 years, this aligns well.The one thing you give up is an easy city commute. The clutch can feel heavier in stop‑go NCR traffic, which may tire your left leg on 45-60 minute crawls.If you plan to keep the car beyond 10 years in NCR, consider the Mahindra XUV 7X0 AX5 petrol automatic instead, for long-term compliance and lighter city driving.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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