We are not aware of your budget, but going by your pointers, we assume you are looking at the mid-size SUV segment. We would thus recommend the Kia Seltos. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is not punchy, but it linearly delivers sufficient power and offers decent refinement.The diesel is paired to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic, and since you drive quite a lot, we would recommend choosing the automatic.

The 7-seater that best meets all your requirements is the Toyota Innova HyCross Strong Hybrid. It will give you great mileage, has a very good engine, and offers almost all the comfort features you might need. But if your budget is lower, the other two options are Kia Carens Clavis or Maruti Suzuki XL6.The Carens Clavis is a very spacious 7-seater and comes with solid engines and a long feature list.

The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is a great choice. It’s a marked improvement over the XUV700, especially the new DaVinci suspension, which has transformed the ride and handling. The diesel is powerful and refined and will be far more efficient than a petrol.Since BS6 emission norms were introduced over 5 years ago, almost all diesel cars have had to use a DPF to meet the emission standards, and now there is enough data on how DPFs perform. The DPF in the Mahindra 2.2 diesel engine is quite efficient and requires a ‘regeneration’ cycle (driving at a steady speed of 50-60kph) once a month or so to clear the DPF. So if you liked the XUV 7XO, go ahead and buy it.

Tata Motors doesn't have the best reputation for reliability, so we understand your concerns about the Punch. However, with regard to your specific concern on the engine, Tata Motors’ 1.2, three-cylinder engine that powers the Punch has been around for quite some time now in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged form and is quite a proven unit with no major issues.What you are likely to face is a few niggling issues as the car ages and a service network that needs to improve. However, the new feature Punch has been launched at a very attractive price and is certainly a compelling option to consider and buy.