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•18w

My dad wants a big SUV feel with status but under 20 lakh. He likes the Scorpio N, but I feel it will get outdated soon. We tried the Tata Sierra and Kia Caren but are still confused. We want good mileage and a full automatic. Our current car is a Kia Sonet, so driving should be on par or better.

Verified
•18w

The Mahindra Scorpio N is due for a facelift later this year, so if your father likes it and doesn't mind waiting, it could be worthwhile. However, while it has great road presence, it won't meet your other requirement of good mileage. The Scorpio N is a large, heavy, ladder-frame SUV whose focus is on strong performance and responsiveness, rather than mileage, so prepare for much lower figures than what you get in your Kia Sonet. 

Based on our real-world tests, Mahindra Scorpio N mileage averaged 8.65kpl for the petrol automatic and 10.15kpl for the diesel automatic, while the petrol manual returned 7.3kpl.  
Kia Sonet mileage depends on the engine-gearbox combination. The 1.2-litre petrol MT gives up to 18.8kpl, the 1.0 turbo-petrol returns 18.7kpl (MT) and 19.2kpl (DCT), and the 1.5-litre diesel offers up to 24.1kpl with the manual and 18.6kpl with the automatic.

Moreover, owing to its top-heavy ladder-frame layout, it won't drive as well as the Sonet, at least in terms of handling and sharp dynamics. What you get instead is a commanding driving position and a tough, robust feel from the driver's seat. 

For a good mix of road presence and driving dynamics, check out the Sierra. The Tata Sierra price starts at Rs 11.49 lakh and goes up to Rs 21.29 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Hence, you will get a decently feature-packed variant around Rs 20 lakh. Also, it is the most spacious in the class, and the turbo-petrol and diesel engines come with a smooth torque-converter automatic that works well around town and on the highway. Moreover, since it is a monocoque SUV, it has more car-like driving dynamics, easier manoeuvrability, better ride quality and better refinement. For your requirements, the Sierra is the better pick.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Mahindra Scorpio N

•18w•

PLS DO NOT BUY MAHINDRA SCORPIO NEW. Extremely disappointed with the way my warranty claim for a Mahindra Scorpio N has been handled. A 2 yrs old vehicle that has run only 13,000 km developed a clutch issue, yet the warranty claim was rejected by simply classifying it as "wear and tear" and alleging improper driving habits. As a Mahindra customer for more than 10 years, having owned and regularly serviced multiple Mahindra vehicles, I find this explanation unacceptable. The vehicle was fully drivable and was taken to the service centre only because the clutch pedal had become hard. However, after dismantling, I was presented with a repair bill of approximately 48,000 and informed that the failure was not covered under warranty. What is most concerning is that numerous Scorpio N owners have reported similar clutch, slave cylinder, and clutch housing-related issues across various forums and social media platforms. Despite these recurring complaints, customers continue to face warranty denials based on generic "wear and tear" explanations. The vehicle remained at the workshop for several days without any clear resolution, causing significant inconvenience to my family. Instead of investigating the possibility of a component defect or recurring model issue, the responsibility has been shifted entirely onto the customer. Loyal customers expect accountability, transparency, and fair treatment, especially when a relatively new vehicle develops a major component failure. Rejecting claims on flimsy grounds has led trust issues and raises serious questions about after-sales support. No point in writing to Chairman Anand Mahindra, Group MD Dr. Anish Shah, or Mr. Rajesh Jejurikar, ED & CEO – Auto & Farm Sectors. Despite escalating the issue to the highest levels, I have received no response or meaningful action, which gives the impression that such issues are common in this variant and are not being adequately addressed.

•18w•

Many vehicle owners are unaware that several important parts are not covered under either warranty or insurance. At the time of purchase, the focus is usually on the features, warranty benefits, and insurance coverage, but very little is discussed about what is not covered. As a result, many customers only learn about these exclusions when a major repair bill arrives. Wear-and-tear components such as the clutch, flywheel, brake parts, and certain other consumable items are typically excluded from both warranty and insurance claims. I recently had to spend nearly ₹1 lakh to replace the clutch and flywheel in my MG Hector. The replacement itself was expected due to normal wear and tear, but what surprised me was that neither the warranty nor the insurance policy provided any coverage for it. Just sharing this as a reminder for fellow vehicle owners: before purchasing a vehicle or renewing insurance, take some time to understand not only what is covered, but also what isn't. It can save you from unexpected expenses later

•18w•

After all of your above concerns, I feel that Tata Harrier EV will be a great choice for you. It will give you a good range along with performance and unmatched road presence in the segment......

•18w•

I am planning to get a new EV in Mumbai. I really like the XEV 9e but if you have better suggestions for same price range please do recommend.

More posts on similar cars

•5d

I’m quite confused about my next car upgrade and would really appreciate some advice from people who have experience travelling with large families and pets. We are a family of six: my wife, our child, my parents, our dog and me. Until now, I’ve been using a Tata Punch, which has served us reasonably well. However, with our little baby, things have become considerably more complicated. A five-seater no longer seems practical, especially when we travel with luggage and our dog. My usage is a mix of daily commuting (around 20 km a day) and family road trips. We usually undertake 3-4 long trips a year with approx 3-4k kms round trip. I’ve been considering three options: 1. Tata Sierra The idea here is to use all five seats for the family and create a padded, bed-like platform in the boot for our dog. I could use the space underneath the platform for luggage. The ROX edition’s roof carrier is another interesting option, although I’m unsure about the legal restrictions on roof-mounted luggage carriers and whether they could attract challans in states such as Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. 2. Tata Safari The Safari offers the advantage of a third row. I’m wondering whether I could fold down half of the third row to accommodate luggage while keeping the other half for my dog. I’d probably need to install some sort of secure partition or cage to prevent luggage from shifting onto the dog or flying forward during sudden braking. However, I’m not sure how practical or safe this arrangement would be. 3. Toyota Innova Hycross (GXO) Given that my daily commute is relatively short, I’m not convinced that the hybrid’s additional cost would be justified by fuel savings alone. However, the Hycross’s cabin and luggage space are appealing. I’m wondering whether the third-row floor and boot could be configured to create a sufficiently large, flat and comfortable space for my dog while still accommodating our luggage. At this stage, these are just ideas, and I’m not sure how practical any of them would be in real-world conditions. I’d particularly appreciate advice from people who travel with their dogs, especially on long road trips. How do you manage luggage, ensure your pet’s safety and keep the cabin comfortable for everyone? Are there any other vehicles or practical modifications I should consider? One important consideration is that our baby is still very small, so we don’t have any major trips planned in the immediate future. I’m perfectly happy to postpone our next big road trip for a year or so. Consequently, I’m in no hurry to buy a car and am open to waiting for upcoming launches if something more suitable is on the horizon. I’d love to hear about your actual experiences, particularly with pet-friendly car setups, rather than just theoretical suggestions. Any advice on the choice of vehicle, safe modifications or alternative configurations would be greatly appreciated.

Verified
•2d

Given your family size, the presence of a baby and a dog, and your mix of daily commuting and long road trips, the Toyota Innova Hycross GXO is the most practical and sensible upgrade. The Hycross offers a genuinely spacious and flexible cabin, a flat and usable boot area and a proven reputation for reliability and long-term ownership. The third row can be folded flat to create a large, comfortable space for your dog, while the remaining boot area can accommodate luggage. The hybrid premium is not justified with your usage, so you will be better off with the standard petrol powertrain.The Tata Sierra is a good option if you want a more premium and stylish SUV experience, but it is ultimately a five-seater with a boot. Creating a raised platform for the dog is possible, but it compromises luggage space and safety on long trips. The Tata Safari offers a third row, but the Hycross offers more room with the seats up or stowed.On the pet side, the key is to use a proper harness or crate for the dog, ensure good ventilation and avoid loose luggage in the cabin. The Hycross's flat boot and fold-flat third row make it easy to create a safe and comfortable space for your dog without compromising family comfort.Overall, the Hycross GXO is the most practical and family-friendly solution for your needs.

VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleTata Sierra
VehicleTata Safari
•1w

I am planning to buy my second car, a sub-4m petrol automatic SUV, with a budget of around Rs 15 lakh. I currently own a WagonR, and my usage is primarily city driving, with occasional long trips. I am confused between the Kia Sonet, Kia Syros and Hyundai Venue. I particularly like the Syros, but I am concerned about its low sales figures and the positioning of its headlamps. I am also unsure whether a 360-degree camera is worth having, as it is available only in the top variant of the Sonet, while the Syros does not offer one. I would appreciate your guidance on which of these SUVs would be better suited to my requirements.

Verified
•5d

For a second car that will primarily see city use with occasional long trips, the Kia Syros is the most interesting choice of the three. The Syros gives you a more substantial upgrade, with a spacious cabin, excellent rear seat comfort, a 465-litre boot and a premium interior while remaining under four metres. Its 2,550mm wheelbase is also longer than both the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue, which is why it feels particularly roomy inside.The low sales numbers would not be a major concern. The Syros uses familiar Kia powertrains and components, and Kia's service network is already well established. The headlamp position is unconventional and does expose the units to a greater risk of damage in a minor bumper corner impact, but it should not be a deal breaker if you like the car otherwise.The 360 degree camera is useful but not essential. It is particularly helpful in tight parking spaces and narrow city lanes, but a good rear camera and sensors do most of the job. It would not be worth choosing the Sonet's top variant solely to get a 360 degree camera. The Venue is the safer conventional choice if you prefer a newer, more established package, while the Sonet makes sense if you want a smaller, sportier-feeling cabin and more familiar product. But for your requirements, the Syros offers the most meaningful upgrade from a WagonR.

VehicleKia Syros
VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleHyundai Venue

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Posted on: 2 Jun 2026