Mumbai

•18w

I am looking to buy a budget 7-seater car and really like the Mahindra Bolero Neo for its looks, mileage, and performance. However, I am concerned about potential DPF issues since my monthly running is only around 500 km, mostly in city conditions. Alternatively, I am considering whether I should opt for a 5-seater SUV like the Skoda Kushaq or Tata Nexon. My family size is six members (5 adults and 1 child), although we will only occasionally travel with all six occupants.

•18w

Mostly city use, only about 500km a month, and a family of six that sometimes travels together consider the Kia Carens Premium (O) petrol manual. It is compact enough to be usable in Pune city, and the petrol engine avoids DPF-related issues. The cabin is much more modern, the seats are comfortable, and even the third row is spacious enough for adults. Not to mention, it is a lot easier to get into than the side-facing seats on the Bolero.

With your limited usage, a diesel doesn’t make much sense, and while the Mahindra Bolero Neo will feel tough on broken rural roads, in Pune, the Carens will be the more comfortable, practical and safer family car. It is slightly pricier than the Bolero Neo, and if it's too much of a stretch, then consider the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

Take a test drive with the family, get into the third row, and see if it feels comfortable.

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Kia

Carens

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Mahindra

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from ₹10.57 Lakh

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Sachin R Walaki

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Is the Quote of 13.5 Lakh for a Kia Carens Premium Optional Petrol Variant Worth It?

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•1w

Hi, I am planning to buy the Kia Carens Premium Optional petrol variant. The dealer has offered me a final price of Rs 13.5 lakh, including insurance, extended warranty, accessories and registration. Is this quote worth considering, or should I negotiate further? Please help.

•2d

The Kia Carens Premium Optional Petrol at Rs 13.5 lakh on-road, including insurance, extended warranty, accessories and registration, is a fair deal. The Carens is one of the most spacious and practical 7-seaters in the segment, with a comfortable ride and a well-balanced petrol engine that is well suited to family use. The Premium Optional variant also gets the essentials you need without pushing the price too high. The only thing to check is what accessories are included and whether they are genuinely useful to you, as dealers sometimes bundle in items you may not need. Overall, if the car suits your requirements, this is a reasonable price and worth going ahead with.

Kia Carens

•3d

I am a bit confused about choosing between a manual and an automatic. My usage will be 60% city and 40% highway, including long road trips. I am considering the Mahindra XUV 3XO and Skoda Kylaq. My only concern with the Mahindra is its small boot space. Which one would you recommend?

•5h

Go for the Skoda Kylaq automatic. With 60% city driving, an automatic will make your daily commute far less tiring, and the Kylaq’s 6-speed torque converter is smooth and reliable. This Skoda car also offers a larger boot than the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which will make a noticeable difference on your 40% highway trips and long road journeys. The 3XO is a strong product, but its boot is one of the smallest in the segment, and that can become a real limitation for family travel. The Kylaq strikes a better balance between city convenience, highway performance and practicality, making it the more rounded choice for your usage pattern.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

•11h

Hello Autocar India team, I live in banglore. I currently own Hyundai Creta SX (O) 1.6 CRDI Diesel AT 2016 model. I want to upgrade my car because of the 10-year diesel vehicles rule. Most of my running is on highway so I am looking for automatic diesel 7-seater SUV for family. My bugdet is between Rs. 20 - 40 lakh. Initially, I had considered the Tata Safari Diesel AT, but I have listened on social media poor about Tata after-sales service, technical and electronic Issues, as well as panel gaps issues that are concerning me. Now, I have shortlisted Toyota Fortuner Diesel AT, Mahindra Scorpio N Diesel AT and Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel AT. Which SUV is better for my requirements? Also, will I have to face DPF-related issues in new diesel cars if we drive slowly?

•1h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel AT. It is the best fit for your requirements. The XUV 7XO offers a strong 2.0 diesel engine, a comfortable ride, a spacious and well-appointed cabin, and a good balance between performance and practicality. It is also significantly more modern and feature-rich than the Scorpio N, while being far better value than the Fortuner.The Fortuner is a great highway SUV with a proven reliability record, but it is now showing its age, and at Rs 40 lakh-plus it is simply too expensive for what it offers. The Scorpio N is rugged and capable, but it is not as refined or as family-friendly as the XUV 7XO. The XUV 7XO is the most complete package for your needs. On the DPF question: modern diesel cars are generally fine as long as you do regular highway runs. The DPF regenerates naturally at sustained speeds. The issues tend to arise only with predominantly short, low-speed city driving. Your usage pattern is highway-heavy, so you should not have any problems.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Toyota Fortuner

Mahindra Scorpio N

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•5d

I currently use a Skoda Slavia Ambition 1.0 automatic since last 4 years. Now, I am thinking of switching the car but I am confused between Honda Elevate V CVT petrol and Kia Seltos HTK iVT petrol.

•4d

Given that you are coming from a Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI automatic, the Kia Seltos HTK IVT petrol is the more natural upgrade. The Seltos offers a noticeably larger and more premium cabin, better rear seat space and a more substantial feel overall. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving, and the car feels like a genuine step up from the Slavia in terms of comfort and overall ownership experience.The Honda Elevate V CVT petrol is a solid and reliable choice, but it does not feel like as much of an upgrade from the Slavia. The cabin is not as spacious or as premium as the Seltos, and the overall ownership experience is more about simplicity and reliability than about feeling like a significant step up.The only caveat with the Seltos HTK is that it is not the most feature-rich variant in the lineup. If you can stretch to a higher variant, the Seltos becomes an even stronger recommendation. If not, it is still the better choice over the Elevate because it offers a more substantial upgrade from your current car.

I have a 2013 Honda City automatic, which is now 13 years old. I wish to change my car and buy the Tata Punch EV 40kWh for my use. My monthly running is low, at around 500 km. Would you suggest this car for my usage?

•4d

With a monthly running of around 500km, the financial case for an EV is not particularly strong, but the Tata Punch EV 40kWh can still make sense if you are looking for a modern, low-maintenance city car. This Tata electric car is compact, easy to drive and well-suited to urban use, and the 40kWh battery offers a healthy real-world range that should comfortably cover your monthly usage with minimal charging stops. However, at this level of running, the fuel savings over a petrol car will take a long time to offset the higher upfront cost of the EV. If you have reliable home charging and are keen on the EV ownership experience, the Punch EV is a sensible upgrade from your ageing City. If your priority is purely financial efficiency, a small petrol automatic like the Honda Amaze or Maruti Suzuki Baleno would be the more cost-effective choice.

I am a 60 years old retired woman and I want to buy a new automatic car. Which car would be suitable for me?

•4d

We would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Baleno automatic. At your age, ease of use, comfort and reliability are the most important factors, and the Baleno delivers on all three. The automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to operate, making city driving stress-free, while the car itself is compact enough to be easy to park and manoeuvre. Maruti's service network is the best in the country, which means maintenance will be straightforward and affordable. The Baleno also offers a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin, making it a pleasant car to use on a daily basis. If you prefer a slightly higher seating position and a smaller foot print, the Hyundai Exter AMT is a good alternative, offering the same reliability with a more SUV-like stance. Both cars are sensible, hassle-free choices that will serve you well for many years.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

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