Autocar India

•46m

The Tata Harrier's road presence is impressive, and its 1.5-turbo-petrol engine is surprisingly powerful too. If you're in the market for one, it is a capable, well-rounded car. However, as you rightly mentioned, the Mahindra XUV 7XO's larger 2.0-litre turbo-petrol has an edge in terms of performance, smoothness and refinement. It also has an edge in terms of ride comfort, and its lighter steering makes it easier to drive in the city, too.JSW is likely to introduce its version of the Jetour T2 i-DM (plug-in hybrid) in the latter half of 2026, so you could wait for that if you'd like. That aside, there aren't any more new options expected in that price range.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Harrier

JSW Motors Jetour T2

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Autocar India

•1h

A 100km daily city run is quite substantial, and the big, heavy Toyota Fortuner 4x2 AT isn’t really the most convenient or efficient car for that kind of usage. However, since you are used to the toughness and reliability of the Fortuner, a logical upgrade would be to stay within the Toyota family.The Toyota Innova HyCross in its strong-hybrid guise is a very sensible option. It offers excellent fuel efficiency, which will really help, given your high daily running. At the same time, it retains typical Toyota traits, like a tough build and strong long-term reliability. Compared to the Fortuner, the HyCross has a more practical and spacious cabin, and the top-spec version, which comfortably fits within your Rs 50 lakh net budget, even gets Ottoman recliners in the middle row, adding a real touch of comfort.If you’d like to explore an SUV outside Toyota, the Skoda Kodiaq is worth considering. It’s a full-size seven-seater with a stronger focus on comfort and luxury, offering a more urbane and premium feel compared to the hardy Toyotas. The Volkswagen Tayron is essentially the same car underneath, with a slightly different interior treatment and character. Both the Kodiaq and Tayron are better suited to urban driving in terms of refinement and comfort, but the Toyota would still edge ahead in terms of efficiency and long-term peace of mind.You could also consider the Toyota Camry, which would actually be our pick. Sedans inherently offer better ride comfort and handling balance for city use, and the Camry is spacious, extremely comfortable and easy to get in and out of. For your kind of daily driving, it would feel far more relaxed and effortless while still giving you the Toyota reliability you’re accustomed to.

Toyota Camry

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Fortuner

Skoda Kodiaq

Volkswagen Tayron

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Autocar India

•1h

It's a shame that the Kia Syros isn't selling to its potential. The quirky styling and relatively high price have kept buyers away. However, if you are open to buying one, you should go ahead and get one. It's easily the most spacious compact SUV, quality levels are very impressive, and it's packed with tech and comfort features.Performance is decent for both the petrol and diesel engines. If anything, ride quality is on the firm side, so you will feel more of the surface imperfections than you'd like.

Kia Syros

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Autocar India

•2h

Between the Hyundai Venue and the Kia Sonet, for long-term ownership, we would recommend you go for the new Venue.The Hyundai Venue was recently launched and is a much newer product, whereas the Sonet has been around for nearly six years and is expected to be replaced or significantly updated next year. Buying a car that is closer to the beginning of its lifecycle generally makes more sense if you plan to keep it for many years, because it will stay relevant.Another advantage the Venue has is rear seat space. The Kia Sonet has always been a bit cramped in the back, whereas the Venue offers better accommodation for rear passengers. If you often travel with family or friends, the extra space and comfort at the back will be noticeable over time.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

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Autocar India

•14h

The Mahindra XEV 9S is, in many ways, is a clean and logical upgrade from your Maruti Suzuki Brezza diesel. For a family of five, the flexibility of three-row seating is genuinely useful, even if you don’t use the third row daily.As you rightly pointed out, the Pack Three variant of the Mahindra XEV 9S is very well equipped and, in fact, offers more features than the 9E Pack Three, like the co-passenger electric seat adjustment, rear ventilated seats and the added practicality of seven seats. Given that it’s also a couple of lakhs cheaper than the comparable Mahindra XEV 9e variant, from a pure value perspective, the 9S Pack Three does look more compelling.On the suspension, yes, the 9S is tuned on the softer side, but it's not a deal-breaker. You do feel a bit of vertical movement, especially at highway speeds over undulations, and that’s probably what you sensed during the test drive. However, in daily city use (which is the bulk of your 500), a softer setup at low speeds can actually work in your favour, better absorbing potholes and broken patches.Importantly, Mahindra has responded to feedback by introducing a ‘Custom’ drive mode, which lets you choose a sportier or stiffer suspension setting while keeping steering and power delivery in Comfort. That flexibility helps tailor the car to your preference.Since your usage is just around 500 km a month and mostly in the city, an electric car makes strong sense. Just ensure you have convenient home charging, that’s key to a stress-free EV ownership experience.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XEV 9e

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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