Autocar India
6w

I am having a Volkswagen Vento diesel automatic 1.5 TDI high line plus from 2016, and now I am planning to change the car, mostly driving in the city with 2-3 long highway trips in the desert and hills with some adventure. And my annual running is approx 10000 km. And my budget is approx 35 lakhs. Pls suggest a suitable car.

Verified
6w

Get the Jeep Compass diesel automatic, ideally the 4x4, because it stays easy in the city yet feels rock solid on highways and can handle desert sand, and hill climbs without stress. You are coming from a Vento, so you will like the Compass’s tight body control, strong mid-range pull, and the calm way it cruises. The 4x4 brings real traction for soft sand and steep trails, plus good ground clearance, but it still parks like a midsize SUV, not a barge.

With 10,000 km a year, diesel is fine if you do a decent weekly run to keep the system happy. If your budget is strict at Rs. 35 lakh on-road, the 4x2 automatic will fit and is still great for bad roads and long trips, just not deep sand.

As an alternative, you can also look at the AWD Mahindra XUV 7XO, off-road it will not be as accomplished as the Compass, but it will be more than enough for basic trails and light off-roading.

Jeep Compass

Jeep Compass

6w

I have a chevy cruze vcdi ltz AT. have completed 15 years driving it & still live every bit of the car. However looking to upgrade to a SUV. Can you suggest equivalent SUV to match cruze comfort & engine performance

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15h

I've had a TUV 300 for 10 years and have driven around 1.5 lakh km in it, mostly on long trips in the hills and on treacherous roads. I now want to buy another car with a budget of approximately Rs. 16 lakh on-road. I live in Gurgaon and am confused about whether I should stick to a diesel car or switch to petrol, considering the current E20 situation. I am also wondering if I should move to an automatic. Is an EV a possibility? I do not want a sunroof. My city driving is minimal, at around 200 km a month. Please suggest a low-maintenance car.

Verified
7h

Given your usage, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the most sensible recommendation. Your running is predominantly long highway and hill trips, and diesel still makes the most financial sense in this scenario. The XUV 7XO diesel is a proven engine, and the automatic gearbox will offer you ease of use on steep inclines. The car also offers a comfortable ride, good ground clearance and a robust build, which is important given your experience with treacherous hill roads.On the E20 front, there is no reason to switch to diesel purely because of ethanol. Modern petrol engines are unaffected by E20. The main impact is a drop in fuel efficiency, not reliability. However, in your case since your running is high opt for diesel. EVs are not the right fit for your usage. Your running is low in the city, but your long trips in the hills would make charging infrastructure and range planning a hassle. The XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a lower maintenance car than your TUV 300, and Mahindra's service network is strong in Gurgaon and across North India.If you want a petrol alternative, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is a good option. It is smooth, reliable and easy to drive, but it will not be as efficient as the diesel on long highway runs. Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the best fit for your usage and budget.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleKia Seltos

Popular discussions right now

6d

I want to buy a car for 40% city use and 60% long trips. I own a 2015 model of Celerio AGS. Should I buy Baleno AGS considering E20 fuel in the future.

Verified
6d

Given your usage pattern of 40% city and 60% long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS is actually a sensible upgrade from your 2015 Celerio AGS. The Baleno offers a more comfortable cabin, better highway stability and a more refined driving experience, which will make those long trips far more enjoyable. The AGS gearbox is also well suited to your occasional city use, keeping things simple and efficient.On the E20 front, there is no reason to worry. The Baleno is E20 compliant, and modern engines are engineered to handle this blend without any long-term reliability concerns. Maruti has also stated that their E20 engines are built for a material tolerance of slightly more than E20, so on the material front the car should be good for something like E22 for example. The main impact of a higher blend would be a reduction in fuel efficiency.The only thing to consider is whether you want to stick with AGS or move to a more conventional automatic. If you are happy with how AGS behaves, the Baleno is a solid choice. If you want a smoother and more premium automatic experience, you could look at something like the Hyundai i20 IVT or the Honda Amaze CVT instead. Both offer a more refined automatic gearbox, which can make a difference on long highway drives.Overall, the Baleno AGS is a good fit for your usage and there is no E20-related reason to avoid it. The decision really comes down to whether you are happy with AGS or want to move to a more conventional automatic.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
VehicleHyundai i20
VehicleHonda Amaze

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Posted on: 3 Jul 2026