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•43w

I already own a Creta Electric and am now a fan of electric vehicles. I need a new 7-seater for around ₹22-24 lakh. My running will be very low - about 500 km per month, plus 3-4 long trips a year of around 350 km one way. I’m confused between the Mahindra 7XO and the 9S (2P pack, 70 kWh), as they seem very similar, and the decision will mostly depend on final pricing. Which one should I buy? Are there any other options you can suggest?

•42w

The Mahindra XEV 9S is a large car, but its last row isn't comfortable for adults over long drives. Hence, if you need a comfortable seven-seater for long drives, consider the Turbo petrol versions of the Kia Carens Clavis and Tata Safari instead.

There's also the Kia Carens Clavis EV in this range, which shares its battery+motor with the Creta Electric. However, on your 350km+ highway drives, you will have to stop and charge once, as its real-world highway range is about 345km as per our tests

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XEV 9S

from ₹22.80 Lakh

Tata

Safari

from ₹15.55 Lakh

Kia

Carens Clavis EV

from ₹19.13 Lakh

Kia

Carens Clavis

from ₹13.22 Lakh

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•1d

I drive Kodiaq L&K (2020 model, diesel). I want to sell it and buy another SUV that may not be a 7-seater. My budget is approximately the same. What are my best options? My annual running is approximately 18,000km.

•21h

The Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel AT is the most sensible recommendation. It delivers strong performance, excellent highway manners and overall, it's a refined, sophisticated drive experience. The diesel engine is well suited to your running, and the car loaded with technology and features.If you're open to EVs, you could consider the BYD Sealion 7 Dynamic variant is a solid option at around Rs 45 lakh (on-road). The XEV 9S or XEV 9E are excellent options around Rs 30-35 lakh.JSW will be launching the Chery Jetour T2 based SUV which will be launched in India as JSW Motors Combat based SUV in December. It will be a 5-seater, front-wheel drive plug-in hybrid SUV that's rugged, refined, spacious and is likely to be well-equipped too. If you aren't in a hurry, we'd recommend waiting for this one.Other petrol-powered SUVs in that price range include the Tayron and Kodiaq. But given your 18,000km annual usage, fuel bills will be high by opting for these.

Has the introduction of captain seats in the six-seater Mahindra XEV 9S improved rear-seat comfort? Will the new seating layout prevent motion sickness?

•2d

The captain chairs will help a little, but they won’t cure motion sickness, because they don’t change what causes it in the Mahindra XEV 9S. We haven’t tested the six-seater yet, but in our review the 9S’s suspension soaked up bumps and potholes brilliantly. On gently undulating roads, though, it kept moving up and down, and that became more noticeable at speed. That constant bobbing is what tends to make passengers queasy, and the seat layout can’t fix it.What does help is the firmer damping in Race mode, which we found reduces that vertical movement. There’s also a custom mode that pairs the firmer damping with lighter steering and relaxed throttle settings, so you can use it every day. Smooth driving makes a big difference too.

Mahindra XEV 9S

•1d

Currently, I am using Celerio AMT that has completed 1,63,000 km in 12 year. I want to purchase a 6-7 seater car. I have shortlisted Suzuki XL6, Kia Carens Clavis or Tata Safari. Which car should I buy and should it be petrol or CNG?

•1d

The Tata Safari is the more expensive and more premium SUV option, but it is larger and heavier than the other two cars you've listed. Also, it is available only with a turbo-petrol, which given its weight, isn't going to be very efficient in the real world. Lastly, the controls like the gearbox and clutch are heavier compared to the other two which feel relatively effort-free. So we'd rule out the Safari.Given you're usage, opting for a CNG version will keep a check on your running costs. Both Maruti and Kia offer factor CNG options with their respective manual gearbox versions of the 1.5 petrol engine.The Maruti Suzuki XL6 is a sensible choice here, given its reputation for reliability, ease of maintenance and Maruti's unmatched service network, which is important for a long-term owner. However, we'd recommend you to go for the Kia Carens Clavis which feels more premium than the XL6. The Clavis' cabin feels more upmarket, space is excellent, it is better equipped, refinement is better, and now it also offers a factory-fitted CNG variants. Overall, the Clavis CNG feels like the more polished offering, hence it gets our vote.

Tata Safari

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Kia Carens Clavis

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•1w

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

•4d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Nissan Tekton

•1w

I’ve almost finalised the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, and I really like the car. However, I’m a little worried about Skoda’s long-term service and maintenance costs, especially after the warranty period. I’m planning to keep the car for around 7–8 years. Would you recommend taking the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) along with the car? Is it worth the additional cost considering regular servicing and potential maintenance expenses? Also, compared with the Brezza and Nexon, how is the Kylaq Signature Automatic in terms of long-term reliability, service costs and parts replacement? Would really appreciate your advice before I make the final purchase decision.

•4d

If you like the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, go ahead and buy it. It is a genuinely good car and one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven combination, and Skoda’s reliability has improved significantly in recent years. The bigger concern is not reliability but long-term maintenance costs, which can be higher than Maruti or Tata once the car is out of warranty.This is where the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) makes sense. It locks in your service costs for the first 4-5 years, covers all scheduled maintenance and gives you peace of mind during the most expensive ownership period. If you are planning to keep the car for 7-8 years, it is worth the additional cost because it protects you from unexpected bills and helps you budget ownership costs more accurately.Compared to the Brezza and Nexon, the Kylaq is the better driver’s car with a more engaging driving experience and a stronger engine. The Brezza is the benchmark for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, while the Nexon sits somewhere in between. The Kylaq is not unreliable, but parts and service can be more expensive once you are out of warranty.If you are buying the Kylaq, take the SMP and enjoy the car. If long-term ownership costs are your absolute priority, the Brezza is the safer financial choice.

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

•5d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

Kia Seltos

Tata Safari

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