I recently bought an XUV700 AX7 Ebony Edition diesel automatic for my family because it offers great value for money and has a tech-oriented, spacious interior. I already own a Fortuner, Thar, and Harrier. Did I make a good decision by buying the XUV700? I chose it because it is fun to drive and has unbeatable power. Was it a good decision?

Autocar India

•15w

The Mahindra XUV700 is a good choice. It is a well-rounded SUV that offers a spacious and comfortable cabin, and the diesel engine is punchy and fun to drive. The XUV700 is also feature-loaded and gets a long list of equipment, and the tech on offer is quite impressive.

The only bit to consider is that a facelift is right around the corner, and you might feel shortchanged. However, the car will likely be pricier, and since it isn’t an all-new generation, the current XUV700 remains a very well-rounded option.

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Mahindra

XUV700

from ₹16.14 Lakh

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Taher Vohra

•5w

Hi everyone, I am buying a car for the first time and am looking for some guidance. After some research and test drives, I have finalised the Kia Sonet HTX DCT, which costs around 714 lakh on-road. The main reason for choosing this variant is that I want a proper automatic driving experience along with premium features, decent space, reasonable mileage, and acceptable safety. I work from home, so my usage will mostly be limited to weekends. I live in a Tier 2 city (Nashik) where I don't face prolonged bumper-to-bumper traffic. The car will mainly be used for city driving on weekends, occasional short trips, and a few long highway drives with family and luggage. In the past, I have driven the Maruti Swift ZXI and Tata Nexon, both manuals, so this will be my first automatic car. My biggest concern at this point is the long-term reliability of the Kia/Hyundai DCT dry-clutch gearbox. I am getting a 6-year warranty (standard + extended), which also covers the gearbox. However, after the warranty period, any major issue with the DCT could be very expensive to fix. Although my running is expected to be low and I don't think I will even cross 50K km in five years, this concern still keeps bothering me. Before finalising the Sonet, I had initially planned to go for a TC, and test drove the XUV 3XO and the Maruti Fronx. While both cars were decent, they didn't tick all the boxes for me, which is why I dropped them. I am also avoiding the Skoda Kylaq mainly because of concerns around after-sales service costs once the warranty period is over. I didn't want to go with an AMT or CVT either, and I am specifically looking within the sub-4m SUV segment. Given my usage pattern, city conditions, and low annual running, do you think opting for the Kia Sonet DCT makes sense in the long run? How concerned should I realistically be about the reliability of the DCT gearbox in my case? Looking forward to your suggestions and experiences.

Autocar India

•1d

Given that your usage isn't too heavy, you should go for the Kia Sonet HTX 1.0 TGDi DCT without a worry. A concern could arise when used frequently in bumper-to-bumper stop-and-go traffic, and that too if not driven with care. However, since you drive mostly on the weekend and through flowing traffic, we think it should be fine. The trade-off is quicker shifts when you're on the move, and this pairs well with the Sonet's sprightly 120hp turbo petrol engine. The compact SUV itself is well equipped and has premium interiors, but it does have a choppy ride, and its rear seat isn't particularly spacious. If those are concerns for you, also check out the Hyundai Venue HX6 1.0 TGDi DCT, which costs about the same. It uses the same powertrain, but as it's based on a new-gen platform, it has a more spacious cabin and a more comfortable ride. Additionally, the Skoda Kylaq with its punchy 1.0 TSI engine and smooth 6-speed AT gearbox is a great bet. The after-sales is far less of a concern these days than the brand's old reputation leads most to believe.

Vihari

Hi, I am upgrading from a Tata Vista Quadrajet. My usage will be mostly within the city, with drives of up to 20 km at a stretch. Occasionally, my family of four goes on 3–4 day trips to nearby hill stations, which involve steep inclines and sharp bends. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos 2026 and possibly the Tata Sierra. Please advise on the best engine variant and transmission that would offer a comfortable and pleasant driving experience. Also, would choosing a diesel automatic be a bad decision, considering I am willing to pay an additional ₹1.5–2 lakh?

Autocar India

•23h

For your usage, which is largely short in-town drives with occasional hill trips carrying family, the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol with the IVT automatic is the most suitable choice. It offers a very smooth and easy driving experience, especially in stop-go city conditions, with light controls and seamless power delivery that will feel far more relaxed compared to your current Vista. On hill drives, while it may need to be worked a bit harder on steep inclines, it has enough power and is easy to manage.A diesel automatic is not a bad choice, but in your case, it is not the most ideal fit. With mostly short city runs of around 20km, modern diesel engines can sometimes require longer, sustained drives to maintain optimal health, and you may not fully utilise the diesel’s strengths. The extra cost also becomes harder to justify given your usage pattern.The turbo petrol with DCT is another option, but for your kind of driving, it is not the best fit either. Dual-clutch automatics can feel less smooth at low speeds, in crawling traffic, and in hilly conditions; they require a bit more care.So, overall, the petrol IVT strikes the best balance of smoothness, ease of driving and long-term peace of mind. If you are also considering the Kia Carens Clavis, it could be worth a look for its added practicality. But if you specifically want an automatic petrol, you will have to opt for the turbo petrol with DCT, as the 1.5 naturally aspirated engine is offered only with a manual transmission.

Kia Carens Clavis

Pramod Kumar

•1w

Toyota HyCross GX(O) vs Maruti Victoris ZXi(O) strong hybrid vs Tata Sierra Accomplished Plus turbo petrol. Which is best for long-term usage under ₹30 lakh?

Autocar India

•2h

For long-term usage, the Toyota Innova HyCross GX (O) and the Maruti Victoris ZXi (O) strong hybrid are safer bets than the Tata Sierra Accomplished+ Turbo Petrol. Both come with a solid reputation for reliability and strong after-sales support, which is what really matters over 8-10 years of ownership.Between the Toyota HyCross and the Victoris, the HyCross is the more comfortable and practical choice. Its very spacious cabin, better third-row usability and comfortable ride make it a nicer long-distance family car. The 2.0-litre petrol engine is simple and proven, and its relaxed highway manners are a big plus if you do a lot of intercity trips.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid scores on efficiency and smoothness thanks to its hybrid powertrain, which is especially nice in traffic and helps keep running costs low. However, the boot is smaller, and the cabin is the least spacious of the three, so it’s not as versatile for full-family use. If you mainly drive yourself with only occasional passengers, the Victoris, which is also the most compact and city-friendly of the lot, is the easiest to live with in daily urban driving.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Sierra

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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