I have a diesel car and I want to buy a car for city driving. Should I go for an EV or a petrol compact SUV? My daily driving distance in the city is about 25 km. Please suggest an EV and which one to choose, and if petrol is better then which petrol compact SUV to consider.

Autocar India

•2m

Pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX base petrol manual for your family's use. A few long trips each year, it is the more comfortable and easier everyday choice than the Scorpio-N Z4 petrol manual. In daily driving, the XUV 7XO feels smoother and quieter; the ride is much smoother and more composed, even at speed. The back seat is wider and more supportive, which helps on long drives with the family, and the third row is a bit more comfortable, too. Mahindra’s service reach is the same for both, so upkeep is straightforward.One thing to note is that the petrol won't be very fuel-efficient in the city. Choose the Scorpio-N Z4 petrol manual only if you often face very bad roads or want a very tall, tough-feeling vehicle above all else. It can take abuse, but the ride bounces more, and the step-in is higher.When you test drive both, load the back seat with family, drive over some bad patches, and take it on the highway to check stability.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•27m

Pick the Tata Safari Accomplished+ petrol automatic for your highway‑heavy use, it gives a more comfortable ride, better stability and the strongest sense of safety. Coming from your Kia Seltos, the Safari will feel like a step up for long trips. The suspension smooths out bad patches better, the body feels more solid, and the wider seats with a relaxed driving position make hours behind the wheel easier. It also has a 5‑star crash test rating, and the petrol engine has plenty of grunt for quick overtakes on the highway.One thing to note: the third row in the Safari is fine for kids or short adults, but the Kia’s third row is easier to access and a bit more usable for grown‑ups. Also, the Safari is a large, heavy car, so parking in tight spots needs more care. If these are deal breakers, then consider the Kia Carens Clavis instead.During the test drive, cruise at 90‑100 kph on the highway and take on some broken patches.

Tata Safari

Kia Seltos

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•1h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic in the AX3-level trim you’re eyeing with 15,000 km a year and mostly city use, the petrol will be smoother and simpler to live with. You don’t have to think about diesel habits, and there is no DPF to worry about in slow city runs.What you give up with petrol is fuel efficiency. In our real-world testing, we managed around 7.8kpl in the city, so expect more visits to the pump. Choose the XUV 7XO diesel automatic instead only if you do regular long highway runs, often carry a full family with luggage, or drive in hilly areas. But be aware, the diesels' DPF can clog with only short trips, so you may need an occasional 20-30 minute highway drive to clean it.On your mix, the petrol automatic keeps life easy day to day and will suit you best. During the test drive, do a slow crawl in traffic and a quick U-turn to see how smoothly the petrol picks up and check its maneuverability in traffic.

Mahindra XUV 7XO