I have not yet purchased the Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus 9-seater P10. Is it good for long road trips across India?

Autocar India

•17m

Between the two, we would suggest going for the Kia Sonet HTK (O) DCT. The Sonet and the Venue share the same 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine paired with the DCT gearbox, so performance and the overall driving experience will be very similar. In terms of equipment as well, both these variants are quite similarly equipped, but the Sonet is around Rs 1.5 lakh cheaper, which makes it an excellent value for money.That said, the Hyundai Venue is the newer car and offers slightly better rear seat space. So if rear seat comfort is an important factor for you, that is something to keep in mind.On the topic of DCT overheating, it can happen in very heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic where the car is constantly crawling forward. However, this gearbox has been around for quite some time and has seen improvements over the years. In normal usage, it is not a major concern, and there are safety systems built in to alert you if the gearbox temperature rises too much.

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•52m

The Tata Harrier EV with the 74.61kWh battery pack is capable of delivering a highway real-world range of over 400km quite easily. So, if your highway round-trip is usually less than 400km, you can comfortably make it back to your starting point on a single charge. Even if you usually drive for longer distances, you'll need to plan your breaks or rest stops at places where there are fast charging options, along the way. In fact, even a 15-20 minute top-up on a 60kW DC fast charger will add an additional 120-140km of range.Yes, there are some challenges like chargers not working, or lack of electricity, or some ICE vehicle blocking the charging bay, hence you need to ensure you identify a few options (not just one place) on the way. To answer your question, go for the Harrier EV Stealth Edition. It'll feel a lot more special and the driving pleasure will be far greater than a used Toyota Innova Crysta.

Tata Harrier EV

Toyota Innova Crysta

Autocar India

•1d

Among mid-size SUVs, there are several with genuinely spacious and comfortable rear seats, but the best choice depends a bit on your budget and whether you’ll be chauffeur-driven or driving yourself.At the top end of the segment, the Mahindra XUV 7XO offers a very roomy and supportive rear bench with good legroom and headroom The electric Mahindra XEV 9S goes a step further with a sliding middle row, which lets you prioritise either legroom or boot space as needed, and this adjustability makes a big difference if you often have adults in the back or use a child seat.Lower down the price band, the Tata Sierra stands out for rear seat comfort. It has an exceptionally accommodating back seat with loads of legroom, a natural, slightly elevated seating position and well-cushioned seats that give you that “loungy” feel. It’s the kind of rear bench you can spend hours in without feeling tired.If outright rear space is your priority, though, the MG Hector is still the benchmark. Its rear seat is very wide, so three passengers can sit comfortably, and the flat-ish floor helps as well. The low step-in height makes it easy for elderly passengers to get in and out, and the soft suspension setup does a good job of smoothing out broken urban roads. These traits make the Hector particularly well-suited if the car will be largely chauffeur-driven and rear seat comfort is at the top of your wish list.

MG Hector

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Sierra