Hi Autocar Team, I currently own a 2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire ZDi+ Diesel. Since the car is now almost 10 years old, I am planning to replace it with a new car. I am looking for an SUV with good mileage, comfortable interiors, and strong safety features. My budget is around Rs. 20 lakh, and my monthly running is approximately 350 km. Could you please suggest some good SUV options that would be suitable for my requirements?

autocar.india

•2h

With a daily city run of 40km and an additional 1,000km of highway driving each month, your usage pattern is actually quite balanced between city and highway. In this scenario, a diesel SUV is the most sensible choice. A hybrid would make sense if your usage was predominantly city-based, as the fuel savings are most significant in stop-start traffic. An EV, on the other hand, would require a much higher daily running to justify the premium, and long highway trips would introduce range planning and charging considerations that you simply do not have with a diesel.Within your budget, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the most complete package. It offers a strong diesel engine, a comfortable ride, a spacious cabin and a good feature set. If you don't need three rows, then the Kia Seltos diesel is worth a look too, offering a more premium cabin and a very refined diesel engine.The key point is that your usage pattern is perfectly suited to a diesel SUV, and you will see the benefits both in terms of fuel efficiency and ease of ownership over the long term.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•3h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi petrol. It is the most sensible first car in this shortlist. The Brezza is a proven, reliable and low-maintenance SUV with Maruti’s unmatched service network, which is exactly what you want for long-term ownership. The ZXi variant is well equipped, the naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and dependable, and the car is easy to drive in the city while still being comfortable on highways. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXi is also a good option, but the Brezza feels like a more complete package with a stronger ownership track record. The Hyundai Creta EX is a good car, but at this price point you are getting a lower variant with fewer features, and the Brezza ZXi offers better value for money. Overall, the Brezza ZXi strikes the best balance between reliability, running costs, features and long-term peace of mind.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Creta

autocar.india

•4h

With a weekly running of around 650km, you are clocking over 30,000km a year, which is well above the threshold where fuel efficiency and running costs become the most important factor. Your usage pattern is also very clear: long weekend highway runs of 300km each way, plus some city driving during the week. This is exactly the kind of usage where a diesel engine makes the most sense. EVs are not the right fit here. While they offer very low running costs, your 300km weekend runs would require careful planning around charging infrastructure. Petrol is also not ideal at this mileage, as the fuel cost difference compared to diesel becomes very significant over time.In terms of cars, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the best fit for your needs. It is a strong highway performer, comfortable for long distances, and well within your budget. If you want something slightly smaller, the Kia Seltos diesel is also a very good option. Both cars will give you the efficiency, reliability and comfort you need for your usage pattern.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos