Mumbai

•4h

I am 37 years old and still attending driving school, so I am a beginner driver. My budget is Rs. 17-18 lakh, and my monthly running will be around 300-500 km at most. I am confused between a manual and an IVT. My preferences are the Mahindra XUV 3XO, new Kia Seltos HTE(O) IVT, Tata Sierra Pure DCA, and new Mahindra BE 6 Sport Utility Pack Two with BaaS. Please suggest which would be the best option for me. I live in Bangalore.

•4m

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic. As a new driver in Bangalore with low monthly running, the 3XO automatic is the most sensible choice. This Mahindra car is compact and easy to manoeuvre in city traffic; the automatic gearbox takes away the stress of constant gear changes, and the car is well equipped for the price. The Seltos HTE(O) IVT is a good car, but at this budget you are getting the lower variant, which means you are missing out on a lot of features. The Sierra Pure DCA is a nice car, but it is a much larger vehicle and not as easy to handle for a new driver in the city.

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Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹9.00 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.98 Lakh

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.56 Lakh

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•1d

I am planning to buy a compact SUV and have shortlisted the manual variants of the Hyundai Venue HX5+, Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 and Tata Nexon Camo or Creative. Which one would you recommend?

•6h

Go for the AX5 variant of the Mahindra XUV 3XO. It is the most spacious of the three, with a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater, and the turbo petrol engine is strong and enjoyable to drive. The Hyundai Venue HX5+ is the more refined and modern product overall, but it is not as spacious and does not ride as well as the Mahindra car. The Tata Nexon Camo or Creative is a solid all-rounder with good ride comfort and a strong safety reputation, but the 3XO offers more space and a more engaging driving experience. The only real drawback with the 3XO is the relatively small boot, but if you do not regularly carry large amounts of luggage, it is the best choice here.

It is my first car, and my monthly running would be around 500 km at most, mainly within the cantonment area, where the speed limit is 50kph. At most, I would make one drive of around 200-500 km to another city each month. My wife prefers an automatic, while I prefer an SUV with ADAS. My maximum budget is Rs. 19 lakh ex-showroom.

•34m

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic. This Mahindra car fits your requirements perfectly. Your running is low, mostly within a cantonment with speed limits, so a petrol automatic is the right choice. The 3XO is a compact SUV with a comfortable ride, good ground clearance and a strong safety focus, including ADAS features. It is also easy to drive in the city and on occasional highway runs. The automatic gearbox is smooth and well suited to your usage. At your budget, the 3XO offers excellent value and a well-rounded ownership experience. It is also a genuinely spacious compact SUV, making it a comfortable family car. Overall, it is the best fit for your needs and budget.

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•1d

Hi Team, I am desperately trying to find an exact substitute of Tata Nexon Creative Plus PS (Petrol + Manual), in the same price range with exactly all features that this Tata Nexon variant offers, but with a better engine. Can you please suggest such a car?

•16h

The Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 Luxury petrol manual is the closest alternative to the Nexon Creative Plus PS petrol manual. It sits in the same price bracket, offers a similarly rich feature set and, crucially, has a stronger engine. The 3XO’s 131hp, 1.2 turbo petrol is more powerful and more responsive than the Nexon’s 1.2 turbo petrol, giving it a clear edge in both performance and drivability. The 3XO also benefits from a wider cabin, making it a more comfortable five-seater, and it comes with a strong safety package. The only significant drawback is the boot, which is one of the smallest in the segment. If boot space is a priority, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is worth considering as well. It offers a more engaging driving experience and a larger boot, but it is not as feature-rich as the 3XO. Overall, the 3XO AX5 Luxury petrol manual is the best like-for-like alternative to the Nexon Creative Plus PS, with a clear advantage in engine performance.

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•1w

I am confused between the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO, and I also like the XUV700. My budget is approximately Rs. 18 lakh. Can you suggest which one I should choose?

•5d

With a budget of Rs. 18 lakh, you're likely to get the entry-level variants of the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. Between the two, the Tata Car has a more spacious third row; however, the XUV 7XO is the better all-rounder.The XUV 7XO is essentially the facelifted XUV700, so you get the same proven mechanical package, along with a more modern interior, updated features and a more premium feel. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is strong and refined, making this Mahindra car well suited to both city and highway driving, while the manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use.The Tata Safari is still a good car, with a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin, but the XUV 7XO feels more modern and premium inside.

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•3d

I want to purchase a 7-seater SUV. My options are the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and Scorpio N, and I am considering installing an aftermarket CNG kit for better fuel economy. Could you please suggest which one would be better suited for CNG?

•2d

We would strongly advise against installing aftermarket CNG on any of these SUVs. All three – the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO and Scorpio N - are large, heavy vehicles with powerful turbocharged petrol engines. Fitting CNG to such engines is not recommended, as it can lead to drivability issues, increased wear and potential reliability concerns over time. More importantly, these SUVs are not designed with CNG in mind, and the installation can compromise safety and performance.If fuel economy is a top priority, opt for their diesel versions instead. The Mahindra and Tata offer strong torque, excellent highway efficiency and are well-suited to long-distance touring. If you are set on CNG, it is better to look at smaller, naturally aspirated petrol cars that are either factory-fitted or specifically designed for CNG use.Between the three, the XUV 7XO diesel would be our recommendation. It offers a more modern package, better ride comfort and a more premium cabin than the Scorpio N, while the Safari diesel is also a strong contender if you prefer Tata's design and feature set. But CNG should not be the deciding factor here.

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