I currently own a Kia Seltos Diesel Manual and am extremely happy with it. However, I now want to buy a compact all-wheel-drive vehicle, as I frequently travel to the mountains. I am considering the Jeep Compass. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•2d

If your Jeep Compass has otherwise been reliable, and the only real concern is rising service costs. Also, there is no urgent reason to sell it purely at 40,000 km, as that is not particularly high for a well-maintained diesel. However, if the ownership costs are starting to bother you and you are already mentally ready for a change, this is a reasonable time to exit before bigger age-related expenses start showing up and depreciation goes further.If you are upgrading to the Mahindra XUV 7XO, you will gain a much bigger cabin, stronger performance, better refinement, far more features and better overall value for money. The diesel will feel more powerful, and the SUV itself is a better long-distance family machine with stronger road presence and more space. But the Compass still has its own strengths. It feels more solid, more premium in certain touch points and has that mature European feel in the way it drives, but overall, the Mahindra XUV 7XO will still feel like a proper step up from the Jeep Compass.

Jeep Compass

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•2h

You want an automatic SUV that is fuel efficient and comes with strong after-sales support - in that case, pick the Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXI (O) petrol automatic. It is powered by a refined 103hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine paired to a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox that has a claimed efficiency of 21.06kpl. Although the efficiency in the real world will be significantly lower than the claimed. Alternatively, you can also consider the Victoris VXI strong hybrid if fuel efficiency is paramount. The Victoris strong hybrid eCVT automatic has a claimed mileage of 28.65kpl, and you can easily expect over 20kpl in the real world in city driving conditions. Also being a Maruti model, the Victoris is backed by the manufacturer's widespread service network, so your ownership experience will be stress-free. Do note a couple of trade-offs. The strong hybrid costs more than the regular petrol-auto, and the boot is a bit smaller thanks to the battery.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Autocar India

•6h

For your requirements, we would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid. With mostly driving in Tier-2 cities, rougher roads, and a clear focus on fuel efficiency, low maintenance and safety, it fits your brief extremely well. The strong hybrid system delivers excellent real-world fuel efficiency, especially in mixed city use, while Maruti’s service network remains one of the biggest advantages if you are driving beyond major metros. The 5-star safety rating also gives it an important edge if safety is a top priority.The hybrid powertrain also makes sense because you specifically want an automatic without compromising too much on running costs. Unlike turbo petrol automatics, which can get thirsty, the Victoris hybrid keeps fuel bills in check while still being smooth and effortless to drive. Ride quality is comfortable enough for poor roads, though it is tuned more for comfort than outright ruggedness.If you want something more premium, the Kia Seltos IVT is the alternative worth considering, but it will not come close on fuel efficiency or long-term running costs.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•4d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•5d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•5d

You need a car for pure highway use and want the longest stretch between stops; in that case, we would lean towards the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh for its better real-world highway range. In our real-world testing, we managed 477 km on the highway, which suits your “pure highway” pattern. We have also tested the AWD Harrier EV, which managed 401 km (combined). While the RWD version should better that, it will likely still fall short of the XEV 9S’s range.One thing to note: the Mahindra’s ride can feel a bit floaty on undulating highway surfaces, so try it out before you commit. If that is an issue, the XEV 9e has a more settled ride.Overall, for highway-first use and maximum range, the XEV 9S 79kWh is the safer bet.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV