@autocar.india I am a sonet owner and regret buying it. It is possibly the worst car an automaker can make. It's suspension is worse than a rickshaw! The car rocks ,wobbles and jerks on the slightest of potholes or even smooth speed breakers. The service pple Were equally useless in terms of not doing a thing about the suspension. Coming to mileage It's real mileage is only 6-7max in traffic. By reducing overall cost kia has made a 3rd grade car which is not worth even 5 lacs Sincere advice not to even consider it. Am selling it off in only 2 yrs . k

autocar.india

•2d

Given your usage pattern of 60% highway driving, challenging road conditions and high annual running, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel would be our first recommendation. The 3XO diesel is well-suited to rough roads thanks to its robust suspension setup, good ground clearance and strong low-end torque, which makes it easy to tackle broken surfaces and steep inclines. It is also one of the most spacious compact SUVs, with a wide cabin that comfortably accommodates five passengers, and it offers excellent value for money with a strong feature set.The Kia Sonet diesel is also a solid option, offering a refined engine and a more premium cabin feel, but it is not as spacious as the 3XO and does not feel as rugged on poor roads. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder hybrid is a good long-term ownership proposition with Toyota’s reliability, but it is not the best fit for your usage. The hybrid system is most effective in city driving, and on highways and rough terrain it does not offer the same torque or durability benefits as a diesel.Overall, the 3XO diesel strikes the best balance between durability, comfort and running costs for your specific requirements.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

autocar.india

•4h

With a budget of Rs 11 lakh and a daily commute of 55-60 km that is mostly highway with frequent bumper-to-bumper traffic, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel is the best fit. The diesel engine is well-suited to your usage pattern, offering strong torque for highway driving and better fuel efficiency over long distances, which will help keep running costs in check.The 3XO is also one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin that makes it a comfortable five-seater, and it offers a good balance of ride comfort and stability on the highway. The diesel engine is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which is smooth and easy to use even in traffic. The only drawback is that the boot is on the smaller side, but overall it is the most complete package for your requirements.If you are open to a petrol car, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI is the next best option, offering a strong turbo petrol engine and a good driving experience, but given your running, the diesel makes more sense.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq

autocar.india

•10m

With 3,000 km a month, mostly on highways, diesel is the clear recommendation. At that running, the fuel cost advantage of diesel becomes significant, and the long highway stretches play to the strengths of modern diesel engines. EVs are best suited to predictable city commutes with home charging, and while they can do highways, the charging infrastructure and stop planning still add friction on long, frequent trips.For the car, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the recommendation. It is one of the most comfortable and spacious family SUVs in the segment, with a strong diesel engine that is well suited to highway cruising. It also has a good safety package and a comfortable ride, which is important for long-distance family travel. Within R.s 25 lakh budget, the AX7 variant will be ideal and you can opt between a 6-speed automatic or a less expensive 6-speed manual. Both gearboxes are smooth and easy to use. Also while the XUV 7XO does not get ADAS in this AX7 trim, you still get 6 airbags, a 360° camera, and your essential electronic safety assets as well. It has also scored a perfect 5-star rating for crash safety in Bharat NCAP so that adds some more reassurance as well. It has also scored a perfect 5-star rating for crash safety in Bharat NCAP so that adds some more reassurance as well.

Mahindra XUV 7XO