I'm an employee who rides my vehicle to work every day on a combination of bumpy roads, ghat roads, and highways, covering 96km daily up and down. We are a family of four and also have a dog. Considering these factors, is the Thar ROXX an option for me, or are there any better alternatives? I have previously driven a 2021 Venue, Alto, and Baleno. My budget is around Rs 10-25 lakh.

autocar.india

•20h

Being a Fiat Punto owner, a Jeep Compass diesel-automatic would have been an ideal upgrade for you, however there are far better, more affordable options available in the market. You could consider a Mahindra XUV 7XO or even a Tata Harrier, for their solid build, and confidence-inspiring driving experience. The diesel-automatic versions of both these should return respectable fuel efficiency too.However, if you want something a bit more compact and more manageable in the city, consider the strong hybrid versions of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or Maruti Suzuki Victoris. All three are essentially the same car underneath; their hybrid powertrain is very efficient; and dynamically they are very capable too. Between these three, choose the one you think looks better, and the brand you're comfortable with.

Jeep Compass

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Harrier

autocar.india

•1d

Unfortunately, there are no strong-hybrids available within Rs 15 lakhs. Since you're usage is significant, and you're chauffeur-driven usually, we'll recommend you consider the entry-level diesel-manual variants of the Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra. Both of which will deliver impressive fuel efficiency, have comfy back seats and have secured a 5-star BNCAP crash safety rating. The entry-level variants of both these cars are equipped with ample safety kit, as well as the basics that you'd expect in a car of this price.If you want something a bit smaller, you can consider the Kia Syros diesel-manual too, which is surprisingly spacious for its size, and being a segment lower, you'll get more equipment too. What's more, the Syros' rear seats can recline to a very comfortable angle, and even slide back to free up more legroom. Even the Syros has scored 5 stars for its crash safety.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

Kia Syros

autocar.india

•1d

With less than 500km a month, your Celerio is still a perfectly usable car, and from a purely financial perspective, there is no pressing reason to upgrade. However, after nine years, it is understandable to want something newer, safer and more comfortable, especially if you are considering a move to an automatic SUV. Plus, at 9 years old, your car is not only from the pre-E20 petrol era, it's pre-E10 as well, so you would have to start taking a bit of extra care of it.Given your low running, most of which is in the city and driven by you, a petrol automatic is a good idea. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is a strong option. It is reliable, efficient, easy to drive, has a comfortable ride and Maruti’s service network is a big advantage for long-term ownership. It has just received a facelift, and with it has come a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating. Most of all, however, you will get a fully loaded automatic for around the top end of your budget.If you want something a little more exciting, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic is another excellent choice. It offers a more powerful turbo petrol engine, a more premium cabin and a more spacious rear seat. However, it won't be as efficient as the Brezza, and in your budget, you'll only get a mid-range automatic model.Ultimately, the decision comes down to whether you want to upgrade for the sake of a better ownership experience or more fun. If it's the former, the Brezza automatic is the safe, sensible choice, while the XUV 3XO automatic offers more performance and a more premium feel.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Mahindra XUV 7XO