Dear Autocar experts, I have tentatively decided to buy the Mahindra XUV 7X0 petrol AX7L AT as my next ride. To be frank, it is out of a lack of choice and options that I have made this decision in my head. In terms of capability, it is a downgrade, as I'm moving on from my beautiful Ford Endeavour 3.2 Titanium AT. Of course, it has a long list of bells and whistles that will be all new (and strange) to me. Being based in Delhi NCR, I am reluctant to go for a diesel again at this time. My driving in the city is quite minimal, say about 15kms max per day on average, but always in the clutches of peak Delhi traffic. I am terrified of BSVI diesel DPF horror stories. I am hoping that the 7X0 will be able to negotiate hills, mountain terrains and roads satisfactorily, as I make these trips quite frequently. I plan to keep this car for the next 4-5 years till India sorts out its fuel preferences and diktats, and fresh options are introduced that combine clean energy and performance along with the infrastructure to support them. Is my thought process sound? If not, please poke as many holes in it as you can.

autocar.india

•5h

Do note that none of the cars available within a budget of Rs. 30 lakh will feel like an "upgrade" from your outgoing XUV700. The new-age XUV 7XO will feel very similar in terms of powertrain and dynamics, although the tech is more modern, and it gets some more features too. Alternatively, you could consider a Tata Safari which gets you more space in the third row compared to your outgoing car. Additionally, it has a all the modern features too, and Tata has also introduced a turbo-petrol-automatic version, which feels adequate in this large SUV.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

autocar.india

•1h

Your usage is almost tailor-made for a modern diesel. At 1,000-1,200km a month with frequent highway drives, weekend trips and annual drives to the Konkan, you'll comfortably justify the diesel and shouldn't have to worry about DPF-related issues. The Kia Seltos Diesel Automatic also strikes the best balance for your requirements. It is the easiest of the four to drive and park in Mumbai, which is particularly important given your apartment's tight puzzle parking. It has a refined and efficient diesel engine, a smooth automatic gearbox, a comfortable ride, a premium cabin and one of the strongest service networks in the segment. It should also prove to be a dependable long-term ownership proposition.The Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel Automatic is a close second. It offers more space, a more powerful engine and feels like a bigger, more substantial SUV. It is also the more accomplished overall product when compared to the Harrier and Safari, offering a better balance of performance, features, technology and overall package. The only drawback is that it is physically larger than the Seltos, which may become a hassle in your parking situation and while navigating Mumbai's streets.The Harrier and Safari are excellent highway cruisers with comfortable ride quality and spacious cabins. However, they are considerably larger than the Seltos, and when compared with the XUV 7XO, the Mahindra is the more complete package overall. Unless you specifically need the Safari's third row, we don't see a compelling reason to choose either Tata over the Mahindra.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Harrier

Tata Safari

autocar.india

•1d

In terms of price to features ratio, the sweet spot is almost always the mid variant rather than top variants. You’ll miss out on only a little but save a chunk as high-end features tend to be priced more based on their perceived value rather than their actual value. However, since you are enthusiastic about cars, choose a variant as high end as you can afford and enjoy the experience. Features that you will appreciate regularly are, all‑row AC vents, auto climate control, LED headlamps, TPMS, auto‑dimming inside mirror, wireless phone integration and plenty of USB‑C ports. In a big SUV, a 360° camera and front sensors are gold in tight city spots. Ventilated seats matter a whole lot in our summers. Adaptive cruise is handy on long expressways, but other ADAS nudges can feel fussy and many owners turn off parts of it in the city. However, what amazes at delivery but fades later, are things like panoramic sunroof that stays shut most of the time during the year and also adds heat. Another one is the connected app feature which most people typically use for a month and then forgot about it. Third such feature is the 'passenger' screen, which is also all the rage these days, but after a while, most owners do not use it. Watching a movie or playing games on the go aren't something you do often and not even pleasant over rough city roads while your are hunched forward in your seat. In your Rs. 25-27 lakh budget, we would suggest Tata Safari or the Mahindra XUV 7XO as they are great for highway comfort. The Mahindra car has an edge on performance but the Safari has the better third row. The Kia Carens Clavis is another good car if you are comfortable with its MPV image as it is the more sensible buy.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Carens Clavis