How is the idea of buying the VinFast VF7 top model AWD? I currently drive a Jeep Compass.

Autocar India

•1d

For long highway trips with your parents, lots of luggage, and a driver who enjoys doing the distance, the Jeep Meridian base variant used as a 5-seater fits well. With the last row folded, the boot is huge, and the ride is calm at speed, so your parents stay comfortable. It feels steady and quiet on expressways, and the diesel’s easy pull makes cruising and quick passes simple. Coming from a Duster, you’ll notice a nicer cabin and better noise insulation. The Meridian isn’t as sharp to drive as the VW Tiguan, but the Jeep rides softer, which suits long tours.Know the trade-offs. The third row is only for short hops and eats boot space when up, so keep it folded. The base trim will miss a few nice-to-haves; if the budget stretches, the next trim up adds useful highway bits. On long-term presence, there’s no signal of Jeep pulling the plug on the Meridian. It’s built here alongside the Compass, meets current emission rules, and CAFE is managed at brand level. A 3-5 year sale window looks safe. Even if plans change, parts and support normally continue for many years.

Jeep Compass

Jeep Meridian

Renault Duster

Volkswagen Tiguan

Autocar India

•2d

Without knowing more about your requirements and usage pattern, it is hard to pinpoint the ideal car for your needs. However, for someone upgrading from a Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is a great option.You'll appreciate the 7XO's suspension comfort and high-speed manners, and will be pleasantly surprised by performance, especially if you are upgrading from the 1.6-litre diesel S-Cross. The Mahindra's 2-litre petrol engine and 2.2-litre diesel unit score very high on power and refinement. Space is also aplenty, making the XUV 7XO feel like a proper jump up from the S-Cross. The XUV 7XO also packs in a whole lot of new-age features, giving you a strong sense of value for money.Alternatively, you could look at the Jeep Compass, which has the same global product vibe as the S-Cross had. However, service and reliability are a notch down on Mahindra.

Jeep Compass

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•4m

Pick the Maruti Wagon R AMT. For elderly parents it’s the easiest to get in and out of, thanks to the tall seat and wide doors, and its boot is the biggest in your Rs. 6-7 lakh band, so weekend luggage is no fuss. The automatic is an AMT or automated manual transmission, which is not as smooth and seamless as other types of automatics but as as far as AMT's go it does the job quite well, plus it delivers a very good mileage. Just know it feels light and a bit bouncy at higher highway speeds, so keep cruising sensible. If he wants something that feels tougher on the highway, the Tata Tiago AMT is the next best fit. It rides better and feels more solid, but the seat is a bit lower and the boot is smaller than the Wagon R.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Tata Tiago