I am planning to buy a new car by the end of the year, and my current top choice is the Mahindra XUV7X0 (AX7 petrol automatic variant). Earlier, I was considering the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta, but I no longer like their current exterior designs, so I have shifted my focus. For context, I currently own a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga (petrol + CNG), which is almost 10 years old and has been driven only around 50,000 km. My usage is quite low. The office is about 13 km away (around 30 km round trip), but I often use public transport. I mainly use the car on weekends, roughly 2-3 times a week, and my monthly running is around 400-450km. My priorities for the new car are: strong road presence and mass appeal, comfortable and premium interior, good reliability, reasonable service and maintenance costs (I am used to Maruti-level affordability), suitable for family trips. Given my low usage and requirements, would the XUV7X0 petrol automatic be a good choice, or should I consider other options?

autocar.india

•3h

Pick the Tata Safari 6-seat. It keeps the family happiest on long trips thanks to the comfiest ride and the most adult-friendly third row in this class. The suspension soaks bad roads, it stays settled at highway speeds, and the captain seats are wider with better thigh support. The third row sits a touch higher, has better recline and vents, so even two adults can manage a few hours without grumbling. Luggage space with all rows up is tight on both.Behind the wheel, the Safari is a relaxed mile muncher. The driving position is upright, visibility is great, seats are supportive, and the automatic is smooth. It is not the quickest to kick down, the engine is gruff and not as refined as the Mahindra, and there is some lag at low speeds, but on open roads, it cruises quietly. Coming from a Duster automatic, the ride upgrade is big.The Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7L is the sharper drive with a stronger diesel and snappier responses, and its ADAS feels better tuned. If you often climb hills fully loaded or love brisk overtakes, it makes life easier. For all-row comfort, choose the Safari.

Tata Safari

Renault Duster

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•1d

Pick the XUV 7XO diesel automatic for the better ride-handling balance. Over broken roads and big speed breakers, it stays calmer, and with five on board, it keeps its composure without that side-to-side bob you often feel in heavier SUVs. At highway speeds, it tracks straight, the steering has a natural weight, and body control feels more reassuring when you need to change lanes or brake hard.The XEV 9e does feel flatter through bends thanks to the battery’s low position, so quick direction changes are tidy, but its extra weight makes sharp edges and patchy city tarmac come through more firmly, and the braking feel is less consistent. On a long drive with family and bags, the Mahindra diesel’s suspension tuning feels more relaxed and confident.One caveat. In city traffic, the XEV 9e is quieter and smoother, so if most of your 10-15k km each year are short urban runs, you might enjoy that. But for mixed use as a five-seater, the XUV 7XO rides better and feels more secure.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XEV 9e

autocar.india

•1h

Buy the current E20-compliant Innova HyCross now, because long-term ownership certainty beats waiting on an unconfirmed flex-fuel launch, and E85 pumps are still rare. The hybrid is already optimised for our traffic and gives low running costs on normal petrol, so you are not gambling on fuel availability for the next 8 to 10 years. Resale and warranty clarity also sit with the HyCross you can buy today, which matters more the longer you keep it.The flex-fuel idea sounds future-proof, but ethanol has less energy than petrol, so kpl drops. You only win if E85 is much cheaper and easy to find, and that is not true in most cities yet. There is also no clear timeline from Toyota for a showroom flex-fuel HyCross, so you could be waiting many months with nothing gained.

Toyota Innova HyCross