Mumbai

•12w

Dear Autocar, firstly, thank you for your detailed and honest car reviews. They genuinely help enthusiasts and buyers make informed decisions. I am considering the Jeep Meridian base model, as it fits my budget and requirements for a spacious, comfortable 5-seater with a large boot. My primary use will be highway touring with my parents, and since I enjoy driving myself, good driving dynamics are also important. Currently, I drive a Renault Duster for daily use, while my brother owns a Volkswagen Tiguan. We are now looking for a comfortable long-distance tourer for trips of 1,500 km or more with ample luggage space. My main concern is the Jeep Meridian’s long-term presence in India, especially considering future CAFE norms. Do you think the Meridian is a sensible choice, and is it likely to remain on sale in the Indian market for the next 3-5 years? Thanks again!

•11w

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. This Jeep car 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.

Explore cars mentioned

Jeep

Compass

from ₹21.59 Lakh

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from ₹28.35 Lakh

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from ₹56.30 Lakh

•11w

Between base model Kodiaq and Jeep meridian, which is a better pick? Please suggest.

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•2d

Hi, I own a 2014 (October) Duster diesel 85PS and have driven 1.25 lakh km. I am extremely happy with it. I want to change now, primarily because I want to upgrade to newer features. I have almost finalised the new Duster 1.3-litre, but the lack of a diesel option is the only factor stopping me. I am from Vizag and have a 50:50 city-to-highway usage pattern. Kindly advise.

•1d

Given your usage pattern of 50-50 city and highway driving, the lack of a diesel option in the new Renault Duster is not a deal-breaker. The 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine is a strong performer and offers good drivability on highways, while still being manageable in city conditions. This new Renault car also brings a significant upgrade in features, safety and overall refinement compared to your 2014 model, which seems to be your primary motivation for the upgrade.The only caveat is fuel efficiency. The diesel Duster was known for its strong efficiency, especially on highways, and the turbo petrol will not match that.If you drive a lot and prefer to stick to diesels with all the modern bells and whistles, the Kia Seltos and Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel are worth considering.

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a midsize SUV and can wait for about six months. My main confusion is between the upcoming Renault Duster, specifically the strong-hybrid variant, and the Kia Seltos. We are leaning towards the new Duster because of its rugged design, impressive 212 mm ground clearance, interior colour theme, and expected hybrid fuel efficiency. However, the Kia Seltos remains a compelling choice due to its generous rear-seat space and feature-packed cabin. Given that we are a family of three, our priorities are design, ride quality on bad roads, and fuel economy, while also considering rear-seat passenger comfort. Is it worth waiting six months for the Duster Strong Hybrid instead of buying the Seltos now? How does the Duster's rear-seat legroom and overall highway comfort compare with the Seltos? Looking forward to your advice!

•2d

We would suggest that you go for the Kia Seltos now. The Renault Duster hybrid is an interesting proposition, but the Seltos suits your needs better. For a family of three, the Seltos offers a more spacious rear seat, a wider cabin and a more premium overall experience, which will matter more on long drives and daily use. The Duster hybrid will likely offer better fuel efficiency and a tougher suspension setup, but the rear seat is not as spacious as the Seltos, and the expected hybrid premium will take time to recover. The Seltos is a proven product with a strong ownership track record, and you can buy it today without waiting for an unknown price and availability. If you are leaning towards the Duster for its design and hybrid tech, it is worth waiting only if fuel efficiency is your absolute top priority. Otherwise, the Seltos is the better all-rounder for your needs. It's also worth noting that there will be a hybrid version of the Seltos too, but that's only coming in 2027.

Kia Seltos

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•12h

I currently own a Skoda Slavia, but it requires premium petrol, and the mileage is as low as 8-9 kmpl on average. Please suggest a good hybrid car under Rs. 20 lakh that is reliable and safe. Also, what kind of mileage can I expect on the highway?

•2h

You do not have to use premium petrol in your Skoda Slavia. The 1.0 TSI engine is designed to run on regular petrol, and using premium fuel will not significantly improve performance or reliability. The bigger concern is your fuel efficiency of 8-9 km/l, which is quite low for this engine. This is likely due to heavy city traffic, short trips or driving style rather than the fuel itself.If you are looking for a reliable, safe and efficient hybrid under Rs 20 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the best option. It uses the same strong hybrid system as the Grand Vitara and Hyryder, offering excellent fuel efficiency in both city and highway conditions. On the highway, you can realistically expect over 20kpl depending on your driving style and speed. The Victoris also benefits from Maruti's wide service network and a slightly more premium interior than the Grand Vitara.The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid is essentially the same car with the same hybrid system, so the choice comes down to brand preference and dealership experience. Both are reliable, safe and efficient options that will significantly reduce your running costs compared to the Slavia.

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•6d

I’m confused between the 7-seater Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO. My regular usage will mostly be within the city, with occasional trips to rural areas. I am expected to drive around 500 km per month that may sometimes be higher. Considering this usage pattern, which would be the better option for me in terms of comfort, practicality, fuel efficiency, maintenance, and overall value for money?

•6d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. With your usage pattern of 500 km a month, mostly city driving with occasional rural trips, the XUV 7XO is the more practical and comfortable choice. It offers a more refined and modern cabin, better ride comfort and a more premium overall feel. The diesel engine is efficient and well-suited to your occasional highway and rural runs, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. The Safari is a good car, but the XUV 7XO feels more polished and better suited to long-term ownership. If you are open to petrol, the XUV 7XO petrol automatic is also a strong option, especially if your running remains low. Overall, the XUV 7XO strikes the best balance between comfort, practicality, efficiency and value for money for your usage.

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I am a first-time buyer. My salary is Rs 4.2 lakh per year (CTC). Which company and which model would suit me?

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With a CTC of Rs 4.2 lakh per year, the key is to keep the purchase affordable and running costs low. The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the most sensible starting point. It is reliable, easy to maintain and has excellent service reach, which is exactly what you want as a first-time buyer. The 1.0-litre petrol engine in this Maruti Suzuki car is efficient, and the car is easy to drive in the city.If you need a bit more space, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a good alternative with its tall-boy design and larger boot. If you are open to a slightly higher budget, the Tata Tiago is worth considering for its stronger build and more premium feel, but Maruti's service network and lower maintenance costs make it the safer long-term choice at this budget. The Alto K10 is the most practical and financially sensible first car.

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•5d

I am confused between the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO, and I also like the XUV700. My budget is approximately Rs. 18 lakh. Can you suggest which one I should choose?

•4d

With a budget of Rs. 18 lakh, you're likely to get the entry-level variants of the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. Between the two, the Tata Car has a more spacious third row; however, the XUV 7XO is the better all-rounder.The XUV 7XO is essentially the facelifted XUV700, so you get the same proven mechanical package, along with a more modern interior, updated features and a more premium feel. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is strong and refined, making this Mahindra car well suited to both city and highway driving, while the manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use.The Tata Safari is still a good car, with a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin, but the XUV 7XO feels more modern and premium inside.

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