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•26w

I am looking for a car under 40L(on-road price) and my use is 75% highway drives and 25% city. The car should have a great ride quality and comfort for 12 hr+ journeys. I dont need a 7-seater but 3rd folded works fine. I have done test drives of Jeep Meridian(thorough test drive) and 7xo(test drive not on highway) and both are strong contenders in my list. Looking for advice to pick one of these or any other option to consider ( no Innova Hycross for me).

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•26w

With your 75% highway driving and long 12+ hour journeys, you need a car that is comfortable, stable and easy to live with over long distances. The Mahindra XUV 7XO delivers this very well. It has a well-balanced ride that absorbs bad roads without feeling soft, strong performance for effortless cruising and overtakes, and a spacious cabin that keeps occupants comfortable over long hours. It also feels more modern overall, with a richer feature set and widely available ADAS, which adds real value for highway driving.

The Jeep Meridian is a strong alternative, but for a different reason. Its biggest strength is the premium feel and solid build, especially inside the cabin. This Jeep Car feels more upmarket and has that typical Jeep character of solidity and composure.

However, when you look at the overall package, the XUV 7XO matches or exceeds the Meridian in ride comfort, space, performance and features, while also offering better value and a more up-to-date experience.

 Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•26w•

I'm in a dilemma as to which car to purchase between the new Hyundai venue HX 8 or HX 10 DCT petrol automatic, Kia Sonet GTX plus 7 DCT petrol automatic, Maruti Brezza zxi plus smart hybrid 1.5 ltr 6AT, TATA Nexon Fearless plus PS DCA Petrol automatic and Maruti Fronx Alpha 1.0 ltr Turbo petrol automatic. My usage is 70% city and 30% highway. We are a family of three. Request advise.

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•2d

Hello Autocar India team, I want to thank you for your First Impression articles, detailed reviews, podcasts and other content. Please continue with your impartial reviews. I currently own a 2015 Vento Highline Petrol and still fall in love with the car whenever I take it on long drives. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be much movement in the sedan segment. We can stretch our budget to Rs 40 lakh on-road. Our primary use will be planned or unplanned road trips, with limited city driving. EVs concern me because of battery life and charging infrastructure. Petrol cars are a concern because of E20 and the possibility of higher ethanol blending in the future. Hybrids haven't convinced me either. I also don't want to consider premium hatchbacks like the Creta and Seltos. We have narrowed our choices to the Jeep Meridian Overland or Compass 4x4, although Stellantis' long-term commitment remains a concern; the Kia Sorento Diesel AWD; and the Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel 4x4. Please share your unbiased recommendation. Thanks and regards, Yashodhan Patel

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•1d

Thank you for your kind words on our content.Of the vehicles on your shortlist, the Kia Sorento Diesel AWD is the best. It's got a strong diesel engine and a smooth gearbox, which make long journeys absolutely effortless. Kia has also packed the Sorento with features that uplift comfort levels inside. The third row isn't the best, though the Jeep Meridian and Mahindra XUV 7XO are also not great in this regard. Kia's proven reliability also makes the Sorento an easy model to recommend for your usage.

VehicleKia Sorento
VehicleJeep Meridian
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
•3d

We are a family of 4 and our usage is limited to 10-12,000 km annually which involves 60:40 city-highway usage. Our trips always have a couple of more members joining us. I like the XUV 7XO (diesel) automatic but I am not too sure about its longevity since I would like to own this car for 8-10 years. I considered the Alcazar but I felt the 2nd row is slightly narrow compared to the 7XO. Also, as a car that costs as much as the 7XO isn't nearly as powerful either. Are these my only options? I know my usage may not need a diesel but I would like to own one while these are still available, so I don't mind the delta in price. Also, with the E20 petrol, the performance and efficiency of my current S-Cross has seen drastic difference. I would like the car to be engaging to drive and also reliable with a fuss free ownership. Could you guide me on this please? Thank you.

Verified
•2d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. Your usage of 10-12,000 km a year with a 60-40 city-highway split does not strictly demand a diesel, but your preference for owning one while they are still available is valid, and the XUV 7XO diesel is one of the best diesel powertrains in the segment. It is strong, refined and well suited to highway touring, which aligns with your occasional long trips with additional family members.The XUV 7XO is also one of the most engaging 7-seater SUVs to drive, with good performance and a well-sorted chassis. The second row is genuinely spacious, and the third row is usable for occasional passengers, which is important given your family of four plus two additional members on trips. On longevity, Mahindra has made significant improvements in reliability and ownership experience over the past few years, and the XUV 7XO is a mature product. As long as you maintain it well, there is no reason it cannot be a reliable 8-10 year ownership proposition.If you are open to alternatives, the Tata Sierra is worth a look. It is spacious, comfortable and feels premium inside, but the diesel engine is not as strong nor as refined as the Mahindra's. Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the best fit for your requirements. It offers the right balance of space, performance, driving engagement and long-term ownership potential.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleTata Sierra

Has E20 fuel affected your mileage?

Is ADAS worth paying extra for in a car?

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•6d

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a seven-seater car. I have test-driven the Renault Triber Turbo and Citroen Aircross X and was impressed by what both offer at their price points. However, the Aircross put a wide smile on my face. As a current Maruti Suzuki user, I did not consider the Ertiga because it feels similar to our Swift. I liked the Aircross X but am sceptical about Citroen's service network and spare parts availability. However, there are three Citroen showrooms within 45 km of my place. Please suggest which car I should choose. My budget: Rs. 15 lakh Current vehicle: Second-generation Maruti Suzuki Swift petrol (2017) Annual usage: Around 10,000 km, with a 50:30:20 split between town, highway and city driving Requirement: A seven-seater car

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•6d

The Citroen's interiors feel more special, its engine is more powerful, and its ride-handling balance is outstanding; however, for seven adults, it won't be as comfortable as the Triber.In fact, the Triber's superb packaging makes it genuinely comfortable for passengers in all three rows, despite its compact sub-4-meter dimensions. The new turbo-petrol engine makes it an effortless performer, and its ride quality feels very mature too. Moreover, the Triber Turbo is also much more affordable in comparison, making it outstanding value for money. Yes, the Aircross X will appeal to your heart, but given Citroen's limited service network and cramped third row, the Triber Turbo is the more sensible choice.

VehicleRenault Triber
VehicleCitroen Aircross
•3d

I am planning to buy my first car. I want to have a 7-seater and need it for long term ownership. I liked the Citroen Aircross X design for 5+2. I am planning to choose a car with automatic transmission. I have couple of major concerns for which I would like your advice. First one is Mileage, I heard Aircross has a mileage issue and its real-world city mileage is 8 kpl while on highway it is 14 kpl. Is it the same for X version also? Second advice is for its service network. I have heard from the people that its service is slow. Regular servicing also takes around 2 days of time. I have a service center within 10 km from my home. My budget is Rs. 20 Lakh and I need an automatic transmission with rear and front parking camera or 360-degree camera since I am a new driver. Are there any 7-seater alternatives within this budget?

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•2d

The Citroen Aircross X is a good-looking car, now with a premium interior. It is the only SUV in its category which offers a 5+2 seating configuration, and even though the third row is not particularly spacious, it works for occasional use. The real-world fuel efficiency figures as per our tests are 9.5kpl and 13.62kpl in city and highway conditions, respectively, which is quite decent given the strong and smooth performance this 1.2-turbo-petrol-AT delivers. What's more is that ride comfort is outstanding, perhaps the best among all midsize SUVs. So as far as comfort and practicality goes, the Aircross X is a good car.Citroen's service centre network is limited, but since you have a touchpoint close to your home, your vehicle's regular servicing and maintenance is likely to be taken care of smoothly. If you love the Aircross X for what it is, go for it - as far as value goes, it is an outstanding proposition. If you're looking for proper seven-seater alternatives, we'd strongly recommend the Kia Carens Clavis HTK+ turbo-petrol automatic version. All three rows are properly spacious, well-suited for adults. This variant will be within your Rs 20 lakh on-road budget, and it has front and rear parking sensors, as well as rear-view camera to make parking easy for you. Sure, it isn't an SUV, but it is a very sensible car, if you need a proper seven-seater.

VehicleCitroen Aircross
VehicleKia Carens Clavis

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Posted on: 21 Apr 2026