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).

autocar.india

•16h

With a running of just 6,000 km a year, a petrol engine is the right choice, and the Harrier petrol is a good fit if you like the size and space. The bigger question is the waiting period. Tata’s official waiting periods can vary by city and dealer, but for the Harrier petrol, it is not unusual to see waits of 2-3 months depending on demand and allocation. If your dealer is already saying it may not arrive on time, it is worth checking with other Tata dealers in your city to see if they have a shorter queue or a cancelled booking in the same variant.If you are happy with the Harrier’s space and comfort, it is worth waiting a few more weeks rather than switching to a different car. The only reason to change would be if you need the car urgently. In that case, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol is the closest alternative.

Tata Harrier

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•1d

Based on your priorities, the Mahindra XUV 7XO Petrol MT is the better fit. The XUV 7XO is a larger, more substantial SUV with a stronger safety focus, a 5-star safety rating and a more premium feel than the Creta. This Mahindra car is also a more recent product and feels more modern overall. The petrol engine is smooth and refined, and the manual gearbox is easy to use in city conditions. The Creta is still a very good car, but it is not as spacious or as premium-feeling as the XUV 7XO. The only drawback of the XUV 7XO is that it is a larger car and may not be as easy to manoeuvre in tight city spaces, but overall it is the better choice for your requirements.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Creta

autocar.india

•2d

Between the 1.5 turbo petrol and 1.5 diesel Hyundai Alcazar, the diesel is the better fit for your usage. It offers strong low-end torque and a more relaxed, effortless character on long drives. Just as importantly, the 6-speed torque converter automatic is smoother and more intuitive in city traffic. In contrast, Hyundai-Kia DCTs tend to have a sharper engagement, which can feel slightly jerky at low speeds and in stop-go conditions.Do note that while the 1.5 diesel pulls well from low revs, its top-end performance is not particularly strong. With a full load, highway overtakes will require a bit more planning compared to the turbo petrol. That said, for your kind of driving, which prioritises ease, consistency and long-distance comfort, the diesel’s overall delivery and gearbox pairing work better.On seating, the 6-seater with captain seats is the more comfortable choice. The individual seats are better contoured, offer superior support, and the addition of armrests makes a noticeable difference on long journeys. Your wife will likely appreciate the enhanced comfort over extended hours on the road. The trade-off, of course, is the loss of the exact central seating position she prefers, but in the Alcazar, the front seats are not overly bulky, so forward visibility remains reasonably good.One alternative worth considering is the Mahindra XUV 7X0 diesel. It offers stronger performance, better refinement, and feels more effortless on highways, especially when fully loaded. The ride quality is also well suited to mixed road conditions. However, it is a larger vehicle than the Alcazar and can feel more cumbersome in tight urban environments.Overall, for your priorities, the Alcazar diesel with captain seats strikes the best balance of comfort, smoothness and ease of driving

Hyundai Alcazar

Mahindra XUV 7XO