Hi, I currently drive a 2014 Maruti Suzuki Dzire Petrol and am planning to upgrade to a new SUV. My shortlisted options are the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT and the Mahindra XUV 7XO Petrol Automatic. My biggest concern with the XUV 7XO is its low fuel efficiency. My monthly running is less than 1,000 km, as I work from home, with a 60:40 city-to-highway split in the NCR. I also plan to use the new car for trips to the mountains, so it should offer strong performance, sufficient torque, and confident handling. I also test-drove the new Renault Duster and loved the driving experience, but I wasn't impressed by Renault's showroom and after-sales experience. Which of these would you recommend for my requirements?

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Mahindra BE 6 Pack 2 59kWh. Your usage pattern is ideal for an EV, with a mix of expressway and city traffic, and you already have affordable home charging. At Rs 10/kWh, your running costs will be significantly lower than a diesel, and the BE 6’s 59kWh battery is more than adequate for your daily needs and occasional longer trips. The current discount makes it a strong value proposition, and waiting for the next version is unlikely to yield dramatically better deals given how quickly EV technology and pricing are evolving.The Seltos is a good car, but at 7,000-8,000 km a year, buying a diesel car is harder to justify because of the higher upfront premium. You would also be looking at a replacement in 4-5 years. The BE 6, on the other hand, can be handed over to your parents after that period, making it a more sensible long-term purchase. As for E20/E25 concerns, modern petrol engines are engineered for these blends, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20, so it should not be a reason to avoid petrol cars altogether.Overall, the BE 6 fits your usage, budget and long-term plans best.

Mahindra BE 6

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI Sport. Coming from a Polo and Vento automatic, you already appreciate Volkswagen’s driving DNA, and the Taigun 1.5 TSI is a natural progression. The engine is punchy, the DSG gearbox is quick and engaging, and the overall driving experience is far more involving than the Seltos. The Taigun also feels more compact and agile in the city, while still being comfortable on the highway.The Kia Seltos diesel X-Line is a strong all-rounder with better space, a more premium cabin and a more relaxed long-distance character, but it does not offer the same level of driver engagement. The diesel engine is efficient and torquey, but it lacks the excitement of the 1.5 TSI. Given your history with Volkswagen cars, the Taigun will simply feel more familiar and more enjoyable to drive every day.

Volkswagen Taigun

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•1d

If Rs. 1.6-1.7 lakh price difference isn't too much of a stretch for you, then get the entry-level Kia Seltos 1.5 Petrol. It feels far more modern, and more premium than the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, and besides being more spacious, even in its base-spec packs most of the essential features you'd expect at this price.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Creta