I want to visit Spiti Valley during winter, when there is likely to be light to moderate snowfall. Which vehicle would be a better choice for this trip: the Mahindra Thar or the Maruti Suzuki Jimny?

autocar.india

•4h

The Mahindra XEV 9S Pack Two Above 79kWh is the stronger choice from a customer ownership perspective. Both are impressive electric cars, but Mahindra currently has an edge in powertrain maturity, charging performance and, importantly, the ownership feedback emerging from early customers and enthusiast forums.From an ownership perspective, both Tata and Mahindra have improved significantly, but public discussions continue to highlight more consistent showroom and service experiences with Mahindra. Tata's service quality remains more dependent on the individual dealership, and there are still recurring reports of inconsistent quality control and after-sales support. Mahindra is not flawless either, but early XEV owners have generally reported greater satisfaction with the buying and ownership experience.

Mahindra XEV 9S

autocar.india

•2h

If you are looking for a long-term 7-seater, the Mahindra Scorpio N is the better choice over the Scorpio Classic. In Mahindra Cars, the Classic still has its old-school charm and rugged appeal, but it is fundamentally an older product with a dated interior, fewer features and a less refined driving experience. The Scorpio N, on the other hand, is a far more modern SUV with a better ride, more comfortable cabin, stronger safety credentials and a more refined overall ownership experience. It still retains the tough, go-anywhere character that made the Scorpio name so popular, but it does so in a package that is far better suited to long-term ownership. If you are buying with your heart, the Classic will always have its appeal, but if you are buying with your head, the Scorpio N is the clear recommendation.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Mahindra Scorpio Classic

autocar.india

•3h

Given your usage pattern of mainly city driving with occasional long runs, the Lexus RX 350h would be our recommendation. The hybrid powertrain is particularly well-suited to your needs, offering excellent refinement and efficiency in urban conditions while still being capable and comfortable on longer journeys. Lexus cars also have a strong reputation for reliability and lower long-term maintenance costs, which addresses your concerns with the E 250 CDI.The Mercedes GLE and BMW X5 are both excellent SUVs, but they are more performance-oriented and can be more expensive to maintain over time. The GLE 300d is a strong diesel option, but with your limited usage, the benefits of a diesel are less compelling. The X5 xDrive30d is similarly impressive, but again, the Lexus hybrid makes more sense for your driving pattern. There are also these cars' respective petrol versions, but coming from a diesel, you might find their respective running costs much higher.The RX 350h strikes the right balance between luxury, efficiency and long-term ownership peace of mind. The only downsides are that it's not that exciting to drive, and that Lexus' network isn't anywhere near as big as Mercedes or BMW cars. But if you have a dealer close to you, and don't mind a more relaxed drive, it is a genuinely premium SUV that should prove to be a more satisfying ownership experience over the long term.

Lexus RX

Mercedes-Benz GLE

BMW X5