Will Mahindra add a powered tailgate to the Mahindra XUV 7XO through a mid-cycle update or any upcoming revision? Also, what are Mahindra’s plans for the next-generation XUV 7XO?

Autocar India

•44m

Your running is mostly city with relatively low monthly kilometres, so petrol makes more sense than diesel. It is smoother, easier to live with and avoids the need to think about DPF or long-term diesel usage patterns.Now, within petrol, the choice depends on what you value more. The 1.5 NA petrol with IVT is the most suited for your use. It is smooth, very easy to drive in traffic and pairs well with the IVT gearbox, which is seamless in stop-go conditions. It may not feel very powerful on paper, but in real-world use, it is adequate for both city driving and occasional highway trips if you drive in a relaxed manner.The 1.5 turbo petrol with DCT is the more performance-oriented option. It feels quicker and more responsive, especially on highways and during overtakes. However, in city traffic, the DCT can feel slightly less smooth, and fuel efficiency will be lower. It suits someone who prioritises performance over ease.So the difference is clear. The IVT is about smoothness and comfort; the DCT is about performance.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•19h

Seven people, mostly adults, and a Rs 25 lakh cap points to one clear choice, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel. It rides smoother than the Scorpio N and the Innova Crysta. The step-in height is friendlier for elders, and you get more features at this price.One thing to note is that the XUV 7XO's third row is not the most spacious around. Alternatively, also consider the Kia Carens Clavis diesel. It is refined and comfortable, easy to drive in the city, and the third row is comfortable for adults.We would avoid the Scorpio N for your use. Its third row is tight for adults, access is not easy, and the high step can bother older family members, even though it is very strong on rough roads.Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel 7-seater fits your family and budget best.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra Scorpio N

Toyota Innova Crysta

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•2d

After almost a decade with your Hexa, a good idea is to replace it with a tough and powerful diesel SUV, and we'd recommend the Tata Harrier Adventure X Diesel AT. It gives you the relaxed, solid, long‑distance feel that you liked in your Hexa, but in a newer and easier‑to‑drive package.It works for you because the diesel has strong pull at low and mid speeds, so overtakes on two‑lane roads need less effort. The 6-speed automatic is the torque-converter type that uses a fluid coupling, which is known for smoothness and long life, and it does not get hot and fussy in traffic. Safety is strong too, with a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and must‑have features like 6 airbags and stability control. Ride comfort is good, and though not quite as tough-feeling as your ladder-frame Hexa, this Tata car feels softer and more comfortable overall.If you want the option of a third row of seats, there's also the Tata Safari at a slightly higher price point, which has all the same strengths of the Harrier. There's also the XUV 7XO, which is a better all-rounder and more fun to drive, but it doesn't feel quite as solid and commanding from behind the wheel as the Harrier or Safari.

Tata Harrier

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•5d

If you're comparing ride comfort, the Skoda Kylaq is easily the better pick, particularly variants with 16-inch wheels. Skoda has got its suspension tune spot on, its relatively softer setup makes it more suited to our road conditions. It rounds off speed breakers and rough patches better at slow speeds. Furthermore, the Kylaq feels stable at speeds and is surprisingly nimble and fun-to-drive around corners, too.In contrast, the Kushaq’s suspension feels a little firm at low speeds, so sharp bumps and small potholes do come through more in the cabin.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•6d

With around 1,000 km a month, two young kids and a cap of ₹14 lakh on-road, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 is the one that fits your brief best. It rides comfortably over broken city roads and speed breakers, and the rear seat is more than spacious enough for your kids. Safety is a strong point too, with a solid feel, good driver aids for this price, and mounts to fix child seats in the back. It also fits your budget in a well-equipped trim, so you are not forced into a bare-bones version. A trade-off to note: The boot is not the biggest in this price range, so if you often carry a full-size stroller plus luggage, do a quick fit check. If you prefer a more contemporary looking cabin, the Tata Nexon Creative Plus is your alternative from your list. It offers a slightly roomier boot and a very nice interior, and is easy to drive in the city, but the petrol engine feels a bit less smooth at low speeds and Tata service quality can vary by city. The Skoda Kushaq facelift would be a good pick, but only if you can stretch your budget, as within ₹14 lakh you’ll only get the base manual model, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller. Overall, for your family use and budget, the XUV 3XO AX5 lines up best.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•2d

With a 70 km daily mix of traffic and highway use, we would lean towards the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid. Your usage is high, and the hybrid will use far less fuel in city traffic while staying calm and smooth. It pulls away on electric power at low speeds, so stop-go driving feels quiet and easy.You like the Seltos for its cabin and stronger shove, and that is fair. The Seltos diesel feels stronger when you press the throttle for quick passes, and its cabin does look and feel richer. If most of your 70 km is open highway and you really value that strong pull and the Kia car interior, the Seltos diesel automatic is still a solid pick.On a Kia Seltos hybrid: Kia does intend to introduce a hybrid, but timing is not yet decided as they are trying to localise components. We estimate it could arrive in 2027, but that could change. For your mix of city and highway, the Hyryder strong-hybrid lines up best with what you need right now.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder