I currently own a Ford EcoSport, while my wife has been using a Tata Manza for the past 15 years. We are retiring this year and are looking to buy an SUV with annual usage of around 5,000km. Most of the driving will be in the city, with an occasional out-of-town trip once a month, though we do not prefer driving more than 250km in a day. Mileage is not a concern, but safety, luxury, and comfort are top priorities. We are looking for a petrol automatic. Please advise between the Mahindra 7XO, new Kia Seltos, and Tata Sierra.

Considering you are looking for a petrol car and mileage is not a concern, you can consider the newly launched Mahindra XUV 7XO. It is equipped with a powerful 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine that’s paired with a smooth 6-speed automatic transmission and delivers effortless performance. We will be driving the 7XO soon, but going by the Mahindra XUV700, it should be comfortable, packed with premium features, and equipped with a comprehensive set of safety features.

The Mahindra XUV700 has recently been replaced by its facelift, the XUV 7XO. However, while it is an excellent SUV, in your budget of Rs 15 lakh, you will only get a base model. Similarly, in the lower segment, you will be limited to low or mid-range models of the Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra. However, if you are okay with that, both are excellent SUVs.The Tata Sierra excels in space and comfort, while the Kia Seltos is the better all-rounder, with punchier engines and more features. For your usage, we recommend the turbo-petrol automatic variant of either car, as it offers a good blend of price, performance, and refinement between city and highway use.

While you haven't specified which car you are buying, we assume this choice is for either the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, or Kia Carens Clavis. Whichever the case, given your usage and requirements, we recommend the 1.5 IVT.The Hyundai/Kia CVT gearbox, which uses a chain drive, feels more robust and responsive than others that use a belt-drive system, and the 115hp 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine feels more than sufficient for city or highway use. Yes, of course, the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol is more powerful and more exciting, but the 7-speed DCT gearbox is simply too jerky in low-speed use, which becomes frustrating after a while. In the long run, this gearbox will likely require more maintenance than the IVT, too.

If you want to buy any of these SUVs, we suggest increasing your budget by ₹2-3 lakh. At a ₹10 lakh on-road budget, you will have to settle for the lower variants, which is a personal choice but does mean missing out on key features. Within a ₹10 lakh budget, a good option for you is the Hyundai Exter. It allows you to choose a fully loaded variant that comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, sunroof, cruise control, wireless phone charger, rearview camera, and other useful features. It gets a smooth and refined 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder engine that delivers power in a predictable and easy-to-manage manner. Since you are a new driver, opting for the AMT would be a sensible choice, as it adds to everyday driving comfort and convenience.Amongst the cars you mentioned, you can consider the Tata Nexon or Kia Sonet.