Please suggest a low-budget 7-seater SUV.

Autocar India

•1d

Do note that you will only get the base models of most of these SUVs in your budget of Rs 15 lakh (the two Mahindra cars are entirely out of your budget), so be prepared to increase your budget if you want more features or a more powerful engine. That being said, among your chosen options, the Tata Sierra is the most spacious and comfortable, and best suited for tall passengers, so that should be your choice from the five-seaters.If you want a seven-seater, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is the best value-for-money option you could pick, and it meets all your requirements, including the budget. However, another car worth considering is the Citroen Aircross X, which comes in both 5- and 7-seat options, and is priced really well. It's spacious, comfortable and gets a punchy engine with a smooth 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Tata Sierra

Citroen Aircross

Autocar India

•6h

While the Mahindra XUV 3XO has a strong and refined engine, the AMT gearbox is not the best performing units in terms of smoothness and response. Quick overtakes on the highway would require a lot more planning with an AMT, and over time, it can get frustrating. We would recommend checking out the Hyundai Venue as it gets a diesel engine mated to a 6-speed torque converter gearbox that is a lot better than AMT units. The Venue is also well equipped in its HX5 guise that falls within your budget. It is the newer car overall with a fresh and modern interior.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•7h

Since your annual driving isn't all that high, it would be sensible to buy a petrol SUV. A diesel, or strong hybrid, makes sense if you end up driving a lot more to save on fuel cost and offset the premium you pay during purchase. The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara would be a good option to consider since it will tick the boxes you want. It is easy to drive and comfortable over Indian roads, has a good boot, and the 1.5-litre petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech is efficient too. In comparison to its rivals, the Grand Vitara returns better fuel efficiency. Being a Maruti, it has a good reach of service centres and spares available at an affordable cost, and if you do end up on tricky roads often, there is also the AllGrip version that gets AWD for better traction and grip. If not, the Alpha (O) trim is the top-spec and is generous with features and equipment.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara