Hello, I have owned a Nexa XL6 for the past five years, and it has been very comfortable. Now it’s time to change the car. I’m looking for a 7-seater and have shortlisted the Scorpio N, XUV700, and Tata Safari. Please share your expert recommendation. Thanks.

Autocar India

•1d

With a 60-70 km daily run, comfort, ease in traffic and lower tiredness matter most, so pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO automatic. Its petrol and diesel engines are smooth and quiet, and the Mahindra also rides very comfortably over bad roads. A couple of watch-outs: the third row (if you choose the 7-seater) is best for kids, and the boot with all seats up is small. Also, some features vary by variant, so confirm the exact mix you want.If you travel with six or seven people or do frequent highway trips with the family, the Tata Safari is the better alternative from your list. It's got more flexible seating, allowing you to better balance space across its three rows. As for the Thar Roxx, it has a tough image but is essentially too hardcore for your commute. It will not be as convenient to drive or as comfortable in general as the XUV 7XO or Safari.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Tata Safari

Autocar India

•2d

Since you already own a Renault, the new Duster would be a great pick. With mostly rural roads, about 10,000 km a year and a Rs 20 lakh cap, you can opt for the Duster 1.3 turbo-petrol with either the manual or the DCT, depending on your preference.The 1.3 petrol feels strong and punchy once you get past the initial turbo lag, and the DCT is almost torque-converter smooth. The manual has a satisfying clutch and shifter action, though turbo lag feels slightly more pronounced with this gearbox. It stays steady at speed and the steering gives good confidence, so it will feel like a big step up from your Kwid. Ground clearance is good and the suspension handles broken patches well, so you won’t have to slow to a crawl for every rut, yet it still feels tight and enjoyable on a twisty road.Two things to note: it is not a true off-roader, so avoid deep slush and very uneven fields; and Renault’s dealer reach in smaller towns can be limited. Since you already own one, though, that should not be a major concern.If your routes are very rough and you often need to go into fields, look at the Mahindra Scorpio N instead. It is tougher and sits higher, but it is not as nice to drive on smooth roads as the Duster.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Renault Duster

Renault Kwid

Autocar India

•1h

With 70 percent city use, pick the Honda Amaze ZX CVT. It's well-suited to daily traffic because it is easy to steer, rides comfortably over bad patches, and the automatic keeps driving simply. It is also light on running costs and fits your budget even in this top-spec ZX trim, and the boot is big enough for weekend trips, so your 30 percent highway runs are covered too. The trade-offs: at higher highway speeds, it feels like a small car and road noise creeps in, and with five adults, it will not feel very strong on quick passes.The Skoda Kylaq sits in a much higher price band, and in your budget of Rs 12 lakh, you will only get entry-level models. It is nowhere near as fuel-efficient as the Honda, and maintenance will likely be more expensive in the long run. It does, however, have the punchier powertrain and is more fun to drive.Another great option is the Nissan Magnite, which gives you the best of both worlds. Reliability, fuel economy and relatively low running costs of a Japanese car with the high stance of an SUV and a punchy turbo-petrol engine. It is also one of the best value-for-money cars at this budget.

Honda Amaze

Skoda Kylaq