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•19w

Hi experts, I have a query regarding our next family car purchase. We currently own a 2008 Hyundai Santro that has covered around 77,000 km so far. My parents are now planning to upgrade to a more spacious 7-seater. A few points about our usage: • We are a family of four, so the third row will remain folded most of the time and will primarily be used as additional luggage space. • Our annual running is quite low. • Around 70% of our driving is on highways. • We intend to keep the new vehicle for the next 10-12 years. The shortlisted models are: * Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 Petrol Manual * Mahindra Scorpio N Z8 Select Petrol Manual * Hyundai Alcazar Prestige * Tata Safari Adventure X Plus Petrol Manual One concern that is making the decision difficult is the possibility of higher ethanol blending in petrol in the future. We are not considering a diesel vehicle because our low running could lead to DPF-related issues. Considering our usage pattern, long-term ownership plans, and concerns about future fuel standards, which option would you recommend and why? Thank you in advance for your guidance.

•19w

Pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 petrol manual. Your driving is mostly highway, and you plan to keep it for 10-12 years, and this one feels the most relaxed and secure at speed, with a comfy second row and a big, usable boot when the third row is folded. The performance, refinement and reliability of the engine are also very good, but the only downside is a low fuel economy, single-digit or low double-digit figures if you are careful. But since your driving is low, this should not be a big issue. The XUV 7XO is E20-ready, as are the others, so your ethanol worry for the next decade is largely covered. If blends rise beyond E20 later, expect a small drop in economy across all petrol cars rather than a single clear loser.

Among the rest, the Tata Safari would be an option, as it too offers a very good ride quality and stability at speed is good. The third row is also more comfortable, but this would not be an advantage for you given that it would remain a luggage area only.

As for the Scorpio N, it is tough but heavy and bouncy on long highway runs and noticeably thirstier; it suits rough roads more than long fast cruises. The Mahindra Scorpio-N price starts at Rs. 13.69 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Mahindra Scorpio N mileage figures from our real-world testing were 7.9kpl city and 9.4kpl highway for the petrol automatic, 8.6kpl city and 11.7kpl highway for the diesel automatic, and 7.3kpl for the petrol manual.

The Alcazar is easier to drive in the city and will use less fuel, but it is narrower, and it does not feel as planted or as reassuring as the Mahindra or the Tata on long highways.

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•1d

I drive Kodiaq L&K (2020 model, diesel). I want to sell it and buy another SUV that may not be a 7-seater. My budget is approximately the same. What are my best options? My annual running is approximately 18,000km.

•21h

The Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel AT is the most sensible recommendation. It delivers strong performance, excellent highway manners and overall, it's a refined, sophisticated drive experience. The diesel engine is well suited to your running, and the car loaded with technology and features.If you're open to EVs, you could consider the BYD Sealion 7 Dynamic variant is a solid option at around Rs 45 lakh (on-road). The XEV 9S or XEV 9E are excellent options around Rs 30-35 lakh.JSW will be launching the Chery Jetour T2 based SUV which will be launched in India as JSW Motors Combat based SUV in December. It will be a 5-seater, front-wheel drive plug-in hybrid SUV that's rugged, refined, spacious and is likely to be well-equipped too. If you aren't in a hurry, we'd recommend waiting for this one.Other petrol-powered SUVs in that price range include the Tayron and Kodiaq. But given your 18,000km annual usage, fuel bills will be high by opting for these.

I own Toyota Etios and now want to purchase a new car under the budget of Rs. 20 to 25 lakh. I am planning to get a 7-seater as sometimes I need it (around 10% of the times). I am considering XUV 7XO (diesel). Please suggest a suitable vehicle.

•1d

Given your usage pattern, where only about 10 percent of your driving genuinely requires a third row, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is a sensible choice. It is one of the most complete 7-seaters in the segment, offering a strong diesel engine, good highway manners and a genuinely usable third row when needed. The diesel engine is particularly well suited to long-distance touring and occasional heavy loads, which aligns with your requirement for a car that can comfortably accommodate seven passengers on demand. Alternatively, consider the Kia Carens Clavis diesel if you want a seven seater with a smaller footprint. However, it is worth considering whether a 7-seater is truly the best fit for your needs. If 90 percent of your usage is as a 5-seater, you may be better served by a more spacious and comfortable 5-seater SUV, such as the Kia Seltos or the Tata Sierra, both of which offer excellent comfort and practicality.If you genuinely need the third row even 10 percent of the time, the XUV 7XO diesel is a strong recommendation. If those occasions are rare and can be managed with alternative arrangements, a 5-seater may actually deliver a better ownership experience over the long term.

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•1w

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

•4d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

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•1w

I’ve almost finalised the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, and I really like the car. However, I’m a little worried about Skoda’s long-term service and maintenance costs, especially after the warranty period. I’m planning to keep the car for around 7–8 years. Would you recommend taking the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) along with the car? Is it worth the additional cost considering regular servicing and potential maintenance expenses? Also, compared with the Brezza and Nexon, how is the Kylaq Signature Automatic in terms of long-term reliability, service costs and parts replacement? Would really appreciate your advice before I make the final purchase decision.

•4d

If you like the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, go ahead and buy it. It is a genuinely good car and one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven combination, and Skoda’s reliability has improved significantly in recent years. The bigger concern is not reliability but long-term maintenance costs, which can be higher than Maruti or Tata once the car is out of warranty.This is where the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) makes sense. It locks in your service costs for the first 4-5 years, covers all scheduled maintenance and gives you peace of mind during the most expensive ownership period. If you are planning to keep the car for 7-8 years, it is worth the additional cost because it protects you from unexpected bills and helps you budget ownership costs more accurately.Compared to the Brezza and Nexon, the Kylaq is the better driver’s car with a more engaging driving experience and a stronger engine. The Brezza is the benchmark for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, while the Nexon sits somewhere in between. The Kylaq is not unreliable, but parts and service can be more expensive once you are out of warranty.If you are buying the Kylaq, take the SMP and enjoy the car. If long-term ownership costs are your absolute priority, the Brezza is the safer financial choice.

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

•5d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

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