I’m looking to buy a petrol automatic within ₹25 lakh. I need ADAS 2 features, good ride quality, and good mileage would be an added advantage. Can you suggest some options? (I want to avoid Tata.)

Autocar India

•7h

With your usage pattern, the diesel version of the Mahindra XUV 7XO actually makes sense. Once you are back from deployment, your monthly running of around 2,000-3,000 km is more than sufficient to justify a diesel, both from an efficiency and performance point of view.Leaving a modern diesel car unused for 4-5 months is generally not a problem as long as it is stored properly. Before leaving, it is advisable to keep the fuel tank almost full and disconnect the battery or have someone start the car occasionally if possible. The main thing to watch out for is the battery, which can drain if the car sits unused for long periods.When you return and start using the car again, make sure the car gets a longer highway drive early on. This helps the diesel particulate filter regenerate properly and keeps the engine running smoothly.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•9h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 Diesel Automatic, at 70 km/day (2,100 km/month), its stronger low‑rpm pull, and longer range suit daily commutes and occasional highway runs better than petrol.Your daily 70 km means you cover a serious distance, around 2,100 km a month, where diesel’s efficiency advantage becomes meaningful over time. The diesel’s stronger low‑end torque makes city overtakes and hill climbs easier, and for a diesel, it is refined, and it feels very relaxed for highway cruising too. Longer range between fills reduces weekly stops when you’re doing 300-400 km in just a few days. Also, with such regular running, the diesel’s DPF can complete regenerations reliably, keeping warnings at bay.The one thing you give up is the petrol’s quieter, smoother feel and lower upfront price; the diesel costs more and is a bit noisier at idle.If most trips are short stop‑start city runs, with few highways, consider the XUV7XO AX7 Petrol Automatic instead for smoother refinement and no DPF fuss.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•2d

Given your requirements, we'd recommend the new Kia Seltos. It's got plenty of space for five and their luggage, it's very modern, and it's comfortable too. At your budget you can get a reasonably high variant, which means you will get lots of features too. Moreover, like its sister brand Hyundai, Kia has a good reputation for reliability, and so you can safely hold on to the car for six to seven years. The best bit is you have the choice of three engines - the naturally aspirated petrol, turbocharged petrol and diesel. The turbo petrol is not available with a traditional manual and gets a clutchless manual or iMT instead. It's a good option that mixes convenience with control, but frankly given your usage, we would recommend the naturally aspirated petrol with the 6-speed manual. It's a great combination of efficiency, smoothness and value for money.

Kia New Seltos