I used to own a manual Ford EcoSport Trend Petrol model manual which I drove for 7 years. But as the service centre in Guwahati shut down recently, and also due to the lack of readily available spare parts, I was compelled to sell it. Recently, I had booked a Renault Duster Adventure 1.3L DCT and might get the vehicle delivered within a week. I have also taken the test drive and liked the power and comfort. But my concern comes from the fact that the sales figures have gone down from 512 units in July 2026 to zero in August 2026. So will it right to go ahead with the Duster, seeing their sales figures going down? As an alternative, I am looking for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7 turbo Petrol TC. My budget is within Rs. 17.50 lakhs.

autocar.india

•1d

With 14,000 km of annual running and a 40-60 city-highway split, a diesel makes sense here, and the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the recommendation. It is one of the most comfortable and spacious SUVs in this price range, with a strong diesel engine that delivers good performance and efficiency on highways while remaining manageable in the city. The automatic gearbox is smooth, and the car feels stable and confidence-inspiring at speed, which is important given your highway usage. It is also a genuinely comfortable family car with a well-sorted ride and a strong safety package.While we are yet to drive the Renault Duster Hybrid, it could be another model of interest to you. Its hybrid powertrain promises excellent fuel economy in addition to the sorted ride and handling manners that make the Duster such a good long-distance machine. Our review drops in the coming week. Stay tuned!

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Renault Duster

autocar.india

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Given your usage pattern of 80–85% city driving with occasional highway trips, the Renault Duster Hybrid is actually a very good fit. The hybrid system is designed to maximise efficiency in stop-start city conditions, and the Duster’s ride quality and robust suspension make it well-suited to Indian roads. The new Duster also feels like a genuinely fresh product, with a strong value proposition and a more engaging driving experience than most rivals.The Kia Seltos Diesel, on the other hand, is the better choice if your usage was more highway-focused. The diesel engine is efficient and relaxed on long drives, but with predominantly city driving, the benefits of diesel ownership diminish, especially with modern diesel particulate filter systems that can become problematic with short, low-speed runs.Your concern about Renault service is valid. The brand’s service network and consistency are not on the same level as Kia, and that is something to factor in. However, the new Duster is a far more important product for Renault than the Pulse ever was, and the company is likely to put more effort behind it.If you are still hesitant about Renault’s service, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid or Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid are worth considering. Both offer strong hybrid systems, excellent fuel efficiency and a far more reliable and widespread service network.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

autocar.india

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With 2,000 km a month, 80% highway and hilly terrain, diesel is the clear recommendation. The torque and efficiency of a diesel engine make a big difference on long climbs and overtakes, and at your running, the cost savings over petrol add up quickly. Additionally, keeping your requirements of back seat comfort, as well as a 10-12 year ownership plan, a Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel-AMT seems like the right fit.It is powered by a refined, strong and punchy diesel engine that's mated to a 6-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). Now, the AMT is not as smooth as a torque converter available in the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue diesel at the same price, but with a light foot, the Mahindra's unit works reasonably well and doesn't feel jerky or confused at low speeds. And compared to the Hyundai and Kia offerings, the 3XO feels more spacious, particularly for rear seat occupants. On paper, its boot is small, but actual usable space is similar to other compact SUVs on sale.If you want a proper diesel-automatic, with a large boot and spacious second row, consider the Kia Syros HTK+. It has an excellent diesel engine, a seamless torque converter (automatic transmission) and for its size, it is extremely spacious. Also, with an adjustable second row, it gives you the flexibility of increasing boot space or legroom for rear occupants. The on-road price might be a little over your Rs 14 lakh budget, but with substantial discounts going on, you could just end up getting one within your budget.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue