Mumbai

•35w

I'm a 26-year-old planning my first car purchase. I'm smitten by the Thar Roxx for its looks and practicality, but high petrol running costs and the 10-year diesel ban worry me. I plan to do road trips all over India and have a maximum budget of ₹18 lakh on-road. Which safe, powerful vehicle would you recommend within this budget? Also, are there any upcoming launches worth waiting for - I can wait until April 2027 when CAFE-3 norms kick in.

•35w

Yes, the Mahindra Thar Roxx, in diesel guise, and especially in petrol guise, is not fuel-efficient. One car worth considering is the recently revealed Tata Sierra, which is likely to be available with multiple petrol engine options. And given Tata cars' recent track record of high NCAP crash test ratings, you can expect a good rating from the Sierra as well.

You could also wait for the next-gen Kia Seltos. It is expected to launch by late 2025 or early 2026. The new model is likely to be larger and more spacious than the current version. There are also rumours of a hybrid powertrain, which could be the answer to your long-distance road trips.

There will be many more new launches before April 2027, including models that haven’t been revealed yet. So if you’re not in a hurry, waiting could give you even better options.

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Thar Roxx

from ₹14.78 Lakh

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Sierra

from ₹13.56 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

•5d

Hi, I currently own a 2016 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VDI SHVS and a Honda Jazz i-VTEC. I’m planning to sell both cars and buy a new one. My budget is between Rs. 20 lakh and Rs. 28 lakh (on-road). The cars I’m considering are the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Scorpio N, and Thar Roxx. However, I’m a little concerned about Mahindra’s service quality. I ruled out the Toyota Innova Crysta because I don’t think it offers enough value for the price. My father also does not prefer the Tata Safari, as its third row is not very usable. The Tata Harrier is also on my list, but I’m concerned about Tata’s service quality. My usage is mixed. Is there a better option available in this price range?

•2d

Based on your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of space, comfort and performance, and is a significant step up from both your Ertiga and Jazz. The Scorpio N is a more rugged, body-on-frame SUV and is better suited to rough roads and occasional off-roading, but it is not as comfortable as the XUV 7XO for everyday use. It is a similar story with the Thar Roxx which is more of a lifestyle vehicle.Mahindra service has made significant improvements in recent years and service quality is now largely dependent on the dealership. It is worth checking the reputation of your local dealer before making a decision.The Toyota Innova Crysta is still the benchmark for reliability and long-term ownership, but it is expensive for what it offers and does not feel as modern or feature-rich as the XUV 7XO. Alternatively, consider the Kia Carens Clavis diesel. The engine is refined, it is premium inside, and the third row is better than the 7XO or Safari, though it lacks their SUV-like appeal. Kia service is also amongst the best in the country. Overall, the XUV 7XO is the best fit for your needs and budget.

I am planning to buy a petrol manual SUV with a budget of around Rs. 15 lakh. I am unable to decide between the Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Creta. Whichever car I choose will be a huge upgrade, as I currently drive a 2010 Maruti Suzuki Zen Estilo that is 16 years old. My usage is very minimal, around 200 km per month. Which one would you recommend?

•1d

With just 200km a month and a 16-year-old Zen Estilo as your current car, the priority should be a comfortable, reliable and easy-to-live-with upgrade rather than chasing the biggest or most feature-rich SUV. The Kia Seltos petrol manual is the best fit here. It is a well-rounded SUV with a comfortable ride, good refinement and a proven ownership track record. It will feel like a huge step up from the Estilo in terms of space, safety and overall driving experience without being unnecessarily large or complex for your low running.The Tata Sierra is a more premium and spacious option, but with such minimal usage, the extra size and cost are difficult to justify. The Hyundai Creta is a solid alternative too, but it will be replaced by a new one next year. The Seltos also feels more premium and is the better value proposition in this price range. Go for the Seltos petrol manual and enjoy a simple, dependable upgrade that will serve you well for years.

Hello Autocar family, I am planning to buy a new car for me and my grandfather. I already have a Hyundai Santro at home, so this will be my second car. The mandatory requirements are a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera, and decent mileage. My daily commute is around 30 km, including 20 km on the highway and 10 km in the city. The cars we are considering are the Kia Seltos GTX A, Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7T, Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXI Plus (O), Hyundai Creta N Line, and Tata Sierra Adventure. I am also open to considering the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq. We are both confused and haven't been able to agree on one option. Please help us out, guys!

•1d

Go for the Kia Seltos GTX A. It is the most balanced choice for your requirements. Your daily usage of 30 km, with a mix of highway and city driving, does not justify a diesel, so a strong turbo-petrol with a reliable automatic gearbox is the better choice.This Kia car offers the panoramic sunroof and 360-degree camera you want, along with a well-rounded ownership experience, a wide service network, and a comfortable ride for your grandfather. The Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 T is also a good option, but it is a much larger vehicle and not as easy to live with in the city.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXI Plus (O) is a strong value-for-money proposition, but the Seltos feels more premium and better finished. The Hyundai Creta N Line is a good alternative if you prefer Hyundai, but the Seltos feels like the more complete package. The Tata Sierra Adventure is interesting, but its turbo-petrol engine still needs a longer ownership track record.The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are excellent driver's cars, but the Seltos offers a better overall ownership experience. Overall, the Kia Seltos GTX A is the car you are most likely to be happiest with over the next five years.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

I want to buy a low-maintenance car for my father, who is 65 years old. My budget is around 15 lakh. His daily commute is around 30-40km, and he also visits our farm 7-8 times a month. Which car would you recommend?

•3d

For your father, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol automatic is the most sensible recommendation. At 65, ease of use, reliability and low maintenance are far more important than outright performance or flashy features. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simple, proven and well-suited to a 30-40 km daily commute, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Maruti’s service network is the best in the country, which means low running costs and peace of mind over the long term.This Maruti Suzuki car also has enough ground clearance and a robust suspension setup to handle occasional farm visits without any fuss. It is not the most exciting car in the segment, but it is comfortable, easy to drive and built for hassle-free ownership. At Rs 15 lakh, it is one of the most dependable choices you can make for your father. Since the Brezza facelift is just around the corner, you can wait for that or try to get a good deal on the outgoing model.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

•1w

I currently own a Toyota Innova Crysta 2.8 ZX Variant AT, which has covered 55,000 km and has been an absolute peace of mind. I am now planning to upgrade my vehicle with a budget of around Rs. 30 lakh. Which car would you recommend?

•6d

If you have enjoyed 55,000 km of trouble-free ownership with the Innova Crysta, the most logical upgrade is the Toyota Innova HyCross. It retains the core strengths of the Crysta - reliability, comfort and Toyota's experience - while offering a genuinely meaningful step up in refinement, technology and efficiency. The Toyota Cars hybrid powertrain is particularly well-suited to Indian conditions, delivering strong fuel economy in the city and a smooth, effortless driving experience on the highway. The cabin is a significant upgrade over the Crysta, with a more modern layout, better materials and a more premium feel overall. The only caveat is that the HyCross does not offer the same diesel torque as the 2.8, so if you are a very heavy highway user who values that diesel punch, you may want to consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel as an alternative. However, for most owners, the HyCross represents the best balance of reliability, comfort and long-term peace of mind.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•1w

I'm planning to buy a small automatic car for my wife, who is 5'1" tall. The car will be used mostly in the city, with occasional highway trips. Which would be the best option?

•5d

For your wife, consider the Hyundai Exter. At 5'1", she will benefit from its good all-round visibility, light steering and compact dimensions, which make it very easy to manoeuvre in city traffic and tight parking spaces. This Hyundai car also gets driver's seat height adjustment from the base trim, which will be very handy for your wife. The AMT gearbox is smooth enough for daily commuting, and the car is very easy to drive. Fuel efficiency is decent; expect 9 to 10kpl in the city and 15kpl on the highway.If you want something a bit more efficient, consider the Maruti Suzuki Swift. In our testing we managed 12.7kpl in the city and 19kpl on the highway with the AGS. However, height adjustment for the driver's seat is only available on the ZXi trim onwards.Overall, the Hyundai Exter AMT is the better fit for your requirements. It is simple, reliable, easy to drive and well-suited to both city use and occasional highway trips.

Hyundai Exter

Maruti Suzuki Swift

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Posted on: 17 Nov 2025

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