It is a very close call between the cars you have shortlisted, given your requirements. Between the XUV 7XO, Skoda Kodiaq, and Jeep Meridian, the differences are fairly marginal. The Jeep Meridian and the Kodiaq do feel more premium in terms of interior material quality and fit and finish compared to the 7XO, although the 7XO, especially after the recent facelift, is not far behind. It also offers more features than the other two, is more spacious, and benefits from an updated suspension that has addressed one of the earlier XUV700’s biggest drawbacks: suspension noise.In terms of powertrains, the Mahindra impresses with both petrol and diesel options paired with automatic gearboxes. Its 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines are genuinely world-class, adding to the overall upmarket feel. However, one area where the Mahindra XUV 7XO, as well as the Kodiaq and Meridian, falls short is third-row comfort. In all three cars, the third row is best suited for children. The 7XO also misses out on a sliding middle row, which would have significantly improved third-row usability.If third row comfort is a priority, the Toyota Innova HyCross makes the most sense. It offers a comfortable ride, is easy to drive despite its size, and has by far the most usable third row among your shortlisted options, with enough space for adults on longer journeys. Its hybrid powertrain also delivers excellent efficiency. Do keep in mind, however, that compared to the others, the interior does not feel as premium, and sound insulation at highway speeds could have been better.

For you, we would recommend the Kia Seltos. You only seem not like the Kia for the front end look, and we think you should not override the other bits you like about it. Also, as you have pointed out, it makes more rational sense, since as you go higher up the variants, you get similar features on the Seltos at a lower price point than the Tata Sierra. Moreover, concerning your other worry about service quality and reliability, given the two brands' past track record, the Kia would be the safer bet.

Since you are able to purchase a new Kia Seltos or Carens Clavis EV, we would suggest you not look at a used Tata Harrier or XUV700, as these are quite close in size, performance and features. If you are buying used, it makes sense to get something from two segments above. As to your query about a diesel or electric, yes, both are not likely to have a high resale value. There's certainly a cloud over diesel's long term future, and the pre-owned EV market is too nascent to judge future potential. We would, however, recommend the EV as you will be keeping your car for about 10 years, and in that time with your running you would save on fuel bills. Between the Hyundai Creta electric and the Clavis EV, we would suggest the Kia as it's very similar mechanically. But also offers you the benefit of the third row of seats, which is quite spacious and usable.

Given your requirements, you should consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The XUV 3XO is powered by a 117hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine that can be had with either a 6-speed manual. It has a claimed mileage of 20.6kpl, or a 6-speed AMT automatic gearbox, which is said to do 21.2kpl. The Mahindra XUV 3XO also has a comfortable ride quality and a spacious rear seat that can accommodate three adults. Furthermore, it also comes with features like a large touchscreen, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone auto climate control, leatherette upholstery and much more. It gets 6 airbags, Level 2 ADAS features, and it has received a full, 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP. Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel prices range from Rs 8.95 lakh to Rs 13.43 lakh (ex-showroom, India).