Noney

•4w

I’m confused whether I should choose the Mahindra Scorpio N petrol or the Tata Safari petrol?

•4w

Since your daily driving is mostly in the city, we would recommend the Tata Safari petrol over the Scorpio N petrol. While the Safari is a slightly larger vehicle overall, it is easier to drive than the Scorpio N thanks to its electric power steering and, if you opt for the manual, lighter clutch and gearshift too.

The Scorpio N's ladder-frame chassis gives it a toughness that's beneficial on rough roads, but for city use, the downside is that it's nowhere near as comfortable as the monocoque-chassis Safari, whose Omega Arc platform is derived from Land Rover. The Safari is also more spacious, with greater room in the second, and especially the third row.

And finally, while the Scorpio N petrol is more powerful with monstrous 203hp from its 2.0-litre engine, it is nowhere near as fuel-efficient as the Safari's 170hp 1.5-litre turbo petrol, which is also more refined and powerful enough. Based on our real-world tests, Mahindra Scorpio N mileage averaged 8.65kpl for the petrol automatic and 10.15kpl for the diesel automatic, while the petrol manual returned 7.3kpl.

For your usage, the Safari is the better option. The Tata Safari price starts at Rs 13.40 lakh and goes up to Rs 26.76 lakh (ex-showroom).

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Safari

from ₹15.01 Lakh

Mahindra

Scorpio N

from ₹15.34 Lakh

•4w•

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•20h

Hi, I currently drive a Kia Sonet HTX iMT, which I purchased in December 2020. It has covered around 46,500km so far, with an annual running of approximately 10,000km. My current daily usage is 34km, mainly on the highway, as my office is in an industrial area. I am now looking to upgrade to a mid-size SUV with an automatic transmission. My priorities are a feature-rich car with a 5-star safety rating, good mileage, and enough space for a family of four, with occasional seating for six people. My expected usage will be around 80% city and 20% highway driving in the future. My budget is around Rs 21 lakh, although I can stretch it slightly for a better overall package. Please suggest some suitable options.

•6h

Given your requirements, the best option is the Hyundai Alcazar petrol DCT. It's available as a six- or seven-seater, giving you the flexibility you need when your extended family joins you on your journeys, and its 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine is relatively fuel efficient for a car of its size. The dual-clutch automatic is smooth enough, though it can be a bit clunky at low speeds if not driven smoothly and carefully. Also worth noting is that even the base model petrol-AT Alcazar costs around Rs 21 lakh on road, and the Alcazar has not been tested by any NCAP authority.The next best option is not an SUV but arguably a more practical option - the Kia Carens Clavis. It uses the same engine and gearbox in a lighter package with more space on the inside. Other 7-seat SUV options with more space - like the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Tata Safari, Mahindra Scorpio-N and MG Hector Plus are available, but are nowhere near as fuel-efficient and will be out of your budget as well. All things considered, the Hyundai Alcazar is your best option.

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•21h

I am looking for a mid-size SUV in the Rs 15-16 lakh range. I have narrowed my list down to the new Duster 1.3 Turbo Techno+ and the Hyundai Creta 1.5 NA S(O). I really like the Creta's interior, but I am concerned that since Kia has already launched the new-generation Seltos, the new-generation Creta may not be far away. My daily running is approximately 80km, mostly on the highway, with some city driving. Please suggest which would be the better buy.

•5h

With an 80km daily run, mostly on the highway, the priority should be a car that is comfortable over long distances, stable at speed and easy to live with. The Duster 1.3 Turbo Techno+ is the better fit here. The Renault Duster’s ride quality is genuinely excellent, soaking up bad roads and undulations in a way few cars in this price range can. It also feels planted and confidence-inspiring at highway speeds, which makes long daily commutes far less tiring. The 1.3 turbo petrol engine is punchy and well-suited to highway driving, giving you strong overtaking performance when you need it. Moreover, the Techno+ variant represents excellent value in this price range, especially for your needs.The Hyundai Creta 1.5 NA S(O) is a very good car, but the naturally aspirated engine is not as strong on the highway, especially when fully loaded. You're right about the new generation; Kia has already launched the new Seltos, and Hyundai is expected to bring the next-generation Creta to India in early 2027. That said, the current Creta is still a very competent product, and Hyundai’s ownership experience and service network are strong.Given your usage, the Duster’s ride comfort, highway stability and stronger engine make it the better buy.

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•2d

I have a Tata Nexon Creative AMT that is only a year old, but I have already had to replace the spark plugs four times and the ignition coil once. I am still facing engine misfires and vibrations inside the car. I am honestly fed up with Tata's service, as they have been unable to resolve the issue. I am therefore planning to sell the Nexon and buy a Kia Seltos with a manual transmission this time. My priority was safety earlier, and it remains my top priority. However, I now also want peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience. Would selling the Nexon and switching to the Seltos be a good decision?

•1d

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•5d

I currently drive a Grand i10 Manual petrol and am now planning to buy a new compact SUV that is comfortable, fuel efficient and has low maintenance. My usage is 35km of daily office commute in Delhi-NCR traffic. Please advice which option is best fit amongst Hyundai Venue HX 6T, SONET HTK+O and XUV 3XO.

•5d

Go for the Hyundai Venue. With your daily 35km commute in Delhi NCR traffic, comfort and low maintenance are key, and the Venue delivers on both. The 1.2 NA petrol is smooth, refined and easy to drive in stop-start conditions, while Hyundai’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. The HX6T variant also gives you a good balance of features without pushing the budget too far.The Sonet HTK+O is mechanically very similar, but the Venue is a newer model and offers a more spacious cabin. The XUV 3XO is also a good option, but its turbo petrol engine won't be as efficient as the Hyundai’s.Overall, the Venue is the most sensible upgrade from your Grand i10 for daily city use.

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•4d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT. Your priorities are a smooth automatic, good fuel efficiency and a daily 30km commute in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. The Brezza’s 6-speed torque converter automatic is the best fit for this usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to stop-start conditions, and the naturally aspirated petrol engine is efficient and easy to live with. Maruti’s service reach and low maintenance costs add to the ownership peace of mind.The Sonet and Venue DCTs are good cars, but the DCT gearbox is not ideal for heavy traffic. It can feel jerky at low speeds.Alternatively, if you can arrange for home charging, the Tata Punch EV is an excellent option.

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