Autocar India
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Vishnu Kumar N

27w

We are a family of six looking to upgrade from a 2015 Hyundai Grand i10 (petrol). Our budget is ₹23–25 lakh. I’ve shortlisted the Mahindra Scorpio N, Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari but am confused about which to choose and which variant to pick. Please help with a recommendation and suggested variants.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
26w

The Mahindra XUV700 is the best option in this company. It has the most sorted cabin when it comes to ergonomics, features and quality. The powertrain is strong and refined, and it has a very good ride and a spacious cabin as well. The AX7 with an automatic gearbox will be a good choice as you get a refined petrol engine with a smooth-shifting automatic gearbox and a long list of features too. 

Mahindra XUV700

Mahindra XUV700

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Deepak Jain

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I am planning to buy the Honda City facelift that was launched yesterday. How does it compare with the Volkswagen Virtus? I am also assuming that the government will continue supporting E20 fuel even if E85 is introduced in the future. So, is it still safe to buy a petrol vehicle in Delhi/NCR?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
6d

The new City facelift does make a stronger case now because Honda has added genuinely useful features like a larger infotainment screen and ventilated front seats, while pricing has remained fairly sensible. But fundamentally, the character of the car has not changed.Against the VW Virtus, the choice still comes down to personality. The Virtus is the more fun to drive option, especially with the turbo petrol engines, because it feels stronger, more eager and more engaging from behind the wheel. The City, on the other hand, is the more balanced sedan. The 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol is smooth, refined and easy to live with, but if outright performance is your priority, it will not feel as quick as the turbo Virtus. The City hybrid changes that equation because it is genuinely quick and can match the 1.5 TSI for straight line pace, but it is still not what you would call an enthusiast’s car.On the fuel front, yes, it is safe to buy a petrol car in Delhi NCR. Current mainstream petrol cars are already E20 compatible, and even if India eventually pushes toward higher ethanol blends, that transition will be gradual rather than an overnight switch. Beyond a certain point, if the country were to move meaningfully toward very high blends like E85, manufacturers would need proper flex fuel engines engineered for that fuel, and the government would also need to continue offering lower blend fuel options during any transition.

VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleHonda City

Posted on: 23 Nov 2025