Autocar India
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Nitesh Harmalkar

•22w

Hi, I’m planning to buy a new SUV. My daily running is about 50 km. Should I choose an EV, petrol, or diesel? I’ve shortlisted the Harrier EV, Mahindra XEV9S, the upcoming Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel, and the Tata Sierra petrol. Please help me decide.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•22w

An EV will surely offer a smooth driving experience with the lowest running cost. However, it does have its challenges when it comes to long-distance trips. The charging infrastructure needed for a hassle-free road trip is not yet in place, and therefore, if you choose to take your SUV on a long-distance trip, it will require a lot of planning. 

Considering your 50km running, a petrol SUV will do the job well, and in that case, the new Tata Sierra is a good option. It has a strong road presence, a strong petrol engine and a roomy cabin with a lengthy feature list as well. Unlike the XUV 7XO, it isn't a 7-seater. So if you don't need the third row, the Sierra is a good option to consider. 

Tata Sierra

Tata Sierra

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Tata Sierra

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from ₹15.32 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

RR

Rahul Rajbhoj

•1w

My weekday driving is around 120 km in the city, with occasional highway trips of 20-50 km. My budget is ₹10-17 lakh. I do not like naturally aspirated engines and am worried about DPF-related issues if I go for a diesel, even though I liked the Seltos Diesel AT. The Kylaq and Duster felt a little cramped to me. My priorities are safety, good ergonomics, and a fun-to-drive experience. Please suggest a good car. I am 6 feet tall.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•2d

With a long city commute, some short highway runs, a Rs.10-17 lakh cap and a clear dislike for non‑turbo motors, the Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo petrol automatic suits you best. It gives you the strong low‑speed pull you want without any diesel DPF worries in stop‑go traffic. The front seats, steering reach and height make it easy for a 6‑foot driver to get comfy, and the cabin feels roomier than the Kylaq and Duster you found tight. It is also one of the nicer cars to drive in this price range, with direct steering and a calm, stable feel at speed, and it packs the safety features you’d expect.One thing to note: the DCT can hesitate a bit at slow speed. If that is an issue then consider the Sierra turbo petrol AT. It is also one of the roomiest in class so you should find it comfortable. Overall for your needs, the Seltos is a good fit.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleRenault Duster
VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleTata Sierra
SU

Sukumar

•6h

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car, as my monthly running is around 3,000 km, with approximately 80% highway driving and 20% city/rural road usage. I am currently considering the following options: Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 Topline Manual Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 Diesel Kia Seltos HTK(O) Diesel Manual Could you please suggest which of these would be the best option?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•38m

Given 3,000 km a month with 80% highway and some rough rural stretches, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7T diesel fits your use best. It feels steady at speed and soaks up broken patches well, which helps on long runs and village roads. The diesel has a strong pull, so overtaking needs less effort even with family and luggage. You also get more space and a higher driving position than either of the other cars, which makes it more practical and easier to drive.Two things to note: it is big in traffic and tight parking, and in the city it will use a more fuel than the smaller Kia. If you want something easier to manage daily, the Kia Seltos HTK(O) diesel MT is the smarter second choice. It’s lighter to drive and still stable on the highway, but you will feel bumps more than in the Mahindra, and rear space is smaller.The Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 Topline MT is nice to drive, but for this much highway running, the petrol will cost more to run and needs more gear changes for quick passes. Overall, pick the XUV 7XO diesel for your usage.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
JD

JAYVIRSINH DEOL

•4d

I want to buy a new car, and my daily commute is around 60-70 km. I am considering the XUV 7XO, Thar Roxx, and Tata Safari. Which car should I buy?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•5h

With a 60-70 km daily run, comfort, ease in traffic and lower tiredness matter most, so pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO automatic. Its petrol and diesel engines are smooth and quiet, and the Mahindra also rides very comfortably over bad roads. A couple of watch-outs: the third row (if you choose the 7-seater) is best for kids, and the boot with all seats up is small. Also, some features vary by variant, so confirm the exact mix you want.If you travel with six or seven people or do frequent highway trips with the family, the Tata Safari is the better alternative from your list. It's got more flexible seating, allowing you to better balance space across its three rows. As for the Thar Roxx, it has a tough image but is essentially too hardcore for your commute. It will not be as convenient to drive or as comfortable in general as the XUV 7XO or Safari.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleMahindra Thar Roxx
VehicleTata Safari

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Popular discussions right now

SU

Soumith Uppu

•5d

I am looking for a family car and am currently confused between the Tata Punch Accomplished AMT, Maruti Fronx Delta Plus AMT, and Hyundai Exter HX6 AMT. Could you please help me choose the best option?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•4d

It's really hard to suggest a car without knowing a bit more about your requirements, like rear space requirements and the distance driven per month. Thus, as a good all-rounder for a small family, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta Plus AMT fits your brief best. Pick this variant because it gives you the most rear-seat space and a bigger, more useful boot than the other two, so adults sit more comfortably, and you pack more for trips. It also feels light and easy to drive in traffic, and the ride is calm over rough roads, which helps passengers, especially elders or kids.Two things to note: this automatic can feel a bit slow to pick up when you press the accelerator hard, and you will miss a few fancy features that sit on higher trims. If you drive with a full load on steep hills often, you may want to try it once to see if the response suits you.If you value tough build and the best ride on broken roads above all else, the Tata Punch Accomplished AMT is the second choice. It also has a smaller footprint for tight parking and a feature-rich cabin at a price like the Hyundai Exter HX6 AMT, too. Overall, for family comfort and everyday ease, go with the Fronx Delta Plus AMT.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
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VehicleHyundai Exter
AP

AVINASH PARWANI

•5d

I have booked the Kia Seltos turbo DCT. My monthly running is around 900 km, mostly in Chennai traffic. Should I wait for the hybrid version? Is it expected soon? Also, how much price difference can be expected between the turbo-petrol and the hybrid?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•4d

The Kia Seltos hybrid, as well as the new-generation Hyundai Creta with the hybrid tech, are both expected to arrive next year. If you can wait until then, it would be better to do so, as the hybrid would be far more fuel-efficient. As for the price difference, it's hard to pinpoint right now, but expect to pay about Rs. 50,000 extra over a turbo-petrol automatic.Thus, if the wait time and the premium are not ok with you, stick with the Kia Seltos. However, given that you are mostly driving in traffic, remember that a turbo petrol would not be very efficient, and for heavy, slow traffic, the DCT can feel a bit hesitant at crawling speeds and can run warm in long jams. The Seltos with the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol with CVT is better suited to your use, as its smoother in the city, would be more fuel-efficient and would potentially be more reliable too.

VehicleKia Seltos
SS

SS

•4d

My wife and I earn around ₹4.5 lakh per month. We are planning to buy our first car, and we prefer the EMI to be around ₹15,000-₹20,000. What car would you suggest we should buy?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•23h

It really depends on how much down payment you are comfortable putting in, because your EMI target of Rs 15,000 to 20,000 can get you very different cars depending on the loan tenure and upfront payment.That said, for a first car that is easy to drive, safe, comfortable and still feels special, one of the strongest picks today is the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic. Skoda’s official pricing puts the Signature automatic in a range where, with roughly Rs 2.3 down payment and a 7 year loan, your EMI can sit broadly in your target bracket. The turbo petrol engine feels punchy without being intimidating, the torque converter automatic is smooth and fuss free, and the size is just right for a first time buyer.If you want to spend less and prioritise maximum ease of use, the Hyundai i20 IVT is another excellent first car. It is easier to drive than most SUVs, the IVT automatic is extremely smooth in traffic, and ownership is straightforward. You give up the higher seating position of an SUV, but for urban use, it is arguably an even easier first car.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleHyundai i20

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Posted on: 12 Dec 2025