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Ron

•5w

I am planning to buy my first car with a budget of Rs 15 lakh, extendable up to Rs 18 lakh on-road in Bangalore. I am looking for an automatic SUV that is easy for a new driver, as my wife will also be driving. We are a family of three with a baby, occasionally five with parents, so safety, rear-seat comfort and child-seat space are important. Most of the driving will be in the city with occasional trips to Kerala, so I prefer a stable SUV with good suspension as my mother and I experience motion sickness. ADAS features are also preferred. I’ve been driving for 15 years and work in the automotive industry with a luxury brand, so I prioritise comfort and safety features over mileage. I have test-driven the Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra 3XO, and the 3XO felt more feature-rich with ADAS and better rear-seat space. I also considered the Tata Nexon and Kia Sonet, but the 3XO seemed a better value. Given the concerns about Tata and Mahindra reliability and service, is the Mahindra 3XO a reliable choice, or should I consider other automatic SUVs within this budget?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•3w

Since you prioritise comfort and safety over mileage, the Mahindra XUV 3XO will suit you and your family very well. All the engine options of the 3XO aren't as efficient as their equivalent competitors, as they are tuned more for strong performance than efficiency. But given your priorities, you will love the fact that the rear seat is very wide and spacious. This will come in handy when travelling with your two parents and your child in a child seat, which is how your child should always travel. 

The rear seats are really a class highlight with enough knee room, too. It's also a comfortable car to drive and has adjustable steering modes which alter the weight or steering effort, which in its lightest setting is very light and easy. Also, as you have observed, the XUV3XO is well equipped, and the camera and radar-based ADAS system works well in our conditions. Though as a recommendation, we would keep it off in the city if you notice it is too sensitive to crowded and chaotic streets, and only leave it on, when driving on highways.  

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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Mahindra XUV 3XO

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹8.66 Lakh

RO

Ron

•3w

but i hear complaints about mahindra selling old vehicles etc. is it a genuine concern or is it just odd cases?

More questions on similar cars

SM

SRI MOHAN

•1w

I am confused between the Tata Punch Pure Plus 5-speed manual and the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX1 petrol 1.2L turbo manual. Please suggest which one is better for a middle-class buyer like me.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•22h

It really comes down to what you want. Both these cars come from different segments, as the Mahindra XUV 3XO sits above the Tata Punch, so they are not direct rivals.If you are looking for more convenience and everyday features like an infotainment system and a reversing camera, the Punch will make more sense. It is also a better option if this is your first car, because its compact dimensions make it easier to drive and park in tight spaces. In fact, despite being smaller, the Punch also has a more usable boot for regular needs.The 3XO, on the other hand, is the better choice if you have a larger family. It has a more spacious cabin, which makes it more comfortable for more passengers. It also gets a much more powerful turbo petrol engine, which makes it far more capable for highway drives and overtakes.

VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleTata Punch
AK

Abhilash K

•3d

I am looking for an automatic car. It will be driven mostly in Trivandrum city and will do a monthly long drive of 500km. Please suggest a good option between 10-12 lakh, on-road in Trivandrum.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•58m

Since most of your driving is in the city, a torque-converter automatic would be a good choice. With that in mind, there are several options in your price range, but the Fronx and the XUV 3XO stand out.The Maruti Suzuki Fronx with the Boosterjet engine offers decent performance and is responsive at low speeds, thanks in part to the mild-hybrid system’s ISG motor, which also helps improve fuel efficiency. The 6-speed Aisin-sourced automatic is very smooth in operation and reliable. Cabin space and overall comfort are good, and highway stability will feel reassuring on your longer trips.Similarly, the Mahindra XUV 3XO with the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine offers good performance and a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic. It offers a spacious and plush cabin that can comfortably accommodate five passengers. The suspension is comfortable and has a robust feel. Before you decide, take a test drive of both cars.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
IB

Indranil Basu

•1d

I currently own a Maruti Suzuki S-Presso VXi. While I like its compact size and ground clearance, I now feel the need for a proper 5-seater car. My driving includes about 200 km per month within Bangalore city and around 4,000 km of long-distance travel annually. Could you suggest an automatic car with good ground clearance, a high seating position, and a comfortable rear seat for three passengers?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•20h

Check out the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. It has a relatively compact sub-four-metre footprint, but still manages to be spacious for five adults, thanks to its boxy and tall design. This design also affords it a tall seating position, and visibility is great all around. And since you're already in the Maruti Suzuki ecosystem, it will be an easy transition, and you could even ask them for a loyalty bonus. The Brezza's 1.5-litre petrol is not exceptionally powerful, but it is sufficient, and its 6-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and seamless with its shifts. The best part, however, is that it's incredibly fuel-efficient, which should make your annual long drives a little easier on the pocket. Ground clearance is a substantial 198mm, and the suspension is well-tuned for comfort and stability. Another alternative is the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which also has a wide second row bench and strong petrol and diesel engines as well. But its driving position isn't as tall, and it isn't particularly fuel efficient.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO

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Posted on: 5 Mar 2026