I have a budget of ₹25 lakh, and my daily driving is around 40 km. I am considering buying the Mahindra XUV 7XO, as I want a 7-seater with excellent features and safety. However, I am somewhat concerned about the DEF issue. What should I do?

Autocar India

•1h

For your requirement, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol Renault Duster should be adequate for your usage, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Although we haven’t driven this engine in the Duster yet, we have experienced it in cars like the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite. In those cars, the engine feels peppy and responsive, especially in city conditions.Now, the Duster is a larger and heavier car, so performance will take a slight hit compared to those smaller SUVs. However, for city driving, it should feel more than sufficient, and thanks to the turbo, it will still offer good low-end torque, making it easy to drive in traffic. On the highway, it should be able to keep up with fast-moving traffic comfortably, and overtaking should not feel stressful.That said, we strongly recommend that you test drive the 1.0-litre version before deciding. Since it is a 3-cylinder engine, you may notice some vibration at idle and hard acceleration, something we have experienced in the Kiger and Magnite.If your priority is smoothness and refinement, you can also consider options like the Tata Sierra, Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos, which offer more refined petrol engines. However, in terms of outright punch and torque feel, the turbo Duster will still feel stronger.

Renault Kiger

Renault Duster

Nissan Magnite

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

•2h

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.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•2h

Go for the Kia Seltos 1.5T iMT HTE(O). For 70% Bangalore city use and 30% highway runs, it blends strong turbo performance with clutchless convenience, 6 airbags, and practical space.With 70/30 city-highway, the 6‑speed iMT suits Bengaluru traffic by removing the clutch while keeping manual control for open‑road stretches, and the turbo’s strong mid‑range helps quick gaps and overtakes, especially on the highway and open stretches. You do need to get used to the iMT, of course, and remember that it's not a very quick shifter, so you can't rush through shifts. That aside, it works very well, especially in normal, relaxed driving conditions.The one thing you give up is a true automatic. You still shift gears yourself, which can feel tiring in prolonged 5-10 kph bumper‑to‑bumper crawls. Thus, if you want a fully automatic car, without the hassle of even shifting gears, consider the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre Seltos that's coupled to a CVT or IVT in Kia speak.The engine and gearbox combo is quite smooth, and for everyday driving, it does really well. You will give up some power compared to the turbo engine, but your real-world efficiency could be higher as a turbo-petrol's efficiency is very sensitive to driving style.

Kia Seltos