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•46w

I want to buy a new car with a budget of ₹25 lakh. I’m torn between the Tata Safari and the Mahindra XUV700. Many online reviews recommend the XUV700, but I’ve heard a new version is due next year. Is it sensible to buy the XUV700 now? This would be my first SUV; I currently own a Baleno.

•46w

It would be worthwhile to wait for the Mahindra XUV700 facelift, which is coming early next year, as it will be getting a big upgrade, especially in terms of features and tech. It is expected to retain its wide selection of variants, which includes 5-, 6- and 7-seat versions, petrol and diesel, manual and automatic, as well as 2WD and AWD.

In your budget, you should be able to find something in the middle of the range. This is a big reason why it is preferred over the Tata Safari, which currently only comes in 6- and 7-seat guises, and only with a diesel engine, and is a little more expensive than the Mahindra, spec for spec. The Tata Safari price starts at Rs 13.40 lakh for the base Smart variant (ex-showroom).

However, the Tata Safari petrol version is due for a launch in December 2025, with a 170hp, 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, which should provide more choice to buyers, and could be worth considering. However, there will still be no AWD version.

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•5d

Hi, kindly advise me on choosing between the Tata Safari and the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. My annual driving is around 25,000 to 30,000 km, with a mix of city and highway travel. I am not interested in a hybrid or an electric vehicle. Which of these two SUVs would be the better choice for my usage? Please advise. Thanks in advance.

•3d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. At 25,000- 30,000 km a year, you’ll spend a lot of hours behind the wheel, and that’s where the Mahindra pulls ahead. Its 2.2 diesel is noticeably stronger than the Tata Safari’s diesel, so overtaking on the highway takes far less effort. It’s also more refined. The Safari’s diesel gets gruff, especially at low speeds in town. The 7XO’s ride is excellent too, soft over bad roads and flat and composed at high speed. If you ever drive on poor roads or in the hills, it also offers all-wheel drive on the top versions, which the Safari doesn’t.The one area where the Safari wins is the third row. It’s easier to get into and roomier, while the 7XO’s last row really only suits kids or short trips. So if you’ll regularly fill all seven seats with adults, the Safari deserves a serious look.Otherwise, the 7XO is the better car to live with every day.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•5d

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

•5d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

Kia Seltos

Tata Safari

•1d

New Glanza gets more features, but Toyota has also replaced its old 4-cylinder petrol engine with a 3-cylinders. Would you still pick the Glanza over the Baleno?

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•1w

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

•1w

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

•4d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Nissan Tekton

•1w

I’ve almost finalised the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, and I really like the car. However, I’m a little worried about Skoda’s long-term service and maintenance costs, especially after the warranty period. I’m planning to keep the car for around 7–8 years. Would you recommend taking the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) along with the car? Is it worth the additional cost considering regular servicing and potential maintenance expenses? Also, compared with the Brezza and Nexon, how is the Kylaq Signature Automatic in terms of long-term reliability, service costs and parts replacement? Would really appreciate your advice before I make the final purchase decision.

•4d

If you like the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, go ahead and buy it. It is a genuinely good car and one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven combination, and Skoda’s reliability has improved significantly in recent years. The bigger concern is not reliability but long-term maintenance costs, which can be higher than Maruti or Tata once the car is out of warranty.This is where the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) makes sense. It locks in your service costs for the first 4-5 years, covers all scheduled maintenance and gives you peace of mind during the most expensive ownership period. If you are planning to keep the car for 7-8 years, it is worth the additional cost because it protects you from unexpected bills and helps you budget ownership costs more accurately.Compared to the Brezza and Nexon, the Kylaq is the better driver’s car with a more engaging driving experience and a stronger engine. The Brezza is the benchmark for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, while the Nexon sits somewhere in between. The Kylaq is not unreliable, but parts and service can be more expensive once you are out of warranty.If you are buying the Kylaq, take the SMP and enjoy the car. If long-term ownership costs are your absolute priority, the Brezza is the safer financial choice.

Skoda Kylaq

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