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.

Asked by: Akash Agarwal

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.

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.

Tata Safari

Tata Safari

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Autocar India Team

Nov 25, 2025

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Asked by: rohit kothari I am confused between the XEV 9S and the XUV 7XO. My monthly running is around 1,500 km, and I have my own parking space. Please advise. The new Mahindra XEV 9S and upcoming XUV 7XO will be closely related in many ways, sharing their body panels, interior layout and features. However, the two will be very different under the skin, with the 9S coming built on Mahindra's new-age INGLO electric architecture.If the majority of your usage will be in the city and you have the option to install an EV charger in your parking, the Mahindra XEV 9S would make more sense. For starters, running costs will be significantly lower than the petrol/diesel XUV 7XO, and there's also the other advantages you get on an EV - near silent running and supremely smooth performance. What's more, with the benefits available on EVs, the final price will not be much more than a comparable Mahindra XUV 7XO.The 7XO promises to build on the XUV 700's strengths by adding more features like a three-screen layout. The petrol and diesel engines will be carried forward from the XUV 700, but that's no bad thing because they are powerful and refined. That said, consider the XUV 7XO only if you undertake long-distance journeys frequently, where the lack of reliable public EV chargers can play spoilsport.

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Asked by: SUKETU G PATEL I want to buy a car with a budget of Rs 16 to 17 lakh. My yearly running is around 6,000 to 7,000 km, but I am a driving enthusiast and enjoy driving. Please suggest a suitable car. Since you are an auto enthusiast and love to drive, we would recommend you look at a sedan car like the Skoda Slavia or the Volkswagen Virtus. They are both essentially the same car, built on the same platform or near identical in terms of drive feel.For your budget of 16-17 lakh, you will get the smaller 1.0 litre TSi engine, and you will notice turbo lag; however, past that, the performance is lively enough, and the engine is quite rev-happy.If you can stretch your budget a bit, opt for the larger 1.5-litre TSI engine. It delivers a very sprightly drive. Beyond the engine, both cars have a superb ride and handling balance.

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Asked by: Akshay Patil Hi team, my monthly driving is around 1,000 km. I want to buy a diesel car, and my budget is Rs 17 lakh. Please help me select the right vehicle. I am open to both manual and automatic options. There are quite a few diesel-manual options available within your budget. You could go for a smaller but more feature-equipped vehicle or a larger, more powerful but less-equipped vehicle. Of the smaller vehicles within your budget, the Kia Sonet, Kia Syros, Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV 3XO should be on your shortlist. Among the larger vehicles, the Hyundai Creta and Mahindra XUV700 are worth a look. As for automatic gearbox options, the best pick would be the Kia Sonet diesel GTX+ AT. The refined 1.5-litre diesel engine and smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission work really well together to deliver a premium driving experience. Hyundai also offers the same combo on the new Venue, though you'll need to up your budget to get a feature-equipped model.

Autocar India Team

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