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•46w

I am planning to buy an XUV700 in January. My monthly running is 600-700 km, about 70% in the city. I live in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and I’m confused about the fuel choice. Should I opt for petrol or diesel? Please advise - thanks.

•46w

Considering your monthly running is under 1000km, and most of your driving is in the city, we suggest going for the petrol version of the Mahindra XUV700. While the diesel will be more efficient, it is over a lakh more expensive than the equivalent petrol variant, and with your limited usage, it will take years to recover that cost. Additionally, since around 70 per cent of your driving is in the city, there is a higher chance of facing DPF clogging issues with a diesel engine.

We would also recommend waiting a bit before making the purchase, as the XUV700 facelift is just around the corner. It is expected to come with updated styling, more features and possibly changes to the suspension.

Given your limited city running, you could also consider the soon-to-launch Mahindra XEV 9S, which is a seven-seater. We expect it to be priced slightly higher than the Mahindra XEV 9E five-seater, and it should carry the same battery size, offering a good range. With home charging, its running costs will be much lower than the petrol or diesel XUV700.

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•1d

I drive Kodiaq L&K (2020 model, diesel). I want to sell it and buy another SUV that may not be a 7-seater. My budget is approximately the same. What are my best options? My annual running is approximately 18,000km.

•21h

The Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel AT is the most sensible recommendation. It delivers strong performance, excellent highway manners and overall, it's a refined, sophisticated drive experience. The diesel engine is well suited to your running, and the car loaded with technology and features.If you're open to EVs, you could consider the BYD Sealion 7 Dynamic variant is a solid option at around Rs 45 lakh (on-road). The XEV 9S or XEV 9E are excellent options around Rs 30-35 lakh.JSW will be launching the Chery Jetour T2 based SUV which will be launched in India as JSW Motors Combat based SUV in December. It will be a 5-seater, front-wheel drive plug-in hybrid SUV that's rugged, refined, spacious and is likely to be well-equipped too. If you aren't in a hurry, we'd recommend waiting for this one.Other petrol-powered SUVs in that price range include the Tayron and Kodiaq. But given your 18,000km annual usage, fuel bills will be high by opting for these.

I currently own a Hyundai Verna Turbo DCT, Kia Carens Clavis DCT and Tata Altroz. Now, I am looking to buy an EV for my family, and I am confused between the Mahindra XEV 9e Pack Two 79kWh and the top-spec Tata Harrier EV (if that is what you mean by Tomahawk EV). Which one should I buy? My driving will be a mix of city and highway use, with a total monthly running of around 1,500 km. Peace of mind and hassle-free ownership are my top priorities.

•23h

The Mahindra XEV 9E Pack 2 79kWh would be our pick. With a running of around 1,500 km a month and a mix of city and highway driving, the larger 79kWh battery gives you a clear advantage - its real-world range is better, and its DC fast-charging speeds are quicker, making it more suited for long highway drives. Having been around for a while now, Mahindra has ironed out most software glitches with multiple updates; hence, the XEV 9E seems like the better bet from a peace-of-mind ownership experience perspective.

Mahindra XEV 9e

•2d

Has the introduction of captain seats in the six-seater Mahindra XEV 9S improved rear-seat comfort? Will the new seating layout prevent motion sickness?

•2d

The captain chairs will help a little, but they won’t cure motion sickness, because they don’t change what causes it in the Mahindra XEV 9S. We haven’t tested the six-seater yet, but in our review the 9S’s suspension soaked up bumps and potholes brilliantly. On gently undulating roads, though, it kept moving up and down, and that became more noticeable at speed. That constant bobbing is what tends to make passengers queasy, and the seat layout can’t fix it.What does help is the firmer damping in Race mode, which we found reduces that vertical movement. There’s also a custom mode that pairs the firmer damping with lighter steering and relaxed throttle settings, so you can use it every day. Smooth driving makes a big difference too.

Mahindra XEV 9S

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•1w

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

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Volkswagen Virtus

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•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.

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

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