•1d

I own a Mahindra XUV 3XO MPFi Petrol, and I mainly use it for city driving. However, I'm getting only around 7-8 kmpl in the city. Should I consider installing a CNG kit in the car?

•2m

We wouldn't recommend installing an aftermarket CNG kit on your Mahindra XUV 3XO MPFi Petrol. While it may significantly reduce your running costs, there are a few important compromises to consider. An aftermarket CNG conversion can affect your manufacturer's warranty, reduce boot space and may also impact long-term reliability and refinement if the installation isn't carried out to a very high standard.

We'd be even more cautious when it comes to turbo-petrol engines. Unless the CNG system has been developed and validated by the OEM, we generally don't recommend fitting one. Turbo-petrol engines are more complex to calibrate for CNG, and an aftermarket installation may not deliver the same levels of drivability, performance and reliability as a factory-engineered solution. Tata is one of the few manufacturers currently offering a factory-fitted CNG option with a turbo-petrol engine on the Nexon, and that has been engineered from the outset to work with CNG.

A city's fuel efficiency of 7-8kpl is on the lower side, but if your driving is predominantly in heavy stop-start traffic, it isn't entirely unexpected. Before considering a CNG conversion, we'd recommend getting the car inspected at the service centre to ensure there are no underlying issues. Also check that the tyre pressures are correct and review your driving style, as these can have a noticeable impact on fuel economy.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

More questions on similar cars

•1d

I want to buy a new automatic car in the price range of the top-end Kia Sonet or the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The car will be driven around 7,000 km per year and will be used as a second vehicle. So, an EV may also be worth considering, as I have a solar plant at home. I like premium interiors and prefer a relatively maintenance-free vehicle. I also want good ground clearance to handle potholes. What would you suggest? Should I stick to sub-4-metre SUVs, or should I also consider larger options?

•1d

Your annual running of just 7,000km, the fact that this will be a second car, and having a solar plant at home make an EV a very compelling proposition. You'll enjoy extremely low running costs, quiet performance and the convenience of charging at home.Our top recommendation would be the MG Windsor EV. It is priced similarly to the top variants of the Sonet and 3XO, but offers a much more spacious cabin and a greater sense of space inside. It also feels more premium than its price suggests and is an excellent family car.The Tata Nexon EV is another excellent option. It offers good ground clearance, strong performance, a proven electric powertrain and a wide service network. If you prefer the more traditional SUV stance and slightly better rough-road ability, it remains a very sensible choice.If you decide to stay with a petrol automatic, we'd lean towards the Mahindra 3XO over the Kia Sonet. The 3XO offers a more spacious cabin, stronger safety credentials and a more comfortable ride, while the Sonet counters with a richer feature list and a more premium-looking interior.

I want to buy a 5-star safety-rated car with a panoramic sunroof that I can use for the next 10 years, with a budget of under Rs. 14 lakh. Which car would you recommend for me?

•1d

Three cars come to mind that meet your requirements of a 5-star crash test rating and panoramic sunroof in a budget of Rs 14 lakh - the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Kia Syros. However, within your budget, you will have to settle for mid-range variants of all three. In terms of long-term ownership, Kia has been known to offer a better after-sales and service experience than Tata or Mahindra, which is worth keeping in mind as you're keeping the car for 10 years. The Syros is also the most spacious for both passengers and luggage, has the highest-quality interior and the most modern tech of the three. That being said, its firm suspension gives it the bumpiest ride and its engine, though refined, doesn't feel as punchy as the others. Between the Nexon and the XUV 3XO, the Mahindra is the better all-rounder, with more cabin space, a smoother, more powerful engine and better refinement. Overall, however, we think the Syros will be the better option for you.

My annual running is about 5,000 km, and I plan to keep my next car for 10 years. I am confused between Elevate, Creta, Seltos Victoris and 3XO. My priorities are reliability, a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, family comfort, low maintenance and long-term ownership. I am also concerned about India's future ethanol-blending policy (E20 and higher blends). Which of these would be the best long-term choice and why?

•2d

With an annual running of just 5,000km, fuel efficiency shouldn't be the deciding factor. Instead, you should prioritise comfort, reliability, ease of ownership and how well the car will age over the next 10 years. That's why we wouldn't prioritise the Victoris Hybrid. While it is an excellent strong hybrid, the price premium will be difficult to justify with such low annual running.Between the remaining options, the Seltos strikes the best balance. It offers a refined and proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a spacious and premium cabin, excellent comfort and a strong ownership experience. It also feels newer and more upmarket than the Elevate and 3XO, while the current Creta is due for a generational update sooner.The Honda Elevate deserves a mention for its simplicity and reliability. If absolute mechanical simplicity is your priority, it is arguably the safest long-term bet. However, it doesn't feel as premium as the Seltos, and the engine and CVT combination isn't quite as refined.As for ethanol blending, we wouldn't let it influence your purchase decision. While there is plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and E30 fuels, there is currently no confirmed roadmap for such a transition. More importantly, all of these cars are E20 compliant, and manufacturers have engineered a degree of tolerance beyond that. The most likely effect of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.

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Popular discussions right now

•3d

I am planning to buy an SUV and prefer the German twins Škoda and Volkswagen. Which one is better? Also, how significant is the DSG issue in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NCR region? This will be my fourth car, so I want to try a German brand.

•1d

Between the German twins, the choice largely comes down to personal preference, as they share the same engines, gearboxes and underpinnings. We slightly prefer the Kushaq for its cleaner design, excellent ride and handling balance and overall value proposition.As for the DSG, it isn't as big a concern as it once was. The current DSGs are far more robust than the earlier units, but if your driving is predominantly in bumper-to-bumper NCR traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the smoother and more relaxed option over the long term. If you want to stay with a German SUV but avoid the DSG altogether, the 1.0 TSI automatic in the Kushaq and Taigun now comes with an 8-speed Aisin torque-converter, which is smooth, refined and better suited to heavy city traffic.Coming from the S-Cross Petrol, you'll notice a significant step up in performance, cabin quality, safety and driving dynamics with either car.

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•1w

Hi, I have a budget of Rs. 40 lakh and am confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O), and the Toyota Fortuner Petrol. I am 28 years old and want a car that is fun to drive but also comfortable for my family. My driving will be split 80:20 between on-road and off-road use.

•3d

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

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•3d

I have a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, and I am extremely satisfied with its mileage (900-1000 km from 45 liters). However, I am losing the joy of driving. I migrated to this car after owning a Swift Dzire Diesel and an XL6. The mismatch between engine revs and acceleration is becoming unpleasant. Overtaking feels riskier, and even the brakes feel spongy. I have experienced a few unpleasant situations because of this. As a result, I have reduced my overall speed, making the safety of my family a bigger priority. But the driver in me is unhappy. Should I upgrade to the Duster Hybrid, the Hycross Hybrid, or the newly launched Sierra EV? Also, do diesel engines still make sense today?

•2d

From what you've described, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has impressed you with its efficiency but left you wanting more from behind the wheel. If driving enjoyment is back on your priority list, the Duster Hybrid looks like the most natural upgrade. It is expected to offer a much more engaging driving experience while retaining the fuel efficiency benefits of a strong hybrid.The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid will certainly improve on comfort, refinement and performance, but it won't fundamentally change the character you're looking for. It is still geared towards relaxed family motoring rather than enthusiastic driving.The Tata Sierra EV is an interesting option and has now been launched. It promises strong performance, a premium cabin and a spacious interior. However, if the "driver in you" misses the involvement and confidence of your earlier diesel cars, we'd still wait to experience how the Duster Hybrid drives before making a decision.As for diesels, we don't think they should be ruled out altogether. With the right usage, they continue to make sense. However, given your appreciation for the fuel economy of your Grand Vitara and the direction the market is heading, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid rather than going back to diesel.

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