Hello sir, I currently own a 2019 Ford EcoSport Thunder Edition diesel (BS4). I want to ask whether I should keep it until the next decade or replace it sooner. My daily running is very low and it will mainly be used for long road trips. If I should replace it, what cars should I consider in the compact SUV segment? Please help. I like its quirks and performance.

Autocar India

•1d

If you plan to regularly travel with 5 passengers, the back seats of both the Maruti Victoris, especially the XUV 3XO, may be a bit tight for the three passengers. The Tata Sierra is one option you could consider, as it has a fantastic back seat that is wide and offers plenty of legroom.The new Kia Seltos is an even better option, as it offers a more powerful base 1.5-litre powertrain than the Sierra and a good back seat, too. If you want to play it safe, the Hyundai Creta is still the favourite among SUV buyers, a proven product with an affordable cost of ownership and good resale value.

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Sierra

Kia Seltos

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Autocar India

•1d

If your usage is relatively low and evenly split between city driving in Pune and occasional highway runs, the TCMPFi engine in the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic should suit you perfectly well.For everyday driving, the MPFi (indirect injection) turbo petrol offers smooth, easy performance that’s more than adequate for both city commutes and relaxed highway cruising. It may not have the outright punch of the TGDi, but in real-world conditions, especially in stop-and-go traffic, it feels progressive and easy to manage. For most drivers, it delivers more than enough performance for overtaking and long trips a few times a year.From a long-term ownership perspective, the TCMPFi is also the simpler engine. With fewer complexities than a direct-injection TGDi unit, it can potentially mean slightly lower maintenance costs and less to worry about over time, particularly if you’re not clocking very high annual kilometres. It’s also usually priced a bit more attractively, which improves overall value.The TGDi makes sense if you really enjoy strong acceleration and want that extra mid-range punch, or if you frequently drive fully loaded on highways. But given your described usage and focus on reliability and ownership costs, the TCMPFi automatic would be the more sensible and well-rounded choice.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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Autocar India

•1d

The Hyundai Venue diesel AT is not a bad option. It's spacious, comfortable, well-equipped and packed with the latest tech. Above all else, it is smooth and surprisingly refined, which bodes well for all driving conditions.However, perhaps its only shortcoming is a lack of punch, which, considering the majority of your driving is on the highway, could be an annoyance. Test drive the Venue diesel AT and see if you find it satisfactory, but an alternative is the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel. It's a far punchier engine, which is great on the highway, and besides that, it has class-leading cabin space and excellent comfort. However, if you're after an automatic, its AMT is nowhere near as smooth as the Venue's AT, so bear that in mind.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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