My average monthly running is about 600-650km in Delhi. I go for road trips to the hills/plains once every 2-3 months. I am 62 years old and healthy. To date, I have not owned any automatic transmission car despite driving for more than 35 years. Would you suggest that I go for an automatic this time, and why so?

Autocar India

•9h

Pick the Maruti Wagon R AMT. For elderly parents it’s the easiest to get in and out of, thanks to the tall seat and wide doors, and its boot is the biggest in your Rs. 6-7 lakh band, so weekend luggage is no fuss. The automatic is an AMT or automated manual transmission, which is not as smooth and seamless as other types of automatics but as as far as AMT's go it does the job quite well, plus it delivers a very good mileage. Just know it feels light and a bit bouncy at higher highway speeds, so keep cruising sensible. If he wants something that feels tougher on the highway, the Tata Tiago AMT is the next best fit. It rides better and feels more solid, but the seat is a bit lower and the boot is smaller than the Wagon R.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Tata Tiago

Autocar India

•9h

At this budget and with these options, there are many directions you could go, all of which have some distinct advantage. The easiest one is the Mercedes-Benz GLS, which offers maximum space for your money, including a third row of seats. It offers the choice of smooth six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, and Mercedes has the widest sales and service network of all these brands, so you're in good hands. Do note that, of these SUVs, this is the most common, and its large size can make it cumbersome to drive around town.The Land Rover Defender could be seen as the best value for money, and the one that offers the most variety, including four- and six- cylinder engines, and various body styles and seating configurations. With a slight stretch in budget, you can even get a supercharged V8 engine, which is incredibly characterful. However, quality in the Defender isn't quite as good as the rest, including its own sibling, the Range Rover Sport.The Sport will push your budget, and even then, it offers a 6-cylinder petrol or diesel in a single HSE trim. However, it is the most rounded offering, mixing sumptuous luxury with good dynamics and characterful engines, not to mention excellent badge value. If you can stretch your budget slightly, this is the one to get.The Porsche Cayenne is the one to choose only if you put driving above all else on your priority list. It is exciting from behind the wheel and is a high-quality, solidly engineered product that also has great badge value. However, its performance focus means it's not as comfortable or easy to drive at low speeds, and many seemingly basic features are optional extras, which means it too will push the limits of your budget.Overall, the Range Rover Sport is the best bet for you, or if you want a bit more space, the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Land Rover Defender

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Porsche Cayenne

Autocar India

•10h

Pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 petrol manual. Your driving is mostly highway and you plan to keep it 10-12 years, and this one feels the most relaxed and secure at speed, with a comfy second row and a big, usable boot when the third row is folded. The performance, refinement and reliability of the engine is also very good but the only downside is a low fuel economy, single digits or low double digit figures if you are careful. But since your driving is low this should not be a big issue. The XUV 7XO is E20-ready, as are the others, so your ethanol worry for the next decade is largely covered. If blends rise beyond E20 later, expect a small drop in economy across all petrol rather than a single clear loser. Between the rest, the Tata Safari would be an option, as it too offers a very good ride quality and stability at speed is good. The third row is also more comfortable but this would not be an advantage for you given that it would remain a luggage area only. As for the Scorpio N, it is tough but heavy and bouncy on long highway runs and noticeably thirstier; it suits rough roads more than long fast cruises. The Alcazar is easier to drive in the city and will use less fuel, but it is narrower, and it does not feel as planted or as reassuring as the Mahindra or the Tata on long highways.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

Mahindra Scorpio N

Hyundai Alcazar