Autocar India
SA

sami ali

•3d

Dear Autocar, I have an XUV700 AX7 diesel manual. Being an enthusiast and someone who loves driving a manual, I chose not to go for the automatic variant. During the test drive as well, I found the manual smoother than the automatic. However, I have now started to dislike the hard and long clutch pedal of the XUV700. Even the service centres deny the clutch hardness by saying it is a diesel characteristic. The clutch ergonomics are also uncomfortable. The footrest aligns with my body posture, but to press the clutch, I have to twist my leg to the right, which causes knee pain in traffic. Overall, I am fed up with the manual due to the hard clutch and want to switch to an automatic. With the updated XUV 7XO and the electric XEV 9S now available, I need guidance on whether upgrading now is a good decision or if I should wait a few years considering resale loss. Also, should I go for the 7XO or explore an EV like the 9S? For context, I have owned the first- and second-gen Swift before moving to the XUV700, and I absolutely love driving it. I have been using diesel engines for the past 11 years. My office commute is a 60km round trip twice a week, and my monthly running is around 800-1,000 km.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•3m
Choose the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic in AX7 trim. It fixes your clutch pain issue while keeping the same strong pull and solid feel you like about your XUV 700. With your 800-1000km a month and some highway use, the diesel automatic suits you well. The automatic is a lot easier to drive in heavy traffic, and the gearbox is very smooth-shifting. You already like how the XUV 700 drives, and the 7XO builds on that, adds more features, and brings a much-improved ride quality with the new Da Vinci suspension.
If you are keen on going for an electric car and can fit a charger at home, the Mahindra XEV 9S is a good option, though your longer trips will need some planning. For your use case, the XUV 7XO remains the better fit. Given that the knee pain is significantly impacting how you use and enjoy your XUV, you are better off trading it in now rather than waiting a couple of years, as your current car will only depreciate further.
During the test drive, spend 15 minutes in slow, stop-and-go traffic and drive over a bad patch to feel the improved suspension.
Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹15.87 Lakh

Mahindra XEV 9S

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XEV 9S

from ₹21.10 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

RP

Rohit P

•1w

I am planning to upgrade from my 2017 Honda City diesel, which is now over nine years old. I am looking for a 7-seater, although it will mostly be used as a 5-seater, with occasional requirements to carry 6-7 passengers. The car will primarily be used in Gurgaon for city driving, along with highway trips on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway for going to Kota, Rajasthan. My key requirements include good comfort for five passengers, a usable third row when needed, and a preference for an automatic transmission. My budget is around ₹26 lakh. At present, I am inclined towards the Tata Safari Petrol AT (Accomplished X). However, my main concern is the drop in mileage and the resulting increase in running costs. My current Honda City delivers around 23 kpl on highways and about 15 kpl in the city, whereas I expect the Safari petrol automatic to return roughly 12 kpl on highways and about 9 kpl in city conditions. This translates to a significant 40-50% drop in fuel efficiency, leading to noticeably higher fuel expenses. My monthly usage is approximately 800 km, split evenly between city and highway driving. While fuel efficiency is an important factor, it is not the only deciding criterion. I have considered diesel options but ruled them out due to my usage pattern, as the car may remain unused for weeks at a time and may not see highway runs for two to three months, which could lead to DPF-related issues. I have also evaluated the Mahindra XUV700 AX7 AT in both petrol and diesel forms. The petrol variant still has relatively low mileage, while the diesel brings back the same DPF concerns. Additionally, the third row in the XUV700 is not very practical due to tight headroom and limited knee room. The second row does not slide, which makes access more difficult. I briefly considered the Carens Clavis as well, but it appears to offer lower safety compared to the other options.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•2d

Pick the Tata Safari petrol. It meets most of your requirements, though fuel consumption will be high, particularly in the city. As a daily car, it is easy to drive, has light steering and a smooth automatic transmission, and runs well on bad roads. The second row slides, so you can share space with the third row when you have 6 or 7 on board, and getting in and out is easier than in the Mahindra XUV 7XO. On the highway, it feels steady and quiet.If fuel efficiency is a big concern, consider the Kia Carens Clavis with turbo petrol DCT combo. It will be slightly more efficient than Safari, and the third row is even more comfortable. In terms of safety, it has a comprehensive safety suite but it hasn't yet been tested by BNCAP.On the test drive, take the Safari on the highway and check the stability and overtaking performance.

VehicleTata Safari
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleKia Carens Clavis
DS

Darpan Shah

•1d

Hello, I am looking for a family car that is also good for highway use. The car will be used for approximately 1,000 km per month, mainly for long drives over the weekends. My budget is around 25-30 lakh, and I would prefer a car with captain seats in the second row and ample boot space, as I have a young child and we usually carry a lot of luggage. Highway safety is a priority.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•2h

We would recommend opting for the Kia Carens Clavis based on your requirements. The Carens is designed with family use in mind, offering comfortable captain seats and a usable third row when needed. With the third row folded, it provides a large luggage bay, which is one of your key requirements. It is easy to drive, comfortable over long distances and works very well for weekend highway trips with a young child.If you want a more rugged SUV feel with stronger highway performance, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It comes with a more powerful diesel engine and feels stronger and more effortless at highway speeds, especially when fully loaded. However, the third row is best suited for occasional use, and overall practicality is not as good as the Carens for a family setup.Similarly, the Tata Safari diesel automatic is a strong alternative if safety and ride comfort are top priorities. It feels robust, handles bad roads very well and has a more accommodating third row than the Mahindra. But like the XUV 7XO, it is not as flexible as the Clavis for carrying passengers and luggage together.The Toyota Innova HyCross remains the most comfortable and refined option overall, but the captain seat variants typically stretch beyond your budget once on-road costs are considered.

VehicleKia Carens Clavis
VehicleTata Safari
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
AB

Abhi

•1d

I currently own a 2017 Maruti Ciaz diesel, which has been very reliable and has covered around 99,000 km, including several long trips across states. I am now planning to upgrade to a new car within a budget of ₹20-25 lakh. However, I am concerned about switching to petrol, as my previous experience with a petrol car (Chevrolet Beat) resulted in higher fuel consumption. That said, I value good mileage, reliability, and easy availability of spare parts. I like options such as Volkswagen and the new Renault Duster, but both are petrol-only. Given my priorities, which car would you recommend?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•18h

Go for a diesel SUV in your case, but also consider a strong hybrid as a serious alternative. With your history of long-distance driving and ownership of a diesel like the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, you are clearly used to the strengths of a diesel: strong low-end torque, relaxed highway cruising and good real-world efficiency. At a Rs 20-25 lakh budget, options like the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos diesel will feel like natural upgrades, offering more power, space and features while retaining that effortless long-distance ability.However, it is worth noting that new-age diesels are not as dramatically efficient as older ones used to be, mainly due to stricter emission norms and heavier vehicles. While they are still more efficient than petrols, the gap has reduced compared to what you may have experienced with your Ciaz.This is where strong hybrids like the Toyota Innova Hycross and Maruti Grand Vitara come into the picture. They offer a very different ownership experience - smooth, quiet, petrol-like driving with excellent real-world efficiency, where you can expect to get in excess of 20 kpl not only on the highway but in the city as well, and without diesel-related concerns like DPF.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleHyundai Creta
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

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Posted on: 16 Apr 2026