My budget is up to ₹18 lakh. I have booked a Tata Nexon Petrol DCA (automatic), but it has been over a month, and the showroom still cannot confirm the delivery date. Because of this delay, we are reconsidering our decision. Should I wait for the Nexon DCA, or switch to the manual petrol variant since it is available? Another option is to cancel the booking and buy a used Mahindra Scorpio N or XUV700 within the same budget. This will be our secondary car. We already own a Hyundai Grand i10 Nios automatic. We live in a semi-urban area (not a metro city). Our usage would be around 60% city driving and 40% highway trips. Kindly suggest what would be the most sensible decision.

Autocar India

•7w

If you are in a hurry, you could go with the manual Tata Nexon. As it isn’t your primary car, and city usage will be limited to around 60%, the manual won’t be too inconvenient. That said, while the clutch is relatively light, the shifts are a bit long and vague. The DCA, on the other hand, is smooth and jerk-free in operation and will be far more convenient in the city.

The Mahindra Scorpio N and XUV700 are both good options, but they are quite different from the Nexon. The Scorpio is a ladder-frame SUV with a rugged feel, but also a bouncy ride. The XUV700 is more comfortable than the Scorpio, but in petrol guise, it can be quite thirsty. If you decide to go with a used option, make sure you buy from a trusted source, ideally with a warranty.

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Tata

Nexon

from ₹8.37 Lakh

Mahindra

Scorpio N

from ₹15.64 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Mahesh

•1d

Could you please help me choose the most suitable car within a ₹14 lakh on-road budget? I am currently confused between the Skoda Kushaq facelift, Tata Nexon Creative Plus, and Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5, considering my usage of around 1,000 km per month and the need for a safe, comfortable, and reliable family car for use with two young children?

Autocar India

•12h

With around 1,000 km a month, two young kids and a cap of ₹14 lakh on-road, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 is the one that fits your brief best. It rides comfortably over broken city roads and speed breakers, and the rear seat is more than spacious enough for your kids. Safety is a strong point too, with a solid feel, good driver aids for this price, and mounts to fix child seats in the back. It also fits your budget in a well-equipped trim, so you are not forced into a bare-bones version. A trade-off to note: The boot is not the biggest in this price range, so if you often carry a full-size stroller plus luggage, do a quick fit check. If you prefer a more contemporary looking cabin, the Tata Nexon Creative Plus is your alternative from your list. It offers a slightly roomier boot and a very nice interior, and is easy to drive in the city, but the petrol engine feels a bit less smooth at low speeds and Tata service quality can vary by city. The Skoda Kushaq facelift would be a good pick, but only if you can stretch your budget, as within ₹14 lakh you’ll only get the base manual model, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller. Overall, for your family use and budget, the XUV 3XO AX5 lines up best.

Manish Kulkarni

Which car should I buy if I plan to do road trips across India, including Ladakh, the Spiti circuit, followed by the 7 sisters & South India, with my family? I am looking for a five-seater, preferably diesel or hybrid. I can wait up to six months, until around Diwali. My yearly running will be around 10,000-12,000 km, which consists of 65% highway, 15% ghat roads, and 30% city driving. I live in the Thane suburbs (Dombivli). Good service, support and reliability are very important to me. The options I am considering are: XUV 7XO, Scorpio, Vision S, Thar Roxx, Duster (Hybrid), and Honda Elevate (Hybrid). Should I consider an AWD or 4x4 model, or are there any other options you would recommend?

Autocar India

•17h

From your list, the Mahindra Scorpio N 4x4 diesel is the safest fit for this use. As a five-seater with the last row folded, it offers a large boot, a tough body and proper 4x4 with low range for slush, snow or rocky terrain. It also has strong pulling power on steep hill roads when fully loaded. Mahindra’s wide service network on these routes is an added advantage when you are far from cities.Be aware that the Scorpio N is not as quiet or as comfortable on long highways as softer monocoque SUVs, and in the city, the ride can feel a bit bouncy. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the better road car. It is more comfortable and refined, but for your intended usage, it is not as robust or as versatile as the Scorpio N, especially for tougher terrain in the Himalayas where the Scorpio N’s higher ground clearance and proper 4x4 make a real difference. The same limitation applies to options like the Renault Duster Hybrid and Honda Elevate.As for the Mahindra Thar Roxx, it is less comfortable than the Scorpio N, especially in terms of seating and long-distance usability.

Partha

Hi, I want to buy a large SUV (XUV, Scorpio, Safari) under ₹20 lakh, but I am concerned about petrol mileage. My driving is 40–50 km per day (city + highway), and every 3–4 months I take a 500 km trip. Should I buy a diesel car, and if yes, will it have any impact on the DPF?

Autocar India

•2d

Your 40–50 km daily running, plus periodic 500 km trips, is ideal for a diesel. These engines need consistent use and occasional highway driving to stay healthy, and you are already doing both. Issues with BS6 diesels usually arise only when the car is used for very short city runs or constant crawling traffic without ever getting a proper stretch.The DPF needs heat to clean itself, which happens during steady driving at moderate speeds or higher RPM. Short trips and low speed driving lead to soot build-up, but your usage naturally allows the system to regenerate. It also makes sense to choose diesel in cars like the Mahindra Scorpio N, XUV700 or Tata Safari, as the petrol versions are not very fuel-efficient.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Tata Safari

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