Autocar India

•32m

The Tata Harrier is a good choice for a 5-seater SUV in your budget, and if you have your eye on it, you should go for it. The new petrol engine, though 'just' a 1.5-litre mill, is powerful enough for the big SUV. It doesn't feel as effortless as Mahindra's 2.0-litre petrol in the XUV 7XO but instead delivers its 170hp and 280Nm in a smooth and linear manner.Still, a 10.5-second 0-100kph is far from slow, so there is enough performance on offer. The 6-speed manual is slick enough, but the 6-speed torque converter automatic is our pick, owing to its smoothness, which matches well with the engine's linear nature.And, overall, the Tata Harrier has grown into an accomplished SUV that's spacious and comfortable; although some ergonomic niggles and electronic gaffes do remain.

Tata Harrier

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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Autocar India

•47m

Don't worry, you are fine to have bought your Mahindra XUV700 when you did, and that's for a few reasons. For one, it's a well-sorted, great all-round SUV that you no doubt researched before purchasing, and chose above other SUVs also available in the market.For one, the FTA does not necessarily mean new car brands will come to India. Even without setting up a factory, the cost of entering a new market like India is very high and brands will still have to invest in dealerships, leadership, service network, staff, marketing and much more.Then there are the restrictions of the various FTA deals. The India-US FTA applies only to cars with engines above 3,000cc, while the India-EU FTA applies only to cars above around Rs 16 lakh, and then too the duty reduction will be in phases and slabs, so it's not likely that all cars will get the same reduction.It's also up to the brand whether or not to launch new models here (based on their viability, not just the price) and whether or not to reduce prices of existing imported models - some brands have already said they will not do this.Moreover, all these deals are still in discussion and will be introduced in phased manners, so it will be a few years before they are introduced, and even more years before we get the full benefit. So your decision to buy an XUV 700 now will not be affected.

Mahindra XUV700

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Autocar India

•1h

The MG Hector is a good choice if you’re happy with the way it drives and feels. It’s a size up from the Sierra and offers a wider, more accommodating rear seat. In fact, Hector’s back seat is among the most comfortable in its class. It’s easy to get in and out of, and the soft ride only adds to the sense of comfort. The boot is larger than the Sierra’s too, with a generous 587 litres of space.The Tata Sierra is a good option as well and is nicer to drive, but it is a bit more expensive and not as spacious as the Hector. Yes, the Hector does have a reputation for being a bit of a gas guzzler, but, as you mentioned, since you don’t drive much, it shouldn’t hit your pocket too hard.

MG Hector

Tata Sierra

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Autocar India

•1h

Given your requirements, you should consider the Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG. Since your daily running is around 70km, which is quite high, opting for a CNG car over petrol makes sense as the running costs are lower. The Dzire CNG comes with a 1.2-litre engine paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and has an excellent claimed mileage of 33.73 km/kg.This Maruti car is also spacious, comfortable and has a good ride quality. The compact sedan also comes with features like a 7-inch touchscreen, auto climate control, alloy wheels, 6 airbags, and it has even received a 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP. Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG prices range from Rs 8.03 lakh for the VXI variant to Rs 9.04 lakh for the ZXI variant (ex-showroom).

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

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Autocar India

•2h

The Kia Carens Clavis is a good option to consider for your requirements. It is spacious, has room even in the last row for adults and comes with a diesel engine that will be better in terms of fuel efficiency than a petrol.It is an able highway cruiser and is quite easy to drive in the city too, thanks to its light steering. If you are fine with a manual gearbox, the HTK+ (O) will offer a lot of features like sunroof, wireless charging and cruise control. If it is an automatic that you want, then the HTK+ will fit within your budget. This varinant get a 6-speed torque converter automatic that is smooth to shift.The Clavis also has a comfy ride, and it fares well on broken roads. Ground clearance is plenty, too, and you will not have to worry about speed bumps along the way.

Kia Carens Clavis

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