Mumbai

•5w

Following my previous question about replacing my Tata Hexa, which has covered 1.25 lakh km, with a new SUV or MPV within a budget of Rs. 35 lakh and for a daily commute of around 85 km, I test-drove both the Tata Safari and the Toyota Hycross. However, I found both to be lacking in power. Could you suggest some other suitable options? I am also open to considering 5-seater SUVs, although a diesel remains my preference. Additionally, would the Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel be a good choice for my requirements? If so, which variant would you recommend?

•4w

Given your daily 85 km commute and the fact that you're coming from a Tata Hexa, a diesel car still makes the most sense. The Toyota Innova Hycross is a petrol-hybrid MPV, so it was never going to feel as powerful as a diesel. The Tata Safari, while offering good torque, isn't the most responsive diesel SUV in its segment.

The Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel is the option we would recommend. It is one of the most powerful diesel SUVs in its segment, with strong mid-range performance and a genuinely engaging driving experience. It also strikes a good balance between comfort, space, and features, making it a well-rounded replacement for the Hexa. As for the XUV 7XO variants, the AX7 is the sweet spot, offering most of the key features without pushing the price too close to your Rs. 35 lakh budget.

Explore cars mentioned

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹22.07 Lakh

Tata

Safari

from ₹15.82 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.51 Lakh

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•19h

I am planning to upgrade to an SUV, preferably Tata Harrier. My driving is very less within city and more on highways. Please suggest.

•14h

The Tata Harrier is a very good choice for your usage. With predominantly highway driving, the Harrier’s strengths really come to the fore. The diesel engine is strong and relaxed at cruising speeds, and the car feels planted and stable on long runs. The ride quality is also excellent, soaking up bad patches and undulations with ease, which makes it a comfortable long-distance companion.The only thing to be aware of is that Tata’s ownership experience can be a bit inconsistent depending on the service centre, so check the dealers out in your area as Tata Motors are making many improvements with their service. If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering as well. It offers a more powerful diesel engine and is very well equipped.

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•3d

Hi, I used to drive the 2.0-litre diesel Jetta, but had to sell it after six years due to recurring repair issues. I then switched to a Creta 1.4 Turbo automatic. Now I’m looking to buy a new car that is powerful, with strong torque and bhp, safe, and reasonably spacious. I’m not too concerned about the fuel type or fancy features. What I really want is something that can give me the same adrenaline rush that the Jetta did.

•1d

Go for the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG. Coming from a Jetta, you will appreciate the strong mid-range punch, quick-shifting DSG and the overall driver-focused character. The Kushaq is one of the most engaging SUVs in its segment, with a well-sorted chassis and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. It also offers good safety credentials and decent cabin space for a family. If you want something larger with more space and a similar driving focus, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is worth considering, but the Kushaq is the closest modern equivalent to the Jetta in terms of driving feel.

Skoda Kushaq

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•4d

Hi Autocar, I currently own a 2021 Creta SX, but my family members are not comfortable in a 5-seater car. We are therefore looking to buy a new 6/7-seater SUV with a budget of up to Rs 30 lakh. It should have a diesel engine, and I am open to both automatic and manual options. Please recommend a good car within my budget.

•3d

Go for the XUV 7XO diesel automatic. It is the best fit for your requirements. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a spacious 6/7 seater with a comfy third row, a strong 2.0 diesel engine and a well-sorted torque converter automatic gearbox. It is also one of the most feature-rich cars in the segment and offers good value for money. The diesel engine is refined, punchy and well suited to both city and highway driving, while the automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to live with. This Mahindra car also has a good ride quality and a comfortable cabin, which makes it a great family car for long journeys.The Maruti Suzuki Invicto strong hybrid, which is a rebadged Toyota Innova HyCross, is also worth a look if you prioritise fuel efficiency, reliability and long-term ownership, but it is not as feature-rich as the XUV 7XO and doesn't come with a diesel engine option . Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the best all-rounder and the car we would recommend.

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Popular discussions right now

•2d

I have a Tata Nexon Creative AMT that is only a year old, but I have already had to replace the spark plugs four times and the ignition coil once. I am still facing engine misfires and vibrations inside the car. I am honestly fed up with Tata's service, as they have been unable to resolve the issue. I am therefore planning to sell the Nexon and buy a Kia Seltos with a manual transmission this time. My priority was safety earlier, and it remains my top priority. However, I now also want peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience. Would selling the Nexon and switching to the Seltos be a good decision?

•1d

Yes, it is a good decisionYes, it is a good decision to sell the Tata Nexon and move to the Seltos manual. The Nexon is generally a safe and well-engineered car, but if you are facing repeated engine issues and the service centre is unable to resolve them, it is understandable to lose confidence in the ownership experience. The Kia Seltos is a very well-rounded SUV with a strong safety package, a more refined ownership experience and a good service network. The manual transmission is also a good choice if you want to avoid any potential automatic gearbox-related issues. Overall, if peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience are your top priorities, the Seltos is a sensible upgrade.

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•5d

I currently drive a Grand i10 Manual petrol and am now planning to buy a new compact SUV that is comfortable, fuel efficient and has low maintenance. My usage is 35km of daily office commute in Delhi-NCR traffic. Please advice which option is best fit amongst Hyundai Venue HX 6T, SONET HTK+O and XUV 3XO.

•4d

Go for the Hyundai Venue. With your daily 35km commute in Delhi NCR traffic, comfort and low maintenance are key, and the Venue delivers on both. The 1.2 NA petrol is smooth, refined and easy to drive in stop-start conditions, while Hyundai’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. The HX6T variant also gives you a good balance of features without pushing the budget too far.The Sonet HTK+O is mechanically very similar, but the Venue is a newer model and offers a more spacious cabin. The XUV 3XO is also a good option, but its turbo petrol engine won't be as efficient as the Hyundai’s.Overall, the Venue is the most sensible upgrade from your Grand i10 for daily city use.

I am planning to buy a sub-compact SUV. My budget is Rs. 13-14 lakh, and my priorities are a smooth automatic transmission and good mileage. I am considering the Brezza ZXi AT, Sonet HXT DCT, and Venue HX6 DCT. I am very confused because the Brezza’s torque-converter automatic offers good fuel efficiency but lacks some features, while the Sonet and Venue offer all the features I need. However, I am concerned that the DCT may be less fuel-efficient and could involve higher maintenance costs. My daily commute is around 30 km, mostly in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. Please suggest which one would be the best choice for my requirements.

•3d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT. Your priorities are a smooth automatic, good fuel efficiency and a daily 30km commute in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. The Brezza’s 6-speed torque converter automatic is the best fit for this usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to stop-start conditions, and the naturally aspirated petrol engine is efficient and easy to live with. Maruti’s service reach and low maintenance costs add to the ownership peace of mind.The Sonet and Venue DCTs are good cars, but the DCT gearbox is not ideal for heavy traffic. It can feel jerky at low speeds.Alternatively, if you can arrange for home charging, the Tata Punch EV is an excellent option.

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