Hi Team, I am planning to buy a new SUV and am currently inclined towards the Tata Safari Adventure X+ automatic diesel. I would like to know whether it is a better choice compared to the Mahindra XUV 7XO and the Mahindra Scorpio N diesel in terms of overall experience. My monthly running will be around 1,500–2,000 km.

Autocar India

•1d

Pick the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 petrol automatic for mostly city use with the odd highway run once or twice a year; it suits you better than the MG Hector. The petrol engine feels strong even with a full load. So, it needs less effort, and the AX7 brings many safety features and driver aids that lower stress in city driving. Mahindra’s service reach is also wider than MG's, which helps if you travel outside big cities.One thing to be aware of is that the petrol will use more fuel in heavy traffic, and the third row, while better than the Hectors, is best for short trips.If the third row is a priority, then the Tata Safari petrol is a good choice too.On your test drive, do a tight U-turn and reverse into a small slot; you’ll feel why the XUV 7XO is easier to live with in the city.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

Autocar India

•16h

Go for the Toyota Innova Hycross GX(O) 7-seater at your budget, it gives you the best mix of space, comfort and easy daily use. It drives like a modern car, not a heavy ladder-framed people mover, so the steering is light, the ride is comfortable, and the petrol-automatic powertrain keeps things smooth in traffic. The third row is genuinely usable for adults, the cabin is airy, and Toyota’s service network and resale are strong, which makes ownership simple over many years.One thing to be aware of: the GX(O) is petrol-only, so it will use more fuel than a diesel when fully loaded or on long highway runs. Also, it skips some of the fancy features you see in costlier trims, so if you want all the tech, you will have to stretch or look elsewhere.Pick the Toyota Innova Crysta only if you do a lot of highway driving with seven people and luggage. It's diesel pulls strongly, and the car feels tough on bad roads, but it is manual-only, so the clutch can feel heavy in traffic, and the cabin feels older. Choose the Mahindra XUV 7XO if you want more features and strong performance for the money. But know that the third row and boot with all seats up are smaller than the Hycross.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Innova Crysta

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•17h

Go for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S Hybrid for your 50-50 city-highway mix and focus on long-term ease and low running cost; it suits you better. In daily traffic, it feels calm and very smooth because it uses electric power at low speed, so you use less fuel without any effort. Toyota’s hybrid tech has been around for years here and abroad, service is simple, and resale is strong. The hybrid battery is backed by a long warranty, and Toyota dealers can confirm the exact years and price for a replacement if ever needed, which should ease that worry.One thing to be aware of: the Hyryder Hybrid is not very quick when you want a fast overtake on the highway, and the boot is smaller than you may expect. If you often carry five with big bags, check this.If your heart wants size and you regularly carry 6-7 people or drive on rough roads a lot, the Mahindra Scorpio N Z4 diesel manual makes sense for its strong pull and tough build. Just accept higher fuel use, a heavier clutch in traffic, bigger tyres and brakes to maintain, and the need for regular, longer drives to keep the exhaust filter clean. Plus, the ride quality is nowhere near as good as the Toyota, and despite how much Mahindra has refined it, a ladder frame SUV will never be as refined or settled on the road as a monocoque SUV.For your plan to keep the car for decades, the Hyryder S Hybrid will be easier and cheaper to live with. When you test drive, do one quick highway pass in the Hyryder to judge pick-up, and crawl in slow traffic in the Scorpio N to feel the clutch effort.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Mahindra Scorpio N