My monthly running is not more than 650 km, and I am planning to buy the Mahindra Thar Roxx. I intend to keep the car for at least 10 years. I am confused between choosing a petrol or a diesel variant. Considering resale later and the future of diesel in India.

autocar.india

•19h

With 12,000km a year and 70% highway driving, you are actually the ideal diesel owner. The Thar Roxx AX7L Diesel AT 4x4 is a great choice for your usage pattern, and you should not be worried about DPF issues. The DPF system needs sustained higher exhaust temperatures to regenerate, and your regular highway runs will take care of that naturally. Even if you are only using the car on weekends in the city, as long as you are doing occasional long highway drives, the system will regenerate as intended. The real DPF problems tend to occur with cars that are used exclusively for short, low-speed city trips with no highway running.On the isobutanol front, there is nothing to worry about. Isobutanol is being considered as a diesel blend, but it is not a major policy direction like E20 petrol. Mahindra diesel engines are designed to handle the fuel blends available in the market, and there is no evidence to suggest that isobutanol blends will cause any issues. The bigger concern with diesel ownership is always usage pattern, not fuel blends.The Thar Roxx is a very capable and enjoyable SUV, but it is worth being aware of its limitations. It is not the most practical family car, and the ride can be a bit firm on broken roads. But for your usage pattern, it is a solid choice. If you are looking for a more practical alternative with similar diesel capability, the Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel AT is worth considering. It offers a more comfortable ride, better practicality and the same strong diesel engine. But if you want the Thar Roxx for its character and off-road capability, your usage pattern supports that decision.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra Thar Roxx

autocar.india

•2d

The Jimny is a genuinely likeable car with its compact dimensions, rugged looks and proper SUV feel, and it is well suited to city use and small road trips. However, your concerns about low sales and resale value are valid. The Jimny has not found a large audience, and that does have an impact on long-term ownership confidence. The Thar Roxx is indeed much larger and less city-friendly, while the standard Thar remains cramped in the second row, so neither is an ideal alternative for your usage.As for a facelift, there is no confirmed timeline for a major update, and waiting for a 4x2 variant is not advisable unless you are specifically looking for a more affordable, less capable version. The Jimny’s appeal lies in its 4x4 capability, and a 4x2 version would dilute much of what makes it special.If you love the Jimny for what it is, you can still go ahead and buy it, but do so with the understanding that resale value may not be its strongest suit. If that is a major concern, you may want to consider more mainstream alternatives like the Brezza or the Kylaq, which offer better ownership confidence without the same level of off-road character.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny

Mahindra Thar

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Skoda Kylaq

autocar.india

•1h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. It fits your brief perfectly: it has a strong, naturally aspirated petrol engine with no turbo lag, low maintenance costs and a proven ownership record. This Maruti Suzuki car has features on offer that cover all the expected basics with none of the fancy, flashy bits. Maruti’s service network and affordable parts make long-term ownership and maintenance easy. Wait for just a month, as an updated Brezza is due to arrive. On flex fuel, there is no need to wait. India is currently at E20, and there is no set roadmap as yet for higher blends. In any case, modern engines are engineered to handle E20, and the impact is mainly a slight drop in fuel economy rather than any major reliability concern. Maruti has also gone on record to state that their E20 engines are material compliant for slightly higher ethanol blends, so from a reliability point of view, you will be fine; however, mileage could drop. A used diesel is not the right call unless your running is very high and you are comfortable with the risks of DPF issues and higher maintenance as the car ages. For most buyers today, a good petrol SUV is the safer and more sensible long-term choice.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza