I am planning to upgrade from my 2017 Honda City diesel, which is now over nine years old. I am looking for a 7-seater, although it will mostly be used as a 5-seater, with occasional requirements to carry 6-7 passengers. The car will primarily be used in Gurgaon for city driving, along with highway trips on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway for going to Kota, Rajasthan. My key requirements include good comfort for five passengers, a usable third row when needed, and a preference for an automatic transmission. My budget is around ₹26 lakh. At present, I am inclined towards the Tata Safari Petrol AT (Accomplished X). However, my main concern is the drop in mileage and the resulting increase in running costs. My current Honda City delivers around 23 kpl on highways and about 15 kpl in the city, whereas I expect the Safari petrol automatic to return roughly 12 kpl on highways and about 9 kpl in city conditions. This translates to a significant 40-50% drop in fuel efficiency, leading to noticeably higher fuel expenses. My monthly usage is approximately 800 km, split evenly between city and highway driving. While fuel efficiency is an important factor, it is not the only deciding criterion. I have considered diesel options but ruled them out due to my usage pattern, as the car may remain unused for weeks at a time and may not see highway runs for two to three months, which could lead to DPF-related issues. I have also evaluated the Mahindra XUV700 AX7 AT in both petrol and diesel forms. The petrol variant still has relatively low mileage, while the diesel brings back the same DPF concerns. Additionally, the third row in the XUV700 is not very practical due to tight headroom and limited knee room. The second row does not slide, which makes access more difficult. I briefly considered the Carens Clavis as well, but it appears to offer lower safety compared to the other options.

autocar.india

•16h

At this price point and with your requirements, there isn't much choice available so the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel would be the most sensible option. It offers a more powerful diesel engine, a more refined driving experience and a premium cabin with a strong feature set. The diesel engine is punchy and well suited to both city driving and occasional hill station runs. The third row is not as spacious or comfy as your Tata Safari but it is usable. If the Mahindra car does not feel like an upgrade, you could consider the Jeep Meridian. It would feel larger and has a premium and classy cabin. The diesel engine of this Jeep car is the proven and familiar 2.0 litre multijet unit - the same engine that powers the diesel Safari. The Meridian will also do well for your long drives to hill stations as the ride and handling balance is outstanding with a secure handling for the ghats, good highway stability at higher speeds and a well judged ride quality over broken roads.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

Jeep Meridian

autocar.india

•3h

Given your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the most sensible recommendation. With a weekly running of around 150 km, diesel is not essential, so the petrol automatic is the better choice. It offers strong performance, a comfortable ride and a genuinely premium cabin experience, which addresses your concern with the HyCross interior. The 7XO is also well equipped with features and has a strong road presence, making it a worthy upgrade alongside your existing Safari. The Hycross remains the best choice for long-term reliability and efficiency, but if the interior is a deal-breaker, there is no point forcing the decision. The Mahindra car strikes the right balance between performance, comfort, features and value within your Rs 35 lakh budget.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Toyota Innova HyCross

autocar.india

•1d

The Kia Carens Clavis Diesel HTE (O) is a sensible choice for this usage. With a monthly running of around 2,000km and predominantly highway driving, a diesel is the right fuel type. The 1.5-litre diesel offers good fuel efficiency, strong mid-range performance and relaxed cruising, making it well-suited to long-distance travel.From an ownership perspective, the Carens Clavis scores well for practicality, comfort and Kia's widespread service network. If most of the kilometres are covered on highways, the diesel engine should not pose any DPF-related concerns, as regular long drives allow the emissions system to function as intended.The HTE (O) variant also offers good value if the priority is getting the core package without paying for features that may not be essential. However, do check that it includes the convenience and safety equipment you expect, as moving up to a variant later is usually more expensive than choosing the right one at the time of purchase.

Kia Carens Clavis