Autocar India
TT

Tata tiagio

3d

Hi autocar, we are looking at 7 seaters, our budget is 24L, we are fine with Mt or automatic as long as it's a torque converter. Our usage is mostly on the highway, and we want effortless and efficient highway runs We also want to avoid Tata Motors due to their service. We want cruise control, Android Auto, multi-drive modes, parking camera. It should be FWD We don't want a sunroof

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
5m

The Kia Carens Diesel Automatic (1.5 AT) in HTK Plus trim is the best fit for your needs. It is front‑wheel drive, the diesel with the proper automatic feels relaxed at 90-110 kph, and overtaking won't stress the engine. It also uses less fuel on long runs than most petrols. You get cruise control, Android Auto, a parking camera, and drive modes, so your feature list is covered without paying for a sunroof.

A thing to note. While the Carens Clavis' flexible seating makes the third row usable for adults, luggage space with all seats up is limited. However, that's an issue you'll face with most three-row vehicles.

Alternatively, the Mahindra XUV 7XO in petrol-AT and diesel-AT are options. The 7XO isn't as comfortable for third row passengers, but performance is far superior to the Carens, in case that is higher on your list of priorities. The AX3 trim is within your budget and gives all the features you desire. 

 

Kia Carens

Kia Carens

More questions on similar cars

MS

Manoj S

3d

I currently own a 9-year-old Tata Tiago and am now planning to upgrade to either the Tata Safari Adventure X Plus Diesel Automatic or the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 Diesel Automatic. The Safari is around ₹3 lakh cheaper while offering almost similar specifications, except for a few additional luxury features in the XUV 7XO. I live in Bangalore, and my annual running is around 15,000 km, mostly involving city driving with occasional highway trips. Could you please suggest which of these would be the better choice?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

Mostly Bangalore city uses about 15,000 km a year, and moving up from a Tiago - in that brief, the Tata Safari Adventure X+ Diesel automatic is the better fit. You save around Rs 3 lakh and still get the core things you’ll feel every day: a very comfortable ride over broken roads and speed bumps, a punchy engine, smooth automatic, and loads of space for family and luggage. Coming from a Tata, service and running costs will feel familiar too, which helps in Bangalore.What you give up versus the Mahindra are a few fancy extras and some advanced driver aids. If most of your driving is inside the city with the odd highway trip, you won’t miss them much. The Safari does feel big in narrow lanes and parking spots, and the diesel automatic can feel a touch slow to jump off the line if you stamp on the pedal, so plan gaps.If you do long highway runs often and value safety tech that keeps distance and warns you, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7T is worth the extra, and the engine is a bit more refined. Otherwise, for your use and budget, the Safari suits you better.

VehicleTata Safari
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
PB

PRABODH BOHRA

4d

My yearly running is around 10,000-12,000 km, with usage split roughly 50% city and 50% highway driving. I am planning to buy a 7-seater diesel SUV and am currently confused between the Tata Safari Diesel and the Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel. However, I have heard a lot about DPF-related issues in modern diesel vehicles, especially with mixed city usage. Could you please advise which of these would be the better option for my requirements?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

With 10,000-12,000 km a year and equal city and highway use, we would recommend the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. It feels smoother and quieter in daily use, the automatic is easy in traffic, and it has a strong pull for quick highway passes when the car is full. It also packs more active safety tech, which is reassuring on long trips with family. Most of all, it doesn't feel as cumbersome to drive around town.On your DPF worry: both the XUV 7XO and the Tata Safari use the same type of filter to trap soot. With your 50 percent highway mix, the system usually clears itself. DPF trouble mostly shows up with very short, slow city trips only. Simple habits help: once every week or two, do 15-20 minutes at a steady speed on a ring road, don’t switch off mid-cycle if you see a DPF message, use good fuel, and keep the car on the latest software at service.The Safari diesel automatic is the one to pick if you value a softer low-speed ride and a roomier third row, but its engine and gearbox aren't as smooth or refined as the XUV's. Overall, for your mix of city and highway, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic lines up best.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleTata Safari

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Posted on: 17 May 2026