Porbandar

•44w

I want a 7-seater SUV with maximum ground clearance, rear-wheel drive (or AWD), a diesel engine, and an automatic transmission. Good mileage is important. My budget is ₹30-35 lakh (can stretch slightly). I live in Kashmir, so the car must handle occasional snow. Please suggest suitable models.

•44w

For your requirements and budget, the best option is the Jeep Meridian. It's got good ground clearance, a decently frugal diesel engine, a smooth automatic gearbox and AWD. It also has a very luxurious interior, a strong equipment list and the premium Jeep badge and its associated off-road pedigree. Bear in mind, however, that the third row of seats is not very spacious, but good enough for occasional use. Alternatively, you could move down a step to the Mahindra Scorpio-N, but its third row is also very cramped. And finally, you could move up to a Toyota Fortuner, which has a spacious third row, but its price is well past the Rs 40 lakh mark for the diesel automatic variants.

Explore cars mentioned

Jeep

Meridian

from ₹26.25 Lakh

Mahindra

Scorpio N

from ₹15.34 Lakh

Toyota

Fortuner

from ₹39.11 Lakh

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•20h

Hi, I currently drive a Kia Sonet HTX iMT, which I purchased in December 2020. It has covered around 46,500km so far, with an annual running of approximately 10,000km. My current daily usage is 34km, mainly on the highway, as my office is in an industrial area. I am now looking to upgrade to a mid-size SUV with an automatic transmission. My priorities are a feature-rich car with a 5-star safety rating, good mileage, and enough space for a family of four, with occasional seating for six people. My expected usage will be around 80% city and 20% highway driving in the future. My budget is around Rs 21 lakh, although I can stretch it slightly for a better overall package. Please suggest some suitable options.

•6h

Given your requirements, the best option is the Hyundai Alcazar petrol DCT. It's available as a six- or seven-seater, giving you the flexibility you need when your extended family joins you on your journeys, and its 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine is relatively fuel efficient for a car of its size. The dual-clutch automatic is smooth enough, though it can be a bit clunky at low speeds if not driven smoothly and carefully. Also worth noting is that even the base model petrol-AT Alcazar costs around Rs 21 lakh on road, and the Alcazar has not been tested by any NCAP authority.The next best option is not an SUV but arguably a more practical option - the Kia Carens Clavis. It uses the same engine and gearbox in a lighter package with more space on the inside. Other 7-seat SUV options with more space - like the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Tata Safari, Mahindra Scorpio-N and MG Hector Plus are available, but are nowhere near as fuel-efficient and will be out of your budget as well. All things considered, the Hyundai Alcazar is your best option.

Strong hybrids like the Hyryder seem to be quietly winning over buyers who were on the fence about full EVs. Do you think hybrids end up being the longer-term default in India?

•19h

Hello, I am planning to buy a sub-4 meter SUV. My budget is Rs. 10-11 lakh and my weekly running is 100-150 km. Please suggest me a budget friendly car.

•1h

With a weekly running of 100-150 km, your annual usage is relatively low, so a petrol engine makes the most sense. In your budget of Rs 10-11 lakh, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is the strongest recommendation. It is one of the most spacious sub-4 metre SUVs, has a wide cabin that makes it a comfortable five-seater, and offers a strong turbo petrol engine that is both enjoyable to drive and efficient enough for your usage. It is also one of the safest cars in the segment.If you are looking for something more budget-friendly, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is a very good alternative. It is reliable, easy to maintain and has Maruti's extensive service network, which keeps ownership costs low. It is also comfortable and well-suited to city driving. Between the two, the 3XO offers better space and a more modern package, while the Brezza is the safer long-term ownership bet.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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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.

Kia Seltos

Tata Nexon

•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.

•5d

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.

•4d

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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