I have been using the Mahindra KUV100 mid variant since 2016, and it has now crossed 1.10 lakh km. I am planning to buy a new car with a budget of Rs 10-15 lakh and want an automatic. I am confused between the Mahindra 3XO and the Mahindra 7XO base variant, but I am open to other brands as well. My usage includes occasional city driving and one or two highway trips every month. Which car would be the better choice?

Autocar India

•7w

You will need to stretch your Rs 15 lakh budget significantly for the base Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol-automatic. Among the options that fit your budget, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is an excellent pick.

You could either choose the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol MPFI or 1.2-litre turbo-petrol GDI, both of which are mated to a 6-speed torque converter (automatic). The MPFI is powerful enough, smooth and has a better value than the GDI option; this is the one that we'd recommend.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹15.59 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹8.49 Lakh

Sahil

•7w

Thanks team

Prakash

•7w

Hi,I have a baleno 2018 delta and now I want to upgrade.which is best option in 14-15 lakh. Ought to fuel efficient according to baleno

More questions on similar cars

Manish Kulkarni

•3d

Which car should I buy if I plan to do road trips across India, including Ladakh, the Spiti circuit, followed by the 7 sisters & South India, with my family? I am looking for a five-seater, preferably diesel or hybrid. I can wait up to six months, until around Diwali. My yearly running will be around 10,000-12,000 km, which consists of 65% highway, 15% ghat roads, and 30% city driving. I live in the Thane suburbs (Dombivli). Good service, support and reliability are very important to me. The options I am considering are: XUV 7XO, Scorpio, Vision S, Thar Roxx, Duster (Hybrid), and Honda Elevate (Hybrid). Should I consider an AWD or 4x4 model, or are there any other options you would recommend?

Autocar India

•2d

From your list, the Mahindra Scorpio N 4x4 diesel is the safest fit for this use. As a five-seater with the last row folded, it offers a large boot, a tough body and proper 4x4 with low range for slush, snow or rocky terrain. It also has strong pulling power on steep hill roads when fully loaded. Mahindra’s wide service network on these routes is an added advantage when you are far from cities.Be aware that the Scorpio N is not as quiet or as comfortable on long highways as softer monocoque SUVs, and in the city, the ride can feel a bit bouncy. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the better road car. It is more comfortable and refined, but for your intended usage, it is not as robust or as versatile as the Scorpio N, especially for tougher terrain in the Himalayas where the Scorpio N’s higher ground clearance and proper 4x4 make a real difference. The same limitation applies to options like the Renault Duster Hybrid and Honda Elevate.As for the Mahindra Thar Roxx, it is less comfortable than the Scorpio N, especially in terms of seating and long-distance usability.

David

I am planning to buy a new car by the end of the year, and my current top choice is the Mahindra XUV7X0 (AX7 petrol automatic variant). Earlier, I was considering the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta, but I no longer like their current exterior designs, so I have shifted my focus. For context, I currently own a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga (petrol + CNG), which is almost 10 years old and has been driven only around 50,000 km. My usage is quite low. The office is about 13 km away (around 30 km round trip), but I often use public transport. I mainly use the car on weekends, roughly 2-3 times a week, and my monthly running is around 400-450km. My priorities for the new car are: strong road presence and mass appeal, comfortable and premium interior, good reliability, reasonable service and maintenance costs (I am used to Maruti-level affordability), suitable for family trips. Given my low usage and requirements, would the XUV7X0 petrol automatic be a good choice, or should I consider other options?

Autocar India

•2d

Low monthly use, mostly weekend family trips, and you want strong road presence with a premium feel, in that brief, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is the right fit, and it’s the one we would pick for you. It lines up with your goals for three clear reasons. First, presence and space: it looks big, sits high, and feels like a big step up from your Maruti Ertiga. Five adults ride in real comfort, and with the third row folded, you get a huge boot for family trips. Second, the petrol motor feels smooth and strong at low speeds and on the highway, so city gaps and quick passes are easy without effort. Third, the cabin feels premium for the price, with a clean screen layout and a quiet ride that your family will like.A few trade-offs to note, given your context: service will not be Maruti-affordable, and the car will use more fuel than your Ertiga CNG. It’s also a large car, so tight parking will need care, and Mahindra’s software still throws the odd small glitch.If the budget allows, the Toyota Innova HyCross hybrid brings top comfort and very low city fuel use, but it is pricier. Overall, for your low running and desire for presence and a premium feel, the XUV 7XO petrol automatic fits best.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Toyota Innova HyCross

Yash

•1w

I am confused between the 7XO and Safari. I took the test drive of both and loved the rugged suspension setup of the Safari, but I also liked the easy driving nature and dynamics of the 7XO.

Autocar India

•2d

Between the two, the Tata Safari does a great job of projecting toughness. It feels solid, has that reassuring heft, and its suspension setup really shines on broken roads and you can carry speed with confidence and it just shrugs off rough patches.That said, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more rounded package overall. Its 2.2-litre diesel is not just more modern, but also noticeably smoother and stronger than the older Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre unit in the Safari. It delivers better drivability in everyday conditions, which makes a difference in city use as well as on the highway.Mahindra car has also worked well on the suspension, and the improvements show. The 7XO feels more composed, offers better ride comfort over a wider range of surfaces, and is simply easier to drive. It has lighter controls, better balance, and a more user-friendly nature overall.Where the Safari still holds an edge is in the third row. It’s more usable and accommodating, whereas the 7XO’s last row is quite tight and best reserved for occasional use.So unless third-row space is a priority, the 7XO stands out as the better all-rounder. It’s more refined, easier to live with, and ultimately the more modern SUV.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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