I own an XL6 2021 currently, and I'm looking to upgrade to a better car overall. I'm looking at Tata Safari, Carens Clavis, 7XO and petrol manuals only. Budget is 20-25 lakhs. My everyday driving in the city and occasional highway rides. What car is the best for this requirement?

autocar.india

•3h

Pick the XUV 7XO diesel automatic for the better ride-handling balance. Over broken roads and big speed breakers, it stays calmer, and with five on board, it keeps its composure without that side-to-side bob you often feel in heavier SUVs. At highway speeds, it tracks straight, the steering has a natural weight, and body control feels more reassuring when you need to change lanes or brake hard.The XEV 9e does feel flatter through bends thanks to the battery’s low position, so quick direction changes are tidy, but its extra weight makes sharp edges and patchy city tarmac come through more firmly, and the braking feel is less consistent. On a long drive with family and bags, the Mahindra diesel’s suspension tuning feels more relaxed and confident.One caveat. In city traffic, the XEV 9e is quieter and smoother, so if most of your 10-15k km each year are short urban runs, you might enjoy that. But for mixed use as a five-seater, the XUV 7XO rides better and feels more secure.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XEV 9e

autocar.india

•1d

Pick the Kia Carens petrol automatic with captain seats. It is the easiest way to get a true 6-seater that your wife will find simple to drive, yet it feels calmer and stronger than your Baleno when you load all six and head out on the highway. A well-specced mid variant sits within Rs. 25 lakh on-road Hyderabad, gives you a smooth auto, light controls, a genuinely usable third row, and still some boot for airport runs.Choose petrol and stop worrying about DEF and regen cycles. With your mix of city and a monthly trip, expect low-teens in the city and mid-teens on the highway if you drive gently. Strong-hybrids and EVs that make sense as 6 or 7 seaters simply do not exist in this budget right now; mild-hybrid MPVs like XL6 or Rumion save a little fuel, not a lot, and feel weaker with six on board.One point to keep in mind, the Carens’ dual-clutch can feel a bit hesitant in bumper-to-bumper and prefers smooth throttle. If most of your commute is crawling traffic, the Maruti XL6 6AT is simpler and silkier, just slower on the highway with a full family and less plush inside.

Kia Carens

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Toyota Rumion

autocar.india

•2d

Get the Jeep Compass diesel automatic, ideally the 4x4, because it stays easy in the city yet feels rock solid on highways and can handle desert sand, and hill climbs without stress. You are coming from a Vento, so you will like the Compass’s tight body control, strong mid-range pull, and the calm way it cruises. The 4x4 brings real traction for soft sand and steep trails, plus good ground clearance, but it still parks like a midsize SUV, not a barge.With 10,000 km a year, diesel is fine if you do a decent weekly run to keep the system happy. If your budget is strict at Rs. 35 lakh on-road, the 4x2 automatic will fit and is still great for bad roads and long trips, just not deep sand.As an alternative, you can also look at the AWD Mahindra XUV 7XO, off-road it will not be as accomplished as the Compass, but it will be more than enough for basic trails and light off-roading.

Jeep Compass

Mahindra XUV 7XO