The Maruti Suzuki Victoris would be a good option. Active safety is well taken care of by an ADAS system that is calibrated nicely to handle most Indian driving situations, and the car has also secured a 5-star crash test rating in both the BNCAP and GNCAP tests. Do note, however, that the ADAS tech is only available with the regular petrol automatic powertrain and not on the strong hybrid. Thus, the mileage will not be as high as the hybrid version for reference, Maruti Suzuki claims an ARAI fuel efficiency of 28kpl for the strong hybrid and 21kpl for the regular petrol auto. We will soon be putting the Victoris through our instrumented testing and will have real-world figures soon. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts Latest questions Asked by: PRASANNA KUMAR I currently own a 2014 XUV500 W8 and am looking to purchase a new car. My monthly usage is 1,500 to 1,800 km. My budget is Rs 20 lakh. Occasionally, I need a seven-seater, but not necessarily all the time. I am confused between the XUV700, the XEV 9S (59 kWh), the Toyota Hyryder, and the Sierra EV, though the Sierra’s specs and price are not yet clear. Please suggest which one is better. Go for the Mahindra XEV 9S (seven-seater EV). Besides bringing the latest in terms of tech and features, you're getting a thoroughly modern and very capable electric SUV. The drive experience will not only be peppy and enjoyable but also smoother and more refined than any other ICE vehicle at this price point.And if you can arrange for charging, your running costs will reduce significantly. Additionally, it will give you the flexibility of seven seats when you need it. Hence, the XEV 9S must be on top of your list. Asked by: Prince Suthar I am planning to buy the base model of either the XUV700 or the Scorpio N. I need a seven-seater. I am more inclined towards the XUV700 because of the last-row AC blowers and the split seats that allow it to be a six-seater with luggage space. However, the resale value of the Scorpio N is higher. I plan to use this vehicle for 5 to 7 years. My monthly running is over 2,000 km, including both highway and city use. Maneuverability is important, as well as ground clearance for bi-yearly trips to rough terrain like Leh and Spiti. Please suggest what I should purchase. If you look at them purely as 7-seaters, the Mahindra XUV700 is the better choice. Its third row is more comfortable than the Scorpio N’s and, as you noted, it also offers added convenience features such as third-row AC vents. The XUV700 is far more comfortable for daily use thanks to its monocoque chassis, which delivers better ride quality and is easier to drive. Where it cannot match the Mahindra Scorpio N is in ruggedness. The Scorpio N’s ladder-frame chassis makes it better suited to rough terrain, and its rear-wheel-drive setup gives it an advantage when things get tough in places like Leh and Spiti. The XUV700 has enough clearance for mild off-roading, but it will not feel as effortless as the Scorpio N. Asked by: S Venkatraman I purchased a Verna Turbo SX(O) DCT automatic in December 2024. Will the cost of ownership be higher in the years to come, considering spare parts and service costs? What would be its resale value now? The car has done 5,600 km to date. It is too soon to worry about the maintenance and upkeep costs - you have just bought the Hyundai Verna in December 2024, and have barely driven it for parts to wear and warrant a replacement. So to answer your question, to keep any car in top shape, you will need to spend on its regular service and replacement parts (as required), which will drive up the costs over time.However, it might not make much sense to sell your barely used vehicle for fear of (future) upkeep costs. If you insist on selling, keep in mind that demand for sedans isn't healthy in the new car market to begin with, which will certainly affect its residual value in the used car market, so be prepared to take a huge depreciation hit. Try getting it evaluated by some reputed used car platforms, such as Spinny, to get a good idea of what value you can expect. View all questions Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts
