Delhi

•2h

I currently own a Tata Manza Diesel, and our car has been amazing so far, (clocked in 2L+ km) but we are planning to buy a new one under a budget of Rs. 25 lakh that is a step up from Manza in all areas. We are a family of four, but occasionally 5 passengers travel in the car. So, we want a car with a comfortable 2nd row that fits three occupants. We want a car with 600L+ big boot space (preferably) measured by depth instead of height. Our daily running is mostly within the city, but we like to drive, so occasional highway trips are always going to be on the cards. Between the powertrains, we prefer diesel, but are open to electric as well since we have a parking spot where we can easily install a charging point. Our shortlisted cars so far include XEV 9e and Kia Seltos.

•54m

Between the XEV 9e and Seltos, the XEV 9e is the better fit for your requirements, particularly because you have a dedicated parking spot where a home charger can be installed. It is a much bigger and more substantial upgrade from the Manza, with a spacious cabin, a genuinely comfortable second row that can accommodate three adults, and a 663 liter boot. The rear seat also gets a reclining backrest, and the wide cabin avoids the knees up seating position found in some EVs.

The Seltos diesel AT is the more conventional choice and would be preferable if you want to stay with diesel. It has a comfortable rear seat that can accommodate three average sized adults, and the diesel AT is refined and well suited to long distance driving. However, its 447 liter boot is significantly smaller than your preferred 600 liters or more and the boot itself is not very deep.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XEV 9e

from ₹23.33 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.76 Lakh

•3m•

@sms2026 I would pick XEV 9e. Its best in terms of comfort and long term reliability

•31m•

@sms2026 Go with Kia Seltos 👍

More posts on similar cars

•1w

I am planning to buy a VinFast VF7 with the 70.8kWh battery pack. However, after going through various online videos of users reporting serious issues such as paint chipping, suspension leaks, dashboard cracks and inefficient service support, I am having second thoughts. The trouble is that options such as the Mahindra BE 6 and XEV 9e also have user-reported issues, particularly around software. Is buying an EV in the Rs 25-30 lakh price range risky? If not, which would you choose between the VF7, BE 6 and XEV 9e? There will be three rear passengers.

•1d

The VinFast VF7 is a genuinely interesting product, but your concerns are valid. The brand is still relatively new in India, and while the car itself is well-specced, there have been reports of quality and service inconsistencies. That said, the Mahindra BE 6 and XEV 9e are not without their own issues, particularly around software glitches and niggles.The bigger question is whether an electric car in the Rs 25-30 lakh range is inherently risky. The answer is no, but you do need to be realistic. This is still a relatively young segment, and even established manufacturers are ironing out teething issues. The key is to buy from a brand with a strong service network and a proven track record of resolving problems quickly.Between the three, the Mahindra XEV 9e is the safer choice. It is a more mature product, has a stronger service network and compared to the BE 6, it is much more practical. The VF7 is the wildcard. It is a genuinely compelling product, but the brand's service and support ecosystem is still developing.With three rear passengers, the XEV 9e is also the better choice. It has a wider rear bench and better overall space management than the VF7, which is more of a coupe-style SUV. The BE 6 also suffers from a space perspective and is not as complete as the XEV 9e.

Vinfast VF7

Mahindra BE 6 Sporteq

Mahindra XEV 9e

•8h

I am 6 feet 3 inches tall and I’ve been struggling to fit in a car in which I can sit comfortably without the steering wheel hitting my knees. I drove a Tata Zest for 11 years and have recently sold it. With a tight budget of Rs. 18 - 20 lakh (on-road) , I need a good car for my everyday office drive with good fuel efficiency. I drive around 20 km up and down everyday mostly within the city. Please suggest a good car that I can try out.

•2h

At 6ft 3in, your first priority should be finding a car with a genuinely comfortable driving position, rather than choosing purely on features or fuel economy. The Honda Elevate is one of the cars worth trying first because it has excellent driver ergonomics, a spacious pedal box and a wide range of seat adjustment.The 1.5 petrol CVT is smooth and well suited to a short daily commute, while the Elevate has a comfortable ride and 220mm of ground clearance. The Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT is another option, with a spacious cabin and comfortable ride, although taller drivers may find the front seat thigh support a little short.Given your specific problem with the steering wheel hitting your knees, do not buy any car without spending at least 15 to 20 minutes in the driver's seat. Set the seat properly, adjust the steering for reach and height, and check that you can fully depress the pedals without your knees coming close to the steering wheel.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

•4d

Hello, this is Dilip. I’m planning to buy my first car for myself and my parents. I’m 30 years old and am looking for a car under Rs. 20 lakh, preferably with a manual transmission, that offers excellent long-term reliability, low maintenance and ownership costs as well as good safety and build quality. I need a car comfortable for my parents and family with a good driving experience in both city traffic and highways. It should offer good mileage and overall practicality. Suggest me a car that I can confidently keep for 8-10 years. Please suggest the best options based on these requirements and explain both pros and cons of each car.

•22h

Go for the Honda Elevate manual. It is the most sensible choice for your requirements. Honda’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is proven, reliable and efficient, and the manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use in both city traffic and on highways. The Elevate is also comfortable for family use, with a spacious cabin and a well-balanced ride, and Honda’s ownership experience is among the best in the segment. It is a car you can confidently keep for 8-10 years without worrying about major reliability or maintenance issues.If you want a slightly more premium feel and a bit more space, the Kia Seltos petrol manual is a good alternative. It offers a more feature-rich cabin and a more premium overall experience, but it is also more expensive and does not offer a significant reliability advantage over the Elevate. Alternatively, consider the Maruti Suzuki Victoris petrol manual. Its powertrain is smooth and efficient and Maruti’s service network is unmatched. Overall, the Honda Elevate manual strikes the best balance between reliability, comfort, safety, driving experience and long-term ownership confidence.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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Popular discussions right now

•3d

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual and automatic. My current ride is a Fluidic Verna diesel manual, which is nearing 15 years of ownership and has clocked nearly 2.5 lakh km. My usage consists of mixed city and highway driving, with around 40km daily and weekend highway runs of about 400km. For long-term ownership, which would be the better choice: the manual or automatic?

•3d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel automatic. The diesel engine is well suited to your high running, and the automatic gearbox is a proven torque converter unit that is reliable and well matched to the engine. This Mahindra car will make your daily city driving far less tiring, while still being smooth and efficient on the highway. Coming from a 15-year-old Hyundai Verna diesel manual, the automatic will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and ease of use, without compromising on long-term reliability. The manual is still a good option if you strongly prefer the engagement, but for your usage and ownership horizon, the automatic is the smarter choice.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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•5d

I am confused between Creta SX IVT and Elevate CVT for 8000 km of annual running with long trips of 1200 km 3-4 times in a year for a family of 4. Apart from this, day to day usage is less than 100km per month. I am looking for a car for long term ownership and travel comfort.

•4d

The Creta SX IVT is the better fit for your requirement. It offers a quieter, more refined cabin, comfortable rear seats and a smoother CVT, which are particularly valuable when spending several hours on the highway with four people and luggage. Autocar's long term experience with the Creta petrol IVT also found it refined, comfortable and particularly well suited to road trips.The Honda Elevate CVT has advantages of its own. Its 220mm ground clearance, long travel suspension and large 458-litre boot make it particularly good on poor roads, while its naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine and CVT make for a relatively simple powertrain. However, the cabin is noticeably noisier, particularly when accelerating hard, and the CVT can produce the typical rubber band effect.

Honda Elevate

Hyundai Creta

•6d

Hi, I am planning to buy a CNG SUV and am considering the Tata Nexon CNG and Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG. I will be driving around 150km every day for office, so my main concerns are fuel economy and maintenance costs. Many people have suggested the Brezza because of its mileage and lower running costs, but Tata is also a large company and has a wide service network. So, why do buyers generally recommend the Brezza over the Nexon CNG? I personally prefer the Nexon, but I am confused about whether it would be the right choice for my daily usage. Which one would make more sense for my requirements?

•5d

Go with the Tata Nexon CNG if that is your preference. At 150 km daily, CNG is the right fuel choice, and both the Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Brezza are factory CNG cars, so reliability and safety are not a concern. The Nexon CNG is a strong product with good performance, a comfortable ride and a well-equipped cabin. The reason many people suggest the Brezza is Maruti's reputation for low maintenance costs, wide service reach and a long-standing reputation for hassle-free ownership. The Brezza CNG is also a very reliable and efficient package. However, the Nexon CNG is the more modern car and feels more premium inside.At 150 km daily, the key is to choose the car you will enjoy driving every day. The Nexon CNG is a solid choice, and there is no reason to change your decision.

Tata Nexon

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