I want to upgrade my Brezza by November 2026. I am looking for a car with Level 2 ADAS, a panoramic sunroof, electric seats, ventilated seats, and cruise control. I am open to both 5 and 7-seater options, with a budget of Rs 30 to 35 lakh. Please suggest suitable options.

Autocar India

•1d

If you prefer to stick with a 5-seater SUV format, the new Kia Seltos is a good option. In your budget, you can get the top-of-the-line X-Line diesel automatic. It is a proven engine mated to a slick automatic gearbox, and Kia's service is amongst the best in this segment.However, if you'd like to move to a bigger 7-seater SUV, then the new Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. The AX7 trim with the diesel automatic fits in your budget and is a spacious, feature-packed, powerful SUV with superb ride quality. Mahindra service also generally has a better reputation than Tata. Before you make your choice, make sure you take a test drive of both vehicles.

Kia New Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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Autocar India

•1d

Your concern is valid. With the usage pattern you have described, there is a genuine possibility of facing DPF related issues with the diesel version of the Mahindra XUV 7XO.Diesel engines today rely on a Diesel Particulate Filter which needs regular longer drives at steady speeds to regenerate properly. Since your car will mostly be used once a week with short 30 km trips and only an occasional 300 km drive every couple of months, the engine may not get enough consistent running for DPF regeneration.Considering your very limited running, we would recommend going for the turbo petrol automatic instead. Yes, the petrol will be less efficient, but the price difference between the petrol and diesel versions is roughly around Rs 1 lakh. Also, while the diesel is more efficient, the difference is not as large as many expect. With the automatic gearbox, the Mahindra diesel is not exceptionally fuel efficient either. In real world conditions you will see roughly 2 kpl difference in mixed driving condition.Given your low annual running, the fuel savings from diesel will not be significant enough to justify the potential complications.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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Autocar India

•14h

For the kind of usage you describe, around 178km a day and roughly 46,000km a year - a diesel car makes far more sense than a CNG one.Firstly, diesel is much more widely available on highways and expressways, which is where you’ll be spending most of your time. With such high daily mileage, convenience matters, and diesel fuel stations are easy to find almost anywhere in the country.Secondly, diesel engines are better suited to long-distance cruising. Their strong low-end and mid-range torque make overtaking easier and allow the car to cruise at highway speeds with less effort. This also typically results in lower engine stress and more relaxed driving. It should suit your priorities of smooth cruising, good NVH and long-term durability.CNG cars, on the other hand, do have a few compromises. Performance is noticeably weaker than petrol versions, because CNG produces less energy. When the car is fully loaded or when you need quick overtakes on the highway, the lack of power becomes quite evident. Another practical issue is that the CNG cylinder takes up a large portion of the boot, which can be inconvenient if you are frequently travelling with luggage. From a mechanical perspective, modern factory-fitted CNG engines are much better engineered than earlier conversions. However, CNG is a dry gaseous fuel and doesn’t have the lubricating properties of liquid fuels, so over very high mileages, there can be slightly higher wear on valves and valve seats. For someone covering well over 40,000km a year, a diesel powertrain is generally the more robust long-term solution.Since you haven’t mentioned your exact budget, here are a few strong diesel options across segments. In the compact SUV class, the Hyundai Venue diesel is a good choice with a refined and proven 1.5-litre engine. If you want something larger and more comfortable for long highway drives, the Hyundai Creta diesel remains one of the best all-rounders with excellent refinement and efficiency. And if you are looking for something bigger and more premium, the Mahindra XUV7XO diesel offers strong performance, good highway manners and a very robust engine.Both Hyundai Motor India and Mahindra & Mahindra have well-proven diesel engines that are known to handle high mileage well when properly maintained. Given your driving pattern and ownership horizon of 5 years or more, diesel is clearly the more suitable and practical choice.

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Venue

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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