I am looking for a quick-accelerating car in the Rs 25-35 lakh range, preferably a diesel automatic. What should I buy?

Autocar India

•1d

City-first use, low yearly running and a focus on safety and easy parking point to two picks from your list: Mahindra XUV 7XO AX3 and Kia Carens Clavis HTK+.The Mahindra XUV 7XO suits you if you want a strong safety focus and a calm, smooth drive. It feels steady on bad roads, gives a clear view out, and the light steering at low speeds helps in traffic and tight lanes. Parking aids available on the 7XO help slot a big car into small spaces.The Kia Carens Clavis is the easiest to live with in the city. It has light controls, a relaxed petrol engine, and it sips less fuel in stop-go use. The low floor also makes getting in and out very easy for the family, and the third row is better than the 7XO's.With 6,000 km a year, pick petrol. Diesel costs more, and short city runs don’t suit it. Only choose diesel if you do frequent long highway trips.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•1d

Mostly city use in Bengaluru with low running and a Rs. 25-26 lakh cap, points you to the Kia Seltos GTX automatic. It matches what you liked in the test drive: the cabin feels easier to live with every day. In traffic and tight parking spaces, the Seltos is simpler to place, the steering is light, and visibility is good. Seat comfort is good and the storage and controls feel more straightforward, which helps on daily runs. It will also be a touch easier on fuel in the city than a bigger, heavier car.Two trade-offs to note. On open highways, the Mahindra car pulls harder and will feel stronger when you press the accelerator. The Seltos’ rear seat is fine for two adults, but the Mahindra gives you more overall space and a third row.If your use shifts to frequent highway trips with a full family, pick the XUV 7XO automatic for its stronger power and steadier high-speed feel, knowing it will feel bigger in the city. For your current mix, choose the Seltos GTX automatic.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•3d

Given 3,000 km a month with 80% highway and some rough rural stretches, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7T diesel fits your use best. It feels steady at speed and soaks up broken patches well, which helps on long runs and village roads. The diesel has a strong pull, so overtaking needs less effort even with family and luggage. You also get more space and a higher driving position than either of the other cars, which makes it more practical and easier to drive.Two things to note: it is big in traffic and tight parking, and in the city it will use a more fuel than the smaller Kia. If you want something easier to manage daily, the Kia Seltos HTK(O) diesel MT is the smarter second choice. It’s lighter to drive and still stable on the highway, but you will feel bumps more than in the Mahindra, and rear space is smaller.The Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 Topline MT is nice to drive, but for this much highway running, the petrol will cost more to run and needs more gear changes for quick passes. Overall, pick the XUV 7XO diesel for your usage.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos

Volkswagen Virtus