Delhi

•42w

I am planning to buy a new car with an on-road budget of ₹40 lakh. I prefer sedans like the Octavia or Superb and can wait a year or two for the right car. What are my best options?

•41w

Sadly, there are no longer any sedans available near the Rs 40 lakh mark, thanks to low demand and a shift in preference to SUVs, and it's unlikely any will launch in the coming years as well. In fact, the ₹30-40 lakh segment has effectively become a dead zone in the market.

As for other body styles, you could look at two Stellantis SUVs - the Citroen C5 Aircross and the Jeep Meridian - which are very different takes on the premium SUV.

The Citroen is more fun to drive and comfortable with a smooth diesel engine, soft seats and excellent suspension. The Jeep feels more rugged and upmarket with great off-road ability, should you need it, and a luxurious cabin with the option of a third row. You could stretch your budget a bit and get a Skoda Kodiaq, which is the closest thing you'll get to a Superb for the time being.

Explore cars mentioned

Citroen

C5 Aircross

from ₹44.42 Lakh

Jeep

Meridian

from ₹27.77 Lakh

Skoda

Kodiaq

from ₹43.10 Lakh

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•3d

Hi Autocar team, I really enjoy the strong torque of diesel engines and currently drive a 4.5-year-old Tata Altroz diesel that has covered 95,000km. I am considering the Jeep Meridian for its highway ability, but I have read that its nine-speed ZF automatic gearbox can sometimes shift awkwardly or jerk. I am also considering the Citroën C5 Aircross, if I can find one, because of its ride comfort and eight-speed Aisin automatic gearbox. I drive around 20,000-25,000 km annually and prefer to travel by car rather than fly whenever possible. Since automatic gearboxes are expensive to repair, which is likely to be more reliable in the long run, the ZF unit in the Meridian or the Aisin unit in the C5 Aircross?

•2d

For your 20,000-25,000 km annual running and frequent long-distance trips, the Citroen C5 Aircross is the more appealing choice for ride comfort and gearbox refinement, while the Jeep Meridian has a stronger long-term test record with Autocar India. The C5’s Aisin 8-speed automatic is smooth and well suited to relaxed touring, but there isn't enough comparable long-term evidence to confidently declare it more reliable than the Meridian’s ZF 9-speed. The country of origin alone doesn't determine durability.The Meridian’s gearbox can hesitate or hunt between gears at low speeds, as our long-term test noted, but the SUV completed more than 21,000km, including a demanding journey to Ladakh, without a mechanical fault. That is reassuring, though it cannot establish how either transmission will fare over 1-2 lakh kilometres.Since you're buying new, test the Meridian in slow traffic and during repeated overtaking manoeuvres, and drive the C5 over the same route.

Citroen C5 Aircross

Jeep Meridian

•3d

I am planning to buy a diesel AWD SUV for long highway journeys ranging from 500 to 1,000 kilometres. The Mahindra XUV 7XO and Jeep Meridian are on my shortlist because of their reliability, capabilities and attractive pricing. However, as a Ford EcoSport owner, I am concerned that Jeep could face a similar future in India to Ford. Could the Jeep Meridian be a riskier long-term ownership proposition due to uncertainty surrounding the brand’s long-term commitment to the Indian market? Alternatively, could Stellantis’ future plans and investments provide greater stability and growth opportunities for Jeep in India? Considering an ownership period of 8-10 years, which vehicle offers greater confidence in terms of reliability, spare-parts availability, and after-sales support?

•2d

For an 8-10 year ownership period and regular 500-1,000km highway journeys, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel AWD automatic is the more reassuring choice if service access and spare-parts availability are your biggest concerns. Its 2.2-litre diesel delivers strong low- and mid-range torque, and it has very good ride comfort, refinement and high-speed stability. The revised suspension also deals with rough roads better than before.The Jeep Meridian deserves consideration too. Stellantis’ plan to introduce 12 new or significantly updated Jeep and Citroën models in India by 2030, backed by further investment and greater localisation, is an encouraging sign of its commitment to the market. However, the Meridian is far less common on Indian roads than Mahindra SUVs, so spare parts and independent service expertise are likely to be easier to find for the XUV 7XO in the long run, even if either model is discontinued.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Jeep Meridian

•2d

JK Tyre is planning a 4–5% price hike, while CEAT has also announced a price increase. Tyres are already an expensive replacement item, especially for SUV owners.

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•1w

Dear Autocar Team, I currently own a Dzire diesel manual (2018) and now I am planning to buy a new car but I am very confused between Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kwh and the XEV 9S Pack Two Above 79kwh. Although, I love diesel cars but since I live in Faridabad, my biggest concern is about increasing bans and restrictions on diesel cars. My main usage is on highways and bit within the city. I have clocked 1.3 lakh km on my Dzire in 8-9 years. I am getting the exact Harrier EV model for Rs. 22 lakh (on-road) whereas the XEV 9S will cost around Rs. 27-28 lakh (on-road) and that is my biggest confusion. Should I spend this additional amount on the XEV 9S for Harrier ev because I don't want any hassles as an since I plan to keep the car for the next several years.

•6d

Since your choice is between these two exact models, go for the Tata Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kWh at Rs 22 lakh on-road. It is a much better value proposition given the Rs. 5-6 lakh savings over the Mahindra XEV 9S. The Harrier EV is a solidly-built, hardy SUV that's comfy for 5 adults and their luggage.Sure, the XEV 9S gives you the flexibility of three-rows of seating; a lighter steering with a tighter turning radius; and with a larger battery and a more efficient electric powertrain, real-world range will be better. But since you don't specifically need a three-row SUV, the Harrier EV's lower price makes it the more sensible buy.

Tata Harrier EV

Mahindra XEV 9S

•6d

I am looking for a petrol automatic car under Rs 12 lakh with good features. My first choice is the Honda Amaze, but I am concerned about its ground clearance and engine performance. Around 70% of my driving will be in the city. Would the Amaze be a good choice?

•5d

With 70% city driving, the Honda Amaze is actually a very sensible choice. The CVT automatic is smooth and easy to drive in traffic. The engine is reliable, and the car’s compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre and park.The only real drawback is that the engine is not particularly torquey, so it can feel a bit flat on highways or when fully loaded. However, for predominantly city use, that is not a major concern. The ground clearance at 172 mm is adequate for most urban conditions, but a fully loaded car can cause the rear suspension to compress significantly, requiring caution over large speed breakers. If you like the Honda Amaze petrol automatic for what it offers, go for it.

Honda Amaze

•3d

For my personal requirements, I have shortlisted two cars including Mahindra 3XO Edge automatic and Brezza VXI automatic. The only reason for which I have shortlisted Brezza is because of its simple engine. Otherwise, everyone in my family wants to go with 3XO for its space, unique looks and bigger width. I want to know about TCMPFi engine. Will it be reliable and at least better than Nexon's Revotron?

•2d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO Edge automatic. The Brezza VXi automatic is a safe, simple and reliable choice, but the 3XO is the better fit for your requirements. It offers a wider cabin, more space and a more premium feel, which your family clearly values. The TCMPFi engine is a turbocharged petrol unit and is fundamentally a sound engine. It is not a new or unproven powertrain, and Mahindra has had time to refine it. It is also paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is a proven and reliable gearbox type. Compared to the Nexon’s Revotron engine, the 3XO’s powertrain is more refined and the gearbox is smoother and more conventional in its operation. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simpler and will likely be marginally more reliable over a very long ownership period, but the 3XO’s engine is not something to worry about from a reliability perspective. Given your family’s preference for space and the more premium feel, the 3XO is the better choice.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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