Mumbai

•22w

I have a family of 6 (Parents + Me + Spouse + 2 kids below 10 years. I currently use a 2013 Swift Dzire Diesel with 90,000km on the odometer. I am planning to buy an SUV within a budget of ₹18 lakh. Which SUV would be best, considering safety and mileage?

•22w

The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a good option to consider. It is spacious and can seat six people, though the last row is best for your kids only. The 2.2-litre diesel engine is punchy and will be good for highway drives, and is available with an automatic gearbox, should you want one. Its all-new suspension is also very well engineered and will keep your family comfortable on their journeys.

The pre-facelift version of the XUV 7XO - the XUV700 - has a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP, so it's safe to assume the new version will score highly as well. It is also available with a long list of features, including plenty of safety features.

The only downside is that the XUV 7XO is not very fuel-efficient, especially in the city, and at your budget of Rs 18 lakh, you will only get an entry-level model. However, check with your local Mahindra dealership if there are still any examples of the outgoing XUV700 left, as it is still an excellent product and could be available at a discounted rate.

Explore cars mentioned

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.14 Lakh

New car launches to explore

Hyundai Exter

₹5.81 - ₹9.46 Lakhs

Tata Tiago

₹4.69 - ₹8.55 Lakhs

Tata Tiago EV

₹6.99 - ₹9.99 Lakhs

Volkswagen Taigun

₹11.00 - ₹19.30 Lakhs

Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric

₹55.00 - ₹59.00 Lakhs

View all

More questions on similar cars

•6d

I want to purchase a car for my daily commute on village roads, as well as for highway driving. My monthly running is around 3,000 km, and once every quarter, I travel to a city that is approximately 350 km away from my town. Considering my usage pattern, would an EV be a suitable choice? Please suggest the best options within a budget of Rs. 20-30 lakh.

•3d

If you can install a charger at home and have charging stations on the route to your destination, an EV does make sense for your heavy use. Under Rs. 20 lakh, consider the Tata Curvv EV with the 55kWh battery pack. In our real world tests, it managed 352km on the highway which means your 350km journey is possible with a quick stop in between to top up. It also has good ground clearance and rides well, so it will deal with village roads nicely.For under Rs. 30 lakh, consider the Mahindra XEV 9e with the 79kWh battery pack. In our tests, it managed 488km on the highway meaning with some care, your 350km journey is possible in one go. You will need to charge at your destination though. EVs are less efficient on the highway and particularly with a full load require care to ensure the battery doesn't deplete too quickly. Your charging stops will also need to be planned in advance and there is possibility that you will have to wait at a stop for charge to become available. If this seems like too much work, then stick to a diesel. Under Rs. 20 lakh, consider the Kia Seltos diesel or the Hyundai Creta diesel. Under 30 lakh, you could consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO or the Scorpio N. All of these will comfortably manage village roads and do long highway stints without worries.

I want to purchase an SUV, and my budget is 15 lakhs maximum. My daily drive is around 10-15 kms in the city, and occasionally I go out of the city, like once in a quarter, and that too, maximum up to 300 kms. The vehicle should give decent mileage. It should be safe as well. Kindly suggest a few options.

•3h

Go for the Hyundai Venue. Given your limited usage, there's no need to spend extra for the diesel engine, and either of the petrol engines should be sufficient. The 1.2-litre engine is perfect for your largely city use, with sufficient power and a light clutch and gear shift. However, for your highway trips, it might feel underpowered, and in that case, the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol is a better bet, and even comes with a DCT automatic option. However, this engine isn't as fuel-efficient as the 1.2.Being one of the newest SUVs in the compact segment, the Venue comes with the latest tech, high-quality interiors, good space and good comfort too. With your budget of Rs 15 lakh, you can go up to the HX8 variant, which has a lot of features and tech. This includes safety features, and you'll be reassured by the fact that it has scored 5 stars in Bharat NCAP's crash tests. The only downside is that it's not particularly exciting to drive compared to some rivals.Speaking of which, alternatives include the Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO, which have also scored 5-star NCAP ratings, but aren't as fuel-efficient as the Venue. Or conversely, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Fronx, which are more fuel efficient, but haven't yet been tested by Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP. Overall, we think the Venue is the best bet for you.

I am looking to buy a car for city commuting, and my daily running will be around 30-50km. I don't like the design of the new i20 unveiled globally. Will the same car be launched in India, or will it be different? Also, can you let me know if there is any news on when it will be launched in India?

•4h

Hyundai has globally unveiled the next-generation i20 with a completely new design, larger screens and a more tech-focused cabin. However, the company has not yet confirmed whether this model will make its way to India.Even if it does, it is unlikely to arrive before 2027. With buyers increasingly gravitating towards compact SUVs, premium hatchbacks are no longer the priority they once were, which could influence Hyundai's plans for the Indian market.For that reason, if your requirement is a car for city commuting today, it doesn't make much sense to postpone your purchase. The current Hyundai i20 iVT remains one of the best city automatics in its price bracket. The CVT gearbox is exceptionally smooth in traffic, the cabin feels premium, and the car is comfortable enough for occasional highway trips as well.

Hyundai i20

View all Posts

Popular discussions right now

•2d

I have a 5kW solar connection at my house. I would like to buy an EV with a range of 500km+ on a full charge, within a budget of Rs 25-28 lakh. Which is the best option?

•1d

The Mahindra XEV 9S and XEV 9e would both be excellent choices within your budget. The key difference comes down to your space requirements. The XEV 9S is the one to choose if you need the flexibility of a 7-seat layout, while the XEV 9e is a 5-seater with a sleeker design and more emphasis on style. Beyond that, both models share the same battery packs and electric motors, so there is little to separate them in terms of performance, charging capability or range.While both have claimed ranges comfortably above 500km, in the real world you should expect closer to 450-470km on a full charge, depending on your driving style, speed and usage conditions. Even so, that remains among the best figures available in this price range.Your 5kW solar setup is an added advantage and should help keep charging costs very low over the long term.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XEV 9e

•4d

I was planning to buy the Honda Amaze CVT earlier, but due to uncertainty around a higher percentage of ethanol blending, I have decided to go with the Tata Altroz diesel. But now I read that the government is also planning to blend isobutanol in diesel. Should I buy a diesel vehicle or not? Will isobutanol adversely affect diesel engines and affect fuel economy?

•2d

There is no reason to avoid either a petrol or a diesel car purely because of future fuel-blending plans.Just as modern petrol cars are being engineered to handle higher ethanol blends, any future diesel blend regulations will be accompanied by corresponding changes from vehicle manufacturers. If isobutanol blending is introduced, it will be done in a controlled manner, and vehicles sold in the market will be calibrated accordingly. There is currently no evidence to suggest that such blends would cause adverse effects on modern diesel engines when used within the prescribed limits.The more important question is whether a diesel suits your usage pattern. If your running is high and includes regular highway trips, the Altroz Diesel remains a compelling option. However, if your usage is predominantly urban, the Honda Amaze CVT is still the more sensible choice. It offers a smoother driving experience, lower complexity and none of the DPF-related concerns associated with modern diesel engines.

Tata Altroz

Honda Amaze

•1d

I am planning to purchase a new automatic car for my daughter. She recently obtained her driving license and is currently driving an automatic Tata Nano. Now that she is comfortable and confident with it, I am considering upgrading her to a larger vehicle. I am evaluating options such as the Kylaq and the Kia Sonet. However, my wife is insisting on an electric car. I am a bit sceptical about EVs, as they are not yet fully proven to be trouble‑free, and her weekly commute is around 150 km. I am also waiting for the launch of the updated Brezza, and my preference is for a torque‑converter automatic rather than a DCT. I would appreciate your opinion on electric cars, the Kia Sonet diesel, the Brezza, and which one I should go for. This car will be mostly used for city drives since I have an Ertiga manual for long trips.

•1d

Of your shortlisted cars, go for the Skoda Kylaq automatic. For mostly city use and just 150km a week, its punchy turbo petrol engine with a smooth torque converter is a great mix of fun and ease of use. Its light yet sharp steering, upright seating and compact size feel like a natural step up from a Nano, and the interior feels fresh and upmarket too.The Kia Sonet diesel automatic is quick and efficient, but a diesel engine is overkill for your daughter's limited usage. Not only is it pound-for-pound more expensive than an equivalent petrol to buy, but it also requires extra care, such as regenerating the DPF (diesel particulate filter) every so often via a high-speed run, as well as top-ups of the ad-blue tank. The Brezza is a good option thanks to its simple, naturally aspirated engine, which should deliver better fuel economy than the Kylaq. But in its current form, it's just a bit uninteresting and unenthusiastic an offering, and it's best to wait for the facelift, which is right around the corner, before making that decision.For 150 km a week, an electric car is actually ideal if you have a private parking spot with a 15A socket or a home charger. The powertrains these days are much smoother, batteries carry long warranties, and city running is silent and cheap. Upfront cost, charging access and resale value are the only real hurdles, so if you are interested, a compact EV like the Tata Punch EV is a great option.

View all Posts

Posted on: 10 Jan 2026