Mumbai

•2d

Hi, I am currently using a 2021 Maruti S-Presso manual and am planning to upgrade to a new car. I am looking for a sub-4-metre SUV with an AMT. My budget is Rs 10-12 lakh. My annual usage is around 6,000 km, with 60% highway driving and 40% driving in Chennai city. I also plan to take one or two solo trips each year. Please suggest a good car with low maintenance, good mileage, and strong safety.

•7m

Given your usage of around 6,000 km a year with a 60% highway bias, consider the Skoda Kylaq or Mahindra XUV 3XO, both of which are available with powerful turbo-petrol engines and smooth 6-speed torque converters (automatic). Both these cars are excellent highway cruisers too, and if you maintain steady speeds, they will return respectable fuel efficiency too.

Alternatively, you could consider the Kia Sonet HTK (O) DCT too. It is a very polished offering, and compared to the Mahindra and Skoda, it will be a bit more efficient too.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Kylaq

from ₹8.77 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹9.00 Lakh

Kia

Sonet

from ₹8.56 Lakh

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•2d

I am planning to purchase my first car and am a new driver, so I am also new to driving on the roads. Budget: Rs 15 lakh Need an automatic transmission I work in Delhi, but my hometown is in Uttarakhand. My usage will be around 60% city driving and 40% highway/hill runs. Overall running will still be around 1,000 km per month. Open to both EVs and petrol/diesel cars. I don't have a home charger, but there are common AC/DC chargers in my society and office. Which car should I choose? I like the Mahindra 3XO RevX A and Skoda Kylaq Prestige+. I would also like suggestions for EVs if there are any that fit my requirements. I am open to other options as well.

•1h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX A. It is the better fit for your usage and budget. As a new driver with a car under Rs 15 lakh budget, you need one that is easy to drive in Delhi traffic, comfortable on highways, and capable on hill roads. This Mahindra car delivers on all three. The turbo-petrol engine is punchy enough for highway overtakes and hill climbs, while the automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to live with in the city. The car also feels solid and planted on the highway, which is important for long drives to Uttarakhand.The Skoda Kylaq Prestige+ is a good alternative if you prioritise driving dynamics, but the 3XO offers better value for money and a more spacious cabin. On the electric car front, the Tata Nexon EV and Kia Syros EV are the only realistic options within your budget, but without a dedicated home charger and with regular highway and hill driving, an EV isn’t the most practical choice right now.The 3XO RevX A strikes the right balance between city comfort, highway stability, and hill capability, making it the best first car for your needs.

Hi Team, I am desperately trying to find an exact substitute of Tata Nexon Creative Plus PS (Petrol + Manual), in the same price range with exactly all features that this Tata Nexon variant offers, but with a better engine. Can you please suggest such a car?

•1d

The Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 Luxury petrol manual is the closest alternative to the Nexon Creative Plus PS petrol manual. It sits in the same price bracket, offers a similarly rich feature set and, crucially, has a stronger engine. The 3XO’s 131hp, 1.2 turbo petrol is more powerful and more responsive than the Nexon’s 1.2 turbo petrol, giving it a clear edge in both performance and drivability. The 3XO also benefits from a wider cabin, making it a more comfortable five-seater, and it comes with a strong safety package. The only significant drawback is the boot, which is one of the smallest in the segment. If boot space is a priority, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is worth considering as well. It offers a more engaging driving experience and a larger boot, but it is not as feature-rich as the 3XO. Overall, the 3XO AX5 Luxury petrol manual is the best like-for-like alternative to the Nexon Creative Plus PS, with a clear advantage in engine performance.

I am looking to buy a petrol SUV with a budget of around Rs 15 lakh. My monthly running would be approximately 1,000km, with 70–80 percent of the driving in the city and the rest on highways. My priorities are comfort and performance. I currently own a Maruti Suzuki Swift.

•2d

With a Rs 15 lakh budget, 1,000 km a month and 70-80% city driving, a petrol compact SUV is the right choice. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is the recommendation here. It offers a strong turbo petrol engine, good ride comfort and a wide cabin that makes it one of the most spacious five-seaters in the segment. It also comes well equipped with safety features and has a solid ownership track record. The Skoda Kylaq is the alternative if you prioritise driving enjoyment and a more engaging driving experience, but the 3XO is the more rounded package for your usage. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is the reliability-first option, and the one to go for if the roads are bad in your area, as it has a very good low-speed ride. Overall, the 3XO strikes a good balance between comfort, performance and value for your requirements.

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

I want to purchase a 7-seater SUV. My options are the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and Scorpio N, and I am considering installing an aftermarket CNG kit for better fuel economy. Could you please suggest which one would be better suited for CNG?

•3d

We would strongly advise against installing aftermarket CNG on any of these SUVs. All three – the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO and Scorpio N - are large, heavy vehicles with powerful turbocharged petrol engines. Fitting CNG to such engines is not recommended, as it can lead to drivability issues, increased wear and potential reliability concerns over time. More importantly, these SUVs are not designed with CNG in mind, and the installation can compromise safety and performance.If fuel economy is a top priority, opt for their diesel versions instead. The Mahindra and Tata offer strong torque, excellent highway efficiency and are well-suited to long-distance touring. If you are set on CNG, it is better to look at smaller, naturally aspirated petrol cars that are either factory-fitted or specifically designed for CNG use.Between the three, the XUV 7XO diesel would be our recommendation. It offers a more modern package, better ride comfort and a more premium cabin than the Scorpio N, while the Safari diesel is also a strong contender if you prefer Tata's design and feature set. But CNG should not be the deciding factor here.

I am a first-time buyer. My salary is Rs 4.2 lakh per year (CTC). Which company and which model would suit me?

•4d

With a CTC of Rs 4.2 lakh per year, the key is to keep the purchase affordable and running costs low. The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the most sensible starting point. It is reliable, easy to maintain and has excellent service reach, which is exactly what you want as a first-time buyer. The 1.0-litre petrol engine in this Maruti Suzuki car is efficient, and the car is easy to drive in the city.If you need a bit more space, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a good alternative with its tall-boy design and larger boot. If you are open to a slightly higher budget, the Tata Tiago is worth considering for its stronger build and more premium feel, but Maruti's service network and lower maintenance costs make it the safer long-term choice at this budget. The Alto K10 is the most practical and financially sensible first car.

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•1w

I am confused between the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO, and I also like the XUV700. My budget is approximately Rs. 18 lakh. Can you suggest which one I should choose?

•6d

With a budget of Rs. 18 lakh, you're likely to get the entry-level variants of the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. Between the two, the Tata Car has a more spacious third row; however, the XUV 7XO is the better all-rounder.The XUV 7XO is essentially the facelifted XUV700, so you get the same proven mechanical package, along with a more modern interior, updated features and a more premium feel. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is strong and refined, making this Mahindra car well suited to both city and highway driving, while the manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use.The Tata Safari is still a good car, with a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin, but the XUV 7XO feels more modern and premium inside.

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