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•7w

Hi all, I need some suggestions. I am looking for my first car and am a new driver. I will mainly use it for weekend trips, along with one or two long road trips across India each year. I am looking for a 5-seater SUV with very good suspension, with a maximum budget of Rs 20 lakh. Low running and maintenance costs are important, as I plan to keep the car for 10-15 years. Should I go for a naturally aspirated or turbo-petrol/diesel engine? I am currently considering the Tata Sierra Adventure+ diesel automatic. Should I wait for the Creta 2027? Also, should I consider a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, diesel or petrol? I have heard about high maintenance costs, electronic glitches, rusting and paint issues with Tata cars, although their build quality is said to be very good. What would be the best option for my requirements?

•7w

Go for the Tata Sierra Adventure+ diesel automatic. It is the best fit for your requirements. You are a new driver looking for your first car, with weekend trips and occasional long India tours, and you want a 5-seater SUV with very good suspension, low running and maintenance costs, and a long ownership period of 10-15 years. The Tata Sierra diesel automatic is a genuinely comfortable and spacious SUV with a strong diesel engine, and it is well-suited to long-distance touring. The diesel engine will keep running costs in check on highway trips, and the Sierra's ride quality is genuinely impressive, which is exactly what you are looking for.

On your other questions: do not wait for the Creta 2027. It is still a few months away, and there is no guarantee it will land exactly in your budget. On the fuel type, diesel makes sense for your usage pattern with long highway trips. Hybrid or plug-in hybrid only makes sense if your running is predominantly city, which is not the case here. On Tata reliability, the Sierra is a new-generation product, and Tata has made genuine improvements, but it is fair to say that Hyundai and Maruti still have a more consistent long-term ownership track record. That said, the Sierra is a genuinely good product and worth considering.

If you want the absolute safest long-term ownership experience, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic or the current-generation Hyundai Creta diesel automatic are the alternatives to consider. They are not as spacious as the Sierra, but it is a very reliable, with a proven ownership track record.

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Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.33 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.76 Lakh

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.66 Lakh

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•2d

Dear Autocar team, I am planning to buy a petrol automatic SUV priced under Rs 20 lakh. I have been considering the Tata Sierra petrol automatic but am concerned about Tata's after-sales service. My key requirements are comfortable seating for four to five adults, a spacious midsize SUV rather than a compact SUV, strong safety standards and build quality, and modern features such as a 360-degree camera. Which options should I consider?

•2d

Based on your requirements, the Tata Sierra turbo-petrol automatic is a good fit. It is a genuinely spacious midsize SUV with a wide cabin that comfortably accommodates five adults. Plus, it offers a premium interior with a good feature set, including a 360-degree camera. Safety and build quality are also among its key strengths.Your concern about Tata's after-sales service is understandable, and the experience continues to vary depending on the dealership.If you are looking for alternatives, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is an excellent option. The petrol engine isn't as powerful, but Kia's ownership experience is generally more consistent compared to Tata's. The Hyundai Creta is due for a full generation change in 2027, so it is not the best time to buy one.Overall, the Sierra turbo-petrol automatic remains the best fit for your requirements. If you are still concerned about after-sales, the Seltos is the safer ownership choice, but you will be compromising on cabin and boot space.

We are a family of 4 and our usage is limited to 10-12,000 km annually which involves 60:40 city-highway usage. Our trips always have a couple of more members joining us. I like the XUV 7XO (diesel) automatic but I am not too sure about its longevity since I would like to own this car for 8-10 years. I considered the Alcazar but I felt the 2nd row is slightly narrow compared to the 7XO. Also, as a car that costs as much as the 7XO isn't nearly as powerful either. Are these my only options? I know my usage may not need a diesel but I would like to own one while these are still available, so I don't mind the delta in price. Also, with the E20 petrol, the performance and efficiency of my current S-Cross has seen drastic difference. I would like the car to be engaging to drive and also reliable with a fuss free ownership. Could you guide me on this please? Thank you.

•2d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. Your usage of 10-12,000 km a year with a 60-40 city-highway split does not strictly demand a diesel, but your preference for owning one while they are still available is valid, and the XUV 7XO diesel is one of the best diesel powertrains in the segment. It is strong, refined and well suited to highway touring, which aligns with your occasional long trips with additional family members.The XUV 7XO is also one of the most engaging 7-seater SUVs to drive, with good performance and a well-sorted chassis. The second row is genuinely spacious, and the third row is usable for occasional passengers, which is important given your family of four plus two additional members on trips. On longevity, Mahindra has made significant improvements in reliability and ownership experience over the past few years, and the XUV 7XO is a mature product. As long as you maintain it well, there is no reason it cannot be a reliable 8-10 year ownership proposition.If you are open to alternatives, the Tata Sierra is worth a look. It is spacious, comfortable and feels premium inside, but the diesel engine is not as strong nor as refined as the Mahindra's. Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the best fit for your requirements. It offers the right balance of space, performance, driving engagement and long-term ownership potential.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Sierra

•1d

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a new car, with monthly usage of around 500 km in the city for office commuting and 0-1,000 km on the highway, depending on our holiday plans. We liked the new Kia Seltos HTK (Optional) and want to go for an automatic. However, we are confused about which powertrain to choose: diesel automatic, turbo-petrol DCT or naturally aspirated (NA) petrol IVT. We currently own a BS4 diesel Maruti Suzuki Swift in our hometown, so we would love a car that offers an exciting driving experience. However, we are concerned about potential DPF issues with BS6 Phase 2 diesel engines, especially with predominantly city driving. We are also worried about possible overheating issues with the turbo-petrol DCT in heavy traffic, while the NA petrol IVT did not feel particularly exciting to drive. Which powertrain would you recommend for our usage and driving preferences, given a budget of around Rs. 20 lakh? Thanks in advance!

•22h

Go for the Kia Seltos turbo petrol DCT. Your usage pattern is a mix of city commuting and occasional long highway runs, and you also want an exciting driving experience. The diesel automatic is a great engine, but with only 500 km a month in the city, you are right to be cautious about DPF issues. Modern diesels still need regular highway runs to keep the system healthy, and your usage is right on the borderline. The naturally aspirated petrol IVT is the most hassle-free option, but as you have already noticed, it is not particularly exciting to drive.The turbo petrol DCT is the best compromise. It is genuinely quick and fun to drive, and the DCT is not something to be overly worried about. Yes, dual-clutch gearboxes can get hot in heavy stop-start traffic, but the Seltos DCT is well engineered and will cope with normal city driving. The key is to drive it sensibly in traffic - avoid creeping for long periods; shift to N when at a standstill in traffic instead of keeping it in D. And use the brakes while stopped on an incline, rather than feathering the throttle. For your usage pattern, it is the most enjoyable and practical option.

Kia Seltos

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•1w

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a seven-seater car. I have test-driven the Renault Triber Turbo and Citroen Aircross X and was impressed by what both offer at their price points. However, the Aircross put a wide smile on my face. As a current Maruti Suzuki user, I did not consider the Ertiga because it feels similar to our Swift. I liked the Aircross X but am sceptical about Citroen's service network and spare parts availability. However, there are three Citroen showrooms within 45 km of my place. Please suggest which car I should choose. My budget: Rs. 15 lakh Current vehicle: Second-generation Maruti Suzuki Swift petrol (2017) Annual usage: Around 10,000 km, with a 50:30:20 split between town, highway and city driving Requirement: A seven-seater car

•6d

The Citroen's interiors feel more special, its engine is more powerful, and its ride-handling balance is outstanding; however, for seven adults, it won't be as comfortable as the Triber.In fact, the Triber's superb packaging makes it genuinely comfortable for passengers in all three rows, despite its compact sub-4-meter dimensions. The new turbo-petrol engine makes it an effortless performer, and its ride quality feels very mature too. Moreover, the Triber Turbo is also much more affordable in comparison, making it outstanding value for money. Yes, the Aircross X will appeal to your heart, but given Citroen's limited service network and cramped third row, the Triber Turbo is the more sensible choice.

Renault Triber

Citroen Aircross

•3d

Please advise which car would be the best choice for long-term ownership: the Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Volkswagen SUV, or any other suitable option. My priority is reliability, long-term durability, and hassle-free ownership over the next 10 years or more. I would appreciate suggestions based on real-world ownership experience, maintenance costs, spare parts availability, and after-sales support.

•3d

For long-term ownership, the Mahindra Scorpio N is the safest recommendation from your shortlist. It has a proven track record, robust mechanicals and a strong service network, making it a dependable choice for 5-10 years of ownership. The Tata Harrier and Tata Safari have improved significantly, but the Scorpio N still has the edge on long-term reliability and ownership confidence. The Jeep Compass is a good product, but it is now an ageing model and does not offer the same value proposition as the Scorpio N. If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It is a more modern product with a better balance of comfort, features and refinement, and it is a strong long-term ownership proposition as well. The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are excellent driver's cars, but they are smaller and do not offer the same level of space or road presence as the Scorpio N or XUV 7XO.

I am planning to buy my first car. I want to have a 7-seater and need it for long term ownership. I liked the Citroen Aircross X design for 5+2. I am planning to choose a car with automatic transmission. I have couple of major concerns for which I would like your advice. First one is Mileage, I heard Aircross has a mileage issue and its real-world city mileage is 8 kpl while on highway it is 14 kpl. Is it the same for X version also? Second advice is for its service network. I have heard from the people that its service is slow. Regular servicing also takes around 2 days of time. I have a service center within 10 km from my home. My budget is Rs. 20 Lakh and I need an automatic transmission with rear and front parking camera or 360-degree camera since I am a new driver. Are there any 7-seater alternatives within this budget?

•2d

The Citroen Aircross X is a good-looking car, now with a premium interior. It is the only SUV in its category which offers a 5+2 seating configuration, and even though the third row is not particularly spacious, it works for occasional use. The real-world fuel efficiency figures as per our tests are 9.5kpl and 13.62kpl in city and highway conditions, respectively, which is quite decent given the strong and smooth performance this 1.2-turbo-petrol-AT delivers. What's more is that ride comfort is outstanding, perhaps the best among all midsize SUVs. So as far as comfort and practicality goes, the Aircross X is a good car.Citroen's service centre network is limited, but since you have a touchpoint close to your home, your vehicle's regular servicing and maintenance is likely to be taken care of smoothly. If you love the Aircross X for what it is, go for it - as far as value goes, it is an outstanding proposition. If you're looking for proper seven-seater alternatives, we'd strongly recommend the Kia Carens Clavis HTK+ turbo-petrol automatic version. All three rows are properly spacious, well-suited for adults. This variant will be within your Rs 20 lakh on-road budget, and it has front and rear parking sensors, as well as rear-view camera to make parking easy for you. Sure, it isn't an SUV, but it is a very sensible car, if you need a proper seven-seater.

Citroen Aircross

Kia Carens Clavis

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