My budget is under Rs. 14.5 lakh. I can get an automatic variant in the sub-4-metre segment, while in the above-4-metre segment, I would have to choose a manual, such as the Duster, Tekton or Seltos. Which one should I buy? I mostly travel within the city, but I prefer above-4-metre SUVs. Could you please suggest the better pick for my requirements?

autocar.india

•3h

Go for the XUV 3XO AX7 T-GDI manual. You get the most powerful petrol engine in the segment, which is a 1.2-litre direct-injection turbo petrol with 131hp and 230Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in around 11 seconds. More than just the numbers, however, this engine pulls strongly and works well with its 6-speed manual gearbox.The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a solid feeling compact SUV with a spacious cabin, and in your budget of Rs 15 lakh, you can get the fully loaded AX7 variant that comes with a lot of features too.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•1d

Given your usage pattern, the Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol automatic is the best fit. Your daily commute is short and frequent, so a petrol engine is the right choice, and the 3XO's automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. The car also has a well-tuned suspension that handles potholes and broken roads well, minimising cabin jerk and improving comfort. On your weekend highway runs, the 3XO feels stable and confident, and the wide cabin makes it a comfortable five-seater. The diesel option is not worth considering here because your annual running is not high enough to justify the higher purchase cost and maintenance. The 3XO also offers good value for money, with a strong feature set and a comfortable cabin within your Rs 15 lakh budget. Overall, it strikes the right balance between city comfort, highway stability and ownership costs.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•1d

With a daily running of 70 km on rural roads and highways, fuel efficiency and safety as top priorities, and a budget of Rs 10-15 lakh, a diesel car is the most sensible choice. Diesel engines are inherently more fuel-efficient than petrol or CNG, and they deliver strong torque at low revs, which is exactly what you need for overtaking on highways and tackling rural roads. Modern diesel cars are also far more refined and reliable than they used to be, and with your kind of running, the cost savings over time are significant.CNG is not the right fit here. While it is cheap to run, it comes with compromises that do not suit your usage. Refuelling infrastructure is still patchy in many rural areas, the boot space is compromised, and performance on highways is noticeably weaker, especially when overtaking or climbing gradients. CNG works best for city commuters with predictable routes and easy access to filling stations.Electric cars are also not ideal for your use case. While they are cheap to run and great in the city, your daily running is already quite high, and rural charging infrastructure is still developing. Range anxiety on longer highway runs and the lack of fast chargers in remote areas can become a real issue. EVs make the most sense when you have home charging and predominantly city usage.Within your budget, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel and Tata Nexon diesels are good options. They are safe and well-built, with strong diesel engines, good ground clearance for rural roads, and a comfortable highway ride. They also come with a 5-star safety rating, which aligns with your priorities.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon