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•43w

With an on-road budget of ₹22 lakh, I want to buy an SUV in the next 4-5 months that is fun and punchy with reasonable fuel efficiency. I don’t want a Maruti car because the hybrids compromise boot space, and the others aren’t engaging to drive. My main requirements are good rear seat space and an enjoyable driving experience. The MG Hector and Tata Sierra have some variants that fit the bill, but they’re gas guzzlers. Apart from those, are there any other models that fit the bill?

•43w

The most fun-to-drive SUVs in your budget are the 1.5-litre Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq twins, which are very engaging thanks to their brilliant dynamics and a powerful, punchy engine.

Both are due for a facelift, and the upgraded Kushaq is just around the corner and scheduled to launch on January 20th 2026. The Volkswagen Taigun facelift will come a month later. Both these SUVs will see some significant enhancements to the air conditioning and interiors.

Top-end variants will come with rear massage seats, a first in the segment. However, one weakness is the rear seat space, which is relatively narrow and best for four.

Therefore, if this is a deal-breaker for you, you could consider the Tata Sierra. It is fantastically spacious, has superb ride and handling and an all-new 1.5 petrol engine, which is smooth, punchy and fairly efficient too.

The Sierra is not as engaging to drive as the Kushaq and Taigun, as it is heavier and has a relaxed power delivery. We would rule out the MG Hector in your case as it is too big, it's not a very engaging car to drive, and as you said, the MG car guzzles fuel. The MG Hector price starts at 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Explore cars mentioned

Volkswagen

Taigun

from ₹12.76 Lakh

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.41 Lakh

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.33 Lakh

Hector

from ₹14.09 Lakh

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•2d

I’m planning to buy the new VW Taigun Topline MT as my first car. I’m a first-time buyer with no driving experience, but I’m genuinely interested in learning to drive and want a manual transmission rather than an automatic. My annual usage will be around 5,000–7,000km, mostly a mix of city and highway driving, and I intend to keep the car for 10–12 years. Safety is one of my biggest priorities, followed by looks, driving enjoyment and long-term ownership costs. Would you recommend the Taigun Topline MT over alternatives like the Hyundai Creta SX MT, Kia Seltos HTX MT or Duster Adventure? I’m choosing the Taigun because I like its looks, features and driving experience, but I want an honest assessment rather than a recommendation based solely on performance or enthusiast appeal. Would you go ahead with this choice in my situation?

•1d

As a first time buyer with no experience of driving, consider getting something smaller and more affordable to learn, practice and then upgrade to a car which you can keep and enjoy for 10-12 years. You could consider a sub-10 lakh hatchback first that'll be relatively easy to maintain/repair while you master the art of driving.If you still want to go ahead with the Volkswagen Taigun Topline MT, it is a solidly built, fun-to-drive car. The updated version gets an upgraded air-con which performs very well. Moreover, it is quite spacious yet relatively more compact than similarly priced midsize SUVs, so maneuvering and parking will be quite easy.The Hyundai Creta SX MT and Kia Seltos HTX MT are both excellent alternatives. They offer an airier cabin experience and are backed by their respective service networks, which are wider than VW's. Their 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol manual versions are more responsive in the city, as there is no dull zone before the boost comes in (turbo lag), as you will experience with the 1.0 Taigun; and their manual gearbox and clutch are smoother and effort-free compared to the Taigun's.That said, if your heart is on the Taigun 1.0 MT, go for it, but we'll also recommend you explore the option of buying a relatively smaller, cheaper car to learn and practice driving before spending on the Taigun.

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

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•6d

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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