I currently own a September 2019 Kia Seltos HTX IVT (petrol), which has covered around 73,000 km without any issues, despite a major accident at 17,000 km. I am now thinking of buying a new car. My first preference is the Tata Safari petrol. However, after seeing the recent results and user reviews of the Tata Harrier EV, I am in a dilemma about whether I should buy the Harrier EV or the Safari petrol, or wait for the Safari EV.

autocar.india

•2d

Given your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic would be our recommendation. With an 80:20 city-to-highway ratio and 15,000 km a year, diesel still makes sense because the XUV 7XO's diesel engine is refined, efficient and well suited to both city driving and long highway runs. The 7XO also offers a usable third row, strong performance and a well-equipped cabin, making it a proper upgrade from your Venue.The Tata Safari is a strong alternative if you prioritise ride comfort and a more spacious third row, but the XUV 7XO offers a better overall ownership experience and a more modern feature set. The Hyundai Alcazar petrol automatic is the more refined and easier-to-drive option in the city, but its third row is tighter and it does not feel like as big a step up from the Venue.On the electric front, the Mahindra XEV 9S is worth considering if you have home charging and predictable daily usage, but at Rs. 25 lakh on-road you are likely to be looking at the lower variants, and the XUV 7XO diesel still makes more sense given your usage pattern.Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic strikes the best balance between space, performance, efficiency and long-term ownership.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

Mahindra XEV 9S

Hyundai Alcazar

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

•2h

Go for the used Citroen C5 Aircross diesel at Rs 11 lakh. It is the better fit for your priorities. The C5 Aircross is one of the most comfortable SUVs in its segment, with a genuinely plush ride and a refined diesel engine that offers strong mid-range performance and good highway manners. At 45,000 km and as a 2022 model, it is still relatively fresh, and you are getting a lot of car for the money.The Toyota Fortuner is a different proposition altogether. It is a rugged, reliable workhorse with excellent resale value and a reputation for longevity, but at 98,000 km and Rs 25 lakh, you are paying a significant premium for that reliability. It is also not as comfortable or as refined as the C5 Aircross, especially on long drives. The ride is firmer, and while the engine is strong, the overall driving experience is more utilitarian than premium.If your priorities are driving comfort and good pickup, the C5 Aircross is the smarter choice. The only caveat is Citroen's smaller service network than Toyota's, so make sure you have a service centre reasonably close by. If you are looking for a long-term ownership proposition with minimal hassle, the Fortuner still makes sense, but for your requirements, the C5 Aircross is the more intelligent decision.

Citroen C5 Aircross

Toyota Fortuner

autocar.india

•7h

Go for the Honda Elevate petrol CVT. It is the best fit for your requirements. The Elevate’s CVT automatic is smooth and convenient, making driving in city traffic far less stressful. It is also a reliable, fuss-free car that will comfortably last 10-12 years with Honda’s strong service network and low maintenance costs. The cabin is spacious enough for a family of five, and the ride is comfortable on long highway trips. The petrol engine is refined and peppy enough for your usage, and you avoid the long-term concerns around diesel ownership as emission norms tighten.The Kia Sonet diesel is a good car, but it is smaller than the Elevate, and the diesel automatic doesn't make sense given your usage. The Honda car mentioned above is the more sensible, long-term choice.

Honda Elevate

Kia Sonet