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•46w

I want to buy a new car because my current one is almost 11 years old. I drive around 500–600 km per month on average. I’m looking for a 6–7 seater vehicle on a budget, and I’m torn between the Maruti XL6 and the Hyundai Alcazar. Can you suggest which one would be better, or recommend other options?

•46w

The two cars you have shortlisted fall in different segments; in fact, where the Maruti XL6 price ends, is where the Hyundai Alcazar price begins. The Alcazar is a superior vehicle in terms of comfort, quality, features and engines.

However, the XL6 MPV body style means that space efficiency on the interior is better. The XL6 has just a single engine option - a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Also, it is not as powerful as the Alcazar, but it will be more fuel-efficient. If you are budget-conscious and want to keep running costs low, the Maruti XL6 is the better choice for you. You could also consider the Kia Carens Clavis, which falls between these two on price.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

XL6

from ₹13.49 Lakh

Hyundai

Alcazar

from ₹16.83 Lakh

Kia

Carens Clavis

from ₹13.22 Lakh

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•1d

Currently, I am using Celerio AMT that has completed 1,63,000 km in 12 year. I want to purchase a 6-7 seater car. I have shortlisted Suzuki XL6, Kia Carens Clavis or Tata Safari. Which car should I buy and should it be petrol or CNG?

•1d

The Tata Safari is the more expensive and more premium SUV option, but it is larger and heavier than the other two cars you've listed. Also, it is available only with a turbo-petrol, which given its weight, isn't going to be very efficient in the real world. Lastly, the controls like the gearbox and clutch are heavier compared to the other two which feel relatively effort-free. So we'd rule out the Safari.Given you're usage, opting for a CNG version will keep a check on your running costs. Both Maruti and Kia offer factor CNG options with their respective manual gearbox versions of the 1.5 petrol engine.The Maruti Suzuki XL6 is a sensible choice here, given its reputation for reliability, ease of maintenance and Maruti's unmatched service network, which is important for a long-term owner. However, we'd recommend you to go for the Kia Carens Clavis which feels more premium than the XL6. The Clavis' cabin feels more upmarket, space is excellent, it is better equipped, refinement is better, and now it also offers a factory-fitted CNG variants. Overall, the Clavis CNG feels like the more polished offering, hence it gets our vote.

I own Toyota Etios and now want to purchase a new car under the budget of Rs. 20 to 25 lakh. I am planning to get a 7-seater as sometimes I need it (around 10% of the times). I am considering XUV 7XO (diesel). Please suggest a suitable vehicle.

•1d

Given your usage pattern, where only about 10 percent of your driving genuinely requires a third row, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is a sensible choice. It is one of the most complete 7-seaters in the segment, offering a strong diesel engine, good highway manners and a genuinely usable third row when needed. The diesel engine is particularly well suited to long-distance touring and occasional heavy loads, which aligns with your requirement for a car that can comfortably accommodate seven passengers on demand. Alternatively, consider the Kia Carens Clavis diesel if you want a seven seater with a smaller footprint. However, it is worth considering whether a 7-seater is truly the best fit for your needs. If 90 percent of your usage is as a 5-seater, you may be better served by a more spacious and comfortable 5-seater SUV, such as the Kia Seltos or the Tata Sierra, both of which offer excellent comfort and practicality.If you genuinely need the third row even 10 percent of the time, the XUV 7XO diesel is a strong recommendation. If those occasions are rare and can be managed with alternative arrangements, a 5-seater may actually deliver a better ownership experience over the long term.

I am 36 years old and we are a family of 6 including 4 adults and 2 kids. I am looking for an automatic car under 25 lakh (on-road) that has low cost of ownership in the city of Ahmedabad. My yearly running is approximately 12000 km which includes 70% running in city and 30% running on highways. It should be fund to drive as I plan to own it for the next 8-10 years without worry. Please recommend me a car based on above criteria.

•3d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic. It ticks the boxes that matter most to you. Its 5-star Bharat NCAP rating covers safety, and its 200hp turbo-petrol makes it properly quick, so it’s the most fun to drive in this space. With two kids in the family, the third row works well too. It’s tight for adults but perfect for children, so all six of you fit comfortably. The AX5 or AX7 automatic sits within your Rs 25 lakh budget, and the AX7 is the better buy if you can stretch to it.The trade-off is fuel. A big turbo-petrol SUV isn’t frugal, and in our test it averaged under 9kpl overall. At 12,000km a year, mostly in the city, you’ll spend noticeably more on fuel than in a smaller car.If running costs worry you more than driving fun, look at the Kia Carens Clavis turbo DCT. It’s cheaper, more efficient and has a roomier third row, but it hasn’t been crash-tested yet and it isn’t as engaging to drive. Take your family to drive both, with the kids in the back seats.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Carens Clavis

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•1w

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

•4d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Nissan Tekton

•1w

I’ve almost finalised the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, and I really like the car. However, I’m a little worried about Skoda’s long-term service and maintenance costs, especially after the warranty period. I’m planning to keep the car for around 7–8 years. Would you recommend taking the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) along with the car? Is it worth the additional cost considering regular servicing and potential maintenance expenses? Also, compared with the Brezza and Nexon, how is the Kylaq Signature Automatic in terms of long-term reliability, service costs and parts replacement? Would really appreciate your advice before I make the final purchase decision.

•4d

If you like the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, go ahead and buy it. It is a genuinely good car and one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven combination, and Skoda’s reliability has improved significantly in recent years. The bigger concern is not reliability but long-term maintenance costs, which can be higher than Maruti or Tata once the car is out of warranty.This is where the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) makes sense. It locks in your service costs for the first 4-5 years, covers all scheduled maintenance and gives you peace of mind during the most expensive ownership period. If you are planning to keep the car for 7-8 years, it is worth the additional cost because it protects you from unexpected bills and helps you budget ownership costs more accurately.Compared to the Brezza and Nexon, the Kylaq is the better driver’s car with a more engaging driving experience and a stronger engine. The Brezza is the benchmark for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, while the Nexon sits somewhere in between. The Kylaq is not unreliable, but parts and service can be more expensive once you are out of warranty.If you are buying the Kylaq, take the SMP and enjoy the car. If long-term ownership costs are your absolute priority, the Brezza is the safer financial choice.

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

•5d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

Kia Seltos

Tata Safari

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