Hi team, Planning to purchase mahindra xuv 7xo AX7T AT in petrol, my monthly running is around 500 km. Is advisable to go for petrol? Shall I opt for AX7L model? Please suggest.

Autocar India

•6h

The choice of an AWD or 2WD car really comes down to the kind of terrain you intend to drive on, and not really the distance. If you will venture off onto some trails and rough off-road areas, the AWD makes sense.The AWD system in the Mahindra XUV 7XO is a torque-on-demand system that automatically delivers torque to the rear wheels in loose and slippery conditions, such as muck and snow. There is also a 'LOCK' mode, which ensures that power is always going to the rear wheels. This can be used when driving over a continuously slippery terrain. If you are in this mode, remember to keep speeds low as this system is not designed for on-road high speeds and automatically switches to 'AUTO' mode at speeds above 80kph. Thus, if you are not really going to benefit from the AWD system, its best avoided and opt for the regular two-wheel drive model instead.Also, since your driving is limited, the petrol AT suits occasional use better as short trips under 10-15km often don’t let a BS6 diesel fully warm up, which can make DPF regeneration inconsistent. However, if your 150 km weekend drives involve a highway run, like with a continuous stretch of about 80km and speeds around 60kph then you should not have a problem with the DPF.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•1d

For your requirement, the Kia Carens is actually a very good fit, and yes, it makes sense to consider it. Your usage is quite low at around 500 km per month, so a petrol automatic or manual is the right choice. Diesel is not required and may not suit such low running.The biggest reason the Carens works for you is the flexibility of 7 seats. It is also a comfortable car, especially for family usage. The ride quality is well-suited for city and highway driving, and the second and third rows are usable, which is important in your case.For your 1 km kuccha road, the Carens can handle it without any issues as long as you drive carefully. The suspension is compliant enough for mild rough roads, but it is not a hardcore SUV. So you will need to go slowly over bad patches.If you want something more rugged with better ground clearance, you can also consider the Tata Safari. It is better suited for rough roads and has a stronger SUV stance. While it is not as flexible or practical as the Carens as a 7-seater, it is still decent for family use. It is also a better 7-seater than something like the Mahindra XUV 7XO, where the fixed middle row makes the third row less flexible and more cramped.Go for the Kia Carens if your priority is comfort, space and flexibility for family use. Consider the Tata Safari if you want better rough-road ability and a more rugged feel, but with some compromise on third-row practicality.

Kia Carens

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•1d

Go for the Mahindra XUV7XO, it meets your safety‑first brief with an extensive safety features list and a 5‑star Bharat NCAP crash rating. The 7XO offers decent cabin space, and while the third row is not as comfy as the Safari, it's still fairly useable and the SUV has a very good ride quality too. Mahindra has proven that its new-gen products are quite reliable, so your other two requirements of comfort and long-term reliability will also be met here.Opt for the petrol version, mileage in the city will be very low - likely in high single digits - but since you drive very little, this should not be a concern. Moreover, you will also not have to worry about DPF issues with a diesel engine, which, with very low running, can cause the DPF to clog.

Mahindra XUV 7XO