Autocar India
12w

I am currently driving a Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Delta Mild Hybrid Manual. Most of my driving is in the city, with occasional highway and mountain trips. I am considering MG Hector Plus, Mahindra XUV 7XO, Mahindra Scorpio N, Tata Safari and Mahindra Thar ROXX for my next vehicle. My preference is for a petrol automatic. I would also like the car to be feature-rich and offer strong performance. Considering my usage pattern and requirements, which of these options would you recommend?

Verified
12w

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic. It suits your city-heavy use, is the most feature-rich here, and its turbo petrol has serious shove for highway and mountain climbs. It is easy to drive in traffic, rides comfortably, and the automatic is smooth. Tech like a 360 camera helps in tight city spots, and the safety and ADAS kit are handy on long trips.

One thing to live with: fuel economy in the city will be far lower than your Grand Vitara. Expect single-digit kpl in heavy traffic.

The next best alternative is the Tata Safari petrol automatic. It's got a refined engine and a very smooth automatic gearbox. Again, fuel economy will be significantly down on your Grand Vitara, so account for that. The Tata feels tough and packs in plenty of equipment in the top end. 

Of the others, the Scorpio N and Thar Roxx aren't as comfortable, while the MG Hector's high-speed ride comfort and engine performance aren't great for highway and mountain drives. The MG Hector price starts at 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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20h

Hi Autocar, I am a regular viewer of your YouTube channel and enjoy watching your reviews of cars and bikes. I currently use a 2016 Honda Jazz petrol manual at home. It is reliable and spacious, but lacks power. I now live in Mumbai and am looking to buy an SUV for both city driving and long trips. I am a driving enthusiast and regularly go on long drives with my family. I typically do at least 1,000km when I come home for holidays every alternate month, while the car will remain mostly idle in the other months. My priorities are a powerful petrol engine producing at least 120hp, an automatic transmission and enough rear-seat space for three people. I don't want too many bells and whistles such as a panoramic sunroof, multiple screens, ADAS or ventilated seats. Basic features are sufficient for me. Please suggest a safe and reliable car for long-term use within a budget of Rs 20-30 lakh on-road. I am also open to considering a used car.

Verified
15h

Coming from a Honda Jazz and considering that you enjoy driving, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is a strong fit for your requirements. Its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol produces 203hp and 380Nm, giving it the performance you are looking for, while the 6-speed torque converter automatic works well for both Mumbai traffic and long highway drives. It also has a spacious cabin with enough width to accommodate three adults in the second row comfortably, making it a practical family car.This Mahindra car also offers a good balance of safety, ride comfort and highway stability, which will be particularly useful given your regular 1,000km road trips. Despite its size, it is reasonably easy to drive, and the large boot is useful for carrying luggage.The main drawback is fuel economy, particularly in Mumbai traffic, but your relatively low average annual running means this shouldn't be a major concern. A well-equipped AX5 or AX7 petrol AT would fit the brief without paying extra for features you don't particularly need.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO

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