I’m 6’2” and my top priority is a comfortable driving posture, especially good thigh support and seating position. My current Grand i10 has become quite uncomfortable during longer drives. I absolutely loved the seating position and overall comfort of XUV 700 and I can say it is probably the best car that I have driven. However, I’m unsure about managing something that big in size in Bangalore traffic. I have taken the test drive of the new Tekton, but still found the seating position a bit awkward. Should I simply go for the XUV 7XO, or are there other petrol options that offer similar seating comfort while being easier to manage in the city? I want the car mostly for weekend city drives, with an outstation trip once every 2 months. My total running is around 3,000-4,000 km/year, so I am not considering a diesel car.

autocar.india

•6h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7L Diesel AT 2WD. Your usage is 85% highway with long family road trips, and the 2WD diesel automatic is the best fit for that. The AWD system adds weight and more mechanical components, which will reduce fuel efficiency by around 1-2 km/l in real-world conditions. Over 7 years and high mileage, that difference begins to add up. More importantly, AWD is only useful in low-traction situations like snow, mud or steep loose surfaces. On highways and well-maintained roads, it offers no real benefit. The 2WD version is already a very capable long-distance cruiser with strong performance, good stability and a comfortable ride. The money saved by skipping the AWD can be better spent on future maintenance. The only reason to choose AWD is if you regularly drive on challenging terrain or plan to use the car for off-road excursions. For your usage, the 2WD is the smarter long-term choice.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Kia Seltos 1.5 T-GDi DCT. It is the best fit for your requirements. The Seltos turbo is genuinely fun to drive, with strong performance and a well-sorted chassis that makes it enjoyable on both city roads and highways. The 1.5 T-GDi engine paired with the DCT automatic is a highlight, offering quick shifts and a responsive driving experience. At the same time, this Kia car is comfortable over broken roads and potholes, with a suspension setup that strikes a good balance between ride comfort and handling. It also feels premium inside, with a well-built cabin and a solid feature set that includes ADAS, cruise control and hill assist. The only thing to be aware of is that the DCT gearbox can feel a bit clunky in stop-and-go traffic, but overall it is a well-rounded package that delivers exactly what you are looking for. If you want something a bit larger, the Mahindra XUV 7XO turbo-petrol is a good alternative, but it will feel large and cumbersome in Bangalore city traffic, and its fuel economy is very poor.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel AT. It is the best fit for your requirements. The XUV 7XO offers a strong 2.0 diesel engine, a comfortable ride, a spacious and well-appointed cabin, and a good balance between performance and practicality. It is also significantly more modern and feature-rich than the Scorpio N, while being far better value than the Fortuner.The Fortuner is a great highway SUV with a proven reliability record, but it is now showing its age, and at Rs 40 lakh-plus it is simply too expensive for what it offers. The Scorpio N is rugged and capable, but it is not as refined or as family-friendly as the XUV 7XO. The XUV 7XO is the most complete package for your needs. On the DPF question: modern diesel cars are generally fine as long as you do regular highway runs. The DPF regenerates naturally at sustained speeds. The issues tend to arise only with predominantly short, low-speed city driving. Your usage pattern is highway-heavy, so you should not have any problems.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Toyota Fortuner

Mahindra Scorpio N