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

•1d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5 diesel automatic. Since you are coming from an EcoSport diesel and your usage is a mix of city driving and family highway trips, the XUV 7XO is the better fit. It offers a more powerful diesel engine, a more spacious cabin and a more comfortable ride, especially on highways. The Seltos diesel HTX automatic is a very good car, but the XUV 7XO feels like a more substantial upgrade from the EcoSport, both in terms of performance and overall ownership experience. The only thing to keep in mind is that the XUV 7XO is a larger car, so if you have tight parking spaces or regularly drive in very congested areas, the Seltos is easier to live with. But overall, the XUV 7XO AX5 diesel automatic is the better choice for your usage.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG. You will appreciate the 1.5 TSI's strong mid-range punch and the way it pulls on the highway. Since you live in a tier 2 city with minimal stop-and-go traffic and do frequent highway runs, the DSG should not be a major concern over a 7-8 year ownership period. The 1.5 Slavia also offers a more engaging driving experience than the 1.0 TSI, with noticeably stronger performance and less turbo lag once you are on the move.The Renault Duster/Tekton twins are genuinely good to drive, with excellent ride quality and strong dynamics, but they aren't as involving to drive or as agile as the Slavia. The Slavia also benefits from a more premium cabin and a better overall ownership experience. Overall, the Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG is the car that will keep you happiest over the long term.

Skoda Slavia (2022-2026)

Renault Duster

Nissan Tekton

autocar.india

•2d

For a first family car, I’d go for the Honda Elevate. It’s the most straightforward, easy-to-live-with choice here, with a proven 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a smooth CVT option. Honda’s established service network and reputation for durability should also appeal if hassle-free ownership is your priority.The Kushaq is the driver’s car, but its turbo-petrol engines are more complex than the Elevate’s naturally aspirated unit. The Nissan Tekton is a strong value proposition, though Nissan’s service network is not as extensive as Honda’s. And while its 1.3-litre turbo-petrol makes good power, the naturally aspirated Elevate may feel more predictable in stop-start traffic.One important update: the Elevate facelift is due to launch on October 6, just days away. It’s expected to bring styling and feature changes while retaining the same engine and gearbox options, so it may be worth waiting to see the final pricing and equipment before deciding.The Elevate may not be the most exciting SUV here, but for a family’s first car and a 65 per cent city commute, it looks like the sensible pick.

Honda Elevate (2023-2026)

Skoda Kushaq

Nissan Tekton