BMW X1 sDrive18i xLine 1.5 Petrol

All the cars you have shortlisted, being sedans, have similar ground clearance, and for all practical purposes, the Audi A4 is no worse off than the other two. In fact, in our testing, it was the Mercedes-Benz A-Class limousine that required the most care over speed breakers. If ground clearance is a high priority, consider an SUV like the Mercedes GLA, Audi Q3 or BMW X1. 

However, if you want to stick with a sedan, the Audi A4 is the most value for money. Not only is it larger and more spacious than the others, it also has the most comfortable suspension. 

What's more, its 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo petrol is larger and more powerful than the engines on offer in the 2 Series and A-Class, and the most refined among them too. 

Given your budget, however, you could even consider an Audi A6; check if your local Audi dealer is offering any discounts, and it could fit within the outer limits of your budget.

Converting a petrol car to an electric one is a complex process that requires a lot of engineering and expertise, and it will be very expensive to do so. It is not as simple as just swapping out the engine for an electric motor.

The process involves removing the engine, fuel tank, exhaust system, and other components and replacing them with an electric motor, batteries, and other components. Even after all this, the car's wiring, suspension, and other systems need to be modified to work with and accommodate the new powertrain.

Basically its as good as re-engineering the entire car, and frankly, no one can do this reliably at this point. Thus, we would not recommend a conversion, especially so on a car that is complex and advanced like the BMW X1. Plus, there is also the legality of the car to consider, as the registration details would not match. You should trade in your X1 for the new iX1, as BMW will certainly have some exchange offers to make.  

Each of these three SUVs offers something different and also costs hugely different amounts - each one represents an increase of almost Rs 10 lakh from the other. 

The BMW X1 is the one to go for if you simply must have a luxury badge, but for the hefty price you pay, it is not very spacious, powerful or well-equipped. At the other end, the Jeep Meridian is a great value for money, and offers an upmarket cabin, a tough chassis with some off-roading ability, and decent badge value. However, its diesel engine is gruff, and space is not immense. 

The Skoda Kodiaq strikes the best balance of luxury, space, practicality, refinement and value for money - and now comes in 5- or 7-seat layouts. This should be the SUV you pick, though note that, given it is a large SUV with a turbocharged petrol engine, fuel bills can get quite high.

You will not find many used BMW and Audi cars (hatchbacks) in India because very few were ever sold.
BMW did offer the 1 Series hatchback for a short time, but the numbers were still limited.

Instead, it’s better to explore their small SUVs like the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1. If you are open to Mercedes-Benz cars, you can also check the A-Class or B-Class hatchbacks, though these too are rare, or consider the Mercedes GLA. 

When buying a premium used car, though, make sure you buy from the brand itself, as they all have an approved used program. You can also buy one from a very reputable reseller, and if things go wrong, it can be very expensive to fix. 

Both the Mercedes-Benz GLA and BMW X1 offer a strong list of features. You get auto LED headlamps, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, a powered tailgate, connected car tech, ambient lighting, and even some ADAS features on both cars. The Mercedes has an advantage with a 360-degree camera. The BMW gets only a rear-view camera but offers lane-departure warning, which the Mercedes does not.

After that, the choice mainly comes down to interior and exterior design and the way the features are laid out. The BMW’s i-Drive infotainment system is known to be notoriously complicated to use. It should also be noted that the Mercedes has more powerful engines than the BMW. 

As for service, it is highly dependent on your location and the specific service centre. Both brands reportedly have both good and bad service centres around the country.

It would make sense to keep your BMW X1 and sell the Mahindra XUV700. While the XUV700 is cheaper to maintain and offers the added flexibility of a third row, the X1 is newer, has a more premium cabin, provides adequate space for five people, and carries the advantage of BMW’s brand value.

Without knowing your exact requirements, it’s hard to suggest one outright. Among the options you’ve listed, the BMW X3 is the newest and offers the most features, though it’s also the most expensive. The Land Rover Discovery Sport has the advantage of a third row of seats, though it’s best suited for children. The BMW X1 will be the easiest to drive in the city. The next-gen Audi Q5 is still some time away, with its launch expected around 2026. The Jeep Meridian, meanwhile, won’t feel as premium or as refined as the other options you’ve mentioned.

In your budget, it's best to go for the BMW X3, although you might have to stretch by Rs 2-3 lakh. It is the newest SUV, offering a strong 2.0-litre diesel engine, plus the latest tech and a spacious and comfortable cabin. The Discovery Sport is a capable car, but it is quite old now and its age shows; if you need a third row of seats, however, do consider it. The X1, in comparison, is a segment below and offers less powerful engines and, of course, less space. The new Audi Q5 launch is some time away, and while it is capable, note that it will only come in petrol guise, not diesel. You could also consider the Mercedes-Benz GLC, whose 2.0-litre diesel is also strong, and it offers a spacious and luxurious cabin as well.