Hyundai Alcazar

You will find plenty of good petrol-automatic examples of the Mahindra XUV700 in the used car market. It is a very comfortable SUV, that's big on size and power. 

Alternatively, you could also consider the Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 Turbo-DCT, which isn't as spacious but is a bit narrower than the Mahindra, making it a bit easier to drive in the city.

With your kind of usage around 40,000km a year, mostly on highways, the Tata Safari diesel would be the better option for you overall.

The main reason is that the Safari is simply the stronger highway car, which is where you’ll be spending most of your time. Its 2.0-litre diesel engine produces more torque than the one in the Hyundai Alcazar, and that extra pulling power really helps during highway driving. Especially when overtaking or cruising with a full load of passengers and luggage. The Safari also has a more substantial feel and tends to feel more planted and stable at higher speeds, which is something you will appreciate on long highway runs. Safety is another area where the Safari has an edge.

The Alcazar’s advantage lies in efficiency and ease of use. It is slightly more fuel-efficient and feels lighter and easier to drive in city conditions. Maintenance on Hyundai models is also generally predictable, and service networks are very strong. However, given that your driving is predominantly highway-based, these benefits may not be as significant for your usage pattern.

In terms of running costs, both being diesel means fuel costs will remain relatively manageable, even with such high annual mileage. The Alcazar will likely return slightly better fuel efficiency, but the difference isn’t dramatic enough to outweigh the Safari’s advantages in performance, stability and overall highway ability.

Your 2024 Hyundai Alcazar with just 17,000km is still very new and has plenty of life left. Also, the Alcazar isn’t the fastest-moving SUV in the used market, so resale values aren’t particularly strong. If the car is running well, it may make sense to hold on to it for another couple of years. 

The EV space is evolving rapidly, and you’ll likely see many more options with better range and tech as manufacturers push new models to meet upcoming CAFÉ norms.

However, if you’re keen to switch right away, your budget becomes the key factor. Assuming you’d like something with similar flexibility, including a third row, options are limited today. In the Rs 25 lakh bracket, the Mahindra XEV 9S is among the more practical and well-rounded EVs to consider, offering strong range, space and performance.

If you plan to sell your Alcazar, we’d recommend posting it on our partner channel, Spinny.com, to get a competitive, transparent price.

From a passenger comfort point-of-view, the Kia Carens Clavis is a much better option than the Hyundai Alcazar, especially for passengers in the third row. The Clavis also fares better as far as ride comfort goes. 

Yes, its MPV-like body might not look as desirable as the Alcazar's SUV body style. But it is the more practical, sensible choice. What also works in Kia's favour is its lower price, which makes it a better value too.

The Kia Carens Clavis fits your requirements extremely well. Even if you do not need a seven-seater, folding the third row gives you a massive, flat boot area, which is ideal for carrying luggage along with your dog. The cabin is genuinely spacious and airy, with large windows and a relaxed seating position, which will keep your mother comfortable on longer journeys and your dog calmer and happier as well. Ride quality is one of its biggest strengths, making it a very stress-free car to drive over long distances.

A slightly smaller alternative is the Hyundai Alcazar. Think of it as a Creta Pro Max, which means it feels easier to place on the road and more compact to drive than the Carens Clavis. With the third row folded, it does offer a large and usable boot, but it is not as generous as the Carens when it comes to overall cabin room and luggage space. 

The ride quality is comfortable, though a bit stiffer compared to the Carens, especially on rougher surfaces.

If you're uncertain about buying another diesel car, that's okay, as there are plenty of great petrol options available these days. The Tata Harrier is certainly big on presence and visibility, and its new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine is smooth with more than enough performance. 

However, fuel economy won't be great as this is a big and heavy car, and while 12-14kpl might be possible on the highway, in the city, expect that to drop to single digits. 

You could consider the Tata Sierra, which uses the same turbo petrol engine but is a slightly smaller and lighter SUV. The fuel efficiency gains may be marginal, but you will see some improvement, and the Sierra is big on road presence, too. 

You could also consider the new Kia Seltos or even the Hyundai Alcazar, both of which have potent yet relatively efficient 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines, and good road presence.