Mahindra Diesel Cars in India (10)

autocar.india

•7h

Go for a petrol automatic with a torque converter gearbox. Your usage pattern is a mix of short city runs and occasional long highway trips, and at 45 km on weekends plus two 600 km trips, your annual running is not high enough to justify the higher upfront cost and maintenance of a diesel. CNG is also not ideal here, as it compromises boot space and convenience on long highway journeys.Within your Rs 14 lakh on-road budget, the Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol automatic is the best fit. It uses a proper torque converter automatic, which is smooth and reliable in city traffic, and the car itself is well-suited to highway driving with good stability and a strong safety rating. This Mahindra car is also available without a sunroof, which keeps the price in check and aligns with your preference. Fuel efficiency is not its strong point, but with your low running, this should not be a big impact. The XUV 3XO petrol automatic thus strikes a good balance between running costs, comfort and long-term ownership.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•10h

For your usage, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the best fit. You are doing very high mileage with long highway runs, so diesel efficiency and strong performance are the priorities. This Mahindra car is one of the most refined and powerful diesel SUVs in this price range, and it is also a very comfortable long-distance car with a spacious cabin - including a third row of seats - and a strong feature set. The Tata Harrier is also a good highway car with a strong diesel engine and a comfortable ride, but the 7XO is a more refined and better-rounded package overall. However, both these are in a higher segment, which means your budget will only get you a low- to mid-range variant. In the segment below, the Tata Sierra diesel is a newer product and looks very promising, but its diesel engine doesn't feel particularly strong considering its size and weight. The Hyundai Creta is just a facelifted version of your current car and hence won't feel as new, while the Seltos, though new and larger, uses the same engine as your Creta, and like the Sierra, doesn't feel as powerful given the SUV's size. Overall, the 7XO feels like the more premium and more complete product for your usage, but if you're not happy with the features on offer in your budget, try the Seltos instead.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Harrier

Tata Sierra

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•1d

Given your budget of Rs. 15-17 lakh and your preferences for a feature-rich, safe and no-nonsense SUV that you plan to keep for a long time, the Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol is the most sensible recommendation. Our pick would be the 3XO with the MPFi petrol engine which has a genuinely peppy engine and performance that would feel lively enough in your short 20 km city drive. If you want more performance then consider the turbo direct injection engine, though mileage will be lower. The 3XO is a feature-rich car in the segment, with a strong safety package and a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater. The Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI is another good alternative. The 1.0 TSI engine is genuinely punchy and fun to drive, and the Kylaq is one of the most engaging cars in the segment. It is also a no-nonsense car with a strong safety package.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq

autocar.india

•10h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. Your usage pattern is very clear: 80% highway, long 600-1000 km trips, and around 10,000-11,000 km a year. This is exactly the kind of usage where a diesel engine makes the most sense. Moreover, the diesel engine of this Mahindra car is the superior one in the line-up; it is a strong highway performer and will be significantly more efficient than the petrol on long runs.The XEV 9S is a very capable and practical electric car. It offers good value for money, but as you've pointed out, for your kind of 800 km one-way trips it is simply not practical yet. Charging infrastructure is improving, but it is still not at a point where you can do these kinds of distances without significant planning and downtime. The XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the right tool for the job and will give you the best ownership experience for your usage.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XEV 9S

autocar.india

•5d

With 12,000km a year and 70% highway driving, you are actually the ideal diesel owner. The Thar Roxx AX7L Diesel AT 4x4 is a great choice for your usage pattern, and you should not be worried about DPF issues. The DPF system needs sustained higher exhaust temperatures to regenerate, and your regular highway runs will take care of that naturally. Even if you are only using the car on weekends in the city, as long as you are doing occasional long highway drives, the system will regenerate as intended. The real DPF problems tend to occur with cars that are used exclusively for short, low-speed city trips with no highway running.On the isobutanol front, there is nothing to worry about. Isobutanol is being considered as a diesel blend, but it is not a major policy direction like E20 petrol. Mahindra diesel engines are designed to handle the fuel blends available in the market, and there is no evidence to suggest that isobutanol blends will cause any issues. The bigger concern with diesel ownership is always usage pattern, not fuel blends.The Thar Roxx is a very capable and enjoyable SUV, but it is worth being aware of its limitations. It is not the most practical family car, and the ride can be a bit firm on broken roads. But for your usage pattern, it is a solid choice. If you are looking for a more practical alternative with similar diesel capability, the Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel AT is worth considering. It offers a more comfortable ride, better practicality and the same strong diesel engine. But if you want the Thar Roxx for its character and off-road capability, your usage pattern supports that decision.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra Thar Roxx