Mahindra cars in India (18)

If you've got your heart set on the the Tata Harrier Petrol Fearless+, we'd suggest you go for it. We understand your concerns - Tata doesn't have a stellar reputation for reliability and fuss-free ownership, which is perhaps one of the biggest deterrents for (potential) buyers. 

However, since this generation of the Harrier has been around in the market for a few years now, its common glitches and initial niggles are likely to be sorted out. The 1.5 Turbo-Petrol GDI on the other hand is all new, hence we'd highly recommend opting for the maximum warranty coverage.

The Mahindra XUV 7XO is also a good option - its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is a strong performer. Also, besides being spacious and well-equipped, the XUV also gives you the flexibility of three-row seating. 

And compared to Tata, Mahindra has a slightly better reputation as far as reliability goes. Overall, the XUV 7XO is a more-rounded package, but if you like the Harrier petrol, go for it. The Harrier petrol is a much improved offering.

The Kia Seltos is the better pick. Being significantly larger than the Mahindra XUV 3XO, the Seltos offers a roomier cabin and larger boot. The Seltos IVT's engine-gearbox is also superior to the 3X0's diesel-AMT combo. The Seltos IVT delivers a seamless drive experience that the 3XO's AMT just can't match. However, the IVT will not be as fuel efficient as the 3XO diesel. 

We'd urge you to extend your budget for the Seltos IVT in HTK trim that adds in essentials like a rear wiper and defogger. The HTK also gets other features such as steering reach adjust, rear window sunshades and alloy wheels. 

Your concern is valid. With the usage pattern you have described, there is a genuine possibility of facing DPF related issues with the diesel version of the Mahindra XUV 7XO.

Diesel engines today rely on a Diesel Particulate Filter which needs regular longer drives at steady speeds to regenerate properly. Since your car will mostly be used once a week with short 30 km trips and only an occasional 300 km drive every couple of months, the engine may not get enough consistent running for DPF regeneration.

Considering your very limited running, we would recommend going for the turbo petrol automatic instead. Yes, the petrol will be less efficient, but the price difference between the petrol and diesel versions is roughly around Rs 1 lakh. Also, while the diesel is more efficient, the difference is not as large as many expect. With the automatic gearbox, the Mahindra diesel is not exceptionally fuel efficient either. In real world conditions you will see roughly 2 kpl difference in mixed driving condition.

Given your low annual running, the fuel savings from diesel will not be significant enough to justify the potential complications. 

Both these are very compelling SUVs that score high on desirability and road presence, as well as on interior space, but also do things very differently from one another. The Thar Roxx has the larger and more powerful engines which, combined with its aggressively calibrated automatic gearboxes, delivery strong and instantaneous performance. 

The downside, however, is that fuel economy takes a huge nosedive, which might be an annoyance on your long highway journeys. Moreover, the engines are not very refined and can feel a little too highly strung when you aren't driving quickly. And finally, while it is fun to drive in off-road and perhaps dirt-road conditions, it feels relatively large and cumbersome on tarmac, thanks in part to its ladder-frame construction. 

The Tata Sierra T-GDi, then, proves to be the better choice for you overall, as its monocoque chassis and sharper steering make it a lot more fun on the road. While not quite as powerful as the Mahindra, its 160hp turbo-petrol has more than enough punch and its 6-speed automatic is smooth too. It's also the more comfortable and fuel-efficient of the two by far, which should help on your highway drives.

Before you go ahead with the purchase, please keep in mind that the Tata Safari is a heavy vehicle and in its petrol-automatic guise, expecting double digit city fuel efficiency will be a bit ambitious. Yes, on the open roads, at constant speeds and light throttle inputs, the turbo-petrol could deliver good fuel efficiency, but in bumper-to-bumper traffic and stop-go conditions, fuel efficiency will be low. As a family car though, the Safari is a good option, on account of its spacious cabin, and impressive ride comfort. Tata's service experience can be a hit or a miss, and it isn't the best in terms of reliability either, occasionally throwing up a glitch or two. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is slightly better in that regard, however space isn't as good as in the Tata, especially in the third row. Also, the XUV's 2.0-litre turbo-petrol-automatic will fare worse (if not equally) as far as efficiency goes.

Hence, if you want a fuel-efficient family car, the Maruti Invicto or the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid are the ones to get. Of course, these are very expensive, and as you've rightly pointed out, unless your usage is very high, it will take a long time to benefit from its lower running costs after breaking even. But as far as reliability, peace of mind and a trouble-free ownership experience goes the Maruti and Toyota are still the ones to beat.

With a budget of around Rs 25 lakh and your priorities of fun to drive performance, comfort, safety and strong after sales support, the Kia Seltos fits your requirements very well. The current Seltos is larger than before, spacious and very comfortable for daily driving. Interior quality is among the best in the segment and it comes loaded with premium features, including the ones you have mentioned such as ventilated seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a panoramic sunroof and a 360 degree camera. The 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine paired with the 7 speed DCT transmission offers strong performance while remaining refined and smooth in city use. It also fits comfortably within your budget and Kia’s after sales service network is generally reliable.

If you want something different, the Tata Sierra with the turbo petrol automatic is another good option. It offers even more cabin space than the Seltos and its wider body makes it a more comfortable five seater. The ride quality is also very comfortable and it comes with all the features you are looking for. The downside is that it is about Rs 1.5 lakh more expensive than the Kia, and although Tata’s after sales service is improving, Kia still has the stronger reputation in that area.

If you want something larger, you can also consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 within your budget. Even though it is a seven seater, with the third row folded it becomes a very spacious and comfortable five seater. It gets a powerful 2.0 litre turbo petrol engine producing over 200 hp paired with a smooth six speed torque converter automatic that delivers effortless performance. The handling is good, the ride is comfortable and it comes with most of the features you want. The only notable omission compared to your list is ventilated front seats. If you can live without that feature, it is another strong option to consider.

The Mahindra XUV 3XO turbo-petrol makes a good pick for your needs. The engine is strong, and you'll enjoy the performance on your highway and hill drives. A tough build and absorbent suspension are other highlights of the XUV 3XO. What also makes the 3XO well-suited for you is the cabin space. The rear seat is comfortable for 3 adults and legroom is good too. 

Boot space on the XUV 3XO isn't the best, though.  

There are a couple of options that you can consider. We've listed the highlights for each.

1) Skoda Kylaq: Punchy engine, fun handling. Rear seat space is tight, though

2) Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol: Strong engine, good ride comfort. Boot space is limited

3) Maruti Suzuki Fronx Turbo/ Toyota Taisor Turbo: Strong engine. Reliability and hassle-free ownership experience 

4) Citroen C3: Strong engine. Feels a bit basic, and the service network isn't very large.