Mahindra cars in India (18)

autocar.india

•7m

Go for the Toyota Innova Crysta. Your usage is highway-heavy with occasional city runs, and you want a proper 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium feel. The Crysta is still the benchmark for this kind of requirement. It is genuinely spacious in all three rows, has a large and usable boot even with all seats up, and is built for long-distance comfort and reliability. The diesel engine is strong, refined and well-suited to highway cruising, and Toyota’s ownership experience and long-term reliability are hard to beat. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more modern product with a more premium-looking interior and a better sound system, but it does not match the Crysta for outright space, practicality or long-term peace of mind. If your priority is a proper 7-seater that will serve you well for years, the Crysta is the safer and more sensible choice. If you want a more premium cabin and a richer feature set, the XUV 7XO is the alternative, but it is not as practical as the Crysta.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•15h

The best all-rounder when it comes to EVs at the Rs 30 lakh price range is the Mahindra XEV 9S. For one, it's a large vehicle with three rows of seats, giving you maximum space at this price. You also get plenty of choice in the form of three battery pack options, depending on your requirement, and on top of it all, it's loaded with features. For Cars Under 30 lakhs, you could get one of the top two variants - Pack Three or Pack Three Above - with all the bells and whistles and the largest battery pack. It also packs in strong performance, with a 286hp motor mounted on the rear axle, as well as good range from the large battery - around 480km in real-world usage. Another strong option is the newly launched Tata Sierra EV. While not as large as the XEV 9S and without the third row of seats, its front and second row are incredibly spacious and comfortable, and it has a large boot too. The better news is that you get the top variant at around Rs 28 lakh, on road, and this not only gets you a similar feature set to the Mahindra, but also a battery and range figure that's almost as good. Moreover, this also gets you a dual-motor AWD setup with even greater performance. In outright terms, the seven-seat XEV is a better value, but if you have no need for the third row, the Sierra might work better for you.Resale value on any EV at present is not going to be as good as an equivalent petrol car, due to various factors, such as uncertainty around the condition and quality of the battery after several years of use. With that in mind, a strong brand and popular model are likely to give a better resale value, and both these are popular models from popular brands, so they should be as good as it can get.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Sierra EV

autocar.india

•1d

With a monthly running of 200-250km and a mix of city and highway driving, petrol is the right choice. Your budget of Rs 15 lakh and preference for a manual SUV point you towards the compact SUV car, where you will get the best value and the most complete ownership experience.The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is the most sensible recommendation here. It is reliable, easy to maintain, has a strong service network and is one of the most comfortable compact SUVs for both city and highway use. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and predictable, making it a very easy car to live with over the long term.If you want something a bit more engaging to drive, the Skoda Kylaq is a strong alternative. The 1.0 TSI engine is punchy and the car feels more dynamic on the highway, but it will not be as easy or as cheap to maintain as the Brezza over a long ownership period, and its fuel efficiency won't be as good either.The Mahindra XUV 3XO is also worth considering if you want more features and a more powerful engine, but the Brezza remains the most balanced choice for your usage and budget.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Honda City Hybrid. With 12,500km a year and a 60% highway/40% city split, the hybrid powertrain will deliver the best balance of efficiency, refinement and long-term ownership confidence. The City Hybrid is a proven, reliable package with excellent fuel economy in both city and highway conditions, and Honda’s ownership experience is among the best in the segment. It is also a car you can realistically keep for 15 years without major concerns.The Mahindra BE6 is an interesting EV, and at 12,500km a year and EV would prove to be economical. However, with significant highway usage, charging infrastructure, and long-distance planning, you may not want to add complexity.The City Hybrid gives you the best of both worlds: low running costs, strong reliability and no charging concerns. It is the most sensible long-term choice for your usage pattern.

Honda City

Mahindra BE 6

autocar.india

•1d

We would still recommend the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic without hesitation. The technical risk is low, while the policy risk is manageable.The XUV 7XO's petrol engine is E20-compliant, which means it is engineered to handle a 20% ethanol blend without any issues. The main impact of a higher ethanol blend is a slight drop in fuel efficiency and, over a very long period, some additional wear on certain rubber components in the fuel system. These parts are generally inexpensive to replace.At present, there is no official roadmap for moving beyond E20. Even if India eventually adopts E25, E27, or E30, manufacturers would almost certainly issue clear guidance and support for existing vehicles. The greater uncertainty lies in government policy rather than in the vehicle's engineering.Waiting indefinitely for a hypothetical future policy change is not a practical ownership strategy, particularly when the XUV 7XO is otherwise a strong long-term choice. Overall, the recommendation would be to buy the XUV 7XO today rather than let ethanol policy uncertainty dictate a 10-15-year ownership decision.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•3d

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

autocar.india

•2d

With a 40km daily commute in Bangalore and 3-5 highway runs a month, you are actually in a good position for a modern diesel. The DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) issue is a concern mainly for cars that do only very short, stop-start city runs with no opportunity for the filter to regenerate. Your 3 to 5 highway runs every month should suffice in keeping the DPF clean; you would have long enough stretches for the car to reach operating temperature and allow passive regeneration to occur. Between the Kia Seltos and the XUV 7XO diesel, the decision comes down to priorities. The Seltos diesel is the more refined and polished package, with a smoother engine and a more premium cabin experience. The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the more powerful and more spacious car, with a stronger engine and a more commanding road presence. If you value refinement and a more premium feel, go for the Kia car. If you want more power, more space and a more rugged feel, go for the Mahindra car.The key point is that with your usage pattern, the DPF should not be a deal-breaker. Both cars are strong diesel options, and your driving routine is well-suited to modern diesel ownership.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•3d

With 80% highway usage, 2,000km a month and a Rs 15 lakh budget, you need a car that is comfortable at speed, stable on the highway and efficient over long distances. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a good fit. It is a driver's car with strong highway manners, good stability and a punchy turbo petrol or turbo diesel engine options that make overtaking easy. A few shortcomings to bear in mind are a small boot by class standards and interior quality that falls a little short of others in this segment.Another option is the Skoda Kylaq, which also has solid highway manners and a punchy engine. However, you're restricted to petrol only, its back seat is cramped, and though decent on the highway, fuel economy in the city is not good. As for petrol versus diesel, work out the maths for yourself, but given your primarily highway use and heavy mileage, we would recommend a diesel SUV, and thus the XUV 3XO is a good fit.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq

autocar.india

•4d

Consider the Kia Seltos DCT. For a 12km commute and occasional 5-6-hour road trips, you will find it comfortable in the city, quick on the highway and easy to own long term. The latest-generation Seltos is larger than before, so feels spacious inside. The cabin is tech-laden and upmarket, and the ride quality has improved too. The turbo-petrol DCT has good performance for quick overtakes on the highway, and the DCT is responsive. The downside is that it can occasionally hesitate in the city, but with your short commute this shouldn't be a deal-breaker. Kia's service is also amongst the best in the business.If you want something larger, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is also a solid choice in your budget. It is a genuinely comfortable car with a spacious cabin, excellent ride quality and strong highway manners. The petrol engine is smooth and refined, and the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Mahindra's service network is strong in Thane and Mumbai. The drawback is that the big petrol engine will be thirsty in the city.An electric car makes sense if you can charge at home and if there are fast chargers on your usual highway route. In that case, the Hyundai Creta Electric is a safe bet. It is well suited to your short daily commute and offers very low running costs. In our real-world testing, it managed an impressive 486km on a single charge in the city and 378km on the highway.Overall, the Seltos is the best balance of comfort, reliability, running costs and ownership experience for your needs.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Creta Electric

autocar.india

•2d

Given your usage pattern of 2,500-3,000 km per month, with a 50:50 city-highway split and a strong touring habit, the Mahindra XEV 9S Pack 2 is the better fit. The larger 79kWh battery gives you a more comfortable real-world range buffer for your 800 km leisure trips, reducing charging anxiety. This Mahindra car also offers a third-row seat, which will come in handy when you travel with your extended family. The Tata Sierra EV AWD is more stylish and eye-catching, and it is thrillingly quick too. The AWD system adds an extra level of safety in poor weather and also gives the Sierra a better off-road capability. This Tata car also packs in plenty of cool features and has a strong wow factor. However, its two-row seating layout will not work for you when you have seven passengers.Go for the XEV 9S, as it is the more practical and well-rounded choice for your requirements.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Sierra EV