MG cars in India (11)

Autocar India

•39m

Go for the Renault Duster if you want a simple, easy first SUV, but be clear about what you are choosing. The new 2026 Duster is very different from the older one and that slightly changes the decision. It is now a more modern, feature-loaded SUV with strong petrol engines, including the 1.3 turbo petrol with manual and dual-clutch options. This Renault car remains one of the better cars to drive in this segment and offers a comfortable ride along with an easy, confidence-inspiring feel, making it a good fit for a newcomer.Compared to it, the Tata Nexon is smaller, less spacious and not as engaging to drive. However, being from a segment below at a similar price point, it offers more premium features, which is worth keeping in mind.The MG Astor’s biggest strength is its interior quality, which feels more premium. On the downside, the engine options are not as strong as the Duster’s, and it is also smaller and narrower inside, so it does not feel as spacious.

Renault Duster

Tata Nexon

MG Astor

Autocar India

•3d

Go for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong hybrid automatic. It fits your usage best by balancing low running cost, ease of use and long-term reliability without adding the dependency of charging, which is important given your mix of city driving, regular highway trips and rural road access.In your real-world use, the hybrid works brilliantly because most of your city driving will run on electric power. It gives you excellent efficiency and a very relaxed driving experience, while on highways and those weekly farm runs, the petrol engine seamlessly takes over without you needing to think about charging or range. In fact, the Hyryder hybrid is significantly more efficient than a diesel automatic like the Seltos in real-world conditions.The Kia Seltos diesel automatic is still a strong option if you prioritise performance, features and a more premium feel, and it will feel more powerful and planted on highways. But it will cost more to run over time and does not match the hybrid’s efficiency advantage. The MG Windsor EV is tempting on paper with very low running costs and decent range, but for your usage, it adds a layer of dependency on charging infrastructure, especially with rural drives, and while it can do long distances, it requires planning and adaptation, which may not be ideal right now .

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Kia Seltos

MG Windsor

Autocar India

•2d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7L diesel. It is the most complete upgrade from your Tata Nexon, balancing performance, space, comfort and safety for your kind of long-distance usage.The reason is simple. Your driving is highway-heavy with frequent road trips, and that is exactly where the XUV stands out. The diesel engine is strong and effortless, the ride is stable and comfortable over long distances, and it is one of the few in this segment with a proven 5-star safety rating . It also offers you the proper space for a family of four with flexibility for luggage, which becomes important on longer trips. Yes, the interior does not feel as premium as the Compass, and Mahindra’s tech can be a bit hit or miss, but overall, it delivers the most well-rounded experience for your usage.The Jeep Compass diesel is great to drive and feels the most premium inside, and if your usage was more solo driving or shorter trips, it would be very tempting. But as a family car, it falls short on space and practicality, and Jeep’s reach, too, is limited as compared to Mahindra.The MG Hector Plus petrol is the comfort-focused option. It is spacious, feature-rich and very easy to live with, but the CVT and petrol combination means it does not feel engaging to drive, and efficiency will be noticeably lower, which matters for your monthly running.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Nexon

Jeep Compass

MG Hector

Autocar India

•6d

Retaining your MG Hector is the sensible choice if it is otherwise serving you well, without niggles or issues. Sure, the Hector's fuel efficiency is expectedly low, but you will have to invest a huge sum over and above the resale value of your car to purchase the Mahindra XEV 9S, which will be a decision solely driven by a want, rather than a need.Also, over the next few years, the rate of depreciation for your Hector will flatten, and its value won't drop as drastically year after year. So, from a financial perspective, it makes more sense to hold on to it for a few more years.

MG Hector

Mahindra XEV 9S

Autocar India

•6d

Choose the Kia Carnival 7-seat Limousine variant for a chauffeur-driven family; it gives you the most space and comfort with a truly big boot within your budget. Coming from a Crysta, you will feel a clear step up in rear-seat comfort, a lower walk-in height and a quieter cabin. Also, the list of features your family will use every day, like power sliding doors, sunblinds, and a strong rear AC. The second-row lounge chairs are great for long city runs and for your 600-700 km trip every few months, and the boot can take large suitcases even with all three rows up, which is the main win over your current car. Kia’s service reach in Chennai is wide, so upkeep should be straightforward.One thing to be aware of: the Carnival is a very large vehicle, so tight basements and narrow lanes will require careful driving. Also, running costs in heavy traffic will be higher than those of your Crysta.The MG 9 is a good option too, but only for the city, and for your long trips, you will have to rely on public charging infrastructure, which can slow you down and spoil your trip. We would suggest you stick to the Carnival simply because of your long-distance runs, where you want peace of mind.

Kia Carnival

MG M9

Autocar India

•6d

The MG Windsor EV and Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo CVT cater to very different priorities, so your choice really depends on how and where you drive.If your usage is mostly city-based and your round trips are typically under 280 km, the Windsor EV makes far more sense. It’s quiet, smooth and relaxing to drive, which makes it perfect for daily commutes and stop-start traffic. There are no gearshifts to feel, the accelerator pedal response is instant, and overall refinement is superb compared to a petrol automatic. If you can install a home charger and most of your trips are within the city, ownership is refreshingly simple and economical. All you do is just plug in overnight and wake up to a full battery every morning.The Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo, on the other hand, is a great all-rounder. It’s far more versatile, comfortable over long distances, and feels reassuringly tough on rough roads. The high ground clearance and rugged build make it ideal for highway runs and weekend getaways. However, its running costs are higher than the EV’s, and the turbo-petrol plus 6-speed DCT combination isn’t quite as seamless in bumper-to-bumper traffic, with some turbo lag and gearshift delay.In short, for city life and short commutes, the Windsor EV is the smarter, calmer, and cheaper-to-run choice. But if your driving includes frequent long trips or rough-road conditions, the Duster’s durability and range flexibility make it the more practical buy.

MG Windsor

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•6d

Go for the MG Comet. For pure city use and comfort, it is the smoothest and easiest small car in your shortlist right now. In stop-and-go traffic, the Comet feels calm because it is an electric automatic, so there are no gear shifts or vibrations, just a gentle push when you press the pedal. The steering is very light, the turning circle is tiny, and parking is stress-free. It is quiet inside, and charges at home overnight from a normal plug, which suits your low yearly use.The Maruti Suzuki Ignis automatic uses an AMT, which is an automatic that still shifts gears on its own. In slow traffic, it can give a slight jerk when starting and stopping, so it won’t feel as smooth as the Comet. It is easier for rear passengers, though, since it has four doors. However, most dealers do not have stocks as Maruti Suzuki has been winding up production of the car.As for the VinFast VF3, if you can wait, it could be a good alternative to the Comet as it has much larger wheels, which should help the ride quality over bad city roads.

MG Comet

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Autocar India

•1w

No other car in that price bracket has a full-sized panoramic glass roof and delivers the same lounge-like feeling as the MG Windsor EV does. If you're open to EVs, this is your best bet. The next best option is the Kia Syros, which has the largest panoramic sunroof in its segment. Additionally, due to its superb packaging, space in this sub-4-meter SUV is unmatched, and if you like the way it looks, it is certainly worthy of your consideration.

Kia Syros

MG Windsor

Autocar India

•1w

The Tata Curvv EV rides better, and the suspension handles rough roads well, so your child will not get tossed around. Its rear seat space is reasonable, although its sloping roofline limits headroom for tall adults.As you've rightly mentioned, the MG Windsor feels much roomier, and it's got a huge boot too. However, most functions are embedded in its slow-to-respond touchscreen, and its ride comfort isn't as good as Tata's either. Alternatively, you could check out the Vinfast VF6 and Kia Carens Clavis EV, both of which are (pricier) excellent alternatives to the Curvv EV.As far as ADAS goes, these certainly provide an extra layer of safety, and can be a life-saver in case the driver isn't paying attention. However, it can occasionally feel intrusive, especially in bumper-to-bumper conditions. When other road users cut you off, you could be taken by surprise and slam on the brakes. Hence, it would be better to leave these off for the city, and use them only on the highway.

Tata Curvv EV

MG Windsor

Vinfast VF6

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•1w

Consider the Tata Tiago EV with the larger 24kWh battery pack. It is a more well-rounded car than the MG Comet EV; it drives better, is better equipped and more practical. It also has rear doors and a larger, more usable boot and supports DC fast charging. It is obviously larger than the MG Comet, but it is a fair trade-off considering the added usability. However, the Comet’s tiny footprint means the Tiago can’t quite match it for maneuverability. If that is a bigger priority than the usability the Tiago otherwise offers, then there is really nothing else like the Comet on the market today.On your test drive, try a tight U-turn, reverse into a tight spot, and crawl in slow traffic to see how it responds at very low speeds.

Tata Tiago EV

MG Comet