Mpv Diesel Cars in India (5)

I am planning to buy a 7-seater car and am confused between the Kia Carens Clavis HTX (O) Petrol DCT and the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5 Diesel. My confusion is mainly around a few points. The XUV 7XO has better looks and more power than the Clavis, while the Clavis offers better third-row space and a more spacious cabin. I do not have a very high annual running either. With my current car, I drive around 12,000-14,000km a year, including both city and highway driving, with occasional hill trips. This has left me confused about whether I should opt for a diesel or petrol. The XUV 7XO petrol is also not known for particularly good mileage, which makes the decision even more difficult. With the diesel option, I am also concerned about potential DPF-related issues, especially given my relatively low annual running. Since the car will primarily be driven in NCR, there is also some uncertainty around the applicability of BS6 diesel vehicles when GRAP Stage 4 restrictions are in force, as government regulations can change. Another concern is the DCT transmission. I have heard about DCTs facing heating issues in bumper-to-bumper traffic, although I am not sure how significant this issue is with the Carens Clavis. During my test drive, I also felt that the Clavis seemed somewhat underpowered in Normal mode, particularly when starting from a standstill. I had to press the accelerator pedal quite hard to get it moving more quickly. Is this simply a characteristic of the DCT and its calibration, or could it be specific to the particular test-drive car? I would really appreciate any suggestions or experiences that could help me clear up these doubts before making a decision. Thanks in advance.

I am planning to buy a 7-seater, most probably the XUV 7XO AX7T petrol. My annual running will be around 7,000-8,000 km, with 80% on highways and the rest in the city. However, I am in a dilemma regarding the fuel efficiency of the petrol engine, as most reviews and discussions suggest going for the diesel engine. What should I choose: petrol automatic or diesel automatic?

My requirement is for a reasonably large 7-seater vehicle because I frequently go on very long drives. Sometimes, I even drive 1,200 km in a single stretch. I have been driving a Toyota Etios Liva for almost 15 years, and the car has given me virtually zero problems. So, I have firsthand experience of Toyota reliability. My budget is around Rs. 24 lakh, and reliability is my number-one priority. I love diesel cars, although I understand that diesel options are fewer. At the moment, I am mainly considering the non-hybrid Toyota Innova HyCross ZX(O) petrol. Within my budget, I mayconsider Innova Crysta, depending on the variant and on-road price. I am also considering Honda City Hybrid, but my concern is the reduced boot space in the hybrid version, and of course, it isn’t a 7-seater. I’m not really looking at too many other brands, although I’m also wondering about the Mahindra XUV 7XO. I haven’t driven it yet, so I’m not sure whether I should seriously consider it. When I compare Mahindra with Toyota, I personally don’t feel that Toyota-level reliability is there and reliability is important to me because I plan to keep the vehicle for many years. I also like some of the newer brands and products such as Citroen but I am concerned whether manufacturers will continue operating in India in the long term. I don’t want to buy a vehicle from a brand that may disappear. So, given my requirements including a 7-seater car for long-distance driving, excellent reliability, comfortable highway cruising, reasonable boot space, and a budget of around Rs. 24 lakh, which car would you recommend? Should I go for the Innova HyCross ZX(O) non-hybrid, Innova Crysta, or take a chance on something like the Mahindra XUV 7XO? I’m particularly interested in your recommendation from a long-term ownership and reliability, comfort perspective, because after owning a Toyota for 15 years, I know what genuine reliability feels like.

Hi Autocar, I currently own a 2021 Creta SX, but my family members are not comfortable in a 5-seater car. We are therefore looking to buy a new 6/7-seater SUV with a budget of up to Rs 30 lakh. It should have a diesel engine, and I am open to both automatic and manual options. Please recommend a good car within my budget.

Hi Auto Experts, I’ve been using a diesel Swift for around 10 years, followed by a Marazzo for the last 8 years. I’m now planning to change my car and move to an automatic. My requirements: Annual usage: around 10,0001-2,000 km Includes a couple of long highway trips every year I really like the driving experience and highway performance of diesel cars, so a diesel AT is my preference. Usually 4-5 people, with occasional 6-person trips. Looking for a car that I can keep for 81-0 years. Safety is important to me. Good highway comfort, stability and long-distance reliability are priorities. I’m currently confused between available SUVs and MUVs and would appreciate suggestions from experts. My budget is below 25L.