Tata Safari Accomplished Ultra 7 seat 2.0 Diesel AT

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Firstly, ask yourself whether you need the third row seating. If yes, then the Tata Safari is your best bet - it is a spacious three-row SUV. That said, its manual gearbox is not the smoothest, nor is its clutch as effort-free as that of most other smaller mid-size SUVs. Also, to extract 10-11kpl from your short city runs will be difficult. These are trade-offs you will have to make for its road presence, performance, as well as cabin space.If you don't need the extra row of seats, it makes sense to opt for the Tata Sierra instead. Do note, it isn't an efficient turbo-petrol-automatic combination, so be prepared for higher monthly fuel bills. The good news is that the 1.5 Turbo-Petrol's performance is strong, and the 6-speed automatic gearbox works smoothly. It is a spacious, sturdy SUV; you can choose from the multiple variants on offer.If you plan to keep the car for an 8-10 year period, it could be worth stretching your budget a bit and getting all the bells and whistles.

Tata Safari

Tata Sierra

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With a budget of Rs. 18 lakh, you're likely to get the entry-level variants of the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. Between the two, the Tata Car has a more spacious third row; however, the XUV 7XO is the better all-rounder.The XUV 7XO is essentially the facelifted XUV700, so you get the same proven mechanical package, along with a more modern interior, updated features and a more premium feel. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is strong and refined, making this Mahindra car well suited to both city and highway driving, while the manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use.The Tata Safari is still a good car, with a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin, but the XUV 7XO feels more modern and premium inside.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

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Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. With your usage pattern of 500 km a month, mostly city driving with occasional rural trips, the XUV 7XO is the more practical and comfortable choice. It offers a more refined and modern cabin, better ride comfort and a more premium overall feel. The diesel engine is efficient and well-suited to your occasional highway and rural runs, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. The Safari is a good car, but the XUV 7XO feels more polished and better suited to long-term ownership. If you are open to petrol, the XUV 7XO petrol automatic is also a strong option, especially if your running remains low. Overall, the XUV 7XO strikes the best balance between comfort, practicality, efficiency and value for money for your usage.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari

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Since your daily driving is mostly in the city, we would recommend the Tata Safari petrol over the Scorpio N petrol. While the Safari is a slightly larger vehicle overall, it is easier to drive than the Scorpio N thanks to its electric power steering and, if you opt for the manual, lighter clutch and gearshift too. The Scorpio N's ladder-frame chassis gives it a toughness that's beneficial on rough roads, but for city use, the downside is that it's nowhere near as comfortable as the monocoque-chassis Safari, whose Omega Arc platform is derived from Land Rover. The Safari is also more spacious, with greater room in the second, and especially the third row. And finally, while the Scorpio N petrol is more powerful with monstrous 203hp from its 2.0-litre engine, it is nowhere near as fuel-efficient as the Safari's 170hp 1.5-litre turbo petrol, which is also more refined and powerful enough. Based on our real-world tests, Mahindra Scorpio N mileage averaged 8.65kpl for the petrol automatic and 10.15kpl for the diesel automatic, while the petrol manual returned 7.3kpl.For your usage, the Safari is the better option. The Tata Safari price starts at Rs 13.40 lakh and goes up to Rs 26.76 lakh (ex-showroom).

Tata Safari

Mahindra Scorpio N

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Given your usage and priorities, the Volkswagen Virtus Highline Plus 1.0 TSI automatic is the better fit. Your daily running is low, and the occasional highway trips do not justify the additional size and complexity of the Tata Safari. The Virtus offers a more refined driving experience, better fuel efficiency and a more manageable ownership proposition over the long term. It is also a more comfortable car for a family of four plus a child, with a spacious rear seat and a large boot. The Safari Pure X turbo petrol manual is a good value proposition for those who need the extra space and road presence, but it is not the best choice for your usage pattern. The manual gearbox will become tiresome in traffic, and the larger size will make it less convenient to live with on a daily basis. The Virtus is the more sensible and enjoyable choice for your needs. You can expect the Volkswagen Virtus mileage to be around 9 to 12 kpl in the city and 15 to 18 kpl on the highway.

Volkswagen Virtus

Tata Safari