Mahindra XUV 7XO

Out of the three mentioned above, the Mahindra XUV 7XO would be the better choice. It is a lot more refined, plush and sorted overall and feels worth the money you pay. The engine is powerful, silent, and the gearbox works well in the city as well. The tech is new-age, and it feels futureproof. 

However, the third row, despite getting AC vents, isn't the best in terms of space and comfort. The middle row cannot slide ahead, and that restricts room in the last row. Coming from an Ertiga, you will feel the space crunch in the 7XO and even the Hector Plus or the Tata Safari. 

If the third row is frequently used, the Kia Carens Clavis is the right choice as it has proper space in the third row and is quite practical. It isn't as fast or powerful as the others, but it has enough punch and is almost equally packed with features. 

Being lighter than the bigger SUVs, it is also easy to drive around the city, and it has a smooth DCT gearbox. If third row space is not critical, then we would recommend the XUV 7XO, but if you want space in the last row, the Clavis would be ideal. 

If you don't mind the additional spend, we'd recommend the Mahindra XUV 7XO in AX7 trim. Elements like its larger 18-inch alloy wheels and leatherette upholstery add greatly to the look and feel of things. While auto climate control, a 540-degree camera and front parking sensors are features you will appreciate every day.  

The Tata Sierra is not a like-for-like alternative to the Mahindra 7XO. The 7XO is larger, more powerful and also offers three rows of seating.

Further, the 7XO is slightly pricier, too. Within Tata's range, the Tata Safari is an alternative to the 7XO. 

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.

If you regularly travel with six or seven adults, then the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid certainly has an edge due to its more spacious cabin. The Toyota will also be a lot more efficient too, thus your fuel bills will be in check. 

On the other hand, if the third row will be used only occasionally, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the better car to drive. Its diesel-automatic combination is smooth, refined and delivers punchy performance. Also, the top-spec XUV diesel-automatic is much more affordable than a Hycross hybrid, making the Mahindra good value too.

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. 

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.

You will need to stretch your Rs 15 lakh budget significantly for the base Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol-automatic. Among the options that fit your budget, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is an excellent pick. 

You could either choose the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol MPFI or 1.2-litre turbo-petrol GDI, both of which are mated to a 6-speed torque converter (automatic). The MPFI is powerful enough, smooth and has a better value than the GDI option; this is the one that we'd recommend.