13 Mahindra cars in India

Yes, the Mahindra Thar Roxx, in diesel guise, and especially in petrol guise, is not fuel-efficient. One car worth considering is the recently revealed Tata Sierra, which is likely to be available with multiple petrol engine options. And given Tata cars' recent track record of high NCAP crash test ratings, you can expect a good rating from the Sierra as well. 

You could also wait for the next-gen Kia Seltos. It is expected to launch by late 2025 or early 2026. The new model is likely to be larger and more spacious than the current version. There are also rumours of a hybrid powertrain, which could be the answer to your long-distance road trips. 

There will be many more new launches before April 2027, including models that haven’t been revealed yet. So if you’re not in a hurry, waiting could give you even better options. 

Considering your monthly running is under 1000 km, a petrol car makes the most sense for you. Based on your needs, we suggest two strong options: the Kia Carens Clavis and the Mahindra XUV700.

The Clavis is a proper seven-seater with a genuinely comfortable third row for adults. Within your budget, you can get the top-spec version, which offers features like a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, Bose audio and Level 2 ADAS. Its 1.5-litre turbo petrol isn’t the most efficient, but it is still more economical than the XUV700’s 2.0-litre turbo petrol. It also has enough performance for both city and highway use, even with a full load.

The Mahindra XUV700 is larger and more expensive but gives you a more powerful petrol engine, more middle-row space and a bigger car feel thanks to its wider body. In your budget, you’ll reach the AX7 variant. It’s not as feature-rich as the Clavis HTX Plus, but it still comes well-equipped. If you’re willing to wait, the XUV700 facelift is also expected soon.

The Mahindra 3XO is the better option for your requirement of comfort and driving pleasure. As for fuel efficiency, the difference between these cars is not large enough to be a deal breaker, so it should not be a concern. The Hyundai Venue is a comfortable car, but it will not be as enjoyable to drive as the Mahindra 3XO, though you can expect slightly better efficiency compared to the Mahindra.

It would depend on your budget and how far you are willing to stretch it, but good options would be the Mahindra Thar Roxx and Mahindra Scorpio N (5 seater). They're both tough, ladder frame SUVs with strong petrol and diesel engines, that are great on the highway and perfect for rough roads. 

With spacious cabins and big luggage areas with split-folding rear seats, your dogs will have enough room and easy access. Of the two, we would recommend the Thar Roxx as it is the newer of the two and, as such, is better equipped, and slightly better engineered. Plus, its split-opening tailgate feature could be a nice way to give your dogs some ventilation while still being safely inside the car.

At the lower end of your budget, there is the Maruti Suzuki Dzire AMT. It's been rated 5 stars by Global NCAP on adult occupant protection, fuel economy is very good, and it also packs in plenty of features. There is more than enough boot space for your weekend trips as well. The AMT is not the smoothest automatic gearbox, but in all other areas, the Dzire makes for a great choice.

There are a lot more options at the upper end of your budget, but it's the Mahindra XUV 3XO Petrol AT AX7 that is worth a look for you. It's a 5-star Global NCAP-rated compact SUV and packs in lots of features for the money. Fuel economy is decent, but like other turbo-petrol engines, mileage is very dependent on your driving style.