Mahindra cars in India (13)

While the Tata Sierra is an impressive-looking SUV, we have yet to drive it on the road and experience its performance. 

Also, the price list for all the variants is not out yet, so it’s uncertain which variant will be available within your ₹15 lakh budget.

Tata's after-sales and service support does have some catching up to do in comparison to Maruti and Hyundai. If you really liked the way the Sierra looks and what it offers, it would be worth waiting for. 

However, if it does not turn out as per your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 3XO in AX5 L variant is very good. It has a smooth powertrain and a good feature list, along with a spacious rear seat and low maintenance costs. 

Buying a diesel does have some level of uncertainty given the constant negativity around it, be it from official statements as to its certified life or restrictions on its usage on heavy air pollution days. 

Thus, if you are open to an electric, we would advise you to go ahead with this. Furthermore, your daily running is low, and even your occasional long distances are 300kms which should be manageable with something like the Kia Carens Clavis EV. 

The Clavis EV also has a nice and premium interior and is very well equipped in typical Kia fashion. The recently launched Mahindra XEV 9S is also a very good option, again with a premium interior and a good equipment list.      

The Mahindra XUV700 facelift is due early January, so we would definitely recommend you wait for it. 

However, if you are keen on getting a good price, you can bargain with the dealer to get you good discount on the current model. Towards the year-end, customers tend to delay purchases to get a 'newer year' registration, thus dealers are keen to sell cars in December and tend to offer discounts to offset this. 

Further with the facelift also due, you could really strike a good bargain. Thus, consider the current car only if you can get a very good deal.     

The Hyundai Alcazar and Mahindra XUV700 are both competent SUVs. However, given your requirements, the Hyundai Alcazar would be a better fit for you. 

The Hyundai Car is slightly smaller in terms of dimensions, and that, coupled with its light control, means it's easier to drive in the city. It also gets a refined 116hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine that can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The Hyundai Alcazar mileage is 20.4kpl for the diesel manual and 18.1kpl for the automatic (company claimed).

The Mahindra Scorpio N is a ladder-frame SUV, meaning the body is bolted onto a chassis. This construction makes it more hardy, however, the Scorpio N will have that typical body sway that is associated with chassis vehicles. 

The ride is thus not settled over undulations, and this is where the Mahindra XUV700 is better. It utilizes a monocoque construction, which is where all components are bolted to the body shell itself. This gives the car overall better rigidity, resulting in better ride and handling, something that is noticeably better with the XUV700. 

Engine refinement and performance are similar, given that the two SUVs share the same powertrains. However, real-world efficiency is better with the XUV700 as it has active safety. Also, the XUV700 has better and more stable handling at higher speeds.            

The Kia Sonet diesel is a good option, and you can safely go ahead with this.

However, if rear space is important to you, then you will find this very tight in the Sonet, especially so in comparison to your Toyota Glanza. If this is an issue for you, then you could consider the new Hyundai Venue; rear space is better, and on the whole, the car is a better option too. 

However, if you are not keen on the Venue, then you could consider the Mahindra 3XO, which has good space as well as offers a good ride along with engine performance.  

Since you are looking for an additional car and mainly for office commutes, a sub-4-meter car along with an automatic transmission would be best. Check out the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, it is compact enough for the city, and the automatic gearbox is a torque converter unit. It is much smoother than an automated manual (AMT), which is what most others at this price offer. 
 

Having a Mahindra XUV 400 means you would be used to a smooth drive and a higher seating position, too, both of which you will find in the Brezza. It also fits within the sub-4-meter dimension and thus would be a tad easier to find parking in the city.