Tata Safari

autocar.india

•2d

We would recommend the Kia Carens Clavis instead of your mentioned choices. Assuming the third row will be used frequently, the Clavis features better space and comfort compared to the Alcazar and Safari. The Clavis also has a better ride than both, and with three rows up, it has decent space behind the backrests for soft luggage. You also get a choice of powertrains between EV, petrol and diesel. Performance of the Clavis is strong even with three rows full, and being a Kia, the equipment and features on offer are very good. If you can stretch your budget, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is also a very strong choice. Gets a roomy cabin with a better third row than the Alcazar and Safari, and superb ride quality and engine performance. Both the petrol and diesel engines are powerful and refined, and it makes for a strong package.

Kia Carens Clavis

Hyundai Alcazar

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•3d

Between the Scorpio N and the Safari, we would recommend the Scorpio N as it has a more sophisticated suspension, better ride quality, and a much better diesel engine that is good in performance and refinement.However if third-row space is absolutely crucial, then we would actually recommend that you try out the Mahindra XUV 7XO as well. It gets the same engine as the Scorpio but you also get a slightly better third row and better comfort as well. The suspension and ride quality on the 7XO are a lot better compared to the Safari.The Safari would only be a recommendation if a lot of your driving is over really bad and broken roads because that is where the Tata really comes through. For everything else the Mahindra 7XO is a better bet. If you're looking for a base entry-level model, it might be slightly pricier but it will be worth spending that extra money on the 7XO rather than the Scorpio N.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra Scorpio N

Tata Safari

autocar.india

•2w

For long-term ownership, the Mahindra Scorpio N is the safest recommendation from your shortlist. It has a proven track record, robust mechanicals and a strong service network, making it a dependable choice for 5-10 years of ownership. The Tata Harrier and Tata Safari have improved significantly, but the Scorpio N still has the edge on long-term reliability and ownership confidence. The Jeep Compass is a good product, but it is now an ageing model and does not offer the same value proposition as the Scorpio N. If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It is a more modern product with a better balance of comfort, features and refinement, and it is a strong long-term ownership proposition as well. The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are excellent driver's cars, but they are smaller and do not offer the same level of space or road presence as the Scorpio N or XUV 7XO.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Harrier

Tata Safari

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

Jeep Compass

autocar.india

•2w

The Tata Safari is the more expensive and more premium SUV option, but it is larger and heavier than the other two cars you've listed. Also, it is available only with a turbo-petrol, which given its weight, isn't going to be very efficient in the real world. Lastly, the controls like the gearbox and clutch are heavier compared to the other two which feel relatively effort-free. So we'd rule out the Safari.Given you're usage, opting for a CNG version will keep a check on your running costs. Both Maruti and Kia offer factor CNG options with their respective manual gearbox versions of the 1.5 petrol engine.The Maruti Suzuki XL6 is a sensible choice here, given its reputation for reliability, ease of maintenance and Maruti's unmatched service network, which is important for a long-term owner. However, we'd recommend you to go for the Kia Carens Clavis which feels more premium than the XL6. The Clavis' cabin feels more upmarket, space is excellent, it is better equipped, refinement is better, and now it also offers a factory-fitted CNG variants. Overall, the Clavis CNG feels like the more polished offering, hence it gets our vote.

Kia Carens Clavis

Tata Safari

Maruti Suzuki XL6

autocar.india

•2w

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. At 25,000- 30,000 km a year, you’ll spend a lot of hours behind the wheel, and that’s where the Mahindra pulls ahead. Its 2.2 diesel is noticeably stronger than the Tata Safari’s diesel, so overtaking on the highway takes far less effort. It’s also more refined. The Safari’s diesel gets gruff, especially at low speeds in town. The 7XO’s ride is excellent too, soft over bad roads and flat and composed at high speed. If you ever drive on poor roads or in the hills, it also offers all-wheel drive on the top versions, which the Safari doesn’t.The one area where the Safari wins is the third row. It’s easier to get into and roomier, while the 7XO’s last row really only suits kids or short trips. So if you’ll regularly fill all seven seats with adults, the Safari deserves a serious look.Otherwise, the 7XO is the better car to live with every day.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Safari