I’m looking for safety, performance, ride & handling. Reliability is an equal priority.
BHPian Livnletcarsliv recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
I sold my 2019 Tata Harrier XZ BS4 due to multiple reasons. Now, the biggest task of my life starts. To choose the right next car. And here I am in seeking answers from the most passionate, unbiased, and professional automotive community that I know of in this entire world.
Some of my requirements
- Appropriate replacement of Harrier in terms of space. I only need a 5-seater. Though I am not strictly against 7 seats also.
- Safety, performance, ride, and handling. I am an enthusiast looking to satisfy the Schumacher/Vin Diesel in me.
- Reliability is an equal priority.
- I will be the only driver and this will my primary car. I have a beater car (a 2009 Indica Vista Diesel). I use it only for the sake of using it and I don’t intend to sell it as it will be used as a backup and as a learner’s car to my wife. I also hold on to my cars for as long as possible.
- I am a person who appreciates sound mechanicals more than tonnes of gizmos. Of course, I expect at-par bells and whistles compared to the market if not the best.
- I did about 48K kms in about 2 yrs 10 months in my Harrier. I expect to do the same with +/- 5-6K. This is the last leg to own a diesel. However, my only concern is the DPF issue. While mileage is important, I would rather spend an additional 9rs/liter (or) 5K/month for the petrol rather than get stuck on the road with the DPF issue in a diesel. Am I worrying too much? Am I overthinking? Can I still go ahead with the diesel?
- Budget is approximately 25L-35L.
- Automatic preferred. Manual can also be considered.
My considerations
XUV700
Booked Diesel AX7 L AWD AT just for the sake of joining the waitlist queue. Am I right to believe this one slot in between a true enthusiast’s car like a Compass/Tiguan and a more comfort-oriented car like Hector?
Two concerns
- Reliability. Personally, I feel that M&M has improved a lot these days and they are definitely better than Tata (especially their flagships) in this. Of course, I understand and can compromise for minor niggles here and there.
- Diesel DPF issues. If this is a real concern, then I don’t mind changing my booking to Petrol AX7 L AT. Of course, my monthly/yearly odo reading is also what bothers me about not going for petrol.
I believe that most/all of the major and minor niggles will be sorted by the time the car is allotted to me.
Compass Diesel Manual
I don’t think and I am very skeptical (I drove the manual) that the automatic can satisfy the enthusiast in me (which is the primary reason for me to consider a Jeep). I strongly feel that Jeep in India has a poor score in terms of reliability with such low numbers they sell (as there are many horror stories even in this forum). And of course, it is not even a 5-seater (strictly 4+1). It will compromise for me in terms of space. I can probably go for a Kushaq 1.5 TSI M/DSG as well, and save tons of money if I am compromising space. I am not bothered about the “premiumness” of Compass compared to Kushaq since Kushaq is a 5-star rated car.
I did not consider the Meridian as it is too big for my liking and use case. I might as well go with 700 there are no 5-seater options.
Tuscon Signature Diesel AT
Yes, it’s a definite value for money when compared to all its competitors. However, I am not bothered about the value of money. I am also not satisfied with putting 42L for a Hyundai in India. And it doesn’t satisfy the enthusiast in me. I also don’t like the looks (both interior and exterior). Of course, it will also be too tight for me in terms of cost.
Tiguan
Yes, it definitely satisfies the enthusiast in me. While it is not as feature-rich as the Tuscon, it still satisfies me. Since this will be my primary car and my first VW experience, how is the Tiguan (being a CKD) compared to the 700 in terms of reliability? Since it is a petrol-only car, will the mileage (compared to any diesel car) make a dent in your monthly finance for everyday use? Again, this will be a literal squeeze for me in terms of budget. So how is Tiguan compared to 700 petrol and 700 diesel? Is it worth that extra 10-11L?
Not considered
Citroen C5 (IMO scores bad in terms of looks, rear seat, ASS network, cost, value), Hector (IMO scores bad in terms of brand, looks, center console, etc), Octavia (not a sedan person). Is there anything that I missed to consider?
Since I have a beater car to take care of my current needs, I can hold on for a few more months if there are better/other options upcoming like Qashqai, etc.
Here’s what GTO had to say about the matter:
You’ve been through a lot with the Harrier. I would suggest the XUV700 Diesel. 24,000 km / year is high enough to warrant a diesel (petrol FE is like 6 – 7 kmpl in the city). Also consider the much-improved Scorpio-N (very butch, different kind of kick), Innova Hycross Hybrid (I have a feeling you will love it) & Tucson (IMHO, it is totally worth the price premium). I know you don’t need the space, but take a spin in the Carnival too. Outgoing model at the current price & incoming new model at a higher price, both to be considered. It’s a beautiful car to drive.
This is the time to go out and do some serious test-driving.
Mahindras might have niggles, but the problems are nowhere as severe & widespread as in the Harrier.
Here’s what BHPian bijims had to say about the matter:
From your experience with the above cars, it comes down to a battle between the XUV700 and the Tiguan. Considering the same, I would like to point out the pros and cons of each:
Mahindra XUV700 AX7L AWD AT
The top-of-the-line Mahindra XUV700 is definitely a feature-packed car and one of the best money can buy at that price. It has it all, powerful 2.2L Diesel producing 182bhp of power and 450nm of torque, space aplenty, 18-inch alloy wheels, ADAS functions, a 5-star NCAP rating, 7 airbags, and almost everything you need in a car.
The road presence with its sheer size and commanding stance adds to its visual appeal. A roomy cabin with a more than capable powertrain and good driving dynamics (It provides a good ride and handling balance) and the feel-good features on offer set it apart from its rivals.
Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TSI DSG
A sophisticated and premium German crossover with a solid build, roomy cabin, immaculate handling, and smooth powertrain with quick throttle response, linear power output, and seamless gearshifts make it a driver’s delight. However, the Tiguan is pricey being a CKD.
Moving on to a comparison between the two, the XUV700 definitely is the value buy here with a perfect mix of style and substance for the price. However, for the enthusiasts out there, there is almost nothing that can beat the Tiguan, it’s a drivers’ delight indeed. Material quality and fit and finish in the CKD Tiguan are much better than the XUV700 (whose range starts at around 16.5 lakhs) Mileage of the Tiguan is surely in single digits while the XUV700 diesel is more likely give you double-digit mileage.
So, if you are alright with the quality of the XUV700 and are satisfied with its performance, save the 10 lakhs and keep your current booking. However, if you don’t mind the mileage and don’t mind spending the additional 10 lakhs for an overall better-built and better-performing vehicle, go for the Tiguan.
You could also take a look at this post from a fellow BHPian.
Here’s what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say about the matter:
After all that you have been through with the Harrier, I will strongly suggest that you look no further than the Innova HyCross hybrid. If there is any manufacturer whose calling card is reliability + peace of mind, it is Toyota. The hybrid powertrain will offxer significant fuel savings which is an important factor given your high usage.
Here’s what BHPian Kosfactor had to say about the matter:
Get something you are comfortable with and go places with it, do not wait too long as we are not getting any younger by the day. XUV may or may not be the car for you however take it for an extended test drive, experience it at some speeds to fully understand what they have done. Ask for an AT test drive car of course. It is possible that you may like a smaller 5 seater crossover instead however no harm in giving it a shot.
In my observation XUV7OO is a good balance for a driving enthusiast – it’s tilted towards performance than outright comfort alone, as the speeds rise like a typical European car (Yes I know), the comfort too gets better.
While this is a sponsored video, Sirish Chandran has some information about why it feels European.
Here is our new year Convoy.
The AT in 7OO is very well calibrated for the hills, along with AWD there is no drama, just instant progress. The 5OO in the picture is a 2020 BS4, the best iteration of 5OO.
The red XUV owner wanted a Kodiak at some point however given his previous experiences with Skoda Rapid it was considered a bad idea. He is happily touring all over TN, KL & KA with his AWD XUV AT. Since he is the only driver in his family, he relies on ADAS quite a bit on the Salem – Madurai- Nagercoil stretch – and surprisingly fuel-efficient too.
Now about BS6 and DPF – You need some amount of highway running once a month at least to keep it all clear.
You will get DPF dosing error in cold climates (single digit and below) at some point in its life – however that is normal, it goes away after some running.
Keyword: What car to buy after selling my Tata Harrier: Budget is Rs 25-35 lakh