I want a 7-seater SUV with maximum ground clearance, rear-wheel drive (or AWD), a diesel engine, and an automatic transmission. Good mileage is important. My budget is ₹30-35 lakh (can stretch slightly). I live in Kashmir, so the car must handle occasional snow. Please suggest suitable models.

For your requirements and budget, the best option is the Jeep Meridian. It's got good ground clearance, a decently frugal diesel engine, a smooth automatic gearbox and AWD. It also has a very luxurious interior, a strong equipment list and the premium Jeep badge and its associated off-road pedigree. Bear in mind, however, that the third row of seats is not very spacious, but good enough for occasional use. Alternatively, you could move down a step to the Mahindra Scorpio-N, but its third row is also very cramped. And finally, you could move up to a Toyota Fortuner, which has a spacious third row, but its price is well past the Rs 40 lakh mark for the diesel automatic variants.