Autocar India

•2h

The Ebella's prices haven't been announced yet, but going by its badge engineered version - Suzuki e Vitara's pricing, it is likely to be in the same ballpark, i.e. between Rs 16-20 lakh (ex-showroom). The Hyryder G CNG on the other hand tops out below Rs 18 lakh on-road. And while the Hyryder CNG is a manual, the good news is that its clutch and gearbox are light, so even though it isn't nearly as convenient as the EV, it doesn't feel cumbersome to drive. What you need to keep in mind however is that boot space is compromised due to the CNG tank, hence during your 700km drives, it could be inadequate. Even the Ebella's boot is small, cabin floor is high (so the seating position is knees-up) and the infotainment's user-interface/user-experience is far from perfect. Also, while we haven't tested the Ebella's range, our preliminary tests indicate a highway range of about 370km, which means you will need to charge a few times on the way to your hometown, so you need to factor that in as well.Between the two cars you've shortlisted, we'd recommend the Hyryder CNG, which is a tried and tested car. However, if you're open to options, the Maruti Victoris CNG will be ideal for you as it shares its platform, equipment and powertrain with the Hyryder, and thanks to its repositioned CNG tank (beneath the boot), luggage space doesn't feel as compromised as in the Toyota.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella

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Autocar India

•3h

Both these are very compelling SUVs that score high on desirability and road presence, as well as on interior space, but also do things very differently from one another. The Thar Roxx has the larger and more powerful engines which, combined with its aggressively calibrated automatic gearboxes, delivery strong and instantaneous performance. The downside, however, is that fuel economy takes a huge nosedive, which might be an annoyance on your long highway journeys. Moreover, the engines are not very refined and can feel a little too highly strung when you aren't driving quickly. And finally, while it is fun to drive in off-road and perhaps dirt-road conditions, it feels relatively large and cumbersome on tarmac, thanks in part to its ladder-frame construction. The Tata Sierra T-GDi, then, proves to be the better choice for you overall, as its monocoque chassis and sharper steering make it a lot more fun on the road. While not quite as powerful as the Mahindra, its 160hp turbo-petrol has more than enough punch and its 6-speed automatic is smooth too. It's also the more comfortable and fuel-efficient of the two by far, which should help on your highway drives.

Tata Sierra

Mahindra Thar Roxx

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Autocar India

•3h

Before you go ahead with the purchase, please keep in mind that the Tata Safari is a heavy vehicle and in its petrol-automatic guise, expecting double digit city fuel efficiency will be a bit ambitious. Yes, on the open roads, at constant speeds and light throttle inputs, the turbo-petrol could deliver good fuel efficiency, but in bumper-to-bumper traffic and stop-go conditions, fuel efficiency will be low. As a family car though, the Safari is a good option, on account of its spacious cabin, and impressive ride comfort. Tata's service experience can be a hit or a miss, and it isn't the best in terms of reliability either, occasionally throwing up a glitch or two. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is slightly better in that regard, however space isn't as good as in the Tata, especially in the third row. Also, the XUV's 2.0-litre turbo-petrol-automatic will fare worse (if not equally) as far as efficiency goes.Hence, if you want a fuel-efficient family car, the Maruti Invicto or the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid are the ones to get. Of course, these are very expensive, and as you've rightly pointed out, unless your usage is very high, it will take a long time to benefit from its lower running costs after breaking even. But as far as reliability, peace of mind and a trouble-free ownership experience goes the Maruti and Toyota are still the ones to beat.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Toyota Innova HyCross

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Autocar India

•4h

If you are satisfied with the Tata experience, you could consider the Tata Sierra. As your usage is on the higher side and you already use a diesel Nexon, we would recommend going for the 1.5-litre diesel with the six-speed torque converter automatic.The Sierra is roomier than the Nexon and offers the comfortable seating you are looking for, yet it isn’t so large as to become a chore on your long city commute. The diesel engine is grunty for both city and highway use, and the automatic gearbox shifts smoothly. The ride and handling balance is also excellent, making it a very enjoyable SUV to drive.A mid-spec Adventure+ comes with all the necessities, along with features like a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera. Importantly, it also gets a reclining rear seat and a thigh-support extension for the front seats, both of which improve seating comfort. Do take a test drive before committing to buying.

Tata Sierra

Tata Nexon

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Autocar India

•4h

While the Kia Seltos diesel MT will be more fuel efficient, the Seltos IVT is the better pick overall. The smooth engine and seamless gearbox deliver a great drive experience, especially in city drives. Performance is also adequate on the highway.The Seltos diesel is pleasant scoring well for refinement (as diesels go). However, the engine feels a bit strained in the new Seltos that's grown in size and weight. Further, a comparable variant diesel will cost you significantly more than an IVT, negating any real savings that you'd get from its greater efficiency. As for your concern about DPF issues, you shouldn't have a problem given your usage includes highway drives. Steady cruises on the highway allow DPF regeneration and ensure trouble-free performance. With respect to variants, we'd recommend stretching for the HTK. The HTE(O) misses a rear defogger and rear wiper which are safety essentials. Further, the HTK also adds in comfort features like rear sunshades, keyless entry and reach adjust for the steering. The HTK's larger 17-inch alloy wheels (vs the HTE(O)'s 16-inch steel rims with wheel covers) also have a big bearing on the look.

Kia Seltos

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