Autocar India
•28w

Looking to buy an SUV. Which among these (Innova HyCross, XUV 7XO, Skoda Kodiaq, and Jeep Meridian) has the best ride comfort, road handling, better suspension, and a comfortable third row?

Verified
•27w
It is a very close call between the cars you have shortlisted, given your requirements. Between the XUV 7XO, Skoda Kodiaq, and Jeep Meridian, the differences are fairly marginal. The Jeep Meridian and the Kodiaq do feel more premium in terms of interior material quality and fit and finish compared to the 7XO, although the 7XO, especially after the recent facelift, is not far behind. It also offers more features than the other two, is more spacious, and benefits from an updated suspension that has addressed one of the earlier XUV700’s biggest drawbacks: suspension noise.
In terms of powertrains, the Mahindra impresses with both petrol and diesel options paired with automatic gearboxes. Its 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines are genuinely world-class, adding to the overall upmarket feel. However, one area where the Mahindra XUV 7XO, as well as the Kodiaq and Meridian, falls short is third-row comfort. In all three cars, the third row is best suited for children. The 7XO also misses out on a sliding middle row, which would have significantly improved third-row usability.
If third row comfort is a priority, the Toyota Innova HyCross makes the most sense. It offers a comfortable ride, is easy to drive despite its size, and has by far the most usable third row among your shortlisted options, with enough space for adults on longer journeys. Its hybrid powertrain also delivers excellent efficiency. Do keep in mind, however, that compared to the others, the interior does not feel as premium, and sound insulation at highway speeds could have been better.
Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Innova HyCross

Explore cars mentioned

Jeep Meridian

Jeep

Meridian

from ₹28.35 Lakh

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.51 Lakh

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda

Kodiaq

from ₹44.21 Lakh

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹22.07 Lakh

Compare suggested cars

More posts on similar cars

•5d

I’m planning to buy a premium SUV. Most of my driving will be in Bangalore city traffic, with occasional highway trips, around twice a month. I’m currently considering the Mahindra XUV 7XO top-end petrol automatic and the Skoda Kodiaq L&K. I understand there’s a significant price difference between the two, but my budget allows for either. I enjoy driving and won’t be hiring a chauffeur, so the driving experience is important to me. While both SUVs offer similar power on paper, does the Kodiaq provide a noticeably better sense of quality, cabin feel, driving pleasure, and after-sales service that justifies its higher price? I’m also open to suggestions from other brands that fit my requirements, such as entry-level Audi or BMW models, except Tata vehicles. Your expert advice would be a great help. Thank you.

Verified
•1d

Go for the Skoda Kodiaq Selection L&K. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a genuinely impressive SUV with strong performance, a feature-rich cabin, and excellent value for money, but the Kodiaq is on a different level. The quality of the materials, the solidity of the build, the refinement, and the overall sense of premium engineering are immediately apparent. Its 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine is also an excellent unit, delivering strong performance and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. The XUV 7XO is a very good SUV and offers outstanding value for money. However, the Kodiaq feels like a truly premium product, and if budget is not a concern, it is the one to choose.As for after-sales service, Skoda cars network is not as extensive as Mahindra cars, but it has improved significantly in recent years, and ownership experiences are generally positive. If you're open to other brands, the BMW X1 is also worth considering. It is smaller than the Kodiaq, but it is rewarding to drive and offers a genuinely premium experience. Overall, if you can comfortably afford the Kodiaq, it is the SUV that is most likely to keep you satisfied in the long run.

VehicleBMW X1
VehicleSkoda Kodiaq
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
•1w

Hi, my daily usage is 40 km within the city, and I drive around 1,000 km on the highway. I currently have a Dzire petrol. I want a fuel-efficient SUV with a budget of approximately Rs. 20-25 lakh. What would be a better option among an EV, hybrid, or diesel?

Verified
•13h

With a daily city run of 40km and an additional 1,000km of highway driving each month, your usage pattern is actually quite balanced between city and highway. In this scenario, a diesel SUV is the most sensible choice. A hybrid would make sense if your usage was predominantly city-based, as the fuel savings are most significant in stop-start traffic. An EV, on the other hand, would require a much higher daily running to justify the premium, and long highway trips would introduce range planning and charging considerations that you simply do not have with a diesel.Within your budget, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the most complete package. It offers a strong diesel engine, a comfortable ride, a spacious cabin and a good feature set. If you don't need three rows, then the Kia Seltos diesel is worth a look too, offering a more premium cabin and a very refined diesel engine.The key point is that your usage pattern is perfectly suited to a diesel SUV, and you will see the benefits both in terms of fuel efficiency and ease of ownership over the long term.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleKia Seltos
•1w

Following my previous question about replacing my Tata Hexa, which has covered 1.25 lakh km, with a new SUV or MPV within a budget of Rs. 35 lakh and for a daily commute of around 85 km, I test-drove both the Tata Safari and the Toyota Hycross. However, I found both to be lacking in power. Could you suggest some other suitable options? I am also open to considering 5-seater SUVs, although a diesel remains my preference. Additionally, would the Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel be a good choice for my requirements? If so, which variant would you recommend?

Verified
•1d

Given your daily 85 km commute and the fact that you're coming from a Tata Hexa, a diesel car still makes the most sense. The Toyota Innova Hycross is a petrol-hybrid MPV, so it was never going to feel as powerful as a diesel. The Tata Safari, while offering good torque, isn't the most responsive diesel SUV in its segment.The Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel is the option we would recommend. It is one of the most powerful diesel SUVs in its segment, with strong mid-range performance and a genuinely engaging driving experience. It also strikes a good balance between comfort, space, and features, making it a well-rounded replacement for the Hexa. As for the XUV 7XO variants, the AX7 is the sweet spot, offering most of the key features without pushing the price too close to your Rs. 35 lakh budget.

VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleTata Safari
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO

View all Posts

Expert reviews worth reading

Jeep Meridian
JeepMeridian
Read expert review
Mahindra XUV 7XO
MahindraXUV 7XO
Read expert review
Skoda Kodiaq
SkodaKodiaq
Read expert review
Toyota Innova HyCross
ToyotaInnova HyCross
Read expert review

Popular discussions right now

•1w

I want to buy my first car, and I have a strict budget of Rs 10 lakh. I will not use the car on a daily basis; I will drive it occasionally, and I live in Kolkata.

Verified
•5d

For a car under 10 lakh budget and occasional use, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno makes sense. It is a genuinely spacious hatchback with a comfortable ride. It's easy to drive in the city and has a proven ownership record. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and reliable, and Maruti’s service network in Kolkata is excellent, which keeps long-term running costs low.For occasional use, you want a car that is easy to live with, dependable and does not demand much attention, and the Baleno fits that brief perfectly. It also offers a good balance of features and practicality within your budget.If you prefer a slightly higher seating position, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is worth considering.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
•2d

Hey, We are planning to buy a sub-4-metre SUV, and our main requirement is good suspension for Bengaluru’s pothole-filled roads, especially as my wife is pregnant. We have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Mahindra XUV 3XO, and Tata Nexon. Which one would you recommend for our requirements? I was also considering a larger SUV like the Honda Elevate, but a well-equipped variant costs around Rs. 18 lakh on-road, which is beyond my budget. Could you suggest some good options in both categories? I can stretch my budget up to around Rs. 15 lakh on-road if required.

Verified
•7h

Given your priorities, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is the best fit. It has the most comfortable ride in the segment, with a suspension that deals with broken roads and potholes better than the Brezza or Nexon. The wide rear seat and good cabin space will also make a difference for your wife and family. The Brezza is the more reliable long-term ownership proposition, but its ride is not as plush as the 3XO. The Nexon is a good all-rounder, but the 3XO has the edge on ride comfort and rear seat space.On the Honda Elevate, it is a solid, reliable SUV with a comfortable ride, but at Rs 18 lakh on-road for the well-equipped variants, it is not worth stretching your budget for. The 3XO gives you a better ride and more features for less money.Overall, the 3XO is the best balance of ride comfort, space and value for your requirements. Go for the petrol automatic variant for the smoothest city driving experience.

VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleTata Nexon
VehicleHonda Elevate
•6d

I am planning to buy the Tata Harrier Adventure X Plus Dark Petrol Manual, and I booked it two months ago. However, I am not sure whether I will receive the car within the promised timeline. Should I continue waiting, or should I start looking at other available options? Also, could you tell me the expected waiting period for the above-mentioned Harrier variant? My annual running is roughly 6,000 km, and the Harrier's size and space suit my requirements well.

Verified
•6d

With a running of just 6,000 km a year, a petrol engine is the right choice, and the Harrier petrol is a good fit if you like the size and space. The bigger question is the waiting period. Tata’s official waiting periods can vary by city and dealer, but for the Harrier petrol, it is not unusual to see waits of 2-3 months depending on demand and allocation. If your dealer is already saying it may not arrive on time, it is worth checking with other Tata dealers in your city to see if they have a shorter queue or a cancelled booking in the same variant.If you are happy with the Harrier’s space and comfort, it is worth waiting a few more weeks rather than switching to a different car. The only reason to change would be if you need the car urgently. In that case, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol is the closest alternative.

VehicleTata Harrier
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO

View all Posts

Posted on: 28 Jan 2026