Autocar India
RA

Raj

1w

Need suggestions on buying a new car. Currently driving a Maruti Swift (2018). Need a bigger car as I am 6.4 feet tall. Driving will be 80% city traffic and 20% highway. Once every 4-5 months will take a trip around 300-500 km. Looking for front and back seat comfort seating ( 5 persons including 3 in rear seat), effortless driving and fuel efficient. Need automatic transmission only. Budget is around 12-15 lakhs. Open to electric vehicles also. Please give 3 options to choose from.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
17m

You should check the Kia Syros, which excels in space despite being a compact SUV. The high roofline means you'll be very comfortable in the cabin, and the fantastic packaging opens up space for 5 passengers to sit in comfort. The Syros is easy to drive, and the diesel-auto version is refined, smooth and fuel efficient. 

You could also look at the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga (or its twin from Toyota - Rumion). Its high roof will put you at ease, the middle row seat can be slid back to maximise space for passengers, while the third row adds in seating flexibility. The Ertiga is easy to drive and reasonably efficient, but the petrol engine and auto gearbox are unexciting.

Kia Syros

Kia Syros

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More questions on similar cars

PR

Pratyush

5d

I am planning to purchase a primarily sub-4 metre automatic SUV for tax-saving purposes under the BH series registration. We are expecting a baby soon, so the car will mainly be used by a family of three, with occasional travel involving four people. I have already test driven the Skoda Kylaq, Mahindra XUV 3XO, and Maruti Brezza. While I am not a driving enthusiast by nature, I found the Brezza’s pick-up and acceleration above 70 km/h somewhat underwhelming. I loved almost everything about the Kylaq except for the AC performance, which feels like a major drawback for Indian summers and traffic conditions. As for the XUV 3XO, I have come across mixed reviews regarding high-speed stability and after-sales service, although I personally did not feel any issues during the test drive. My priorities are: Good fuel efficiency Comfortable city usability (monthly running around 600–800 km in Hyderabad) Performance and highway capability for 2-3 long trips annually Strong safety credentials Decent long-term maintenance costs and peace of mind ownership Good warranty and service packages My budget is around ₹14-15 lakh and can be stretched slightly if required. I am also open to considering sedans like the Honda City or slightly larger SUVs like the Honda Elevate if they make more sense overall. Could you please suggest the best option for my requirements?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
21h

Mostly city use in Hyderabad and a few long trips - in that brief, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic fits you best among your picks. It pulls strongly when you need to pass, so you won’t face the same dull pick-up you felt in the Brezza, and it stays steady at highway speeds. The AC cools the cabin quickly, and the rear seat is shaped well for a child seat with one adult beside it.A few watch-outs: the boot is not very big, so check whether your stroller fits. It also lacks ventilated seats, which is something you might want. Alternatively, consider the Kia Syros if you want a roomier cabin and a bigger boot.If a Honda Elevate fits your budget, it would be a better choice than the sub-4 metre SUVs, but you might have to opt for a lower trim and miss out on some features. Overall, the Mahindra is a good fit for your needs.

VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleKia Syros
VehicleHonda Elevate
RO

Rohan

3d

Hi team, I currently own a Hyundai Creta, and my monthly running is around 1,700 km with roughly 40% highway and 60% bumper-to-bumper city traffic. At present, I’m getting around 12-13 kmpl, and with rising petrol prices, the fuel costs are starting to feel quite heavy. I’m now considering replacing it with something more fuel-efficient while still being spacious and comfortable, especially since I’m 6’3”. My budget is around Rs. 17-18 lakh. Looking for suggestions for: Better fuel efficiency (strong hybrid/diesel/CNG options welcome) Spacious cabin with good legroom and headroom Comfortable for city + highway usage Reliable for long-term ownership Would appreciate genuine recommendations based on real-world mileage and comfort.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

If you can stretch your budget slightly, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder S hybrid will meet your requirements of a reliable, very efficient replacement for your outgoing car. Also, being automatic, it will make the drive more convenient and minimise driving effort.But if you can't stretch your budget even slightly, consider a Kia Syros Diesel Automatic. Sure, its design will divide opinions, but if you can look beyond that, its cabin is extremely spacious, it is feature-rich, quality is top-notch, and the diesel-automatic combination is smooth and frugal too. Alternatively, you could look at a Seltos Diesel too, although you are likely to get an entry or mid-level variant for less than Rs 18 lakh.

VehicleToyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
VehicleKia Syros
DP

Dipak Patil

6d

Currently, I am using a Volkswagen Polo. I now want to buy a new diesel car with a budget of under Rs. 15 lakh, but I am confused about which one to choose.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
3d

While there are a fair few options within your budget, we'll narrow the list down to models that can be had in mid-spec and above form. After all you don't want to pay Rs. 15 lakh and feel shortchanged on feel good features. Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet and Kia Syros use the same 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine. The engine is pleasant and comes paired to a smooth 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. However, it's the 6-speed torque converter automatic version that we'd recommend you opt for. The gearbox is well in tune with the engine's characteristics, and what you get is a very polished drive experience. Of the three, the Hyundai Venue is the best all rounder but is on the pricey side for what you get. The Kia Syros is easily the roomiest and feels most premium inside too. A firm ride does take away from the experience, though. The Sonet is the oldest of the lot but still holds its own in quality, tech and features. In fact, the Sonet that's in its run out phase (the next-gen Sonet comes in a few months) is available at very tempting prices without feeling like a last-gen model. If you like the robust build of your VW Polo, you might find a good replacement in the Mahindra XUV 3XO. There's a toughness to the package, and ride and handling are very well sorted. Go for the manual, though. The AMT is not great.

VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleKia Syros

Popular discussions right now

DJ

Deepak Jain

1w

I am planning to buy the Honda City facelift that was launched yesterday. How does it compare with the Volkswagen Virtus? I am also assuming that the government will continue supporting E20 fuel even if E85 is introduced in the future. So, is it still safe to buy a petrol vehicle in Delhi/NCR?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
6d

The new City facelift does make a stronger case now because Honda has added genuinely useful features like a larger infotainment screen and ventilated front seats, while pricing has remained fairly sensible. But fundamentally, the character of the car has not changed.Against the VW Virtus, the choice still comes down to personality. The Virtus is the more fun to drive option, especially with the turbo petrol engines, because it feels stronger, more eager and more engaging from behind the wheel. The City, on the other hand, is the more balanced sedan. The 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol is smooth, refined and easy to live with, but if outright performance is your priority, it will not feel as quick as the turbo Virtus. The City hybrid changes that equation because it is genuinely quick and can match the 1.5 TSI for straight line pace, but it is still not what you would call an enthusiast’s car.On the fuel front, yes, it is safe to buy a petrol car in Delhi NCR. Current mainstream petrol cars are already E20 compatible, and even if India eventually pushes toward higher ethanol blends, that transition will be gradual rather than an overnight switch. Beyond a certain point, if the country were to move meaningfully toward very high blends like E85, manufacturers would need proper flex fuel engines engineered for that fuel, and the government would also need to continue offering lower blend fuel options during any transition.

VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleHonda City

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Posted on: 30 May 2026