My budget is ₹30 L to ₹35 L. I want a 7‑seater with good mileage. Most of my driving will be on highways and long journeys. Which car should I buy?

autocar.india

•2d

Yes, the Toyota Innova HyCross ZX Hybrid will handle Himachal hill roads confidently, but it is front-wheel drive and not as rugged as your Endeavour. The electric motor gives instant shove at low speeds, so hill starts, hairpins and slow traffic climbs feel easy and smooth with no lag. Keep it in Power mode on steep sections and it will pull a full load without fuss; progress is steady rather than rapid, but safe.For your long trips, you will stop for fuel far less than in the Endeavour, and the supportive seats are another HyCross highlight. The big cabin and boot also make packing for week-long trips simple.Do note, the Hycross does not have the same capability as an Endeavour in inclement weather. If deep slush, snow or very broken tracks are elements you encounter on your journeys through Himachal, the Hycross won't be right for you. Else, the HyCross ZX Hybrid is a smart, stress-free pick for your needs.

Toyota Innova HyCross

autocar.india

•2d

If you are open to spending more for the Toyota Innova HyCross ZX, go for it. It gets key upgrades over the VX that uplift the whole experience. Leather upholstery makes the interior feel a lot more premium, while powered ottoman captain's chairs for the middle row and dual-zone climate control uplift the comfort level. Other enhancements include a superior sound system. The VX Optional makes sense if you need a bench configuration for the middle row; the ZX only gets middle row captain chairs. The VX Optional's smaller wheels and taller tyres also ride better over broken roads than the ZX’s 18-inch setup, which can feel a bit firm.About a facelift, there’s nothing official right now. Toyota has done quiet feature shuffles, but no confirmed facelift in the next few months. We wouldn’t hold off our purchase for a potential facelift.

Toyota Innova HyCross

autocar.india

•9h

It isn't clear from your question whether your 4,000-5,000 km highway usage is per year or per month, and whether you have a home charging provision. If your monthly usage is high, and you have a charging provision, the Clavis EV is a no-brainer. You can expect a real-world range of around 350km (on the highway), and with 60kW DC fast charging along the way, you can easily add 100km of additional range in 30 minutes. However, with a home charging, your running costs will be much lower than public charging.On the other hand, if your 4,000-5,000 km is annual usage, pick the Kia Carens Clavis petrol - the fuel bill difference won’t recover the EV’s higher price premium for a long time, so you’re paying more up front for savings you may not fully use. For long highway runs, the simple truth is petrol gives you certainty - five-minute refuels anywhere and no planning around chargers, especially while travelling with family on board.

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Kia Carens Clavis