Autocar India
•13w

Hi Autocar Team, I am a regular reader of your reviews and truly appreciate the depth and honesty in your recommendations. I am planning to buy a new 7-seater SUV/MPV for my father, who is nearing retirement and plans to travel frequently on highways, with occasional long road trips. Comfort, space, and ease of driving are therefore top priorities. My key requirements are: Budget: ₹22-25 lakh (on-road, flexible if justified) Type: Proper 7-seater with a usable third row Usage: Mostly highway driving with some city use Mileage: Around 15 km/l in real-world conditions Priority: Comfort, reliability, and stress-free ownership Driver: Senior citizen, so it should be easy and fatigue-free to drive We currently own a 10-year-old Maruti Swift Dzire (petrol), with about 50,000 km on the odometer, and are open to exchanging it if needed. I have shortlisted the Toyota Innova Hycross, Mahindra XEV 9e, Mahindra XUV700, and Tata Safari. Could you please advise: Which of these would be the best all-rounder for our needs? Is it practical to consider an EV like the XEV 9e for long-distance travel, or should we stick to petrol/hybrid/diesel? How does the Innova Hycross compare with these SUVs in terms of comfort and driving experience? Are there any other strong options we should consider in this price range? Given our relatively low yearly usage, which powertrain would be the most sensible choice? Looking forward to your expert advice. Thank you!

Verified
•12w

Go for the Toyota Innova Hycross VX Hybrid 7‑seater for your father’s highway plans and comfort needs, it is the most relaxed, spacious and easy-to-drive choice in your list. The strong-hybrid setup makes city and highway driving very smooth and quiet, and the automatic is an e-CVT. It is a type of automatic that doesn’t shift gears in steps, so there are no jerks in traffic. 

The high seat, light steering and clear view out make it friendly for a senior driver, and the second-row captain seats (in the 7‑seat) are truly lounge-like on long days. The third row is usable for adults, and Toyota’s wide service network and proven reliability mean low stress over the years. It is also the only petrol option here that consistently meets your 15 kpl aim in mixed use; the diesels can match that mainly on highways. We feel it's worth stretching your budget for the hybrid trims 

If you want a stronger highway punch and don’t mind diesel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a fine long-distance cruiser with lots of features, but its third row is cramped, and it's not as nimble in town. If Toyota wait times or pricing are a concern, look at the Maruti Invicto Hybrid. It drives the same way as the Hycross, with a simpler feature set, and you could get some discounts on it. 

Given the frequent highway usage, we don't think an EV is a good idea. Fast chargers on many routes are patchy, and stops take longer, which adds planning and stress your father does not need.

Given your past low yearly use but future highway plans, the hybrid is the most sensible pick here

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Innova HyCross

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Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹22.07 Lakh

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.12 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki Invicto

Maruti Suzuki

Invicto

from ₹29.85 Lakh

•10w

I am planning to buy Hyundai Venue HX10 DCT and booked it but I am bit confused as feeling transmission lil bit jerry means while gear is shifted it indicates and a feeling comes upon. Is it really so ? I have seen 3xo , kia and maruti also but liked Venue due to its premium and luxurious interior which other cars in same segment is lacking. Please advsie wehter it is good choice to go for Venue or prefer another over this ?

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

My usual running is approx 500 km in a month. I am a family of 3 plus 1 pet. We currently have a Kia Seltos 1.4 Petrol DCT and want to upgrade to a bigger vehicle. Which would be suitable for my use between the Innova Hycross and the Skoda Kodiaq?

Verified
•16h

The Skoda Kodiaq would be the right choice for you. Assuming you opted for a Kia Seltos 1.4 Turbo DCT for the way it drives, you'll like the Kodiaq's driving manners. It's got a peppy engine and neat handling, and there's also the added safety net of all-wheel drive. The Kodiaq also feels like an upgrade thanks to a more premium and upmarket interior ambience. Quality levels are really good, and it feels like an expensive car. Fuel economy isn't great, but for your kind of usage, running costs won't pinch. Routine service and spares will be pricier than the Toyota, though.The Toyota Innova Hycross is roomier and more efficient (if you take the hybrid), but doesn't match the performance and general feel-good factor of a Kodiaq.

VehicleSkoda Kodiaq
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
•1w

I am planning to buy a family car. Should I choose the Toyota HyCross or the Hyundai Alcazar? Please suggest.

Verified
•2d

Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross. For a family, it simply works better as the cabin is roomier, the third row is actually usable for adults, the ride is smoother, and the hybrid saves a lot of fuel in city traffic where most family cars spend their time. Long trips feel easier too, and Toyota’s hassle-free ownership and resale help over years.Pick the Hyundai Alcazar only if you’re on a tighter budget or you want a slightly smaller, easier-to-park 3-row. It’s great for four or five with the third row used occasionally, and the diesel suits heavy highway use. But the last row and boot are tighter, and it doesn’t feel as plush or relaxed on bad roads.One honest trade-off with the Innova HyCross is the higher price and possible waiting period, and the boot with all three rows up isn’t huge. If that stretch and wait are okay, it’s the better family car overall.

VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleHyundai Alcazar
•1d

Totally confused between XUV 7XO diesel auto and XEV 9E. My yearly usage is 10 to 15k kms. My usage will be primarily as a 5-seater. Among these two, which car has better ride and handling?

Verified
•22h

Pick the XUV 7XO diesel automatic for the better ride-handling balance. Over broken roads and big speed breakers, it stays calmer, and with five on board, it keeps its composure without that side-to-side bob you often feel in heavier SUVs. At highway speeds, it tracks straight, the steering has a natural weight, and body control feels more reassuring when you need to change lanes or brake hard.The XEV 9e does feel flatter through bends thanks to the battery’s low position, so quick direction changes are tidy, but its extra weight makes sharp edges and patchy city tarmac come through more firmly, and the braking feel is less consistent. On a long drive with family and bags, the Mahindra diesel’s suspension tuning feels more relaxed and confident.One caveat. In city traffic, the XEV 9e is quieter and smoother, so if most of your 10-15k km each year are short urban runs, you might enjoy that. But for mixed use as a five-seater, the XUV 7XO rides better and feels more secure.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleMahindra XEV 9e

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

Hi, I have a budget of Rs. 40 lakh and am confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O), and the Toyota Fortuner Petrol. I am 28 years old and want a car that is fun to drive but also comfortable for my family. My driving will be split 80:20 between on-road and off-road use.

Verified
•6d

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleToyota Fortuner
VehicleSkoda Kodiaq
•5d

I am planning to buy an SUV and prefer the German twins Škoda and Volkswagen. Which one is better? Also, how significant is the DSG issue in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NCR region? This will be my fourth car, so I want to try a German brand.

Verified
•4d

Between the German twins, the choice largely comes down to personal preference, as they share the same engines, gearboxes and underpinnings. We slightly prefer the Kushaq for its cleaner design, excellent ride and handling balance and overall value proposition.As for the DSG, it isn't as big a concern as it once was. The current DSGs are far more robust than the earlier units, but if your driving is predominantly in bumper-to-bumper NCR traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the smoother and more relaxed option over the long term. If you want to stay with a German SUV but avoid the DSG altogether, the 1.0 TSI automatic in the Kushaq and Taigun now comes with an 8-speed Aisin torque-converter, which is smooth, refined and better suited to heavy city traffic.Coming from the S-Cross Petrol, you'll notice a significant step up in performance, cabin quality, safety and driving dynamics with either car.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
•6d

I have a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, and I am extremely satisfied with its mileage (900-1000 km from 45 liters). However, I am losing the joy of driving. I migrated to this car after owning a Swift Dzire Diesel and an XL6. The mismatch between engine revs and acceleration is becoming unpleasant. Overtaking feels riskier, and even the brakes feel spongy. I have experienced a few unpleasant situations because of this. As a result, I have reduced my overall speed, making the safety of my family a bigger priority. But the driver in me is unhappy. Should I upgrade to the Duster Hybrid, the Hycross Hybrid, or the newly launched Sierra EV? Also, do diesel engines still make sense today?

Verified
•5d

From what you've described, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has impressed you with its efficiency but left you wanting more from behind the wheel. If driving enjoyment is back on your priority list, the Duster Hybrid looks like the most natural upgrade. It is expected to offer a much more engaging driving experience while retaining the fuel efficiency benefits of a strong hybrid.The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid will certainly improve on comfort, refinement and performance, but it won't fundamentally change the character you're looking for. It is still geared towards relaxed family motoring rather than enthusiastic driving.The Tata Sierra EV is an interesting option and has now been launched. It promises strong performance, a premium cabin and a spacious interior. However, if the "driver in you" misses the involvement and confidence of your earlier diesel cars, we'd still wait to experience how the Duster Hybrid drives before making a decision.As for diesels, we don't think they should be ruled out altogether. With the right usage, they continue to make sense. However, given your appreciation for the fuel economy of your Grand Vitara and the direction the market is heading, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid rather than going back to diesel.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleTata Sierra EV
VehicleRenault Duster

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Posted on: 14 Apr 2026