I would like to purchase a new car, and I am 65 years old. I previously owned an XUV700 AX7L petrol. I am looking for a car with good suspension and a well-appointed interior. I’m also open to considering an EV. My budget is around Rs 30 lakh, and my yearly running is about 6,000 km.

Autocar India

•17h

You're on the right track with the Toyota Innova Hycross. The good thing about it is that it offers not just space, but also flexibility. If you choose the bench-seat second row - the 8-seater in Toyota parlance - you get more seats overall, but at a small penalty to ease of access. With the captain seats in the middle row, you can fix a child seat on each and still have a clear walkway to the third row, so the staff can get in and out without disturbing the kids. It rides comfortably over bad roads, feels very smooth and quiet in city traffic, and the hybrid makes stop-and-go driving easy. It’s also easy to live with over the years, which matters when the car will be full most days. On the facelift, there is no firm date or detail in the market right now, but a future update is likely to bring small styling and feature tweaks, not a big change to space or the way it drives, and prices usually go up. Another alternative, if you don't mind an EV, is the BYD eMax 7. Its on-road price could actually work out cheaper than the Innova Hycross with subsidies. It's not quite as spacious, but it comes close; it's well equipped, and it also offers 6- and 7-seat options. It is also even lower on running costs, but then you'll have to tailor your usage to suit an EV. Overall, however, the Innova Hycross appears to be the best bet for you.

Toyota Innova HyCross

BYD eMax 7

Autocar India

•1d

Apologies for the delayed response. We try to answer as many queries as possible, but occasionally a few do get missed. We are working on improving our bandwidth to respond more consistently.Go for the Mahindra XEV 9e. It is the closest match to your requirements today, especially if you are open to an EV.It meets your key criteria well. It has a 5-star BNCAP rating, offers a real-world range that comfortably covers your daily 70-80 km usage and even longer drives, and feels modern, quick and refined to drive. It is also spacious, with a large boot and very good rear seat knee room, which makes it practical for long-distance use as well. The Pack 2 variant fits within your budget, and with the right deal, you could even stretch to a higher variant.There are a couple of things to keep in mind. The sloping roofline slightly affects rear headroom for taller passengers, and you will need to be comfortable with the charging infrastructure for your usage. However, given your daily running and driving profile, it is still a strong and future-ready option.If you prefer to stay with diesel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO would have been the natural recommendation. It fits your requirement of a monocoque SUV, offers a strong diesel automatic and is comfortable for long-distance use. However, it has not yet received a BNCAP rating. Based on past results, a good safety score is expected, but until it is officially tested, that remains unconfirmed.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•3d

Go for a diesel 7-seater SUV or MPV, and shortlist the Kia Carens Clavis or Toyota Innova HyCross depending on your budget. These are the most practical and economical choices for your usage.The Kia Carens Clavis diesel is the most practical starting point. It is comfortable, easy to drive daily and efficient for long distances. The diesel engine is well suited for your high running, and this Kia car is stable enough on highways while remaining manageable in the city. It is also one of the most sensible family 7-seaters available today.If you can stretch your budget, the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid is the best overall choice. It offers excellent comfort, much better space across all three rows and very low running cost for a large vehicle thanks to its hybrid system, which delivers high efficiency for city and highway use. It is also among the most reliable long-term ownership options.Now, since you mentioned occasional off-roading, you need to be realistic. Cars like the Carens Clavis and Hycross are not meant for serious off-roading. If your off-road use is mild, like rough roads or trails, they will manage. If you want proper off-road capability, then something like the Mahindra Scorpio N diesel is the better fit. It is rugged, has strong torque and proper SUV capability, while still being usable daily.The trade-off is clear. The Scorpio N is tougher and more capable off-road, but less comfortable and less efficient than the Carens or Hycross.

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra Scorpio N

Toyota Innova HyCross