Autocar India
•5w

I currently own a first-generation Toyota Innova that has been with me since 2008 and has clocked around 2.75 lakh kilometres. Since it has served my family extremely well, I am now looking for an upgrade. Naturally, I am inclined towards the Toyota Innova Hycross because my priorities continue to be: Excellent space and family comfort Good ride quality and highway stability Reliability and long-term peace of mind A vehicle that is also enjoyable to drive personally My monthly running is quite high at around 9,000 km, with nearly 70% usage in Mumbai city traffic and 30% highway driving, mainly on the Mumbai–Satara route. My budget is around ₹26 lakh, which unfortunately does not comfortably accommodate the Hycross Hybrid variants. I have therefore also considered the non-hybrid Innova Hycross GX(O), but I am concerned about its fuel efficiency given my predominantly city usage. Would the non-hybrid Hycross still make sense for my usage pattern, or should I consider other SUVs or MPVs instead? I am open to both body styles, but I am not particularly inclined towards the Maruti Ertiga or Kia Carens since I want this purchase to feel like a genuine upgrade from my current Innova. Could you please suggest the best options considering comfort, fuel efficiency, reliability, driving experience, long-term ownership, and overall value?

Verified
•5w

Since your monthly usage is very high, we'd advise you to avoid the Toyota Innova Hycross NA petrol, as it isn't very fuel-efficient. You could consider the Maruti Invicto Zeta Plus hybrid. Maruti is offering substantial discounts on the car, and if you're lucky, it could even fall within your Rs 26 lakh budget. Being a badge-engineered version of the Toyota Innova Hycross, the Invicto is just as spacious, comfortable and efficient, and as a family car that'll be used for long distances, it is certainly one you must consider.

The Tata Safari Diesel is another capable, comfortable seven-seater to cover long distances with family. Compared to a Mahindra XUV 7XO, the Tata Sierra is more comfortable for the third row occupants, while still having slightly better boot space, hence it gets our vote.

Alternatively, have you considered an electric vehicle? The Mahindra XEV 9S is a great option, and will be very economical to run. Also, unlike the XUV 7XO, which gets a fixed middle row, the XEV 9S has an adjustable (sliding) middle bench to free up space for third row occupants. As far as power, range and charging times go, the XEV 9S is a very capable option. If you can arrange for home charging, this is one car you must seriously consider. 

Maruti Suzuki Invicto

Maruti Suzuki Invicto

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•1d

I have purchased the Taigun 1.5 Manual Transmission. Before I used the Polo 1.0 Tsi last 6 years. But I can’t feel that punchy kick during Drive. Only a 6-month-old car and a total of 7878 kM run. I need to seek advice on what I should do.

Verified
•6h

The Taigun 1.5's character is very different from the 1.0 TSI's. While the latter has some lag followed by a strong surge of performance, the 1.5 pulls in a more linear, consistent manner. That said, the 1.5's drivability as well as outright acceleration, is much stronger than the 1.0. Since your vehicle is only 6 months old (covered by factory warranty), we'd advise you against any performance modifications, which will void your warranty. But if you're keen on sprucing up the Taigun's performance, upgrade your car's air intake and exhaust system. These mods will ensure that your engine feels a bit livelier, while adding some aural drama too. If budget permits, you could consider an ECU remap - performance gain will be noticeable. Do keep in mind that not many tuners can tune the 1.5 TSI's ECU reliably, so do your research carefully before opting for it.

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•1d

Hi, I am planning to buy my first automatic car in the 10-15 Lakh range. I'll primarily be using it for city commutes, along with a monthly long-distance trip of around 1200 km. Can you please suggest a car?

Verified
•7h

If you want something that's compact and easy to drive while being efficient, then consider the Maruti Fronx or Toyota Taisor 1.0 Turbo 6AT. The engine is smooth, performance is strong, and the transmission works seamlessly. If you want a more "SUV" feel, then you could consider the turbo-petrol automatic versions of the Hyundai Venue, Skoda Kylaq or even the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The XUV is the most spacious and has the strongest engine; the Kylaq feels the sportiest to drive; while the Venue is very well-rounded, and thanks to its light steering, it feels easy to drive.

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•20h

I already own a Kia Carens that has run 11,000 km and a Baleno that has covered 41,000 km. Is this the right time to switch to an EV, or should I consider a hybrid, or is it better to wait? Which option would be best, considering I mostly travel alone? I am a doctor by profession. Also, which of my existing cars should I replace?

Verified
•16h

Buy the Tata Punch EV now and sell the Baleno, because you mostly drive alone in the city, and the EV will cut your daily costs while the Carens stays for family and longer trips. The Punch EV is small and easy to park at hospitals, feels sturdy, sits a bit higher than a hatch, and the smooth, quiet drive is a real stress‑buster in traffic. Your Carens has very low running and is the better car to keep for outstation or airport runs; the Baleno overlaps with what the EV will do.Since you are considering an EV, we assume you have a dedicated parking spot with a 15A socket at home or at your clinic or hospital. Public fast charging is improving, but relying on it for all your charging needs is not practical.

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•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.

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•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.

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•5d

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.

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Posted on: 28 May 2026