I am looking to buy a new car for my wife. She has been using a Volvo XC90 T8 Excellence for the past 6-7 years. She enjoys driving herself but also uses a chauffeur at times. Most of her travel is within the city, typically around 30-50 km per day. I currently drive a Range Rover Sport Autobiography. She prefers an SUV, so we are looking for something in that segment. Could you please suggest the best SUV options suitable for her usage?

Autocar India

•5w

There are plenty of options to choose from - including your Range Rover Sport - which is good to drive and be driven in. However, since you already have one of those in the household, why not consider something different?

Cars like the Mercedes GLE and BMW X5 are good options, but since her travel is primarily in the city, an interesting and often overlooked option is the Lexus RX. Unlike her Volvo, this is a strong hybrid, not a PHEV, so there's no need to plug it in to keep the battery topped up.

It's also quite enjoyable to drive, offering a serene rear-seat experience when she is chauffeur-driven. Plus, Lexus's uniquely Japanese take on luxury is unlike any other in the segment and would feel like a meaningful change from the Volvo. As a strong hybrid, running costs will be very low, which is a bonus.

Explore cars mentioned

Land Rover

Range Rover Sport

from ₹1.70 Crore

Mercedes-Benz

GLE

from ₹1.22 Crore

BMW

from ₹1.16 Crore

More questions on similar cars

AKSHAY RAUT

•16h

Hi, currently, I am using a Tata Altroz petrol manual XZ (2020). Now, I want to upgrade to a mid-size SUV. My driving is 50% in the city and 50% on highways. My budget is ₹15 lakh. My priorities are safety, space, comfort, mileage as well as a smooth and powerful engine. I prefer a manual car. Kindly suggest.

Autocar India

•10h

Given your requirements, you could shortlist Skoda Kushaq Classic+, Citroen Aircross X Max and Honda Elevate V MT. All of these are excellent options with powerful engines and manual transmission. The Kushaq has been updated recently, and its entry-level Classic+ variant covers the basics well, and is the most affordable of the bunch. The Citroen car that we have mentioned has an excellent turbo-petrol engine, and the nicest ride quality. It is also gives you the option of seven seats at this price. The Elevate is a no-nonsense SUV with a strong, high-revving naturally aspirated petrol engine and an excellent ride-handling balance. We'd recommend you drive all three and pick the one that meets all your requirements.

Mahesh

Could you please help me choose the most suitable car within a ₹14 lakh on-road budget? I am currently confused between the Skoda Kushaq facelift, Tata Nexon Creative Plus, and Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5, considering my usage of around 1,000 km per month and the need for a safe, comfortable, and reliable family car for use with two young children?

Autocar India

•11h

With around 1,000 km a month, two young kids and a cap of ₹14 lakh on-road, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 is the one that fits your brief best. It rides comfortably over broken city roads and speed breakers, and the rear seat is more than spacious enough for your kids. Safety is a strong point too, with a solid feel, good driver aids for this price, and mounts to fix child seats in the back. It also fits your budget in a well-equipped trim, so you are not forced into a bare-bones version. A trade-off to note: The boot is not the biggest in this price range, so if you often carry a full-size stroller plus luggage, do a quick fit check. If you prefer a more contemporary looking cabin, the Tata Nexon Creative Plus is your alternative from your list. It offers a slightly roomier boot and a very nice interior, and is easy to drive in the city, but the petrol engine feels a bit less smooth at low speeds and Tata service quality can vary by city. The Skoda Kushaq facelift would be a good pick, but only if you can stretch your budget, as within ₹14 lakh you’ll only get the base manual model, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller. Overall, for your family use and budget, the XUV 3XO AX5 lines up best.

Saka

I live in Hyderabad and am planning to purchase a new car with a budget of ₹12 lakh, extendable up to ₹15 lakh on-road. My monthly usage is 800 km in the city, and once every quarter, more than 1,800 km on highways. I am 30 years old, 6'1", and heavily built. While travelling on highways, I need strong performance, as I am used to driving my friend’s Innova Crysta on highways. My priorities are safety, features and interiors, mileage, performance, comfort, and ease of driving. My 2021 Kia Sonet delivered 13–15 kmpl in Hyderabad city traffic and 18–20 kmpl on highways. I would prefer similar mileage in my new car without worrying about fuel efficiency. Can diesel be considered in 2026? I plan to test drive the exact suggested configurations, so specific recommendations would really help.

Autocar India

•12h

Since you already own the Sonet, a natural replacement for you would be the Kia Syros, which has broad and comfy seats, huge cabin space, and with high quality interiors and a lengthy equipment list, it certainly feels like you've spent your money well. The HTK+ Diesel MT variant should easily fall within your budget, and because it uses the same engine and gearbox as the Sonet, you could expect similar (or slightly lower) efficiency and performance too.Alternatively, you could consider a Mahindra XUV 3XO Diesel MT, which is like a tough, confident compact SUV with excellent driving dynamics and strong performance.Yes, you can consider diesel in 2026 as Hyderabad does not have the 10-year diesel cap that applies in NCR. Also, your periodic highway drives will also help keep the DPF healthy.

Kia Sonet

Kia Syros

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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