Can you recommend an SUV under ₹25 lakhs (I’ll still keep my 2022 Suzuki Ciaz) with a large boot for a family of 4, generous headroom and legroom (my turban often touches the roof), excellent ride comfort, refined cabin experience, and strong engine performance?

Autocar India

•1d

I have shortlisted the Tata Harrier Petrol Adventure X Plus. The reason for selection is the comfort, features, stability and fits by budget, but somehow I' am worried about the after-sales service from Tata. Please advise how the servicing problem can be dealt with, or else an alternative vehicle which covers similar features as Adventure X plus and within the same budget.Tata’s aftersales service can indeed be inconsistent in some places, though the company is working to improve this and raise standards across its network. This doesn’t mean you will definitely face problems, but it does mean you should go in with your eyes open and be prepared to stay on top of the service experience.The new Harrier petrol itself is a well-rounded SUV, with very good comfort, features and stability, and it fits your brief and budget quite well. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol is still relatively new, so long-term reliability data is limited. But there haven’t been any serious red flags so far, and you can consider it if you like the way it drives and the overall package.To minimise service-related hassles, be proactive with the dealer right from the booking stage. Clearly tell them you expect timely and high-quality service, and try to stick to one authorised workshop so you can build a rapport with a specific service advisor. Communicate all service issues and commitments via email or WhatsApp.So, there is a clear record, and don’t hesitate to escalate politely to the service manager, dealer principal or Tata customer care if problems are not resolved to your satisfaction.

Tata Harrier

Autocar India

•1d

Your usage is the key here. With 70% highway driving, you are actually in the ideal scenario for a modern diesel. DPF issues are not brand-specific; they are usage-specific. The filter needs regular high-speed runs to regenerate, and that typically happens when you drive for 20-30 minutes at steady speeds above 60kph. Since most of your driving is on highways, the car will naturally regenerate the DPF, and you are very unlikely to face issues.The fear around Kia Seltos diesel DPF problems is often overstated. Yes, some owners have reported issues, but these are largely seen in cars used mainly for short, stop-and-go city drives without proper regeneration cycles. In regular highway use, these engines generally run without problems.Coming to the car itself, the Seltos diesel is a refined, efficient and well-sorted package. It is smooth, easy to drive and very comfortable on highways, which suits your usage perfectly. It also offers better refinement and overall polish compared to the Mahindra XUV 7XO.The XUV 7XO, on the other hand, offers a stronger engine and more space, but it is less efficient. Being a larger car, it is also harder to drive and park in everyday conditions, and it comes at a higher price compared to the Seltos.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•3d

You are upgrading from a Grand i10 automatic and want something that is easy to drive, comfortable for family use and reliable for long-term ownership. The Creta ticks all those boxes. The IVT automatic is smooth and effortless in city driving, the ride is soft and comfortable which your family will appreciate, and Hyundai’s aftersales experience is something you are already familiar with. It also feels like a proper step up in space, comfort and overall refinement without being intimidating to drive.The Grand Vitara automatic is a good alternative if fuel efficiency is a priority. It is smooth and easy to drive, but the engine feels less responsive and overall it does not feel as premium or as refined as the Creta. The Ertiga and Carens Clavis are practical, but they are more MPV-focused and since you do not specifically need a third row, they are not the best fit.Cars like the Sierra, Duster and XUV 7XO are interesting, but your hesitation is valid. They are either new or evolving products, and compared to the Creta, they do not offer the same level of proven reliability and ownership peace of mind yet.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Renault Duster

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

•4d

You want a car that is comfortable in the city, easy to drive and capable of doing long trips for the next 10 years. The Toyota Innova Hycross fits this very well. The hybrid system makes it very smooth and quiet in city driving, and the automatic gearbox is effortless, which becomes more important with age. On highways, it is stable, comfortable and built for long-distance travel, which is what the Innova name has always stood for.What really works in your favour is long-term ownership. Toyota’s reliability, strong service network and resale value make it one of the safest bets if you plan to keep the car for many years. The Hycross also offers excellent space, easy ingress and egress and a comfortable ride, which are important for everyday use and for passengers as you grow older.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•6d

With a 70 km daily mix of traffic and highway use, we would lean towards the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid. Your usage is high, and the hybrid will use far less fuel in city traffic while staying calm and smooth. It pulls away on electric power at low speeds, so stop-go driving feels quiet and easy.You like the Seltos for its cabin and stronger shove, and that is fair. The Seltos diesel feels stronger when you press the throttle for quick passes, and its cabin does look and feel richer. If most of your 70 km is open highway and you really value that strong pull and the Kia car interior, the Seltos diesel automatic is still a solid pick.On a Kia Seltos hybrid: Kia does intend to introduce a hybrid, but timing is not yet decided as they are trying to localise components. We estimate it could arrive in 2027, but that could change. For your mix of city and highway, the Hyryder strong-hybrid lines up best with what you need right now.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•4d

For your usage, a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT or IVT is the best fit. These setups are smoother, easier to drive in traffic and more predictable, which matters far more in city conditions than outright performance. So yes, in your case, NA engines are better suited than turbo petrol.The Hyundai Verna IVT stands out as the most well-rounded option for city driving. The engine is smooth, the IVT gearbox is very intuitive in stop-and-go traffic, and the overall driving experience is effortless. It feels refined and easy to live with daily.The Honda City Hybrid is worth considering if your running is high. It offers excellent fuel efficiency, strong performance and is very easy to drive in the city thanks to its hybrid system. However, it comes with a higher upfront cost, and the battery placement results in a higher boot floor, which slightly affects practicality.Compared to the Verna, the standard Honda City CVT is also an option, but the engine feels a bit noisier, and the gearbox is not as intuitive as the Verna’s IVT in everyday use.

Hyundai Verna

Honda City