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Posted inFamily & 7-Seaters

•29w

Hello Autocar Team, we are a family of four, and all of us are around 6 feet tall. We have been loyal Honda owners for over 15 years, having driven the Honda City and Jazz extensively. While those cars suited us earlier, we now require a more spacious SUV due to our height and growing needs. We have shortlisted the Jeep Meridian, Toyota Innova Hycross, Mahindra XUV700, and Skoda Kodiaq. However, we have concerns about space in the Meridian, size and safety ratings of the Hycross, interior quality of the XUV700, and maintenance costs of the Kodiaq. Our top priorities are safety, sturdiness, dependability, comfort, and a premium feel. We are not considering Kia, Tata, or MG models. The car will be used for Mumbai city driving as well as long highway trips, and we prefer a petrol automatic. Resale value is not a priority-we value driving pleasure as we will be self-driving. Our maximum budget is ₹50 lakh. Could you please advise which of these options would be the best choice for our requirements?

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•29w

For your requirement of a spacious, premium, driver-focused SUV for a tall family of four, the Skoda Kodiaq is the best fit among your shortlisted options.

It offers a solid build, premium cabin quality and a genuinely engaging driving experience, which aligns well with your priority of driving pleasure. For 6-footers, the front and second rows are comfortable with good headroom and support. Also, with the third row folded, you get excellent luggage space for long trips. The petrol automatic is refined and smooth in the city, while also feeling very stable and confidence-inspiring on highways.

The Jeep Meridian, while rugged and solid, does feel tight on space, especially for taller passengers, which you have already noticed. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a strong all-rounder, but as you pointed out, the interior quality does not feel premium enough for your budget car under 50 lakh. The Toyota Innova Hycross is extremely comfortable and reliable. But it is more comfort-oriented than driver-focused, and the interior look, feel, and quality may not meet your expectations of a premium experience.

You can also consider the Volkswagen Tayron, which is essentially Volkswagen’s version of the Kodiaq. Both cars share the same platform, engine and core mechanicals, with the Tayron offering a slightly different design and more features. However, it is slightly more expensive, and the overall ownership experience will be very similar to the Skoda.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Skoda Kodiaq

Jeep Meridian

•29w•

Hi autocar suggest me which is better for me hundai new venue 1.2 petrol engine or maruti breeza 1.5 petrol, 50% driving in city and 50% on highway

•29w•

Check out Toyota Hilux, of you can wait for sometime (honestly a little longer time) you can try highlander or santa FE, BmW X1 but may the pricing would not match but still nice. Youu wrote that you shortlisted XUV 700, alternative would be XUV7XO as it feels all your need that you demand

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•2d

Please recommend one of the Sorento, Hycross and Kodiaq (all automatic). I drive 350 km on the highway each week, plus 50 km per day in the city for 3 days. My decision criteria are: Diesel or hybrid, Safety (Kia has a bad reputation), Back-seat comfort on the highway, Driving quality, Last-row seat comfort, and Comfort when driving myself I am leaning toward the Sorento. If so, should I choose the diesel or the hybrid?

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•1d

For your mix of 350 km of highway driving each week and another 150 km in the city, the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid is a sensible recommendation. It combines good fuel efficiency with easy city driving, a comfortable highway ride and, crucially, a genuinely usable third row. If you regularly travel with adults in all three rows, it makes the strongest case. Toyota’s reputation for reliability adds to its appeal for long-term ownership. The Kia Sorento is a good alternative, especially since you are already leaning towards it. We would favour the diesel if highway cruising is your priority, although your city running means the hybrid deserves consideration too. The Sorento feels more plush and better appointed, and we would rate it above this Toyota car as a highway cruiser.What could be the deal-breaker is the third row. It is better suited to children or occasional use by adults. The low seating position leaves you sitting with your knees raised, rather than comfortably supported, so make sure your intended passengers try it before you decide.On safety, we would not judge the Sorento by the reputation of other Kia models sold in India. Safety is model-specific, and the Sorento generation tested by Euro NCAP earned five stars. The Skoda Kodiaq is the driver’s choice here, with excellent dynamics and a premium cabin. If self-drive enjoyment matters more than maximum passenger space, it is very appealing. However, its third row is less accommodating than the Hycross’s, and its petrol-only powertrain is unlikely to match the Toyota hybrid’s economy for your usage.

•4d

I am looking for a 7-seater vehicle for my family. My main criterion is that the vehicle should be safe and sturdy. I live in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, and drive around 15,000 km a year. Kindly guide me in choosing the right vehicle.

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•22h

Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross petrol. At 15,000 km a year, a diesel does not make strong financial sense, and the HyCross petrol is a proven, reliable, and comfortable family MPV. It is built on a modern monocoque platform, which makes this Toyota car feel sturdy and safe, and Toyota’s long-term reliability and service support are among the best in the country. The HyCross also offers genuinely usable third-row space, a comfortable ride and a strong ownership track record, which is exactly what you want in a family car you plan to keep for many years. If you want something more SUV-like, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the alternative. It is a robust, well-built SUV with a strong diesel engine and good safety credentials, but the HyCross is the more sensible long-term family choice.

•2d

Hi, kindly advise me on choosing between the Tata Safari and the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. My annual driving is around 25,000 to 30,000 km, with a mix of city and highway travel. I am not interested in a hybrid or an electric vehicle. Which of these two SUVs would be the better choice for my usage? Please advise. Thanks in advance.

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•10h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. At 25,000- 30,000 km a year, you’ll spend a lot of hours behind the wheel, and that’s where the Mahindra pulls ahead. Its 2.2 diesel is noticeably stronger than the Tata Safari’s diesel, so overtaking on the highway takes far less effort. It’s also more refined. The Safari’s diesel gets gruff, especially at low speeds in town. The 7XO’s ride is excellent too, soft over bad roads and flat and composed at high speed. If you ever drive on poor roads or in the hills, it also offers all-wheel drive on the top versions, which the Safari doesn’t.The one area where the Safari wins is the third row. It’s easier to get into and roomier, while the 7XO’s last row really only suits kids or short trips. So if you’ll regularly fill all seven seats with adults, the Safari deserves a serious look.Otherwise, the 7XO is the better car to live with every day.

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

1.7k

•5d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

•4d

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

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•1d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

•1w

I’ve almost finalised the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, and I really like the car. However, I’m a little worried about Skoda’s long-term service and maintenance costs, especially after the warranty period. I’m planning to keep the car for around 7–8 years. Would you recommend taking the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) along with the car? Is it worth the additional cost considering regular servicing and potential maintenance expenses? Also, compared with the Brezza and Nexon, how is the Kylaq Signature Automatic in terms of long-term reliability, service costs and parts replacement? Would really appreciate your advice before I make the final purchase decision.

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•1d

If you like the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, go ahead and buy it. It is a genuinely good car and one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven combination, and Skoda’s reliability has improved significantly in recent years. The bigger concern is not reliability but long-term maintenance costs, which can be higher than Maruti or Tata once the car is out of warranty.This is where the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) makes sense. It locks in your service costs for the first 4-5 years, covers all scheduled maintenance and gives you peace of mind during the most expensive ownership period. If you are planning to keep the car for 7-8 years, it is worth the additional cost because it protects you from unexpected bills and helps you budget ownership costs more accurately.Compared to the Brezza and Nexon, the Kylaq is the better driver’s car with a more engaging driving experience and a stronger engine. The Brezza is the benchmark for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, while the Nexon sits somewhere in between. The Kylaq is not unreliable, but parts and service can be more expensive once you are out of warranty.If you are buying the Kylaq, take the SMP and enjoy the car. If long-term ownership costs are your absolute priority, the Brezza is the safer financial choice.

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