Autocar India
JP

John P Thomas

6w

I am planning to buy a new SUV. Should I choose the BMW X3, Audi Q5, or the Mercedes-Benz GLC? I am only considering petrol options.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
6w
You should opt for the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. It is the most complete choice for everyday use and long trips among these three right now. The GLC rides very comfortably on bad roads, and the petrol engine is smooth and quiet. The steering is light in the city, the view out is clear, and the automatic gearbox shifts cleanly on its own, so it is easy to drive even in heavy traffic. Inside, it feels the newest and most upmarket, and Mercedes has a wide service network across big and small cities.
Pick the BMW X3 petrol only if driving fun matters most to you and you often enjoy fast highway runs yourself. It feels keener to drive than the other two, especially in the recently introduced xDrive30 variant. Choose the Audi Q5 if you want a solid, comfortable SUV that's nice to drive and excellent value for money. Do bear in mind that it's quite old now and doesn't feel as modern as the other two.
Overall, for a balanced, luxurious, and easy-to-own petrol SUV, the GLC 300 is the one to buy.
BMW X3

BMW X3

BH

Bharath

6w

Volvo XC60 is a much better option

SO

Sourav

6w

No, new Q5 is above all, if it comes to this segment

SA

Santhosh

6w

Try Volvo XC60 it’s a very good option in that segment

UM

UDIP MOG

6w

am planning to buy a new SUV. Should I choose the BMW ,Audi,volvo , or the Mercedes-Benz ? I am only considering electric options.

HD

Hdhdhgd

6w

am planning to buy a new SUV. Should I choose the BMW ,Audi,volvo , or the Mercedes-Benz ? I am only considering electric options.

VA

Vasudevan

6w

Audi Q3 is the best in class

More questions on similar cars

SH

Shubham

1w

Hi, I’m planning to buy a petrol manual car under Rs. 10 lakhs, and I’ve shortlisted two options: Hyundai i20 Sportz Skoda Kylaq Classic+ I’m confused between choosing more features vs a better engine and SUV-like driving feel. In the i20, I’m getting features like: Digital instrument cluster Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay Reverse camera Rear AC vents Rear defogger Auto climate control Hill hold assist Whereas the Kylaq offers: Better engine performance Stronger driving dynamics SUV feel and a higher seating position But it misses some basic convenience features. I’m also a new driver, so ease of driving, comfort, confidence, and long-term ownership matter to me. My usage is mixed: The office is only 3 km from home, so sometimes I’ll use my bike And for occasional highway family/friends trips Which one would you recommend for my use case and why?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
28m

Mixed city runs with very short commutes, a new driver, and a hard Rs. 10 lakh cap point to the Hyundai i20 Sportz manual. It will be easier to live every day. The car is smaller and easier to park, the steering and clutch feel light, and the features you’ve listed reduce stress in traffic and while reversing. Hyundai’s wide service network also helps long-term peace of mind.On occasional highway trips, it feels stable and comfortable for a small family, but its engine won't feel as enthusiastic as the Kylaq’s. With five people and luggage, you will need to plan quick passes. You also won’t get the high seating of an SUV.Pick the Skoda Kylaq Classic+ only if you care more about strong highway pull and that higher, SUV-style view than you do about convenience features. It is more enjoyable on open roads and feels more solid at speed, but the base trim skips some everyday comforts. For your mix and confidence as a new driver, the i20 Sportz fits best.

VehicleHyundai i20
VehicleSkoda Kylaq

Popular discussions right now

DJ

Deepak Jain

6d

I am planning to buy the Honda City facelift that was launched yesterday. How does it compare with the Volkswagen Virtus? I am also assuming that the government will continue supporting E20 fuel even if E85 is introduced in the future. So, is it still safe to buy a petrol vehicle in Delhi/NCR?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
5d

The new City facelift does make a stronger case now because Honda has added genuinely useful features like a larger infotainment screen and ventilated front seats, while pricing has remained fairly sensible. But fundamentally, the character of the car has not changed.Against the VW Virtus, the choice still comes down to personality. The Virtus is the more fun to drive option, especially with the turbo petrol engines, because it feels stronger, more eager and more engaging from behind the wheel. The City, on the other hand, is the more balanced sedan. The 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol is smooth, refined and easy to live with, but if outright performance is your priority, it will not feel as quick as the turbo Virtus. The City hybrid changes that equation because it is genuinely quick and can match the 1.5 TSI for straight line pace, but it is still not what you would call an enthusiast’s car.On the fuel front, yes, it is safe to buy a petrol car in Delhi NCR. Current mainstream petrol cars are already E20 compatible, and even if India eventually pushes toward higher ethanol blends, that transition will be gradual rather than an overnight switch. Beyond a certain point, if the country were to move meaningfully toward very high blends like E85, manufacturers would need proper flex fuel engines engineered for that fuel, and the government would also need to continue offering lower blend fuel options during any transition.

VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleHonda City

Posted on: 14 Apr 2026