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?

autocar.india

•24m

Go for the Kia Syros EV. With your usage pattern of 65 km runs in heavy traffic three times a week, plus local city driving on weekends, the Syros EV makes far more sense than the Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid. You have a predictable, high-frequency commute and the ability to install a home charger, which is exactly the scenario where an EV delivers maximum benefit. The Syros EV is a well-rounded package with a comfortable ride, spacious cabin and a premium feel, and it will handle your daily runs effortlessly while keeping running costs low.On the question of breakdowns and roadside assistance, Kia offers a robust support network and dedicated EV roadside assistance. In the event of a breakdown, the response time is generally comparable to that of an ICE car, and Kia can arrange for the car to be towed to the nearest service centre if required. The Syros EV also comes with an 8-year battery warranty, which covers the most expensive component of the car and provides peace of mind over the ownership period.The company lease arrangement with a buyback after three years further strengthens the case for the Syros EV. You are not exposed to long-term depreciation risk, and you get the benefit of lower running costs and a modern EV ownership experience without worrying about long-term battery degradation.

Kia Syros EV

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

autocar.india

•1d

With your daily running of around 15km and retirement approaching, the focus should be on a comfortable, reliable and easy-to-own car so your shortlist makes sense. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris petrol is a good option, unless rear seat headroom and space are very important, in which case the Grand Vitara would be better.Mechanically, both the Vitara and Victoris are similar underneath, but the Victoris gets a slightly more premium interior and a better feature set at a similar price. Since your running isn't very high, you do not need to go for the hybrid; the regular naturally aspirated petrol engine would do fine, and it's smooth, refined and well-suited to your usage. If you want something smaller and easier to drive in the city, the Brezza is also worth considering, but the Victoris offers a more premium experience and better long-distance comfort.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

autocar.india

•54m

With your usage now down to around 10,000km a year and no real requirement for seven seats, a good five seat SUV makes more sense than replacing one large Innova with another. The Elevate gives you a spacious cabin, excellent rear legroom, good ground clearance and a comfortable driving position, while the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol and CVT are simple and easy to live with. It also keeps ownership costs and purchase price sensible.The Toyota Innova HyCross is the obvious choice if maximum space and long distance comfort remain priorities, and its 5-star Bharat NCAP rating is reassuring. However, you would be carrying around a 4.75m long, three-row vehicle when you no longer need the additional seating. The petrol HyCross also returned only 9.7kpl in testing, which makes little sense for relatively low annual running.The Seltos is another option if you want a more feature rich and premium cabin, but for a retired owner looking for relaxed, long term ownership, the Elevate's naturally aspirated engine is a simpler proposition.

Honda Elevate

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Seltos