•2d

I am currently using a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXi+, and my monthly running is around 1,500 km in the city. Should I opt for an EV or a hybrid, such as the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara?

•3m

Pick the Grand Vitara strong-hybrid. With 1,500 km a month in city traffic, it will slash your fuel spend because it runs on electric power at low speeds, yet you never worry about charging. The drive is quiet and smooth like an automatic, perfect for stop-go commutes, and the switch from your Ertiga will be easy in terms of running and service support. At the same time, highway trips wont require planning around charging that can be a hassle with EVs.

Be honest with yourself about space though. You’ll lose the third row and some boot room, since the Grand Vitara is a 5-seater and the hybrid battery eats a bit of luggage space. It also costs more upfront than a regular petrol.

If you have a dedicated parking spot with a reliable socket at home, an EV can be even cheaper per km and calmer in traffic, and for mostly city use you won’t miss petrol pumps. But if charging at home is not possible, the hybrid is the cleaner, simpler answer today. For your usage and current Ertiga lifestyle, the Grand Vitara strong-hybrid is the safer upgrade.

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Maruti Suzuki

Grand Vitara

from ₹12.28 Lakh

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Ertiga

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More questions on similar cars

•2d

Wanted to buy an automatic car within a budget of Rs. 15 lakh on-road, with an additional Rs. 1.5 lakh available from my old car exchange. I have shortlisted the Honda Elevate VX CVT and the Renault Duster Revolution 1.3 CVT. My monthly usage includes 1,000-1,200 km of city driving and around 500 km of outstation travel. Please suggest which one I should choose, or recommend any other car in the same category and budget. My priorities are good headroom and a comfortable rear seat.

•1d

Pick the Honda Elevate VX CVT. With your heavy city running, its smooth CVT automatic, lighter controls and great visibility make everyday driving easier and calmer, and the cabin is spacious with a comfortable rear bench for two adults. It also rides well enough for your monthly 500 km outstation trips and should be more fuel efficient and easier to maintain than the Duster.The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT only makes sense if you really value the strong punch from its turbo engine and the robust suspension on rough roads. It is quicker and feels tougher on bad patches, but expect lower city mileage and a rear seat that is not as spacious as the Honda's.If you want one more to check in the same bracket, look at the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 automatic. It has a comfy back seat, it's easy to drive, has decent mileage and will be stress-free to live with.

Honda Elevate

Renault Duster

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

•3d

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?

•2d

From what you've described, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has impressed you with its efficiency but left you wanting more from behind the wheel. If driving enjoyment is back on your priority list, the Duster Hybrid looks like the most natural upgrade. It is expected to offer a much more engaging driving experience while retaining the fuel efficiency benefits of a strong hybrid.The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid will certainly improve on comfort, refinement and performance, but it won't fundamentally change the character you're looking for. It is still geared towards relaxed family motoring rather than enthusiastic driving.The Tata Sierra EV is an interesting option and has now been launched. It promises strong performance, a premium cabin and a spacious interior. However, if the "driver in you" misses the involvement and confidence of your earlier diesel cars, we'd still wait to experience how the Duster Hybrid drives before making a decision.As for diesels, we don't think they should be ruled out altogether. With the right usage, they continue to make sense. However, given your appreciation for the fuel economy of your Grand Vitara and the direction the market is heading, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid rather than going back to diesel.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Sierra EV

Renault Duster

•3d

Hi, I am looking for a 7-8 seater with safety and other features. I am a first-time car buy but it will be driven by a Driver. Every day use for commuting to the office from home. Please suggest a good car for the long term. I am based in Delhi NCR. I am not sure and not comfortable with electric cars. Please give your valuable comments on the EVs too.

•1d

Unfortunately, in your budget of Rs 10-15 lakh, there aren't many 7-8 seaters that meet all your criteria. Your best bet would be the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, or its 6-seat counterpart, the XL6. It's reliable, efficient and has the essential features you'll need for your intended use. It's comfortable for passengers, and the 1.5-litre petrol engine is smooth and powerful enough, though not outright strong. As for safety, it was rated 3 stars in Global NCAP's crash tests, but that was back in 2019. It has since been given multiple safety updates, including 6 airbags as standard, which should mean a higher score. Another option is the Kia Carens Clavis, but in your budget, you'll only get a low-spec petrol manual model, with only basic features. Overall, the more efficient and value-for-money Ertiga or XL6 is a much better bet. There are, unfortunately, no three-row MPVs in your price range, the closest being the Kia Carens Clavis EV, which starts at around Rs 19 lakh on road.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Maruti Suzuki XL6

Kia Carens Clavis EV

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Popular discussions right now

•3d

I am planning to buy an SUV and prefer the German twins Škoda and Volkswagen. Which one is better? Also, how significant is the DSG issue in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NCR region? This will be my fourth car, so I want to try a German brand.

•1d

Between the German twins, the choice largely comes down to personal preference, as they share the same engines, gearboxes and underpinnings. We slightly prefer the Kushaq for its cleaner design, excellent ride and handling balance and overall value proposition.As for the DSG, it isn't as big a concern as it once was. The current DSGs are far more robust than the earlier units, but if your driving is predominantly in bumper-to-bumper NCR traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the smoother and more relaxed option over the long term. If you want to stay with a German SUV but avoid the DSG altogether, the 1.0 TSI automatic in the Kushaq and Taigun now comes with an 8-speed Aisin torque-converter, which is smooth, refined and better suited to heavy city traffic.Coming from the S-Cross Petrol, you'll notice a significant step up in performance, cabin quality, safety and driving dynamics with either car.

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•1w

Hi, I have a budget of Rs. 40 lakh and am confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O), and the Toyota Fortuner Petrol. I am 28 years old and want a car that is fun to drive but also comfortable for my family. My driving will be split 80:20 between on-road and off-road use.

•3d

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

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•3d

Hi. I am planning to purchase an automatic car under Rs 15 lakh. My driving is split equally between traffic and normal roads. The options I'm considering are: Mahindra XUV 3XO REVX A TC, Hyundai Venue HX6 DCT, Skoda Kushaq Classic Plus TC, and Kia Sonet HTX DCT. Please suggest the best option for me.

•2d

Pick the Skoda Kushaq Classic Plus automatic. Your driving mix of traffic and open roads suits its 6-speed torque converter very well. It creeps smoothly in jams and never overheats, and the 1.0 turbo petrol is punchy for quick passes. It also feels more surefooted at speed than the others here, which makes longer runs less tiring, and it’s among the safest in this lot thanks to its 5-star crash safety rating. It's also the only one here that's not a compact SUV (sub-4 metre).The Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet are tempting for the features they offer, but their DCTs aren't as smooth. The XUV 3XO with the torque converter is also a good fit and roomier, but the Kushaq still feels nicer to drive overall.Be aware that the Skoda’s cabin and feature list in Classic Plus isn't on par with the Koreans, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller. If you value a calm, durable auto for daily congestion and a confident feel on weekend runs, the Kushaq Classic Plus AT is the one to buy under Rs. 15 lakh.

Skoda Kushaq

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

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Posted on: 4 Jul 2026