I am planning to buy a hybrid car, as my monthly running is around 1,500 km. I really like the front grille design of the Grand Vitara. In 2026, should I buy the hybrid from Suzuki or should I opt for the Hyryder just because it uses a Toyota-developed engine? Thanks in advance.

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara/Toyota Hyryder strong-hybrid. At 1,300-1,400 km a month, the fuel saving is big enough to recover the higher price in around 2-3 years, especially if most of your running is in city traffic where the car often runs on electric. It is also the easiest to live with day to day - smooth, quiet and always an automatic, so no fatigue in jams.The Elevate’s 1.5 petrol is simple and cheaper upfront, but in real traffic it will use noticeably more fuel. Over your kind of monthly distance, that adds up. One honest catch with the strong-hybrid: the boot is smaller and at expressway speeds it feels relaxed rather than quick if you’re heavy on the throttle. If most of your kilometres are on the highway, the difference in fuel efficiency will be smaller, though the hybrid will still be the more economical option. If you are on a tight budget and your driving is largely highway-based, the Honda Elevate 1.5 or the naturally aspirated Hyryder makes more sense. For mixed use or city-heavy running, the Grand Vitara strong-hybrid is the smarter buy.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Honda Elevate

autocar.india

•2d

With 12-14k km a year, skip diesel and go for a petrol automatic or a strong-hybrid, and consider an EV only if you have home charging. At this running, the extra cost of diesel won't pay back if you keep the car for a couple of years only, and short city trips can be annoying for modern diesel filters. A good petrol will be simpler and smoother to live with, while a strong hybrid gives big savings in traffic without charging hassles.If she wants easy city use with very low running costs, and you can install a charger, look at the Tata Punch EV for compact convenience or the Tata Nexon EV for more space. If charging is a headache, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid or the Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid are the sweet spot for city-heavy driving, with quiet starts and excellent mileage. If you just want simple and affordable, a petrol automatic, the Maruti Fronx works well for mixed city-highway use.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Nexon EV

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

autocar.india

•2d

Pick the Maruti Victoris, for its smooth, silent and efficient engine. Maruti’s service is simple and nationwide, and resale is likely to be strong, so your long-term costs and stress stay low. It rides comfortably over bad roads, the controls (steering, clutch and gearbox) are light, and it feels steady on the odd highway run.Alternatively, you could look at the Maruti Grand Vitara, which is essentially the same car, but is sold through the Nexa sales network.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara