I plan to sell my car and buy a new one. I was considering the Innova HyCross hybrid, but it is going over budget. I am not a frequent road-trip person, maybe one or two trips a year. My primary requirement is that the boot space should be close to the BR-V. Suggestions?

autocar.india

•2d

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.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Sorento

Skoda Kodiaq

autocar.india

•3d

Given your requirements, of an automatic seven-seater with a solid crash safety rating that's not a Tata or Mahindra under Rs 20 lakh, and with good ground clearance, you're only option is the Citroen Aircross. But do keep in mind that only its 5-seater version has been crash tested with a 5-star score for adult protection and 4-star score for child protection. While the three-row version of the Citroen is largely mechanically identical, this score is only applicable to the two-row version.With the Citroen Aircross, you get a very premium interior, a strong turbo-petrol engine, smooth 6-speed automatic and excellent ride comfort. It has ample ground clearance, and is the only SUV of its kind to have a three-row seating configuration, however its third row is best left for kids. Also, given Citroen's limited dealer network, servicing could be a challenge. If you need a genuinely practical and spacious seven-seater with all the safety features, consider the Kia Carens Clavis Turbo-petrol automatic. It will be easy for your family members to get in and out. The only catch being, it hasn't been crash tested. The 5-star safety rating is not a marketing gimmick, it is a meaningful indicator of a car's crashworthiness and the effectiveness of its safety systems. However, it is important to understand that a 5-star rating is not an absolute guarantee of safety. It means the car has performed very well in standardised crash tests and meets high safety standards, but real-world outcomes can still vary depending on the nature of an accident.

Citroen Aircross

Kia Carens Clavis

autocar.india

•2d

You are thinking in the right direction. The 2015 Fortuner is a proven, reliable workhorse, but at Rs 16 lakh for a 10-year-old car with 1.36 lakh km on the odo, it is difficult to justify from a value perspective. You are already at the point where the next owner will be factoring in the approaching face lift, and while Fortuners do hold value well, the depreciation curve will steepen as it gets older.The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the better long-term decision here. You get a brand-new car with a full warranty, modern safety features, and a far more comfortable and refined ownership experience. This Mahindra Car is also a genuinely capable SUV with strong diesel and petrol options, good highway manners and a much more modern cabin than the old Fortuner.The only reason to buy the Toyota Fortuner would be if you specifically want a rugged, old-school SUV with proven reliability and are willing to accept the age, mileage and upcoming facelift Otherwise, the 7XO is the smarter buy.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Toyota Fortuner