Hello team. I am looking to buy a new luxury car and am unable to decide between a sedan and an SUV. Within each category, I am confused between the Mercedes GLE, BMW X5, Mercedes E-Class, and BMW 5 Series. The car will be both chauffeur-driven and self-driven. My monthly usage is around 1,300 km. My budget is approximately Rs 1.3 crore, but I can stretch to Rs 1.4 crore if truly necessary. Thank you.

Autocar India

•19w

While the SUVs are good options, unless you value the tall seating position and road presence they bring by virtue of their height and boxy shape, there's no need to go there. Ultimately, a sedan will almost always deliver a better driving experience than an equivalent SUV owing to its lower centre of gravity and relatively lighter weight, and factor in the aerodynamic advantage, and it's likely to be more fuel efficient too.

While the difference isn't as great in the rear seat these days, in this particular class of cars, it's the sedans that win, with their long-wheelbase designs and luxurious rear seats.

We'd recommend the Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic, which is as much of a treat from the driver's seat as it is from the rear. Its 381hp 3.0-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine is powerful and silky smooth, channelling torque to all four wheels for strong power delivery, which is assisted by sharp and precise steering, making for a thrilling driving experience, even for such a long car. The rear seat experience is best in class, with huge amounts of legroom, reclining seats, ambient lighting and powered sunshades all around.

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Mercedes-Benz

E-Class

from ₹92.56 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

Chintan

•18h

I am confused between the Kia Seltos and the Skoda Slavia. My monthly running is under 1,000 km, with a usage split of 60% city and 40% highway. The car should comfortably accommodate five passengers and offer a practical boot space. My budget is under ₹16 lakh (on-road). Please suggest which option would be better, along with the most value-for-money and practical variant. Also, let me know if there are any other cars I should consider within this budget.

Autocar India

•10h

The Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol HTK (O) MT fits your brief best. In daily traffic, the Seltos will be easy to drive thanks to its smooth, naturally aspirated petrol engine and light gearshift and clutch, and the higher seat makes getting in and out easy. It also rides over bad roads and tall speed breakers without worry, which matters on mixed city-highway use. Space is good for four and fine for five for shorter trips, and the boot will take a family’s weekend bags.The HTK (O) MT is a good value for money as it offers quite a few features for the price. Just bear in mind that, on the highway, the engine will require a bit more effort to make easy overtakes. If your trips are often with four adults and lots of luggage, and you value a bigger boot and stronger pull on the highway, look at the Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI Sportline MT. Its small turbo engine gives more punch. But it is a lower car, so entry is not as easy, and you have to be a bit more careful on rough roads. Compared to the Seltos' naturally aspirated 1.5, you'll also experience some turbo lag at city speeds, and at your budget, you won't get as many features. Overall, for your mix of city and highway and firm budget, the Seltos HTK is the most practical pick.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Slavia

Thomas Zachariah

•1d

I am a senior citizen, 69 years old, and 6'2" tall. My annual usage is around 6,000-7,000 km, mostly consisting of short trips with occasional long drives. I am currently using a Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT, but I am planning to replace it due to some issues. I am looking for an automatic car within a budget of ₹12-14 lakh (on-road), with a focus on driving comfort, good mileage, and safety. I have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, and Mahindra XUV 3XO.

Autocar India

•10h

Given your usage, the Maruti Brezza ZXi AT fits your brief best within Rs 12-14 lakh on-road. Pick it because the cabin is roomy and the seat is set high, so getting in and out is easy, and there is good headroom for your height. Its 6-speed automatic is the smooth, torque converter type (not an AMT or DCT). Coming from your Nissan Magnite’s CVT, this will feel natural and calm in stop-and-go traffic and on slopes. Ride comfort is good over broken roads, and its simple 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine allows a vehicle of its size to be unstressed, fuel efficient and sufficiently powerful. Do note: The Brezza automatic is tuned for easy driving, not fast pick-up, so it feels relaxed rather than quick, and it hasn't been crash tested by any NCAP agency, though it has all the requisite safety features. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is also a decent option, though it's not quite as spacious as the Brezza, and in your budget, you'll have to settle for a mid-spec automatic model. Most of all, though, it is nowhere near as fuel-efficient. The Maruti Suzuki Fronx, while also good, won't feel like as much of an upgrade from your Magnite as the others, especially in terms of size and space. Overall, for comfort, smooth driving and sensible running costs in your budget, the Brezza ZXi AT is still your best bet.

Shubham Raja

Hi, I am planning to buy my first car and have shortlisted two options - the Hyundai i20 N Line N8 DCT and the Hyundai Venue HX6 DCT. I test-drove both and instantly fell in love with the way the i20 N Line drives and handles. However, I could feel and hear every bump and pothole quite clearly in the N Line. On the other hand, the Venue’s suspension felt more compliant and better at absorbing bad roads. Cabin insulation and seating comfort also felt better in the Venue. I also came across your review. Is the Venue’s steering and suspension a deal-breaker? At triple-digit speeds, does it feel bouncy or unstable while changing lanes? I understand these cars belong to different segments, but could you please suggest which one I should choose? My primary usage will be weekend road trips, with occasional city driving, as my daily office commute is on a two-wheeler.

Autocar India

•13h

You have already picked up on the core difference. The Hyundai i20 N Line is tuned for sporty driving, so the suspension is firmer, and you will feel more of the road. That is not a flaw; it is a deliberate setup to improve control and handling.The Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, is tuned for comfort. It has a softer suspension, better bump absorption and a more relaxed driving character. You also sit higher and more upright, and the cabin insulation is better, which makes it feel more comfortable in everyday use. Being the newer car in this comparison, that difference you felt is expected. The choice really comes down to what you value more. The Venue is the easier and more comfortable car, while the i20 N Line is the more engaging one to drive.If you were to compare the standard i20 instead of the N Line, it would feel noticeably more comfortable, closer to the Venue. But then you lose the turbo petrol performance that you liked.

Hyundai i20

Hyundai Venue

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