Delhi

Delhi

I have been using a Tata Altroz for about four years now. It has been good for city driving, but now I want an SUV for long drives, preferably a 7-seater. I am confused between the Tata Safari and the Toyota Innova HyCross. Which one should I buy?

Asked by: Hridank

Both the Tata Safari and the Toyota Innova HyCross have their own strengths and weaknesses, and it depends on what suits your needs better.

The Tata Safari has proper SUV looks, comes loaded with features, and is a lot more affordable than the Innova HyCross. The Toyota Innova HyCross, on the other hand, is a much better seven-seater. The hybrid is extremely efficient, even more than the Safari diesel, and it will prove to be a reliable and peaceful companion for years to come. The interior quality, though, is not fitting for a car costing over Rs 30 lakh.

The lower variants, which compete with the Safari on price, get a naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is efficient on its own but not as efficient as a diesel engine, and these variants also miss out on a lot of the wow features that the top Safari variants offer.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Answered by

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Autocar India team29 Nov' 25

Latest questions

Asked by: Yash Paul Grover

I have a budget of Rs 14 to 15 lakh and want to purchase a compact SUV with a turbo-petrol engine and DCT gearbox. I am considering the Hyundai Venue HX8. My usage is around 300km a month. Would it be a good decision to go for the Venue HX8, or is there a better option available? I would like your expert opinion.

The Hyundai Venue HX8 is a good option for you. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is peppy, and the DCT gearbox is smooth, despite some hesitation at low speeds. The Venue HX8 is also reasonably spacious and comes with a good set of features. You can safely go ahead with your decision.

Autocar India team

Asked by: Dr T Durganna

I have shortlisted the Innova HyCross Hybrid and the XEV 9S. Please advise which one I should buy. My usage is mostly city driving with occasional long trips.

The Toyota Innova HyCross is a good option for you. It is spacious, comfortable, and its strong hybrid powertrain will deliver an efficiency of around 13kpl in the city and 16kpl on the highway. Also, as a 7-seater, it is more comfortable, with ample space for adults in all three rows. Its ride quality is impressive in the city, and out on the highway too.The Mahindra XEV 9S is much better equipped in comparison, and on account of its pricing, it is a better value for money. But while the XEV 9S is comfortable in the city, its ride feels a bit bouncy on the highway, and space in the third row is much tighter than the Hycross. Hence, as a 7-seater, the Toyota car is the one to go for.

Autocar India team

Asked by: Rithvik

I need a car that suits my 60km daily city commute, along with weekend highway drives. It should be fuel-efficient, and my budget is Rs 15 lakh. I am looking for an EV.

The Tata Punch EV is a good pick for your requirements. It's an easy-to-drive electric car whose relatively small size comes in handy in city confines. You could get a top-spec Punch EV within your budget with all the bells and whistles, like a 10.25-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera, sunroof and leatherette seats. If you'd prefer something larger, more powerful and with more range, there's the Tata Nexon EV, the Creative 45 variant to consider. It's down on features to a fully-loaded Punch EV, though.

Autocar India team

Asked by: Piyush

Please suggest a car under 8 lakhs with CNG for comfortable highway drives, as 70% driving will be for highways only.

Among the CNG options under Rs 8 lakh, the Hyundai Exter and Tata Punch are worth a look. The Hyundai Exter CNG offers better performance than the Punch CNG, making it more suitable for highway usage. Do note, neither car feels absolutely effortless on the highway, and the lack of power is noticeable when you need to overtake. The Punch packs in a few more features in Smart CNG trim versus an Exter 1.2 EX, which is comparable in price. There's also a newness to the Punch that is fresh from a facelift. The Exter is due for an update of its own towards the middle of 2026.

Autocar India team

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