I am planning to upgrade from my Grand i10 Nios to an automatic SUV. Initially, I was inclined towards diesel vehicles for better mileage, like the Creta SX, Harrier, and HyCross GX. Recently, however, I test drove the Creta EV and MG ZS and was impressed by them as well. If I am aiming for a 400km stretch on the highway, which EV should I pick, or should I stick to diesel vehicles only? My budget is Rs 23 lakh maximum.

autocar.india

•19m

Go for the Toyota Innova Crysta. Your usage is highway-heavy with occasional city runs, and you want a proper 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium feel. The Crysta is still the benchmark for this kind of requirement. It is genuinely spacious in all three rows, has a large and usable boot even with all seats up, and is built for long-distance comfort and reliability. The diesel engine is strong, refined and well-suited to highway cruising, and Toyota’s ownership experience and long-term reliability are hard to beat. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more modern product with a more premium-looking interior and a better sound system, but it does not match the Crysta for outright space, practicality or long-term peace of mind. If your priority is a proper 7-seater that will serve you well for years, the Crysta is the safer and more sensible choice. If you want a more premium cabin and a richer feature set, the XUV 7XO is the alternative, but it is not as practical as the Crysta.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•49m

Yes, the Nissan Gravite AMT can be a good choice for you, but with a few important considerations. The Gravite is a compact MPV with a relatively low bonnet line and good all-round visibility, which will help you feel confident behind the wheel. The AMT gearbox also makes city driving much easier compared to a manual. However, the Gravite has a slightly higher seating position than your old Alto, and the clutch pedal travel on the manual version is on the longer side. Since you are considering the AMT, this is less of a concern, but it is still worth checking the seating position and pedal reach. We would strongly recommend a test drive with the seat height adjusted to its maximum setting and, if needed, using a seat cushion to ensure you have a clear view of the bonnet and comfortable access to the pedals. If you find the Gravite's seating position too high, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R AMT or Celerio AMT are also worth considering, as they have lower seating positions and are easier to adapt to coming from an Alto. Overall, the Gravite AMT is a practical and comfortable choice, but the final decision should be based on how comfortable you feel in the driver's seat.

Nissan Gravite

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

autocar.india

•1h

Take delivery of the Hycross GX(O) petrol in August and do not wait for the facelift. The 2027 update will bring cosmetic changes and likely some interior tweaks, but it is unlikely to fundamentally change the ownership experience of the GX(O) petrol. Toyota typically reserves ADAS and more advanced safety tech for higher trims, and there is no strong indication that the GX(O) petrol will suddenly gain those features with the facelift. More importantly, the Hycross is already a fundamentally strong product with a proven powertrain, excellent reliability and a reputation for long-term durability, which is exactly what matters for a 15-20 year ownership plan.On the fuel front, your concerns are understandable but largely overblown. This petrol car is E20-compliant, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20 at this stage. Even if higher ethanol blends are introduced in the future, manufacturers typically engineer a margin of tolerance into their engines, and the impact is usually limited to a slight drop in fuel economy rather than any catastrophic mechanical issue. At 4,000 km a year, the difference is negligible over two decades. Resale value is driven far more by the Hycross’s reputation for reliability than by marginal changes in ethanol compliance.The only reason to wait would be if you are genuinely unhappy with the current GX(O) specification and are hoping for a major feature upgrade. Otherwise, you are better off taking delivery now and enjoying a car that is already one of the most dependable long-term ownership propositions on the market.

Toyota Innova HyCross