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.

Autocar India

•16h

Go for a diesel 7-seater SUV or MPV, and shortlist the Kia Carens Clavis or Toyota Innova HyCross depending on your budget. These are the most practical and economical choices for your usage.The Kia Carens Clavis diesel is the most practical starting point. It is comfortable, easy to drive daily and efficient for long distances. The diesel engine is well suited for your high running, and this Kia car is stable enough on highways while remaining manageable in the city. It is also one of the most sensible family 7-seaters available today.If you can stretch your budget, the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid is the best overall choice. It offers excellent comfort, much better space across all three rows and very low running cost for a large vehicle thanks to its hybrid system, which delivers high efficiency for city and highway use. It is also among the most reliable long-term ownership options.Now, since you mentioned occasional off-roading, you need to be realistic. Cars like the Carens Clavis and Hycross are not meant for serious off-roading. If your off-road use is mild, like rough roads or trails, they will manage. If you want proper off-road capability, then something like the Mahindra Scorpio N diesel is the better fit. It is rugged, has strong torque and proper SUV capability, while still being usable daily.The trade-off is clear. The Scorpio N is tougher and more capable off-road, but less comfortable and less efficient than the Carens or Hycross.

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra Scorpio N

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•2d

Your requirement is clear. You already have the EcoSport for city use, and now you want a comfortable, dependable long-distance car for a family of six including senior citizens. That means space, ride comfort and ease of ingress matter more than anything else.The Kia Carens Clavis is the most sensible starting point. It is a proper 6 or 7 seater, easy to drive, and far more comfortable than compact SUVs. The ride is soft, the seating is flexible and the cabin feels modern and airy. It is also positioned as a more premium, updated version of the Carens with better interiors and features, which suits family usage well. For highway trips, this Kia car is stable enough and the diesel automatic option works very well if you want efficiency.If you want the best possible comfort and willing to spend more, the Toyota Innova HyCross is in a different league. It offers far better ride quality, more space in all three rows and a much more relaxed driving experience. It is also extremely reliable and easy to own long term. For senior citizens, the ease of getting in and out, and the overall comfort level, are clearly superior.Compared to EVs, your usage does not strongly justify one. Long highway trips are still more convenient in petrol or diesel cars, especially in remote areas where charging infrastructure can be inconsistent.

Kia Carens Clavis

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•1h

Your concerns about E20 fuel impacting the BMW X3 30's engine are understandable, but largely overblown. The current BMW X3 xDrive30 with its 2.0-litre petrol engine is fully E20-compliant, and BMW has built in sufficient engineering margins to handle even higher ethanol blends like E27 should they become standard. Any potential wear from ethanol exposure typically manifests only after 5-6 years of use, and replacement of affected components is primarily fuel system seals and sensors, which aren’t prohibitively expensive or complex. So don't let E20 worries push you toward diesel, which brings its own maintenance headaches, particularly DPF regeneration issues that require regular long-distance driving to prevent clogging.Regarding performance, while both variants produce 400Nm of torque, the power difference between the 197hp diesel and 258hp petrol is quite significant. The X3 30 petrol reaches 0 to 100kph in 6.3 seconds, whereas it takes 7.7 seconds for the 20d, making it noticeably quicker in real-world driving. That said, the diesel's torque delivery at lower revs makes it more relaxed for highway cruising and better suited for hill driving, where you need strong pulling power without downshifting.The smart choice boils down to your driving pattern. Choose the X3 xDrive20d if you regularly cover long highway distances or frequently drive in the hills where low-end torque matters. For typical urban-suburban use with occasional highway runs, the X3 30 petrol offers stronger performance, modern mild-hybrid efficiency, and genuinely hassle-free ownership over your 5-7 year horizon. Either way, both are reliable choices when maintained properly.

BMW X3