My usual running is approx 500 km in a month. I am a family of 3 plus 1 pet. We currently have a Kia Seltos 1.4 Petrol DCT and want to upgrade to a bigger vehicle. Which would be suitable for my use between the Innova Hycross and the Skoda Kodiaq?

autocar.india

•2d

Both your shortlisted cars are excellent options, but given your requirements, the Toyota Camry is the better bet. The main consideration is mileage, and there is nothing quite like a hybrid to maximise that. Toyota has been a pioneer of strong hybrid tech for decades, and the latest Camry showcases the best of that know-how, with a smooth and efficient drive that uses the e-motor regularly to save on fuel. With a total system output of 230hp, it has more than enough grunt for highway use as well.What's more, Toyota's reliability and low-maintenance reputation precede it, and you should be able to use the Camry for years without issue. Only possible downsides are that its ground clearance isn't as much as that of an SUV, and it isn't particularly exciting from behind the wheel, since you drive yourself.The Skoda Kodiaq is a good option too, especially on the driving front, with its punchy 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and solid-feeling chassis. It's also got more space as well as better ground clearance, which should come in handy on road trips. However, on most other fronts, it can't hold a candle to the Camry, and that's especially true of mileage, which will be in single digits for the most part.

Toyota Camry

Skoda Kodiaq

autocar.india

•12h

Pick the Kia Seltos HTK petrol automatic. Your use is mostly city and only 10,000 km a year, so the smooth, quiet petrol suits you better, and the fuel cost gap to diesel will be small at that running. For similar money, the HTK gives you more useful kit than the lower HTE(O) diesel variant, so day-to-day it will feel like the nicer car to live with.The diesel automatic is great for long highway hauls and heavy loads, and will sip less on trips, but short city runs can be hard on modern diesels, and you’ll add urea top-ups and slightly higher service costs. It only starts to make sense if you do a lot more highway or cross 15,000 km a year.If you’re open to others around this budget, look at Honda Elevate with the automatic for a very easy city drive and simple ownership, or Skoda Kushaq 1.0 automatic if you want a stronger engine and a more fun feel. Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara automatic is another easy-going, efficient city pick, just not very quick.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Honda Elevate

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross. For a family, it simply works better as the cabin is roomier, the third row is actually usable for adults, the ride is smoother, and the hybrid saves a lot of fuel in city traffic where most family cars spend their time. Long trips feel easier too, and Toyota’s hassle-free ownership and resale help over years.Pick the Hyundai Alcazar only if you’re on a tighter budget or you want a slightly smaller, easier-to-park 3-row. It’s great for four or five with the third row used occasionally, and the diesel suits heavy highway use. But the last row and boot are tighter, and it doesn’t feel as plush or relaxed on bad roads.One honest trade-off with the Innova HyCross is the higher price and possible waiting period, and the boot with all three rows up isn’t huge. If that stretch and wait are okay, it’s the better family car overall.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Hyundai Alcazar