I’m planning to buy a diesel 4×4 or AWD car with a budget of up to ₹50 lakh. I prefer the Jeep Meridian Overland 4×4 - is it a good choice? Are there other diesel options I should consider?

Autocar India

•17w

While the Jeep Meridian will comfortably fit in your budget, the Toyota Fortuner is a better SUV. Yes, the interior is dated, and it is expensive, but it holds its value very well and has an exceptionally reliable engine. It is also more capable off the tarmac, and the new Neodrive variant is slightly more efficient as well.

Explore cars mentioned

Jeep

Meridian

from ₹27.69 Lakh

Toyota

Fortuner

from ₹39.61 Lakh

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

Latest questions people are discussing

Jitender

•2w

I am planning to buy a new car, preferably a diesel. My daily driving is approximately 100 km in the city. I am currently driving a Toyota Fortuner 4x2 AT and am now considering upgrading to either a sedan or an SUV. My maximum budget is around ₹50 lakh (net) after exchanging my current vehicle. Could you please suggest a suitable vehicle in this budget that would be comfortable for daily usage and long-term ownership? Regards, Jitender

Autocar India

•1d

You should check out a luxury SUV such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC or BMW X3, which will feel like a good upgrade to your Toyota Fortuner. They might not be as large, but given that your driving is in the city, this shouldn't be too much of a problem. They have sophisticated and refined petrol and diesel engine options, high-quality cabins and lots of features. Plus, they will be considerably more comfortable and easier to drive than the Fortuner. If you simply must have more space and size than the Fortuner, then consider the MG Majestor, which will be launching very soon. It's unclear how much you will get in exchange for your Fortuner, but assuming it is not too old, big Toyotas tend to hold their value well, so these SUVs should fit in your budget.

Sathyan

I have a Skoda Yeti 2017, last batch with 130k on the odometer. It is my daily driving car. My running is 80 km a day on the highways. For the past few days, I’ve been having an itch to upgrade to a diesel automatic, but I couldn’t find a proper replacement for the Yeti under ₹35 lakh. The question is, should I retain the Yeti for a few more years or replace it soon?

Autocar India

•1d

The Skoda Yeti was a unique and very special SUV, and there's nothing quite like it on the market anymore. In fact, the entire Rs 30-40 lakh space is virtually empty at the moment, with only a few electric cars filling it, and diesel options on the whole are becoming fewer by the day.You should definitely retain the Yeti for as long as you can, but with the knowledge that it will become more difficult and expensive to maintain with each passing year. 130,000km is a lot of mileage, and the model has long been discontinued globally, after all.Your best bet in that price range that will give you something close to that tough, adventurous feel the Yeti was so good at delivering is the Jeep Meridian. Like the Yeti, it feels solid yet luxurious, has a strong diesel engine and comes with the option of 4x4; the advantage here is that it gets an automatic option as well.

Jeep Meridian

Shivathmaja PS

•8h

I am looking to buy a car for my parents, who do not drive, so it will mostly be chauffeur-driven. My main priority is rear seat comfort. We are upgrading from a 2011 Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire. The car will mainly be used for highways and long trips, with minimal city usage. However, I would prefer an automatic transmission in case I need to use it occasionally in the city (Bengaluru). Before starting test drives, I wanted your suggestions on some suitable vehicles. Based on my initial research, I have shortlisted the following options: Honda City ZX CVT Kia Seltos HTX iVT Honda Elevate ZX CVT Škoda Slavia 1.5L Sportline DSG or 1.0 Monte Carlo AT Volkswagen Virtus Topline AT My budget is around ₹20–21 lakh. Which option would you recommend, especially considering rear seat comfort and highway usability?

Autocar India

•2h

Go for the Honda City ZX CVT. For chauffeur‑driven parents, it offers the comfiest rear bench, ample legroom, and a smooth CVT for Bengaluru traffic within your ₹20-21 lakh budget.Rear comfort is its strength: the 2,600 mm wheelbase helps knee-room, the rear seat is well-cushioned with good thigh support, and the ride is tuned soft for long trips. The 506‑litre boot easily swallows luggage for highway runs. ZX adds 6 airbags and ADAS with adaptive cruise control, useful on long highways. The CVT’s smooth creep and no shift‑shock make occasional city use easy. Versus your shortlist, Elevate’s rear bench feels upright, while Slavia/Virtus ride firmer and are more driver‑centric for back‑seat comfort.The one thing you give up is ground clearance in comparison to the Elevate. Also, if getting in and out is a concern, the Elevate's high-set seats would make it easier. A test drive should sort that out. For now, we recommend the City for its hassle-free ownership experience, reliability and most of all, a refined and comfortable cabin.

View all Posts