Surajpur

•25w

I want to buy a 7-seater car and am confused between the Jeep Meridian and the Toyota Innova Hycross. Could you please explain the pros and cons of both models and help me decide which one would be the better choice?

•25w

Both are very different cars, so the choice really depends on what you want from your 7-seater.

The Jeep Meridian is a proper SUV. This Jeep car feels solid, has excellent ride quality, and really shines on broken roads and highways. The 2.0-litre diesel paired with the 9-speed automatic is relaxed and effortless at cruising speeds, making it a very good long-distance tourer. It also feels more planted and confidence-inspiring at higher speeds. However, the third row is tight and best suited for kids, and overall space isn’t as generous as the Toyota.

The Toyota Innova Hycross, on the other hand, is more urban in nature. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine, with a strong hybrid option that delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city use. It’s significantly more spacious, especially in the second and third rows, and comfort is a big highlight. For family use and city driving, it feels easier and lighter to live with. Long-term ownership peace of mind is also a big plus, thanks to Toyota’s strong reliability reputation.

To sum up;
Go for the Meridian if you enjoy driving, do long highway trips and want that SUV feel.
Take the Hycross if space, comfort, efficiency and hassle-free ownership matter more, especially for urban use.

Explore cars mentioned

Jeep

Meridian

from ₹26.25 Lakh

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹20.95 Lakh

•24w

In the new model(2026) of jeep meridian, the middle row can be adjusted forward or backward and third row can be reclined enough . So if we consider this point, can we use this as a long trip 7 seater?

•24w

Jeep is much better option compare to innova high cross. Jeep is a amazing suv.

•25w

Hi autocar team I am planning to buy 7 Seater car Opted kia carans and renault tiber Can u guide which one to buy

•25w

What about Marazzo

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Sagar

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•1d

Hi all, Myself Girish from Kochi, looking to buy a new car, especially for my parents; who are both 70+ and have knee issues. I like the Creta and Seltos. My priorities are comfort and easy entry and exit. I’m specifically looking for a diesel variant with a manual transmission. I’d love to hear your suggestions or recommendations. My budget is around Rs. 16 lakh.

•3h

For your requirement, the Hyundai Creta diesel manual would be our first recommendation. The Creta has a slightly softer suspension setup than the Kia Seltos, which translates to a more comfortable ride over broken roads and speed breakers – something your parents will appreciate. The seat height is also well-judged, making entry and exit relatively easy without being too high off the ground. The diesel car is refined, fuel-efficient and well-suited to highway runs, while the manual gearbox is light and easy to operate.The Kia Seltos diesel manual is also a strong contender, offering a slightly more premium cabin feel and a marginally roomier rear seat. However, the ride is a touch firmer than this Hyundai car, which may not be ideal given your parents' knee issues.If your budget is strictly around Rs 16 lakh, you will be looking at the lower to mid variants of both cars. In that case, the Creta's focus on comfort makes it the better fit for your needs. If you are open to stretching the budget slightly, the Kia Seltos HTK+ diesel manual is worth considering for its additional features and more premium cabin.Overall, the Creta diesel manual strikes the best balance between comfort, ease of entry/exit, and long-term ownership experience.

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•5d

Hi Team, can you suggest which car is better between the Creta EV and Harrier EV in terms of long-term reliability and driving experience? I am looking for an overall package with lower maintenance costs.

•6h

Go for the Hyundai Creta EV. It is the safer long-term ownership choice, with Hyundai's proven service network, lower maintenance costs, and a more predictable ownership experience. The Tata Harrier EV is the more premium and larger car, but Tata's EV ownership track record is still evolving, and the Creta EV is likely to be the more hassle-free car to own over 5-10 years.

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•1d

For Bangalore, I am considering the Lexus ES 350h, Mercedes-Benz E 200, or GLC 300. The car will mostly be chauffeur-driven. Which one would be the better choice?

•42m

For a mostly chauffeur-driven owner in Bangalore, the sedans you've shortlisted make the most sense. Between the two, while the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is undoubtedly the most popular car in its class, and for good reason, in your case, we think the Lexus ES 350h might be a better bet. The ES 350h is a hybrid, which makes it particularly well-suited to Bangalore's traffic conditions, offering excellent fuel efficiency and a very refined, quiet driving experience. The rear seat is spacious and comfortable, and Lexus' reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs adds to the long-term ownership appeal. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class 200 is also a strong contender, offering a slightly more luxurious and spacious cabin and, crucially, superb back seats that recline quite far, but it does not offer the same efficiency or refinement in stop-and-go traffic, and this will add up in the long run. The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, while a good SUV, is not the best fit for a chauffeur-driven owner as the rear seat is not as comfortable as the ES or E-Class, and the ride is firmer. The ES 350h strikes the best balance of comfort, efficiency and long-term peace of mind.

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•6d

I am getting the Venue HX8 Turbo automatic for Rs. 15.40 lakh on-road, the Creta SX(O) automatic for Rs. 18.14 lakh on-road, with a discount of more than Rs. 1 lakh, and the Seltos HTK(O) IVT for Rs. 18.50 lakh on-road. My budget is Rs. 19 lakh. Which one should I buy for driving in Bangalore and occasional trips?

•5d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK (O) IVT at Rs 18.14 lakh on-road. Your budget of Rs 19 lakh gives you enough room to get a large, spacious and well-equipped midsize SUV, and the Seltos is the sweet spot. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to Bangalore traffic, while the 1.5 petrol is refined and reliable. The HTK (O) trim is feature-rich, so you are not compromising on equipment. The Seltos also offers better rear seat space and comfort than the others, making it a better choice for occasional family trips. The Creta SX (O) might sound like better value with a few more features, but the Seltos's larger size, better quality and new-age tech push it ahead overall. The Venue HX8 turbo automatic at Rs 15.4 lakh is a good deal, but it is a segment below, and you would be compromising on space and comfort.

Hello, given the DPF concerns and upcoming CAFE III regulations, with my driving pattern being 60% highway and 40% city and covering around 15,000 km annually, would a 1.5L diesel (automatic or manual) still be a worthwhile choice?

•3d

Yes, a 1.5-litre diesel is still a worthwhile choice for your usage. At 15,000 km a year with 60% highway driving, you are well within the sweet spot for diesel ownership. The DPF concerns are often overstated - modern diesels are designed to regenerate the filter during sustained highway runs, and your usage pattern is ideal for that. CAFE III regulations are pushing manufacturers towards cleaner engines, but they are not making diesels obsolete; they are simply making them more efficient and cleaner. The bigger question is whether diesel still makes financial sense. With the narrowing price gap between petrol and diesel, the payback period is longer than it used to be, but at your mileage and highway bias, it still adds up. If you are keeping the car for 5-7 years, you will see the benefit. As for automatic versus manual, go automatic if you want ease of use in city traffic; modern torque converter automatics on diesels are smooth and reliable in cars like the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta. Overall, diesel is still the right choice for your usage.

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•4d

Suggest a car Requirements: Daily city driving in Bangalore, with lots of potholes. I am open to either an SUV or a sedan. My budget is Rs. 25-30 lakh on-road. ADAS, cruise control, and hill assist are must-have features. I want a car that offers a comfortable drive, feels luxurious, and is fun to drive. An automatic transmission is a must.

•3d

Go for the Kia Seltos 1.5 T-GDi DCT. It is the best fit for your requirements. The Seltos turbo is genuinely fun to drive, with strong performance and a well-sorted chassis that makes it enjoyable on both city roads and highways. The 1.5 T-GDi engine paired with the DCT automatic is a highlight, offering quick shifts and a responsive driving experience. At the same time, this Kia car is comfortable over broken roads and potholes, with a suspension setup that strikes a good balance between ride comfort and handling. It also feels premium inside, with a well-built cabin and a solid feature set that includes ADAS, cruise control and hill assist. The only thing to be aware of is that the DCT gearbox can feel a bit clunky in stop-and-go traffic, but overall it is a well-rounded package that delivers exactly what you are looking for. If you want something a bit larger, the Mahindra XUV 7XO turbo-petrol is a good alternative, but it will feel large and cumbersome in Bangalore city traffic, and its fuel economy is very poor.

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