Mumbai

•1d

Considering buying a premium 7-seater. I was quite impressed with the Jeep Meridian Overland; however, I don’t see many people recommending it. Most seem to suggest the Innova Hycross, XUV 7XO, or even the Fortuner instead. I primarily use the car in the city and hit the highways twice a month, with an overall monthly running of around 1,500 km. I have no plans for off-road use, and the third row would primarily be used for my pet dog and occasional guests.

•4m

Go for the Jeep Meridian Overland. Your usage pattern actually suits the Meridian very well. It is a genuinely premium product with a strong diesel engine, a well-appointed cabin, and a more upmarket feel than many of its rivals. The reason it is not widely recommended is largely down to Jeep's limited service network and higher ownership costs compared to Toyota and Mahindra, rather than any fundamental issue with the car itself.

Given your usage of 1,500 km a month with a mix of city driving and twice-monthly highway runs, the Meridian's diesel engine will be efficient and well-suited to long-distance cruising. The third row being used primarily for your pet and occasional guests means you are not relying on it as a full-time family seat, which is important because the Meridian's third row is best suited to occasional use rather than regular adult occupancy.

The Toyota Innova Hycross is the more practical and reliable choice with a stronger ownership proposition, but it does not feel as premium or as engaging to drive as the Meridian. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a great value alternative with more space and features, but it does not have the same premium feel. The Fortuner is overkill for your needs and is more focused on ruggedness and off-road capability, which you do not require.

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Jeep

Meridian

from ₹28.35 Lakh

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹22.07 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.51 Lakh

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•4d

Currently, I am using a Swift VXi petrol and planning to upgrade. My annual running is around 11,000-13,000 km, 80% of which is in the city, with occasional highway trips. Although I don't consistently drive at triple-digit speeds on highways, I really value good acceleration and overtaking capability in my new car. Driving dynamics are also important to me, and since some of my family members, including myself, are prone to motion sickness, I am okay with less body roll and a slightly stiffer suspension. I have capped my budget at Rs 20 lakh maximum on-road, and an automatic transmission is a must. I will be exchanging my Swift, which is expected to fetch around Rs 2-2.5 lakh here in Kerala. I have shortlisted the VW twins with the 1.0-litre AT as well as the 1.5-litre DSG. I am also considering the Seltos IVT and DCT. The XUV 7XO Diesel AT is another option under consideration. I have ruled out the Duster because the rear-seat experience feels like a step back. I am also getting offers for the Hycross GX petrol through a corporate tie-up with my company. I am completely confused among these options. My family wants a smaller car, but I want something that I can comfortably keep and use for at least 5-7 years.

•4h

Go for the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG. It is the best fit for your requirements. You want strong acceleration and confident overtaking, and the 1.5 TSI delivers exactly that. This Skoda car is a genuinely quick car with a strong mid-range, which makes highway overtakes effortless without needing to push the car hard. The Kushaq also has a well-sorted chassis with controlled body roll and a slightly firmer suspension setup, which helps with motion sickness by reducing the floaty feeling on undulating roads. At the same time, it is not uncomfortable in the city. The Kushaq is also compact enough to be easy to live with in urban conditions, which addresses your family's preference for a smaller car. The Kia Seltos IVT is smooth and easy to drive, but it does not offer the same level of performance or driving engagement. The Seltos DCT is quick, but the gearbox can feel a bit jerky in stop-start traffic. The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is a strong product, but it is a much larger car and does not align with your family's preference for a smaller vehicle. The Toyota Innova HyCross GX is a great family car, but it is not the right fit for your usage pattern and driving preferences. The Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG strikes the right balance between performance, dynamics, size and long-term usability. It is a car you will enjoy driving for the next 5-7 years.

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•1d

Hi, I have booked Toyota Innova Hycross VX (O) in February and hopefully the company will deliver the vehicle in November. As per news, the facelift is under pipeline. Should I wait for the facelift or go with the current version?

•18h

The Toyota Innova HyCross facelift is expected to arrive in the coming months, so if you are already waiting until November for delivery, it makes sense to hold on a little longer and get the updated car. The facelift is expected to bring a refreshed exterior, an updated interior and a revised feature list, which will make the ownership experience feel more current and future-proof. The HyCross is already a strong product, but the facelift will likely address some of the minor criticisms of the current car, like interior quality and keep it competitive for the next few years. If you can wait, it is the sensible decision. If you need the car urgently, the current HyCross is still an excellent choice, but given your timeline, waiting for the facelift is the better option.

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•1d

I am 74 years old and have an XL6. I feel like buying an Innova HyCross G, as my driving is not much, but I love driving.

•20h

The Toyota Innova HyCross G is a sensible upgrade from your XL6, especially if you enjoy driving and value long-term ownership. The HyCross is a genuinely comfortable and spacious MPV with a strong reputation for reliability and durability, which is important at this stage of ownership. The G variant is well-equipped and offers a good balance of features without unnecessary complexity.However, given that your running is not much, the hybrid premium may not be fully justified from a fuel savings perspective. The HyCross is still a very comfortable and easy car to drive, but it is a large vehicle and may feel unnecessarily big if you are not regularly carrying a full family or using the third row.If you love driving and want something more engaging, you could also consider the Skoda Kushaq. It is smaller, more driver-focused of an SUVs with strong turbo petrol engines and a more enjoyable driving experience. Its is also easier to manoeuvre in the city and more suited to lower running.Ultimately, the decision comes down to your priorities. If you value space, comfort and long-term reliability, the HyCross G is a great choice. If you want a more engaging driving experience and do not need the extra space, the Kushaq would be a better fit.

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•4d

I want to purchase a 7-seater SUV. My options are the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and Scorpio N, and I am considering installing an aftermarket CNG kit for better fuel economy. Could you please suggest which one would be better suited for CNG?

•3d

We would strongly advise against installing aftermarket CNG on any of these SUVs. All three – the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO and Scorpio N - are large, heavy vehicles with powerful turbocharged petrol engines. Fitting CNG to such engines is not recommended, as it can lead to drivability issues, increased wear and potential reliability concerns over time. More importantly, these SUVs are not designed with CNG in mind, and the installation can compromise safety and performance.If fuel economy is a top priority, opt for their diesel versions instead. The Mahindra and Tata offer strong torque, excellent highway efficiency and are well-suited to long-distance touring. If you are set on CNG, it is better to look at smaller, naturally aspirated petrol cars that are either factory-fitted or specifically designed for CNG use.Between the three, the XUV 7XO diesel would be our recommendation. It offers a more modern package, better ride comfort and a more premium cabin than the Scorpio N, while the Safari diesel is also a strong contender if you prefer Tata's design and feature set. But CNG should not be the deciding factor here.

I am a first-time buyer. My salary is Rs 4.2 lakh per year (CTC). Which company and which model would suit me?

•4d

With a CTC of Rs 4.2 lakh per year, the key is to keep the purchase affordable and running costs low. The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the most sensible starting point. It is reliable, easy to maintain and has excellent service reach, which is exactly what you want as a first-time buyer. The 1.0-litre petrol engine in this Maruti Suzuki car is efficient, and the car is easy to drive in the city.If you need a bit more space, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a good alternative with its tall-boy design and larger boot. If you are open to a slightly higher budget, the Tata Tiago is worth considering for its stronger build and more premium feel, but Maruti's service network and lower maintenance costs make it the safer long-term choice at this budget. The Alto K10 is the most practical and financially sensible first car.

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•1w

I am confused between the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO, and I also like the XUV700. My budget is approximately Rs. 18 lakh. Can you suggest which one I should choose?

•6d

With a budget of Rs. 18 lakh, you're likely to get the entry-level variants of the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari. Between the two, the Tata Car has a more spacious third row; however, the XUV 7XO is the better all-rounder.The XUV 7XO is essentially the facelifted XUV700, so you get the same proven mechanical package, along with a more modern interior, updated features and a more premium feel. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is strong and refined, making this Mahindra car well suited to both city and highway driving, while the manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use.The Tata Safari is still a good car, with a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin, but the XUV 7XO feels more modern and premium inside.

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