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•9h

Please recommend one of the Sorento, Hycross and Kodiaq (all automatic). I drive 350 km on the highway each week, plus 50 km per day in the city for 3 days. My decision criteria are: Diesel or hybrid, Safety (Kia has a bad reputation), Back-seat comfort on the highway, Driving quality, Last-row seat comfort, and Comfort when driving myself I am leaning toward the Sorento. If so, should I choose the diesel or the hybrid?

•5m

For your mix of 350 km of highway driving each week and another 150 km in the city, the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid is a sensible recommendation. It combines good fuel efficiency with easy city driving, a comfortable highway ride and, crucially, a genuinely usable third row. If you regularly travel with adults in all three rows, it makes the strongest case. Toyota’s reputation for reliability adds to its appeal for long-term ownership.

The Kia Sorento is a good alternative, especially since you are already leaning towards it. We would favour the diesel if highway cruising is your priority, although your city running means the hybrid deserves consideration too. The Sorento feels more plush and better appointed, and we would rate it above this Toyota car as a highway cruiser.

What could be the deal-breaker is the third row. It is better suited to children or occasional use by adults. The low seating position leaves you sitting with your knees raised, rather than comfortably supported, so make sure your intended passengers try it before you decide.

On safety, we would not judge the Sorento by the reputation of other Kia models sold in India. Safety is model-specific, and the Sorento generation tested by Euro NCAP earned five stars.

The Skoda Kodiaq is the driver’s choice here, with excellent dynamics and a premium cabin. If self-drive enjoyment matters more than maximum passenger space, it is very appealing. However, its third row is less accommodating than the Hycross’s, and its petrol-only powertrain is unlikely to match the Toyota hybrid’s economy for your usage.

Explore cars mentioned

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹21.70 Lakh

Kia

Sorento

from ₹33.31 Lakh

Skoda

Kodiaq

from ₹43.10 Lakh

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•2d

I keep fixating on achieving a 5-star safety rating for both adult and child occupants. My family consists of four adults and one child. I currently drive a Tata Altroz MT and want to upgrade to an automatic car. My requirements are as follows: I cannot buy an SUV because an elderly family member finds it difficult to get in and out. I cannot buy another Tata or Mahindra. My budget is a maximum of Rs 20 lakh, which I plan to pay off over three years. I need a 7-seater. I need good ground clearance, but the car must also be easy for elderly people to get in and out of. A 5-star safety rating for both adult and child occupants is non-negotiable. Given these requirements, does a 5-star safety rating actually mean anything in real-world conditions, or is it just a marketing gimmick? Thanks!

•1h

Given your requirements, of an automatic seven-seater with a solid crash safety rating that's not a Tata or Mahindra under Rs 20 lakh, and with good ground clearance, you're only option is the Citroen Aircross. But do keep in mind that only its 5-seater version has been crash tested with a 5-star score for adult protection and 4-star score for child protection. While the three-row version of the Citroen is largely mechanically identical, this score is only applicable to the two-row version.With the Citroen Aircross, you get a very premium interior, a strong turbo-petrol engine, smooth 6-speed automatic and excellent ride comfort. It has ample ground clearance, and is the only SUV of its kind to have a three-row seating configuration, however its third row is best left for kids. Also, given Citroen's limited dealer network, servicing could be a challenge. If you need a genuinely practical and spacious seven-seater with all the safety features, consider the Kia Carens Clavis Turbo-petrol automatic. It will be easy for your family members to get in and out. The only catch being, it hasn't been crash tested. The 5-star safety rating is not a marketing gimmick, it is a meaningful indicator of a car's crashworthiness and the effectiveness of its safety systems. However, it is important to understand that a 5-star rating is not an absolute guarantee of safety. It means the car has performed very well in standardised crash tests and meets high safety standards, but real-world outcomes can still vary depending on the nature of an accident.

Citroen Aircross

Kia Carens Clavis

•1d

I am planning to upgrade my dad’s car. He currently drives a 2014 Honda Amaze petrol, which has clocked over 70,000km. My dad is satisfied with its comfort and driving experience. I am planning to buy a new petrol car, with ride quality and comfort as the top priorities, followed by fuel efficiency. The car will be driven on bumpy village roads and semi-hilly roads in Kerala, with occasional trips on state highways. My maximum budget is Rs 13-14 lakh on-road. Reliability and service quality are also important, as my dad is not very knowledgeable about automobiles. So far, we have been happy with the Honda Amaze’s service costs and quality, and the car has not had any major issues. Could you please suggest a suitable car that meets these requirements?

•3h

Based on your father’s priorities and usage, we’d recommend the Honda Elevate SV manual as the most sensible upgrade, provided you can stretch your budget a wee bit. It’s currently around Rs 14.2 lakh on road in Kerala, though the final quote will depend on your location, insurance and any dealer offers.It builds on the Honda qualities your father already appreciates in his Honda Amaze, while adding a higher seating position, more ground clearance and a comfortable suspension that copes well with broken roads. That makes it well suited to his village-road driving, with the caveat that bigger potholes still need to be taken slowly The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, responsive and straightforward to drive. On steeper climbs, he may need to downshift rather than expect strong pulling power in a high gear. The cabin is comfortable, visibility is good and the boot is generous. Overall, it offers the fuss-free driving experience he’s enjoyed in the Amaze, in a more spacious package. Given his positive experience with the local Honda workshop, staying with the same service setup is another practical advantage.If Rs14 lakh is a firm ceiling, we’d look at the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.0 turbo-petrol. Its punchy engine should suit the uphill stretches, and your budget could allow a higher variant with more features. This Maruti Suzuki car also offers a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, which is worth trying if he prefers smoother, more linear responses over outright punchWe’d favour the Elevate for comfort and familiarity, but have your father test-drive both on the kind of roads he actually uses before deciding.

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

•5h

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

Kia Seltos

Tata Safari

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•4d

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

•3d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

I currently drive a 2018 Hyundai Creta 1.6 petrol automatic, which is very comfortable. Its mileage is around 7-8 kpl, and my monthly running is 1,000-1,200 km. Please advise on a good vehicle with decent mileage and comfort. I look forward to your advice.

•6d

With 1,000-1,200 km a month and a 7-8 km/l Creta 1.6 petrol automatic, the priority should be better fuel efficiency without sacrificing comfort. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most sensible upgrade. It delivers significantly better real-world fuel economy, especially in city driving, while still offering a comfortable ride and a well-equipped cabin. The hybrid system is proven and reliable, and the ownership experience is straightforward.If you want a more premium feel and are willing to accept slightly lower fuel efficiency, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is a strong alternative. It offers a more upmarket cabin and a comfortable ride, but it will not match the Victoris Hybrid on fuel savings.The Hyundai Creta petrol IVT is also worth considering if you want to stay within the Hyundai family. It offers a familiar ownership experience and a comfortable ride, but again, it will not be as efficient as the Victoris Hybrid.Overall, the Victoris Hybrid strikes the best balance between fuel efficiency, comfort and long-term ownership costs for your usage pattern.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

•4d

Hello, I want to upgrade from my current Dzire diesel (2009 model). My running is nearly 7 thousand which is very low. My budget is 10 lakh mostly within city driven but with few highway trips every quarter. So please suggest some reliable comfortable car. I have taken the test drive of Maruti Suzuki Fronx AGS but space in the back is also an issue. I have also taken the test drive of Brezza Turbo and I found it smooth and easy . Anything else I should go for ?

•4d

With just around 7,000km a year, mostly in the city, a simple petrol car makes much more sense than a diesel. Since you have already driven the Brezza and found it smooth and easy to drive, it would be my first choice. The new 1.0 litre Booster jet is refined, has good low speed tractability and is more than adequate for your occasional highway trips. We also found it impressively efficient, with the onboard computer showing 11 to 14kpl even during hard driving.One important point, though: the new Brezza 1.0 Turbo is manual only. If you are looking for an automatic, the 1.5 litre petrol is still the only Brezza powertrain with an automatic, and that pushes the price beyond your Rs. 10 lakh budget.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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