•6d

Hi, I have a budget of Rs. 40 lakh and am confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O), and the Toyota Fortuner Petrol. I am 28 years old and want a car that is fun to drive but also comfortable for my family. My driving will be split 80:20 between on-road and off-road use.

•5m

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.

If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.

The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

I own a 2017 Honda City Petrol VX CVT. Is it E20 compliant or compatible with higher ethanol blends? Also, what would be a good upgrade now, considering this is likely to be my last car purchase?

•10h

Your 2017 Honda City Petrol CVT is E20 compatible. In fact, as reported by Autocar India, Honda has stated that its petrol cars sold in India have been E20 compatible since 2009. So, from an ethanol compatibility perspective, there is no reason to replace your current City.We also wouldn't be overly concerned about future ethanol blends. Even if India gradually moves towards E25 or E30, there is currently no official roadmap confirming such a transition. Modern E20-compatible cars have been engineered with a degree of tolerance beyond the mandated fuel standard, and the most likely impact of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, rather than any major reliability concerns.If this is likely to be your last new car purchase, we'd recommend choosing something comfortable, reliable and easy to own over the long term. If your budget allows, the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid would be our top recommendation. It offers outstanding comfort, excellent fuel efficiency, Toyota's proven reliability and should remain a dependable family car for well over a decade.If you're looking for something smaller, the Kia Seltos Petrol IVT is another excellent option. It combines a refined petrol engine, smooth automatic gearbox, a premium cabin and a strong ownership experience, making it one of the best all-round SUVs in its class.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Seltos

•4d

I presently own an XL6 and have been using it for the last 6 years. As a 6-seater, it offers excellent comfort for all passengers, including those in the third row. Now I wish to upgrade to a slightly more premium car, with an expected ownership period of around 8 years. My priorities are excellent comfort in all rows, great mileage, safety, low maintenance costs, and good resale value. My usage is relatively low, at around 7,000km per year.

•1d

Get the Toyota Innova HyCross strong-hybrid. It is the best upgrade from your XL6 if you want proper 3-row comfort, far better mileage, top-tier safety tech, and rock-solid resale over an 8-year ownership. The hybrid is quiet and smooth in the city, and you will still see close to 18-20kpl in everyday use, so even with just 7,000km a year, your fuel bills stay low without having to get a diesel. Middle-row comfort is excellent, the third row is adult-friendly for most trips, and Toyota’s reliability and wide service network make ownership easy.If you like the same strengths within the Maruti service network and at a slightly lower price, the Maruti Invicto hybrid is the HyCross under a Nexa badge. Do note, the HyCross is expensive, and the hybrid version will likely cross well past the Rs 30 lakh mark, so consider stretching your budget slightly, as it is well worth it.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Maruti Suzuki Invicto

•4d

My annual running is approx 30,000 km, mostly on highways. I am looking for a reliable 7-8 seater car which can give me good fuel efficiency and must be safe- preference would be a 5-star safety rating. Because I am stationed in Delhi, diesel cars have a 10-year life while petrol cars can be used for 15 years. Please suggest some options.

•1d

Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross hybrid. Since your running of 30,000 km a year on highways is quite high and you need a car for 15 years in Delhi, the HyCross’ petrol-hybrid fits both - expect real 16-18 kpl on steady highway cruises. It is a true 7-8 seater with a comfortable second row, a usable third row, and the sort of reliability that lets you rack up big miles without drama. It is also easy and calm to drive long distances, and higher trims add helpful highway aids like adaptive cruise.The Hycross also get multiple airbags, active safety tech and has received a full 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP. If you want the same powertrain and prefer Maruti's service, look at the Maruti Suzuki Invicto, which is essentially the same.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Maruti Suzuki Invicto

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

My annual running is below 7,000 km, and I plan to keep my next car for 12-15 years. I am confused between Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Elevate, Creta, Seltos and Victoris. My priorities are reliability, a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, family comfort, low maintenance and long-term ownership. I am also concerned about India's future ethanol-blending policy (E20 and higher blends). Which of these would be the best long-term choice and why?

•5d

With an annual running of less than 7,000km, fuel efficiency should not be the deciding factor. Instead, you should focus on comfort, reliability, ownership experience and how well the car will age over the next 12-15 years. That's why we wouldn't prioritise the Grand Vitara, Hyryder or Victoris Hybrid. Their hybrid systems command a price premium that you'll struggle to recover with such low annual usage.Between the remaining options, the Kia Seltos strikes the best balance. It offers a refined and proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a spacious and premium cabin, excellent comfort and a strong ownership experience. It also feels newer and more upmarket than the Elevate, while the Creta is due for a generational update sooner.The Honda Elevate deserves a mention for its simplicity and reliability. If absolute mechanical simplicity is your priority, it is arguably the safest long-term bet. However, it doesn't feel as premium as the Seltos. The engine and CVT combination isn't quite as refined, and Honda's dealer network is smaller.As for ethanol blending, we wouldn't let it influence your purchase decision. While there is plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and E30 fuels, there is currently no confirmed roadmap for such a transition. More importantly, all of these cars are E20-compliant, and manufacturers have engineered a degree of tolerance beyond that. The most likely effect of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.

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•1w

I was planning to buy a Maruti Ignis, but it’s been discontinued. I prefer small cars for city driving and office commutes, but I also need something highway-capable for an occasional 900 km trip to my hometown. It will mostly carry three of us (my spouse, child, and me), but needs to fit five people when my parents join. With a 12-lakh budget, what are the best compact cars that balance city manoeuvrability, highway stability, and occasional 5-seater comfort?

•3d

Pick the Maruti Fronx turbo within your Rs. 12 lakh budget, because it stays easy to park in the city yet feels secure on a 900 km run with enough room for five. The 1.0 turbo has decent mid-range for quick overtakes, and the suspension is absorbent and yet keeps the car steady at highway speeds. If you are opting for the automatic, then the Fronx torque converter auto is a very smooth unit and will make life much easier in the city.If you want an even smaller, lighter car with lower running costs, go for the Maruti Swift. It is smooth in the city, easy on fuel, has a usable boot for three, and will cruise comfortably at 100. It can take five in a pinch, but it will feel tight on shoulder room and lack the highway punch of the turbo Fronx.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

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•6d

Dear Autocar experts, I have tentatively decided to buy the Mahindra XUV 7X0 petrol AX7L AT as my next ride. To be frank, it is out of a lack of choice and options that I have made this decision in my head. In terms of capability, it is a downgrade, as I'm moving on from my beautiful Ford Endeavour 3.2 Titanium AT. Of course, it has a long list of bells and whistles that will be all new (and strange) to me. Being based in Delhi NCR, I am reluctant to go for a diesel again at this time. My driving in the city is quite minimal, say about 15kms max per day on average, but always in the clutches of peak Delhi traffic. I am terrified of BSVI diesel DPF horror stories. I am hoping that the 7X0 will be able to negotiate hills, mountain terrains and roads satisfactorily, as I make these trips quite frequently. I plan to keep this car for the next 4-5 years till India sorts out its fuel preferences and diktats, and fresh options are introduced that combine clean energy and performance along with the infrastructure to support them. Is my thought process sound? If not, please poke as many holes in it as you can.

•4d

Your plan seems sound for Delhi-NCR, because petrol dodges the 10-year diesel cap and DPF hassles, and your 15 km daily crawl will not punish petrol the way it would a BS6 diesel. The XUV 7XO petrol AT has strong performance and will certainly keep you satisfied while negotiating hill climbs. Sure, coming from an Endeavour 3.2, this will feel like a step down in terms of road presence and off-road ability. However, despite being a front-wheel drive monocoque, it still exudes an underlying toughness, which gives you ample confidence while dealing with rough terrain. Additionally, the tech and safety are up-to-date, and the three-row flexibility will come in handy, too, although boot space with all three rows in place is low. On the flipside, this petrol-AT is thirsty, so expect single-digit city fuel economy figures.If you aren't in a hurry, consider waiting for the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV that JSW is expected to launch in the latter half of this year. Sure, it'll be more expensive than the Mahindra, and it might not have the off-road capability of your outgoing Endeavour, but since you aren't fully convinced of the Mahindra, this could be worthy of your consideration.

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