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•46w

I currently own a BMW X5 and love it, but I’m thinking of switching. I tested the Land Rover Defender a few years ago - it looked great, but felt too uncomfortable. Has its comfort improved? I’m not interested in the GLE because it lacks a sporty feel. Could you recommend some options that combine comfort, performance, and a sporty edge?

•45w

The Land Rover Defender hasn't undergone any mechanical changes since its launch, so it is unlikely its ride comfort will be any different from what you experienced. With large SUVs like these, as I'm sure you know from your X5, wheel size and suspension choice also have a huge bearing.

Air-suspended Defenders ride significantly better than steel-sprung ones in our experience, so make sure you have tried both before making your decision. This Land Rover car isn't particularly sporty, though, and if that is what you're after, you might want to consider moving a bit higher up and checking out the Audi Q8, Porsche Cayenne or Range Rover Sport.

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Land Rover

Defender

from ₹1.25 Crore

Audi

from ₹1.32 Crore

Porsche

Cayenne

from ₹1.76 Crore

Land Rover

Range Rover Sport

from ₹1.67 Crore

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•3d

I am planning to upgrade from my Hyundai i10. My daily commute involves around 40km of driving in Chennai city, and I cover approximately 600km on the highway once a month. My budget is around Rs 13 lakh, and I want a reliable diesel car with good mileage and low maintenance costs. I prefer something practical without too many unnecessary features. Which options would suit my usage?

•2d

Given your usage pattern of 40 km daily city driving and a 600 km highway run every month, a diesel car makes sense from a running cost perspective. If you're keen on getting a manual car, opt for the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel for its strong engine and excellent highway manners. If you'd like to remain within the Hyundai service network, the Venue diesel manual is also a sensible, user-friendly, modern option with a smooth, refined and efficient diesel engine and light controls.The Mahindra XUV 3XO is available in multiple variants, while the Venue price also falls below Rs 13 lakh. You can choose between them based on your budget and the features you need.If you want a smooth diesel-automatic option, the Kia Sonet HTE O and HTK O variants are available within Rs 13 lakh on-road. The Kia Sonet diesel-automatic is an excellent choice if you're looking for a polished compact SUV.

I own a 2018 Hyundai Creta 1.6 diesel manual and have been very happy with it. It suits my family of three for city use as well as long road trips, including journeys from Kashmir to Kerala and Jaisalmer. However, I now want to upgrade to something bigger. I don't like the looks of the Toyota Innova HyCross, Mahindra XUV 7XO or Tata Safari. I also have reservations about ladder-frame SUVs I test-drove the Mahindra Scorpio N briefly in traffic and found it moved around more over bad roads than my monocoque Creta. I want something imposing, like the Toyota Fortuner, but am unsure about moving to a ladder-frame SUV. Should I wait for the JSW Combat, which will have monocoque construction, or would that be a risk in terms of reliability? Please advise.

•2d

The Kia Sorento seems to be an ideal fit for you. It is a feature-loaded offering with hybrid and diesel engine options, and it comes with the flexibility of three rows of seats. Being a monocoque, ride quality is good, the engines are smooth and refined, and its cabin feels richly appointed.The JSW Combat is set to make its debut in India in December. It is a butch-looking plug-in hybrid, five-seater SUV, and is likely to be stuffed with features. You will have to wait to find out how it drives and performs, but on first impressions at least, it seems like a promising option.The Toyota Fortuner is the obvious choice if you want a butch, imposing SUV with proven reliability and a strong ownership track record. It is a proper ladder-frame SUV with excellent road presence, and Toyota's reliability is a major advantage for long-term ownership. The downside is that it is expensive for what it offers, and the ride is not as composed as a monocoque SUV.

Dear Autocar team, I am planning to buy a petrol automatic SUV priced under Rs 20 lakh. I have been considering the Tata Sierra petrol automatic but am concerned about Tata's after-sales service. My key requirements are comfortable seating for four to five adults, a spacious midsize SUV rather than a compact SUV, strong safety standards and build quality, and modern features such as a 360-degree camera. Which options should I consider?

•2d

Based on your requirements, the Tata Sierra turbo-petrol automatic is a good fit. It is a genuinely spacious midsize SUV with a wide cabin that comfortably accommodates five adults. Plus, it offers a premium interior with a good feature set, including a 360-degree camera. Safety and build quality are also among its key strengths.Your concern about Tata's after-sales service is understandable, and the experience continues to vary depending on the dealership.If you are looking for alternatives, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is an excellent option. The petrol engine isn't as powerful, but Kia's ownership experience is generally more consistent compared to Tata's. The Hyundai Creta is due for a full generation change in 2027, so it is not the best time to buy one.Overall, the Sierra turbo-petrol automatic remains the best fit for your requirements. If you are still concerned about after-sales, the Seltos is the safer ownership choice, but you will be compromising on cabin and boot space.

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Kia Seltos

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•1w

I want a foreign-made SUV. I currently own an Elevate and now, I want another one. Can you guide me whether I should go with Skoda Kushaq, Hyundai Creta or Volkswagen Taigun?

•1w

Since you already own a Honda Elevate and are looking for a foreign-made SUV, the decision really comes down to what you want from your second car. The Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are essentially the same car underneath, so the choice between them is more about brand preference and dealership experience. Both are excellent to drive, with strong turbo petrol engines and a more engaging driving experience than the Creta. The Kushaq tends to offer slightly better value for money, while the Taigun has a marginally more premium interior feel.The Hyundai Creta, on the other hand, is the safer, more rounded choice. It is more comfortable, has a wider service network and is generally easier to live with over the long term. It may not be as engaging to drive as the Skoda or Volkswagen, but it is the more sensible ownership proposition.If you are looking for a car that feels different from your Elevate and enjoy driving, go for the Skoda Kushaq. If you want a hassle-free ownership experience, the Hyundai Creta is the better choice.

Please advise which car would be the best choice for long-term ownership: the Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Volkswagen SUV, or any other suitable option. My priority is reliability, long-term durability, and hassle-free ownership over the next 10 years or more. I would appreciate suggestions based on real-world ownership experience, maintenance costs, spare parts availability, and after-sales support.

•3d

For long-term ownership, the Mahindra Scorpio N is the safest recommendation from your shortlist. It has a proven track record, robust mechanicals and a strong service network, making it a dependable choice for 5-10 years of ownership. The Tata Harrier and Tata Safari have improved significantly, but the Scorpio N still has the edge on long-term reliability and ownership confidence. The Jeep Compass is a good product, but it is now an ageing model and does not offer the same value proposition as the Scorpio N. If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It is a more modern product with a better balance of comfort, features and refinement, and it is a strong long-term ownership proposition as well. The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are excellent driver's cars, but they are smaller and do not offer the same level of space or road presence as the Scorpio N or XUV 7XO.

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a seven-seater car. I have test-driven the Renault Triber Turbo and Citroen Aircross X and was impressed by what both offer at their price points. However, the Aircross put a wide smile on my face. As a current Maruti Suzuki user, I did not consider the Ertiga because it feels similar to our Swift. I liked the Aircross X but am sceptical about Citroen's service network and spare parts availability. However, there are three Citroen showrooms within 45 km of my place. Please suggest which car I should choose. My budget: Rs. 15 lakh Current vehicle: Second-generation Maruti Suzuki Swift petrol (2017) Annual usage: Around 10,000 km, with a 50:30:20 split between town, highway and city driving Requirement: A seven-seater car

•6d

The Citroen's interiors feel more special, its engine is more powerful, and its ride-handling balance is outstanding; however, for seven adults, it won't be as comfortable as the Triber.In fact, the Triber's superb packaging makes it genuinely comfortable for passengers in all three rows, despite its compact sub-4-meter dimensions. The new turbo-petrol engine makes it an effortless performer, and its ride quality feels very mature too. Moreover, the Triber Turbo is also much more affordable in comparison, making it outstanding value for money. Yes, the Aircross X will appeal to your heart, but given Citroen's limited service network and cramped third row, the Triber Turbo is the more sensible choice.

Renault Triber

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