Mumbai

•9h

Hi, I’m planning to upgrade my car. I currently drive an EcoSport diesel and am planning to buy a 7-seater. I’m confused between the XUV 7XO Diesel Automatic AX5 and the Toyota Hycross GX, as both fit into my budget at the moment. I usually drive around 200-300 km a month in city traffic for my office commute, and I also go on long trips of around 500-600 km one way once every three months. I want a car that is good on the highway, allows for good overtaking, and offers decent mileage. It should also be easy to maintain, as I don’t want to deal with frequent issues or headaches. Reliability is also important to me.

•3m

Based on your usage and priorities, the Toyota Innova Hycross GX is the better fit. Your monthly running is relatively low, but you do regular long highway trips with family, and you want a car that is reliable, easy to maintain and hassle-free over the long term. The Hycross is a proven Toyota product with a strong reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs, and the naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the e-CVT is smooth, refined and well-suited to both city traffic and highway cruising. It may not have the outright punch of a diesel for quick overtakes, but it is still a capable highway car, and the hybrid system helps with efficiency. The XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the better choice if you specifically want strong mid-range performance for overtakes, but if your daily running is very short trips, you could face DPF clogging issues. Given your priorities, the Hycross GX is the safer and more sensible long-term choice.

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•10h

Let me start by saying I love Autocar and its team. Keep up the good work. I currently own a Ertiga (petrol). I am looking for a 7-seater vehicle (preferably petrol) mainly to be used within city and occasional (once in a quarter) outstation trips. My daily driving is around 80-90 km. I have not thought about the budget at this stage. Kindly advise.

•8h

Thank you for the kind words! For your usage, the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid is the best fit. Your daily almost 100 km city driving makes fuel efficiency and ease of driving very important, and the HyCross Hybrid excels here with its strong hybrid system that delivers excellent fuel economy in city conditions. It is also a genuinely comfortable and spacious 7-seater, making it ideal for family use, and Toyota’s reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs makes it a sensible long-term ownership choice. For your occasional outstation trips, including hills, the HyCross Hybrid has enough power and refinement to handle highways and inclines comfortably. The only drawback is the higher upfront cost, but given your high daily running, the fuel savings and ownership experience justify the investment.

Toyota Innova HyCross

•10h

Recommend a 7-seater vehicle primarily for city driving and occasional (once in a quarter) outstation (hills and plains) drive. My daily driving is about 100 km.

•9h

For your usage, the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid is the best fit. Your daily 100 km city driving makes fuel efficiency and ease of driving very important, and the HyCross Hybrid excels here with its strong hybrid system that delivers excellent fuel economy in city conditions. It is also a genuinely comfortable and spacious 7-seater, making it ideal for family use, and Toyota’s reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs makes it a sensible long-term ownership choice. For your occasional outstation trips, including hills, the HyCross Hybrid has enough power and refinement to handle highways and inclines comfortably. The only drawback is the higher upfront cost, but given your high daily running, the fuel savings and ownership experience justify the investment. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga CNG is worth considering, but it is not as refined or as comfortable as the HyCross. Overall, the HyCross Hybrid is the most balanced and sensible choice for your usage pattern.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

•1w

I’m looking to buy a 7-seater SUV and currently have two options shortlisted: the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX Petrol and the Tata Safari Pure Plus Petrol. I’m not very concerned about features, bells and whistles, or premium interiors. My main priorities are engine performance, long-term engine reliability, reliability with low usage, mechanical durability, ownership experience, highway stability, and comfort. My running is extremely low, but I occasionally do a ~1,500 km continuous highway trip. Between the XUV 7XO 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the Safari 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, which one would you choose specifically for performance and long-term reliability? Also, are there any other SUVs I should consider in a similar price range?

•1d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX petrol. It is the better fit for your priorities. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol is a proven engine with a strong ownership track record, and delivers significantly better performance than the Safari’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol. The Mahindra XUV 7XO feels more effortless on the highway, especially with a full load, and overtaking is easier thanks to its stronger mid-range.It is also the more mechanically sorted package overall, with a better-calibrated gearbox and a more mature ownership experience.The Tata Safari’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol is adequate for city driving, but it can feel strained on the highway with a full load and does not offer the same level of performance, refinement, or long-distance ease as the engine in the Mahindra car.For your usage pattern, low running with occasional long highway trips, petrol is the right choice, and the XUV 7XO’s engine is better suited to this kind of usage. It is a robust, reliable powertrain that can handle high mileage over the long term, and it does not suffer from the same concerns around DPF or diesel-related issues that can arise with low usage.If you are open to alternatives, the Toyota Innova HyCross is worth considering. It is not an SUV, but it is the benchmark for long-term reliability and ownership experience. The hybrid powertrain is extremely well suited to your usage pattern. It is also a genuinely comfortable long-distance car with a proven track record.

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•1w

I want to buy a new car for a family of five, and I am confused between the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Signature and the Kia New Seltos HTK naturally aspirated petrol.

•6d

Go for the Seltos HTK NA petrol. With a family of five, the Kia Seltos is the more sensible choice because it is simply the bigger and more comfortable car. The rear seat is wider, the cabin feels more spacious, and the boot is larger, which makes a difference on family trips. The naturally aspirated petrol engine of this Kia car is smooth and reliable, and the overall ownership experience is easy and stress-free.The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Signature is the better driver's car with a more engaging turbocharged engine, but it is a smaller SUV, and the rear seat is not as accommodating for three adults. For a family of five, comfort and space matter more than driving dynamics, and that is where the Seltos has a clear advantage.

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•6d

Hi, I have been using Honda City CVT for the past 10 years and now, I am looking for an SUV with similar comfort but with the latest technology. My monthly running is approximately between 700-800 km mostly within Delhi.

•6d

Given your usage of 700-800 km a month in Delhi and a 10-year ownership of a Honda City CVT, the Honda Elevate CVT is the most natural upgrade. It retains the same Honda ownership experience, offers a comfortable ride and the CVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving. The Elevate also sits at a sensible price point and is backed by Honda’s strong reliability record, making it a stress-free long-term ownership proposition.If you want a more premium experience with a richer feature set, the Kia Seltos IVT is a good option. The IVT gearbox is smoother in traffic, the cabin feels more upmarket and the Seltos offers a wider range of modern features. However, it does come at a higher price point. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is worth considering if you enjoy driving, as it offers a more engaging experience and the torque convertor gearbox is also the smoothest around. The ride is a bit firmer and the ownership experience is not as straightforward as Honda or Kia, so make sure the dealer in your area is well reputed.

I want to buy a car for 40% city use and 60% long trips. I own a 2015 model of Celerio AGS. Should I buy Baleno AGS considering E20 fuel in the future.

•6d

Given your usage pattern of 40% city and 60% long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS is actually a sensible upgrade from your 2015 Celerio AGS. The Baleno offers a more comfortable cabin, better highway stability and a more refined driving experience, which will make those long trips far more enjoyable. The AGS gearbox is also well suited to your occasional city use, keeping things simple and efficient.On the E20 front, there is no reason to worry. The Baleno is E20 compliant, and modern engines are engineered to handle this blend without any long-term reliability concerns. Maruti has also stated that their E20 engines are built for a material tolerance of slightly more than E20, so on the material front the car should be good for something like E22 for example. The main impact of a higher blend would be a reduction in fuel efficiency.The only thing to consider is whether you want to stick with AGS or move to a more conventional automatic. If you are happy with how AGS behaves, the Baleno is a solid choice. If you want a smoother and more premium automatic experience, you could look at something like the Hyundai i20 IVT or the Honda Amaze CVT instead. Both offer a more refined automatic gearbox, which can make a difference on long highway drives.Overall, the Baleno AGS is a good fit for your usage and there is no E20-related reason to avoid it. The decision really comes down to whether you are happy with AGS or want to move to a more conventional automatic.

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