Hi Autocar, I have a budget of ₹15 lakh and am confused between the Victoris (vxi), Hyryder (base model) and Grand Vitara (base model), all in petrol + CNG form. I do like the Victoris, but, I am not sure whether it has been able to capture the market well enough, which makes me concerned about its resale value and spare parts availability in the future. Please assist. Kindly note that I am looking for a car that will be used mostly for long-distance travel, with limited city usage.

autocar.india

•5h

Based on your requirements, the Kia Carens Clavis petrol DCT is the most sensible recommendation. Your running of 700-1,000 km a month does not justify a diesel, and the Carens is a comfortable 7-seater that will serve you well over an 8-9 year ownership period. The one downside with this powertrain is that the DCT can feel a bit hesitant, which you will notice on your commute.If you can install a charger at home, the Clavis EV is a superb fit for your needs. It has the same practical cabin as the ICE car, but the electric car will feel a lot better to drive in stop and go traffic. Your budget will only get you the 42kWh battery which should give you a real world range of around 300-320km.If you aren't going to use the third row that often then the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Strong Hybrid is a great choice for your needs. In heavy traffic it will run on EV mode cutting down fuel cost significantly. It is also very easy and smooth to drive in bumper to bumper traffic.On the E20 fuel concern, modern petrol engines are engineered to handle E20 blends, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20 at this stage. The main impact is a slight reduction in fuel economy.

Kia Carens Clavis

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Carens Clavis EV

autocar.india

•6h

Being a Fiat Punto owner, a Jeep Compass diesel-automatic would have been an ideal upgrade for you, however there are far better, more affordable options available in the market. You could consider a Mahindra XUV 7XO or even a Tata Harrier, for their solid build, and confidence-inspiring driving experience. The diesel-automatic versions of both these should return respectable fuel efficiency too.However, if you want something a bit more compact and more manageable in the city, consider the strong hybrid versions of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or Maruti Suzuki Victoris. All three are essentially the same car underneath; their hybrid powertrain is very efficient; and dynamically they are very capable too. Between these three, choose the one you think looks better, and the brand you're comfortable with.

Jeep Compass

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Harrier

autocar.india

•1d

With a daily running of around 100 km, fuel efficiency becomes a major factor in ownership costs. The Skoda Kushaq petrol automatic is a good car, but the 10-13kpl you are seeing is typical for a turbo petrol automatic, especially with E20 petrol. At this usage, a diesel or a strong hybrid makes far more sense.If you do regular highway runs, a diesel is still the most practical and cost-effective solution. The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic would be the recommendation here. It is a strong highway car, comfortable, spacious and the diesel engine will deliver significantly better fuel efficiency than your Kushaq. Diesel running costs will be far lower over your kind of mileage. If that is out of your budget, something smaller like a Kia Seltos diesel, while not as powerful, is even more efficient.If your usage is mostly city a strong hybrid could be a better solution. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is the most practical and cost-effective option. It is well priced, has a proven track record and will dramatically reduce your running costs. The strong hybrid is better suited to the city, where it is more likely to run on its electric motor than use the engine and deliver the better mileage.

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Maruti Suzuki Victoris