Fatehgarh Sahib

•9h

Should I choose a petrol or hybrid SUV car in Rs. 25-45 lakh range?

•3m

At this price range, a hybrid is a good option, and there are two new options in that you should check out. On one hand is the just-launched new Kia Sorento, which is attractively priced between Rs 29.49 lakh to Rs 40.39 (ex-showroom) for the strong hybrid variant. It's a 3-row SUV with a generous features list and even the option of AWD in upper variants. While we are yet to review it, what you can expect is Kia quality, reliability and hassle-free ownership, as well as a smooth and efficient powertrain.

The second option is the MG Hector Tomahawk, which is a bit smaller and positioned slightly lower, at Rs 25.7 lakh to Rs 27.8 lakh (ex-showroom), although deliveries are expected a little later than the Kia. If you don't need the added space, this could be a better option for you. The difference is, where the Kia is a self-charging strong hybrid, the MG is a plug-in hybrid or PHEV. This means it has a larger 20.5kWh battery that you can charge from a plug, and a much longer electric only range, leading to greater efficiency overall and the potential to run it as an EV only for city use. The disadvantage, of course, is having to charge it like an EV to get its full potential.

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Kia

Sorento

from ₹33.45 Lakh

Hector Tomahawk PHEV

from ₹30.72 Lakh

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•2d

I am currently driving a 2022 Jeep Compass manual petrol and have been using it for four years. I am experiencing side hip and lower-back pain due to the manual clutch, especially with city and highway driving. In the future, I will be driving around 120km per day for work. Please suggest a premium SUV with good back support and high fuel efficiency.

•1d

Since your budget is over Rs 30 lakhs, we'd suggest waiting for the Kia Sorento. It is a three-row SUV that's likely to be launched with hybrid and diesel-automatic powertrain options. As expected from a Kia, the Sorento is likely to be feature-rich too, with a high-quality interior and comfy seats. This one could be a good upgrade from your petrol manual Jeep Compass.Alternatively, you could consider the top-spec Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel-automatic. It has comfy seats, an excellent suspension tune, and a spacious cabin. Also, the diesel-auto will be quite efficient.

Which is the best SUV under 40 lakhs for city driving, with occasional weekend drives on highways?

•2d

Unfortunately, there aren't too many options in the sub-40 lakh space as of now. However, Kia will soon launch the Sorento, which is a three-row SUV, expected to come with a hybrid and a diesel powertrain. It's expected to be easy to drive, feature-packed, and have a sophisticated interior. Alternatively, if you can up your budget by a few lakhs, you could get the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge variant. Besides having excellent driving dynamics and a solid build, it also gets a powerful 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which you are likely to enjoy particularly on your weekend highway drives.

Kia Sorento

Skoda Kodiaq

•3h

Ciaz never really got the aggressive updates its rivals did and quietly exited relevance in its segment. Was this Maruti giving up on sedans in this price range, or did buyers just move on regardless of what Maruti did?

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Popular discussions right now

•1d

I currently drive a Grand i10 Manual petrol and am now planning to buy a new compact SUV that is comfortable, fuel efficient and has low maintenance. My usage is 35km of daily office commute in Delhi-NCR traffic. Please advice which option is best fit amongst Hyundai Venue HX 6T, SONET HTK+O and XUV 3XO.

•1d

Go for the Hyundai Venue. With your daily 35km commute in Delhi NCR traffic, comfort and low maintenance are key, and the Venue delivers on both. The 1.2 NA petrol is smooth, refined and easy to drive in stop-start conditions, while Hyundai’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. The HX6T variant also gives you a good balance of features without pushing the budget too far.The Sonet HTK+O is mechanically very similar, but the Venue is a newer model and offers a more spacious cabin. The XUV 3XO is also a good option, but its turbo petrol engine won't be as efficient as the Hyundai’s.Overall, the Venue is the most sensible upgrade from your Grand i10 for daily city use.

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

•4d

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

•5d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

•4d

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

Renault Duster

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