I am looking to buy a new SUV with an automatic transmission and good fuel efficiency. Kindly recommend which car I should go for, with top-class after-sales service.

Autocar India

•4h

For your requirements, we would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid. With mostly driving in Tier-2 cities, rougher roads, and a clear focus on fuel efficiency, low maintenance and safety, it fits your brief extremely well. The strong hybrid system delivers excellent real-world fuel efficiency, especially in mixed city use, while Maruti’s service network remains one of the biggest advantages if you are driving beyond major metros. The 5-star safety rating also gives it an important edge if safety is a top priority.The hybrid powertrain also makes sense because you specifically want an automatic without compromising too much on running costs. Unlike turbo petrol automatics, which can get thirsty, the Victoris hybrid keeps fuel bills in check while still being smooth and effortless to drive. Ride quality is comfortable enough for poor roads, though it is tuned more for comfort than outright ruggedness.If you want something more premium, the Kia Seltos IVT is the alternative worth considering, but it will not come close on fuel efficiency or long-term running costs.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•3d

At your budget, there aren't many hybrid options. You could consider the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or its sister model the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. The top variants of all these cars would come at ₹20 lakh (on road) mark. There's really not much difference between the Grand Vitara and Hyryder, so pick the one that you prefer in terms of style or on which one you are getting a better deal. If you want a few more features, opt for the Victoris as you would get features like a larger touchscreen and instrument panel, a branded audio system and level-2 ADAS. However, do bear in mind that rear headroom is a bit tighter in the Victoris. Technically, it shares its platform and powertrain with the other two hybrids, so it is also powered by the 1.5 litre 3 cylinder petrol hybrid unit.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Autocar India

•2h

The Maruti Suzuki Celerio ZXi MT fits your brief the best. It costs under Rs 7 lakh on-road, it's easy to drive, fuel-efficient and stress-free to maintain.Since this is going to be your second car, you need something that's reliable and cheap to run, which the Celerio is. It's powered by a peppy and efficient 1.0-litre petrol engine, has light controls and compact dimensions, all of which make it ideal for city commutes. The hatchback also comes well-equipped, and being a Maruti car, you will enjoy stress-free ownership.Alternatively, you can consider the Tata Tiago XT MT. The Tata has a better ride quality and a nicer cabin, but it won't be as efficient as the Celerio.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Tata Tiago

Autocar India

•4d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•4d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•5d

You need a car for pure highway use and want the longest stretch between stops; in that case, we would lean towards the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh for its better real-world highway range. In our real-world testing, we managed 477 km on the highway, which suits your “pure highway” pattern. We have also tested the AWD Harrier EV, which managed 401 km (combined). While the RWD version should better that, it will likely still fall short of the XEV 9S’s range.One thing to note: the Mahindra’s ride can feel a bit floaty on undulating highway surfaces, so try it out before you commit. If that is an issue, the XEV 9e has a more settled ride.Overall, for highway-first use and maximum range, the XEV 9S 79kWh is the safer bet.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV