Autocar India
•20w

Should I buy the Innova Hycross non-hybrid or the Hycross hybrid? My usage is mainly on highways and less in the city. I am open to other options as well in 7/8-seater petrol vehicles. Good mileage, engine, and build quality are preferable, as I am planning to keep the car for more than 10 years.

Verified
•19w

The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid is a better pick over the non-hybrid version. The hybrid powertrain is more efficient and will be more suitable for your highway usage. The engine is smooth and refined, and the electric motor provides a good amount of additional torque (even at high speeds). It makes this car easy to drive in the city as well as on the highway. 

The Innova HyCross Hybrid is also very fuel-efficient, and you can expect a real-world mileage of around 20kpl+ on the highway. The build quality is also very good, and the cabin is spacious and comfortable. If you are open to other options, you can also consider the Kia Carens Clavis. It's a little smaller but still very spacious and comfortable, and is available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines. It also has excellent build quality and is loaded with features; plus, far more affordable than the Innova Hycross.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Innova HyCross

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Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹21.60 Lakh

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia

Carens Clavis

from ₹13.29 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

•2d

New Seltos or Carens Clavis? I'm pretty confused. The Seltos was always my first choice, but if the Carens has the same engine, why not go for a 6/7-seater with almost the same dimensions and for a little extra cost? I'm considering this because we're a family of 5, and occasionally our extended family joins us on drives.

Verified
•17h

If you need the added space and practicality, go for the Carens Clavis. With a family of 5 and extra folks joining at times, the third row and the longer wheelbase make everyday life easier. You get the same engines and gearboxes as the Seltos, so the driving experience and mileage will be similar, but the Carens gives you far more cabin flexibility - slide and recline second row, a usable third row for kids or shorter adults, and vents for everyone.Bear in mind that with all three rows up, boot space is limited, so on full-house trips you will have to pack light or fold a seat. It's also worth noting that the 2026 Seltos is now a generation ahead of the Clavis, which means a wider body, softer suspension and new-age electronics and features.However, for your use case and priorities, the Carens Clavis gets you some much-needed extra space and flexibility.

VehicleKia Carens Clavis
VehicleKia Seltos
•3d

I want to buy a petrol 7-seater, preferably an automatic vehicle, mostly for city commutes with one or two long trips per year. My running is very low, around 200-300km per month. What options do I have within a budget of Rs 25 lakh? Low maintenance and value for money are my priorities.

Verified
•17h

Consider the Kia Carens Clavis 1.5 turbo-petrol DCT. It is not so large as to become cumbersome in the city, yet it comfortably seats seven and has a genuinely usable third row. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine has enough power when fully loaded, and highway performance is strong too. Your budget will get you one of the mid or upper trims, which are very well equipped and offer good value for money. Kia’s after-sales service also has a good reputation in India.One catch is that the DCT can hesitate at times, but overall, it is quite smooth.If you want a more SUV-like presence, the Hyundai Alcazar is a solid choice too. It uses the same powertrain as the Clavis, so the driving experience is broadly similar. However, the Alcazar’s third row is not quite as comfortable for adults as the Clavis’s.Overall, the Kia Carens Clavis is a good fit for your needs.

VehicleKia Carens Clavis
•2d

Hi Autocar, my budget is Rs. 20 lakh or less, and I am looking for an automatic car. My usage is quite low, with only around 15-30 km of driving per week, along with occasional long-distance trips. I usually travel with a family of five, and at times, one or two additional members may join us. Based on my requirements, could you please help me choose the most suitable option and variant from Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Kia Seltos, Kia Carens Clavis and Honda Elevate. Which one would you recommend, and which variant should I consider?

Verified
•1d

Pick the Kia Carens Clavis petrol automatic for your use case. You sometimes need six or seven seats, and your running is low, so a petrol automatic with a roomy 3-row cabin makes far more sense than a 5-seat SUV.The Carens Clavis gives you proper family flexibility: five can ride in comfort, and when one or two more join, you have a usable third row for short trips. With the third row folded, the boot is big enough for plenty of luggage. The ride is comfy, it comes feature-loaded and getting in and out is easy for elders. Go for the 1.5 petrol with the automatic in a mid trim to stay near your Rs. 20 lakh cap.

VehicleKia Carens Clavis

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Expert reviews worth reading

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

I am confused between buying Skoda Kylaq and Kia Seltos. Please suggest.

Verified
•6d

Buy the Kia Seltos. It is simply easier to live with for most buyers, thanks to a much wider service network and many more variant and powertrain choices, including good automatics across a wider price range. For daily city runs with the odd highway trip, the Seltos will feel like the more complete package and it has a more spacious and premium cabin. The Skoda Kylaq will suit you only if you really enjoy driving. It feels tighter and more confidence inspiring on the move, and the steering has more feel. If you plan long, frequent road trips and care more about how it drives than gadgets, that’s where the Kylaq shines. The flip side is fewer dealers and fewer variant choices.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleSkoda Kylaq
•1d

I am planning to purchase a new automatic car for my daughter. She recently obtained her driving license and is currently driving an automatic Tata Nano. Now that she is comfortable and confident with it, I am considering upgrading her to a larger vehicle. I am evaluating options such as the Kylaq and the Kia Sonet. However, my wife is insisting on an electric car. I am a bit sceptical about EVs, as they are not yet fully proven to be trouble‑free, and her weekly commute is around 150 km. I am also waiting for the launch of the updated Brezza, and my preference is for a torque‑converter automatic rather than a DCT. I would appreciate your opinion on electric cars, the Kia Sonet diesel, the Brezza, and which one I should go for. This car will be mostly used for city drives since I have an Ertiga manual for long trips.

Verified
•1d

Of your shortlisted cars, go for the Skoda Kylaq automatic. For mostly city use and just 150km a week, its punchy turbo petrol engine with a smooth torque converter is a great mix of fun and ease of use. Its light yet sharp steering, upright seating and compact size feel like a natural step up from a Nano, and the interior feels fresh and upmarket too.The Kia Sonet diesel automatic is quick and efficient, but a diesel engine is overkill for your daughter's limited usage. Not only is it pound-for-pound more expensive than an equivalent petrol to buy, but it also requires extra care, such as regenerating the DPF (diesel particulate filter) every so often via a high-speed run, as well as top-ups of the ad-blue tank. The Brezza is a good option thanks to its simple, naturally aspirated engine, which should deliver better fuel economy than the Kylaq. But in its current form, it's just a bit uninteresting and unenthusiastic an offering, and it's best to wait for the facelift, which is right around the corner, before making that decision.For 150 km a week, an electric car is actually ideal if you have a private parking spot with a 15A socket or a home charger. The powertrains these days are much smoother, batteries carry long warranties, and city running is silent and cheap. Upfront cost, charging access and resale value are the only real hurdles, so if you are interested, a compact EV like the Tata Punch EV is a great option.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleTata Punch EV
•3d

I have a 5kW solar connection at my house. I would like to buy an EV with a range of 500km+ on a full charge, within a budget of Rs 25-28 lakh. Which is the best option?

Verified
•1d

The Mahindra XEV 9S and XEV 9e would both be excellent choices within your budget. The key difference comes down to your space requirements. The XEV 9S is the one to choose if you need the flexibility of a 7-seat layout, while the XEV 9e is a 5-seater with a sleeker design and more emphasis on style. Beyond that, both models share the same battery packs and electric motors, so there is little to separate them in terms of performance, charging capability or range.While both have claimed ranges comfortably above 500km, in the real world you should expect closer to 450-470km on a full charge, depending on your driving style, speed and usage conditions. Even so, that remains among the best figures available in this price range.Your 5kW solar setup is an added advantage and should help keep charging costs very low over the long term.

VehicleMahindra XEV 9S
VehicleMahindra XEV 9e

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Posted on: 30 Jan 2026