Mumbai

•12w

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a 7-seater car for my family, with regular travel between Kolhapur–Mumbai and Kolhapur–Belgaum. I have shortlisted the Skoda Kodiaq Sportline, Toyota Innova Hycross, and Toyota Innova Crysta. Could you please help me decide which would be the best option for my usage and requirements?

•12w

Go for the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid ZX(O) 7-seater, as it best fits your requirements.

It is very smooth and refined to drive for long hours, the hybrid automatic powertrain is efficient, and it stays steady and planted at highway speeds. Space is generous across all rows; the middle-row captain seats feature ottomans (leg rests), and Toyota’s wide service network gives peace of mind. On the highway, the hybrid still uses less fuel than a turbo petrol like in the Skoda Kodiaq, so you will stop less often for fuel, and the top trim comes loaded with all the convenience, comfort and safety features you'd want.

One thing to be aware of: with all three rows up, the boot is small, so carrying seven people plus bags will require some planning. Also, the cabin feels solid but not as rich as the Skoda. Pick the Skoda Kodiaq only if you want a more premium feel and stronger performance, and you are okay with higher fuel use and a smaller service network.

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More questions on similar cars

•1w

I want to buy a 7- or 8-seater car. I currently own an XUV500 and am considering the Toyota Hycross, Kia Carnival, MG Majestor, and Toyota Fortuner. I am a bit confused. The Hycross lacks some premium features, the Carnival feels too long for city driving, the MG Majestor seems like the perfect choice, but I am unsure about MG's reliability and after-sales service, and the Fortuner is not very comfortable, especially in the middle and last rows. Which one would you recommend based on these requirements?

•5h

Pick the Toyota Innova HyCross. It is the only one here that is easy to drive and park in the city, yet still seats 7 or 8 in real comfort on trips. The hybrid shines in slow traffic, so your running costs drop, and it feels lighter and simpler to handle than the very long Carnival. Your comfort worry is also solved. The HyCross has a roomy middle row and a genuinely usable last row, with a comfier ride than the Fortuner’s ladder-frame setup. Your family will be happier day to day, not just on highways.You also get Toyota’s service reach and resale, which answers the trust question you have with MG. That peace of mind matters over the entire ownership period. It will not feel as plush as a Carnival or Majestor inside, and yes, you will miss out on some features, but the basics are spot on. If you still want that “limo” feel and are mostly chauffeur-driven with easy parking, the Carnival can work. For mixed city use with family comfort and low hassle, go for the HyCross.

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•6d

Is the Toyota Innova HyCross compatible with E20 fuel?

•11h

Yes, the Toyota Innova HyCross is E20 compatible. Toyota has engineered the 2.0-litre petrol engine used in both the petrol and strong hybrid versions of the HyCross to run on E20 petrol (20% ethanol blend), in line with the latest government norms. There are no special maintenance requirements or fuel additives needed when using E20.There is also no reason to worry about resale value or long-term reliability purely because of E20. Modern E20-compatible engines are designed with appropriate materials and calibrations to handle this fuel. The main real-world effect is a marginal reduction in fuel efficiency compared to lower ethanol blends.

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•1d

I own a 2017 Datsun Redi-GO, which has been driven only 12,000 km so far. Since Datsun has exited the Indian market, would it be better to sell it and buy a new car? I am considering the Baleno and the Grand i10 Nios. Which one would you recommend?

•9h

With just 12,000 km on your 2017 Datsun Redigo, the car is still relatively fresh mechanically, but the bigger issue is Datsun’s exit from India. While basic servicing and spares are still available through Nissan, long-term parts availability and resale value will only get tougher with time. If you plan to keep the car for another 5-7 years, it is still usable, but if you are already considering an upgrade, now is a sensible time to move on before resale value drops further.Between the Maruti Baleno and the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, the Baleno is the better upgrade. It offers a more spacious cabin, a larger boot, a more comfortable ride and a stronger resale value. The Grand i10 Nios is a good city car, but the Baleno feels like a more substantial step up from the Redigo. Go for the Baleno petrol manual or AMT, depending on your budget and driving preference.

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•3d

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•3d

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•5d

I am planning to purchase a new SUV. I have shortlisted two vehicles. Toyota Hyryder non-hybrid top model (manual) and Kia Seltos manual top model. Which one should I prefer? My daily running is very less around 10-15 kms.

•4d

With a daily running of just 10-15km, there's little benefit in stretching to a strong hybrid, and since you've shortlisted the non-hybrid Hyryder, the Seltos is the more complete package. It offers a more premium cabin, better performance from its naturally aspirated petrol engine, a stronger feature list and an overall more polished driving experience.The Toyota Hyryder still has its strengths. Toyota's reputation for reliability and aftersales support is second to none, and if long-term peace of mind is your top priority, it remains a very sensible choice. However, the non-hybrid petrol doesn't offer a significant efficiency advantage over the Seltos, so you miss out on the biggest reason to buy a Hyryder in the first place.Given your low running, we'd simply choose the SUV that you enjoy driving and living with every day. The Seltos also feels a little more modern inside and delivers a better overall ownership experience without asking you to compromise on reliability.

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•3d

Please suggest a car between the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in a budget of 16-18 L?

•3d

Go for the Kia Seltos. While they are both similar SUVs that use the same engines, the Seltos is a larger vehicle built on a newer platform. It thus offers better space and comfort, as well as new-generation tech, which the Creta will only get when its next-gen model is launched in 2027. It also has a higher-quality interior with better fit and finish. Depending on the engine, gearbox and variant you choose, you may find a few more features in the equivalent Creta compared to the Seltos, but overall value for money, the Seltos should still come out on top, considering its inherent benefits. That said, some reasons you might want to opt for the Creta is because you already own a Hyundai and are already in their system, and have an established relationship with the service centre. Also, if you are planning to exchange your i20, ask the dealer for a loyalty bonus or any other deal they might have; this could swing the purchase in favour of the Creta.

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Posted on: 15 Apr 2026