I want to buy a five-seater automatic SUV equipped with the latest safety gadgets, features, the works. Should I go for a petrol or diesel one for good fuel economy? My budget for a low-end SUV is Rs 15-23 lakh, and Rs 24-32 lakh (on-road, Vapi, Gujarat) for a higher-end one. The car will run about 7,000km a year. Is there a saloon alternative I can go for with these requirements?  

 

Ramesh Prajapati, Vapi 

 

AAA Looking at the five-seater options available today, we can narrow your choice down to two options. Renault has launched a face-lifted version of the new Koleos which we are extremely impressed with. It has an outstanding ride and is incredibly comfortable, especially over long distances. It comes with a more powerful 170bhp diesel engine and has more features than before. The other choice is the trusted Honda CR-V. It ticks all the boxes for you but isn’t as comfortable as the Koleos, and the running costs are much higher as you only get a petrol option. However, since your running is only 7,000km a year, your petrol bills shouldn’t be too hard on your pocket. We would eventually lean towards the CR-V, simply because of Honda’s reputation for reliability and good aftersales. The Koleos’ ownership experience is not likely to be as hassle-free as Honda’s.