I currently drive a Kia Carens manual but want to switch to an automatic. My budget is around ₹30 lakh, and I’m looking for a premium 7-seater with strong safety features; a hybrid is also an option. I can increase the budget slightly for the right recommendation.

Asked by: Girishkumar Lad

The Toyota Innova HyCross in VX Hybrid guise will be the best choice considering your requirements. It is a touch above Rs 30 lakh on-road, and the only other strong-hybrid rival is the Maruti Suzuki Invicto, which is a rebadged Hycross.

The Invicto is slightly different in look, and for the same price, it misses out on some features that you get in the VX version of the Hycross.

The Innova Hycross is big on cabin space, reliability and comfort, and it is one of the few SUVs that has a full-size third row that is good enough for adults. The hybrid powertrain also helps in terms of efficiency, and the petrol engine offers a smooth and refined drive on comparison to clattery diesel engines.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Innova HyCross

Answered by

Autocar India Team

Nov 28, 2025

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Asked by: Rajkumar My budget is around 12-13 lakh, and my running is 20 km every day and once in three months, outstation. I am looking for a petrol car with good power, ample cabin space and low maintenance cost. Which will be good among these: Mahindra 3XO, Kia Sonet, Brezza, Nexon, and Venue? You should consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO as it meets all your requirements. It falls within your budget, and is equipped with a powerful 131hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that can be had with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearbox.This Mahindra car also has a spacious cabin which can accommodate three adults at the back, and it's relatively easy to maintain as well.

Autocar India Team

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Asked by: Uzair I have an offer for a 2024 Grand Vitara Sigma with 3,000 km for Rs 12 lakh. When compared to a new Baleno Delta or a new i20 base variant priced at around Rs 8.5 lakh, which should I buy? Finance is not an issue, and running and usage are also not a concern. Should I buy the used Grand Vitara or a new Baleno/i20? Kindly advise. The on-road price of a brand new Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5L petrol MT Sigma in many cities is Rs 12.50-13.00 lakh. Simply going by these numbers, Rs 12 lakh for a used 2024 car isn't a good value at all. Sure, the Grand Vitara is a superior car to a Maruti Baleno, but you will need to bargain a lot harder for a better deal.

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Asked by: Akit S 70-30% city-highway driving (learned driving recently), automatic, Rs 11-12 lakh ex-showroom budget, moderate road conditions, safety should be good, average monthly running of 800-1,000 km, mainly 4-seater (occasionally 5). I have shortlisted the XUV 3XO AX5 TC 1.2L (TCMPFi) and the Sonet HTX DCT 1.0L (GDi). I am also open to the Sonet iMT, but I have heard mixed reviews about its reliability. Hyundai is not offering it in the new Venue, which adds to the confusion. The Mahindra's Turbo-petrol and torque converter (automatic) combination is smoother than the Kia's turbo-petrol and dual-clutch automatic combination. Furthermore, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a well-built, solid car which feels confident at all speeds and even over the worst of road conditions.It'll also be more comfortable for the occasional fifth passenger. Yes, the touch and feel, as well as the Kia Sonet's interior quality, feels superior to the XUV3XO, but on the whole, it is the Mahindra car that we'd recommend.

Autocar India Team

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Asked by: Sidh Goyal I currently own a BMW X5 and love it, but I’m thinking of switching. I tested the Land Rover Defender a few years ago - it looked great, but felt too uncomfortable. Has its comfort improved? I’m not interested in the GLE because it lacks a sporty feel. Could you recommend some options that combine comfort, performance, and a sporty edge? The Land Rover Defender hasn't undergone any mechanical changes since its launch, so it is unlikely its ride comfort will be any different from what you experienced. With large SUVs like these, as I'm sure you know from your X5, wheel size and suspension choice also have a huge bearing. Air-suspended Defenders ride significantly better than steel-sprung ones in our experience, so make sure you have tried both before making your decision. It isn't particularly sporty, though, and if that is what you're after, you might want to consider moving a bit higher up and checking out the Audi Q8, Porsche Cayenne or Range Rover Sport.

Autocar India Team

Dec 04, 2025

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