Autocar India
•15w

I have a VW Taigun 1.5 GT Plus (automatic) and a Skoda Rapid. I'm planning to go for a new, bigger car in 6-9 months. My budget is 26-28 lakhs. It has to be automatic (petrol or EV), have 3 rows, and have excellent after-sales. The primary use would be as a family car that can seat 5 comfortably. I like the 7XO, but somehow the fit and finish felt worse than my Taigun. Great after sales is a key consideration. For this, I can stretch my budget by 10-15% if no good options exist.

Verified
•15w

Buy the Toyota Innova HyCross hybrid automatic. It is the only other bigger 3-row with space that will feel like a real step up from your Taigun. For a family of five, it is superb - wide, airy, comfy second row, and the hybrid makes city driving smooth and quiet while keeping running costs low. Toyota service, parts availability, and resale are about the best you can get at this price, and the cabin fit and panel consistency are better than those of the 7XO you sampled.

The catch is the price and waiting period. The sweet-spot VX (O) and ZX trims push beyond Rs 30 lakh on road, and waiting periods can be long, so keep that in mind. Also, it will not feel as sharp to drive as your Taigun 1.5 TSI.

If that's too far out of budget, two other options you can consider are the Hyundai Alcazar petrol or the Kia Carens Clavis EV. The Hyundai gets you the SUV body style, a punchy petrol-DCT combo, and comfy seating for 5 with the option of two smaller seats in the third row. The Clavis EV, meanwhile, may have a less desirable MPV shape, but it actually has more interior space and an equally well put-together cabin. Both Hyundai and Kia offer an excellent after-sales experience.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Innova HyCross

More posts on similar cars

•2d

Hi guys, I’m looking for a four-car garage that can fulfil some specific roles. I need an EV for city use in Bangalore, and I’m considering either the Tata Tiago EV or Punch EV. I also need a high-mileage family hauler, for which I’m thinking of the Toyota Innova Hycross VX(O). For a fun car for myself, I’m considering the Volkswagen Virtus GT. Finally, I want another SUV that doesn’t need to be as large as the Hycross, so I’m considering the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Kia Seltos or Mahindra BE 6. I’ll be travelling frequently between Bangalore, Hyderabad and Coimbatore, and I’m also planning a road trip across India. My overall budget for the four cars is around Rs 1-1.5 crore. I’m open to suggestions, so I’d really appreciate any recommendations. Thanks in advance!

Verified
•1d

Purely as a city runabout, get the smaller battery version of the Tata Tiago EV. It is compact, easy to drive, and is very capable commuter. Sure, the Punch EV, with its larger battery is would be our recommendation had it been your only car, but since your usage is specific, the Tiago EV makes more sense.As a high-mileage family hauler, the Toyota Innova Hycross VX (O) is a sensible choice. It is spacious, comfortable and reliable, and the hybrid powertrain will help keep running costs in check on your frequent long-distance trips between Bangalore, Hyderabad and Coimbatore. That said, if you don't plan to use the third row for adults as much, you could also consider the new Kia Sorento - diesel or hybrid, take your pick. It is a far more sophisticated, value-for-money option.The Volkswagen Virtus GT is a solid choice. It offers strong performance, a well-balanced chassis and a genuinely enjoyable driving experience. But we'd suggest you either wait till the end of the year for the facelift, or pick the updated Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI instead, both of which will have minor cosmetic tweaks along with an upgraded air-con for better cabin cooling.The Mahindra XUV 7XO is quite a large car, which defeats its purpose since you'll already have the Hycross or Sorento. Instead opt for the Kia Seltos which is a relatively more compact alternative, with a premium interior, lengthy features list, and a refined character. Alternatively, you could consider a Toyota Hyryder hybrid too, which is even more compact, drives well, and is extremely fuel efficient.

VehicleTata Tiago EV
VehicleTata Punch EV
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
VehicleToyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
VehicleVolkswagen Virtus
VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleKia Sorento
VehicleSkoda Slavia

Popular discussions right now

•6d

Help me choose the right car for my usage. Please be practical and challenge my assumptions. My situation: I am 31 and work as a software developer. I currently work from home in Balsane, Dhule, but I am moving to Mumbai around March. My wife and I are expecting a baby in February. My parents live in a village where local transport is poor. My Mumbai office is near Powai, but parking is difficult. I prefer a manual car. Usage: My current running is around 10,000 km per year, but it may increase. I travel between Mumbai and Balsane, which is around 400 km one way, around 5-7 times a year, along with Dhule/Sakri and local trips. I also drive around Mumbai on weekends. The AC is usually on, and on long trips, the car will have my wife, baby, and luggage. Budget: Rs. 6-9 lakh on-road. I am willing to spend more only if it is genuinely worth it. Shortlist: - Tiago XE Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart CNG - Brezza LXi turbo-petrol Please tell me: 1. Which one should I buy and why? 2. Petrol vs CNG for my usage? The CNG premium is around Rs. 1 lakh, and the nearby village pump may open around Diwali, but this is not guaranteed. 3. What real-world mileage can I expect with the AC on? 4. Please consider loan interest, fuel costs, maintenance, depreciation, and resale value. 5. Is the Brezza worth the extra money? 6. Give me one final choice and tell me what I should avoid.

Verified
•6d

The Brezza LXI Turbo is far superior to the Punch and Tiago as far as smoothness, performance, and cabin space are concerned. It is also backed by Maruti's widespread support network, and the ownership experience is likely to be fuss-free. The on-road cost of the Brezza LXI will fall within your Rs 9 lakh budget, and even though you might miss a few features, it still feels worth opting for. Alternatively, you could also consider the Maruti Dzire VXI MT for its large boot, comfy ride and strong fuel efficiency.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleTata Punch
VehicleTata Tiago
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•3d

I currently drive a Hyundai i10 CNG, with daily running of around 6 km in Gurgaon city traffic and a monthly highway drive of around 200 km. I am now planning to upgrade my car, with an on-road budget of Rs. 12 lakh for a petrol sub-4-metre SUV, up to Rs. 14 lakh for a petrol midsize SUV, and Rs. 15 lakh for an EV. I live in a rented apartment on the second floor, so I am apprehensive about getting an EV. I prefer an EV, but installing a charger could be complicated due to the sanctioned load. My running could increase to nearly 800 km per month in the future. My key priorities are: - Good suspension and ride comfort, as I have a back problem - Decent fuel efficiency in heavy city traffic - Low to medium maintenance costs - Auto hold and ventilated seats would be good to have I sometimes consider buying a manual, but I mostly prefer an automatic. I am currently considering the Maruti Brezza, Baleno AMT, Fronx AMT/AT, Sonet iMT, Exter AMT, and even the upcoming Inster, VF3, and Bayon. I am open to other suggestions as well. Note: I had a bad driving experience with the Punch AMT, as it caused back fatigue.

Verified
•2d

Given your priorities of ride comfort, fuel efficiency and low maintenance, the Maruti Brezza automatic is the most sensible upgrade. It offers a comfortable ride, a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine and Maruti's strong service network, which keeps long-term ownership costs in check. The torque converter automatic is smooth in city traffic, and the Brezza's higher seating position will help with your back issues. The Sonet iMT is not the right choice here. While it is a good car, the iMT is not a true automatic and will not offer the same ease of use in Gurgaon traffic. The Baleno AMT and Exter AMT are also not ideal given your back issues and the fact that AMT gearboxes are not as smooth as torque converter automatics in stop-start conditions.On the EV front, your apprehension about charging is valid. Without a straightforward home charging solution, an EV will add unnecessary complexity to your ownership experience. The upcoming Bayon is interesting and if you can wait a few weeks you would have a better picture before making a decision. For now, the Brezza automatic strikes the best balance between comfort, efficiency and hassle-free ownership.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
VehicleHyundai Exter
VehicleHyundai Bayon

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