Mumbai

•5w

I am confused between the HyCross ZX, Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, and a used Kia Carnival. My commute is a Delhi-Haridwar round trip every week, covering roughly 500 km. I usually travel with only 2-3 passengers and very rarely drive the car myself. Also, is a new HyCross model expected to launch soon? I already have a car, so this is not an urgent upgrade. Is it worth waiting?

•5w

Go for the Innova HyCross ZX. For a chauffeur-driven 500 km Delhi-Haridwar run every week, the strong-hybrid keeps fuel costs low and cruises quietly, which matters when you are in the back seat for hours. The second row is spacious with captain seats, and Toyota’s service reach on that corridor is unmatched, so long-distance peace of mind is high.

Skoda Kodiaq Lounge feels more premium and is nicer to sit in, but its petrol thirst will sting with your weekly highway use, and upkeep outside big cities can be fussier. A used Kia Carnival gives the most lounge-like comfort and space, and its diesel suits highways, but you take used-car risks and NCR’s 10-year diesel rule can chop remaining life if the car is a few years old.

One caveat on the HyCross ZX: the 18-inch wheels make low-speed bumps a bit firm, and the engine can sound busy if pushed. No clear, confirmed HyCross facelift is around the corner in India, so it is not worth waiting just for that.

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•5d

I’m looking to buy a 7-seater SUV and currently have two options shortlisted: the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX Petrol and the Tata Safari Pure Plus Petrol. I’m not very concerned about features, bells and whistles, or premium interiors. My main priorities are engine performance, long-term engine reliability, reliability with low usage, mechanical durability, ownership experience, highway stability, and comfort. My running is extremely low, but I occasionally do a ~1,500 km continuous highway trip. Between the XUV 7XO 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the Safari 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, which one would you choose specifically for performance and long-term reliability? Also, are there any other SUVs I should consider in a similar price range?

•4h

Go for the XUV 7XO AX petrol. It is the better fit for your priorities. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol is a proven engine with a strong ownership track record, and delivers significantly better performance than the Safari’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol. The Mahindra XUV 7XO feels more effortless on the highway, especially with a full load, and overtaking is easier thanks to its stronger mid-range.It is also the more mechanically sorted package overall, with a better-calibrated gearbox and a more mature ownership experience.The Tata Safari’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol is adequate for city driving, but it can feel strained on the highway with a full load and does not offer the same level of performance, refinement, or long-distance ease as the engine in the Mahindra car.For your usage pattern, low running with occasional long highway trips, petrol is the right choice, and the XUV 7XO’s engine is better suited to this kind of usage. It is a robust, reliable powertrain that can handle high mileage over the long term, and it does not suffer from the same concerns around DPF or diesel-related issues that can arise with low usage.If you are open to alternatives, the Toyota Innova HyCross is worth considering. It is not an SUV, but it is the benchmark for long-term reliability and ownership experience. The hybrid powertrain is extremely well suited to your usage pattern. It is also a genuinely comfortable long-distance car with a proven track record.

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•1w

I have a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI Highline. I’ve tried two cars since then, but I still haven’t found a suitable replacement that matches it in terms of driving dynamics. So, I’m continuing to hold on to the Jetta for now. Could you suggest a suitable replacement that offers a similar driving experience?

•1d

If you are still holding on to your 2012 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI Highline, it is clear that driving enjoyment is a top priority. The Jetta diesel’s strong torque, solid build and planted highway manners are difficult to replace, especially in today’s market, where diesel-powered mass-market sedans are no longer available.The closest modern alternatives in terms of driving feel would be the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus with the 1.5 TSI engine. Both offer strong performance, good handling and a solid, confidence-inspiring feel on the highway. The 1.5 TSI engine is genuinely punchy, and the overall driving experience is among the better options in the segment.If moving up a segment is an option and an SUV body style is acceptable, the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron are also worth considering. Both offer a more premium experience, excellent highway manners and a strong 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. However, they are considerably larger and more expensive than the Jetta.

I do a lot of highway driving and need a balance of power and comfort. I am unable to decide within a budget range of Rs. 30-35 lakh. However, I am tempted to pick up a second-hand Toyota Fortuner. What are the available options?

•2d

For heavy highway use with a budget of Rs 30-35 lakh, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the best fit. It offers strong performance, excellent ride comfort and a very stable high-speed touring experience, which is exactly what you need for long highway runs. The diesel engine is powerful and efficient, and the car feels planted and confidence-inspiring at speed. It also offers a good balance of features and safety for the price.The Toyota Fortuner is a great car, but at Rs 30-35 lakh you are looking at a used car that is already a few years old. The Fortuner’s biggest strength is its reliability and ruggedness, but it is not as refined or as comfortable as the XUV 7XO on long highway drives. The ride is firm, the cabin is not as modern, and you are paying a premium for the Toyota badge and reliability rather than getting the best ownership experience for your money.If you want something more premium, the Skoda Kodiaq is worth considering. It is a very comfortable and refined highway car with a strong petrol engine and a premium cabin, but it exceeds budget and does not offer the same diesel efficiency as the XUV 7XO.Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel is the best balance of power, comfort and value for your budget. It is a new car with a full warranty, excellent highway manners and a very strong ownership proposition.

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

I have been using Honda City manual for the last 21 years. Now, I want a car with automatic transmission for city running mostly. My average running is around 1000km a month. Can you suggest whether I should buy Seltos, Creta, Kushaq or Elevate?

•5d

Given your usage of around 1,000 km a month, mostly in the city, the priority should be a smooth and reliable automatic transmission, good ride comfort and ease of ownership. The Kia Seltos IVT is the most natural recommendation here. The IVT gearbox is also very smooth, and the Seltos feels more premium and feature-rich than the competition. Alternatively, consider the Honda Elevate. The CVT is exceptionally smooth in stop-start traffic, Honda’s ownership experience is proven, and the car is simple, reliable and easy to live with.The Skoda Kushaq is the driver’s choice, with a more engaging driving experience, but in city running, that doesn't matter much. The Hyundai Creta is a good all-rounder, but it is due for a full model change in 2027, which makes the Seltos and Elevate stronger recommendations at this point.

I am a lady driver and drive around 65 km every day on the expressway. Twice a month, I also drive in the city and traffic. I am currently driving a Celerio, but it is 9 years old, so I am looking for a change. My budget is Rs. 10-12 lakh.

•5d

For your usage, the Skoda Kylaq is a good upgrade. Your 65 km daily expressway run means you need a car that is stable at speed and comfortable over long distances. The Kylaq delivers that very well. At your budget, you could get a lower-spec automatic, which would make it easy to drive in city traffic, which matters for your twice-a-month urban runs. The automatic gearbox is a torque converter, so its shifts are very smooth and it is very reliable too. The only possible downside is that fuel efficiency is not going to be very high, and given your high daily running, this is something that might bother you. If so, opt for the Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.2L, which is also good at higher speeds and would be more fuel efficient. The auto box in this case is an AMT, which would not be as smooth, but this would only be a bit of a bother in city traffic and not on steady highway cruising.

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

•1w

Hey, We are planning to buy a sub-4-metre SUV, and our main requirement is good suspension for Bengaluru’s pothole-filled roads, especially as my wife is pregnant. We have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Mahindra XUV 3XO, and Tata Nexon. Which one would you recommend for our requirements? I was also considering a larger SUV like the Honda Elevate, but a well-equipped variant costs around Rs. 18 lakh on-road, which is beyond my budget. Could you suggest some good options in both categories? I can stretch my budget up to around Rs. 15 lakh on-road if required.

•6d

Given your priorities, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is the best fit. It has the most comfortable ride in the segment, with a suspension that deals with broken roads and potholes better than the Brezza or Nexon. The wide rear seat and good cabin space will also make a difference for your wife and family. The Brezza is the more reliable long-term ownership proposition, but its ride is not as plush as the 3XO. The Nexon is a good all-rounder, but the 3XO has the edge on ride comfort and rear seat space.On the Honda Elevate, it is a solid, reliable SUV with a comfortable ride, but at Rs 18 lakh on-road for the well-equipped variants, it is not worth stretching your budget for. The 3XO gives you a better ride and more features for less money.Overall, the 3XO is the best balance of ride comfort, space and value for your requirements. Go for the petrol automatic variant for the smoothest city driving experience.

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