I want a comfortable SUV with low maintenance and good driving pleasure. I am 70 years old and drive myself. My average monthly running is 500 km. For local driving, I use my Santro Sportz. Which SUV should I buy now? I’m considering the Toyota Hyryder and Maruti Victoris. Please advise.

Autocar India

•1d

Given your high daily running of 110km, a diesel-automatic makes sense for you. If you had a good experience with your older Creta, go for the new Hyundai Creta SX (O) diesel automatic. The Creta diesel-auto stands out for its smooth and refined powertrain, spacious and feature-rich cabin and a comfortable ride quality. The smooth 6‑speed torque converter automatic works well in traffic and on open roads, too. Hyundai claims the Creta diesel-auto will do 19.1kpl, but realistically, expect 13-15kpl in the city and 17-19kpl out on the highway. Since you’ve lived with a Creta for 7 years, the familiar driving position, visibility, and ride comfort will feel natural. You will also be familiar with the after-sales experience.The one thing you give up is a whisper‑quiet experience at idle; the diesel is a bit louder than a petrol or hybrid, though noise settles down once you’re cruising.If most of your 110 km is slow, stop‑go city traffic, and you want maximum km/l over diesel punch, consider the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Strong Hybrid V e‑CVT instead; expect roughly 20-24 km/l in city and 18–22 on highways.

Hyundai Creta

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•3h

The new Renault Duster 1.0 turbo-petrol should be acceptable in the city, but it is not the most effortless choice for predominantly urban use like yours.The 1.0 turbo makes about 99hp and 160-166Nm, and the torque comes in from around 2,000rpm, so performance at low revs will feel merely adequate rather than strong. You will need to work the gearbox to keep the engine in its power band, especially with a full load or on inclines, and that can get tiring in bumper‑to‑bumper traffic. The good bit is that the clutch is light and the engine reasonably refined, so it won’t feel cumbersome or heavy in daily use.However, there is no automatic with the 1.0 turbo. It comes only with a 6‑speed manual, which is a drawback for an 85% city‑running profile. If you prioritise smoothness and ease over outright punch, an automatic CVT in this segment will suit you better.The Kia Seltos 1.5 iVT offers seamless, jerk‑free power delivery and feels very smooth and responsive in typical city driving. Similarly, the Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol CVT, which has the same gearbox as the Seltos, is another good option. Both the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta make urban driving more relaxing, even if performance is only adequate rather than exciting.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•4h

The Maruti Suzuki Invicto is nowhere near as popular as its twin, the Toyota Innova HyCross, though both are virtually the same car. With the Invicto not being in as much demand, better discounts are possible, but you will also take a hit in resale value when you go to sell it. If you are comfortable with the Maruti-Suzuki badge, choose the Invicto Zeta+ (7‑seater) strong‑hybrid. It offers the most usable three‑row comfort, smooth city driving, and the widest service network.At over 4.7 m long and with about a 2,850 mm wheelbase, it offers real space across three rows. The strong‑hybrid setup keeps the city running very smooth, often shutting the engine off at low speeds and running on pure electric power. As a result, fuel efficiency is very good.The one thing you give up is ADAS features. The Invicto doesn’t offer lane keep, adaptive cruise, or AEB, which some rivals provide at this size. If you specifically want ADAS and more top‑end features, consider the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid ZX (O) instead. It adds active safety tech, but it will cost you more and involve longer wait periods.

Maruti Suzuki Invicto

Toyota Innova HyCross