Hello I have been driving the Mercedes C Class W204 facelift Avantgarde now for 13 years. Bought and maintained by the dealer till date. The car is in great condition. I have decided to buy a SUV. I turn 60 this March and plan to gift myself. The intent is to have comfort and long drives which I love and do a lot. The advice I seek is as follows I have undergone a bypass surgery 3 months ago hence is a SUV better than asedan for long drives? I have shortlisted the following SUVs - Mercedes GLC 300, Audi Q5 and the Volvo XC60. I like the Volvo the most. It is classy, understated, not too much in the face tech like the MB and rides very well. What would you advice I buy for comfort, long distance/highway, cost of ownership. Appreciate your help. Subramani

Autocar India

•3d

The Mercedes-Benz GLC EV will only be launched in India in 2027, and its ICE counterpart is expected to follow after that - perhaps in late 2027. The ICE version is expected to resemble the new GLC EV on the outside and inside, featuring new details like the illuminated grille, 3-pointed star DRLs in the headlamps and tail-lamps, and the 39-inch Hyperscreen display on the dashboard. However, while the GLC EV is newly developed on a pure-electric skateboard platform, the ICE version is expected to be a heavy facelift of the current model, built on the same platform and using the same petrol and diesel engines. With all the updates, however, expect the price to go up, and while we can't say for sure as it's a long way off, it could go up to about Rs 95 lakh, on road, in some cities. If that is too much of a jump, and too much of a wait, the current GLC remains an excellent choice, with strong engines, great comfort and a well-appointed cabin. And if you're interested in an EV but don't want to wait until the GLC EV is launched, consider the BYD Sealion 7 or Tesla Model Y L.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

BYD Sealion 7

Tesla Model Y

Autocar India

•11h

Global NCAP hasn't crash tested the new Seltos yet, but Bharat NCAP has, and the 2026 Kia Seltos has secured a 5-star safety rating. It scored 31.70 points out of 32 and 45 points out of 49 in adult and child occupant protection tests, respectively, which is an impressive feat.

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•4h

With a daily running of 150-200km, a strong hybrid makes the most sense. Within your budget, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid or the Toyota Hyryder Strong Hybrid would be the top recommendations.Both deliver excellent real-world fuel efficiency, often exceeding 20kpl even in city conditions, while offering the convenience of a petrol powertrain and lower maintenance concerns compared to modern diesels. For high-mileage users, the fuel savings can be substantial over time.While the diesel Kia Seltos remains a capable SUV, modern diesels are not quite as efficient as they once were due to stricter emissions equipment. This is especially true in automatic variants, where the torque converter gearbox further reduces the efficiency advantage over hybrids.As for the Seltos GTX(O), there is currently no confirmation of a new GTX(O) variant arriving in the immediate future.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Kia Seltos