I am currently driving a 10-year-old Hyundai i20 and plan to upgrade to an automatic SUV. My annual running is relatively low at around 8,000 to 10,000 km, with approximately 70% city driving and 30% highway usage. My top priority is safety, followed by fuel efficiency. My budget is around Rs 22 lakh (on-road). Considering these requirements, could you please suggest the best non-EV SUV options?
Considering your usage pattern, it would be better to prioritise a petrol automatic SUV with a strong safety record, a reliable transmission and reasonable city fuel efficiency.
With 8,000- 10,000 km of annual running, it does not make sense to pay extra for a diesel or paying a substantial premium for a strong hybrid purely to save fuel. The savings may take too long to recover. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris addresses three of your priorities rather well: crash safety, automatic gearbox reliability and fuel efficiency. Given your annual running of 8,000- 10,000 km, there is a case for buying the regular petrol automatic instead. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine gets a six-speed torque-converter automatic.
The ZXI+ would be a good option. It offers a good balance of safety, equipment, gearbox suitability and purchase price. You also avoid paying extra for hybrid technology that you might not fully benefit from with your relatively low annual mileage.
Maruti's extensive service network and parts availability are advantages when considering long-term ownership.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris
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Posted on: 8 Nov 2026
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