Autocar India
•2w

I currently own a 2024 Toyota Innova Crysta and love taking long drives in it. I have a 6-year-old son and am now planning to replace the Crysta with a diesel automatic (preferably) or a hybrid SUV/MPV within a budget of Rs 35 lakh. My annual running is around 20,000 km, including 1 or 2 monthly long trips and 2 to 3 long family vacations every year. Please suggest a car that offers good reliability, a great driving experience, and hassle-free ownership. I have the Mahindra XUV700 AX7 L (7XO), Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid, and Kia Sorento in mind.

Verified
•3m

The most equipped and bang for your buck choice here would be the Mahindra XUV 7XO. The diesel engine is creamy smooth, has superb power delivery and is packed to the gills with features in its top-spec AX7 L guise that will fit well under your budget. However, if you want to stick to the Toyota brand, the Hycross is a good choice and considering the budget, better than the Kia Sorento that will only fit in with its HTE(O) variant that misses on features. The Toyota Innova Hycross is a strong-hybrid which is a good replacement for a diesel and has a lot of space in all three rows. There is an update for the Hycross that isn't too far so if you can wait, that would be a good choice. If not, you need to just select if the extra feature set of the Mahindra along with its modern cabin is something you need. If not, the Hycross is a great choice.  

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Innova HyCross

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•2w

Hi Team Autocar, I am looking to buy a car within a budget of Rs 30 lakh. Initially, I was considering the MG Tomahawk PHEV, but delays in its availability have made me explore other options. I have also considered the Tata Sierra, Tata Safari and a few other models. My primary objective is to buy a recently launched 5 or 7-seater in its top-spec variant, with the best possible interiors, safety features and comfort equipment. I can stretch my budget to a maximum on-road price of Rs 32 lakh. I am open to petrol and hybrid options, although I may prefer a diesel given my annual running. However, concerns about diesel vehicle restrictions in Delhi after 10 years are making me reconsider that choice. My usage is primarily in Delhi traffic, with a daily commute of around 45-50 km that involves spending nearly 3-4 hours in the car. I also undertake weekend trips of approximately 400 km. Considering my requirements and usage, could you please suggest one or two suitable options? Thanks in advance.

Verified
•1d

We would shortlist the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid. Both offer a strong combination of space, comfort and features, while allowing you to avoid the uncertainty surrounding long-term diesel ownership in Delhi.The Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic AX7T would be the more sensible choice within your Rs 32 lakh on-road budget. It offers a modern, feature-rich cabin, three rows of seating, strong performance from its 203hp turbo-petrol engine and a comfortable ride. The AX7T also gets ventilated seats, a Harman Kardon audio system and Level 2 ADAS, making it a good fit for long hours in Delhi traffic as well as weekend highway trips. If you can stretch your budget, consider the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid VX. Its strong-hybrid powertrain is particularly well suited to your daily stop-start commute, offering excellent fuel efficiency and a relaxed driving experience. It also has a more spacious and comfortable cabin, especially for passengers in the second and third rows. However, in your budget you will get the VX or the VX(O) and not the top of the line ZX(O) variant.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
•3d

I’ve owned a Toyota Etios Liva diesel and a Honda City diesel, and I now drive a Hyundai Creta petrol. I drive about 100 km a day, and my fuel bill is currently around Rs 18,000 a month. Should my next car be a diesel SUV to cut fuel costs? The City diesel was an excellent car, but I had to switch because of its low ground clearance. The Creta is a good car, but I need better fuel efficiency. Would buying a diesel SUV help? I’d also like your advice on the Mahindra Scorpio N and XUV700: are they worth buying? Overall, which is the best SUV under Rs 25 lakh?

Verified
•2d

With a daily running of around 100km, switching to a diesel SUV makes sense, and we would suggest looking at the Kia Seltos diesel and Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. However, don't assume that a larger diesel SUV will automatically reduce your monthly fuel bill significantly.The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a great upgrade if you want more space, performance and comfort. Its 2.2-litre diesel engine produces 185hp and 450Nm, and returned 13.1kpl in Autocar India's real-world tests. However, given its size and weight, your monthly fuel expenditure may not reduce dramatically compared to your Creta petrol. The Kia Seltos diesel, on the other hand, will be more economical to run and is also a refined SUV with a premium cabin. It will feel more spacious than your Creta, although it cannot match the XUV 7XO for outright cabin space and performance.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleHyundai Creta

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•1w

Hi Autocar, I am looking to book a car this week. I have narrowed it down to one of 3 cars, all petrol automatic IVTs. My running is mostly 95% in the city (office commute in Mumbai traffic). My daily commute is around 15 km, so I don't want a turbo engine for bumper-to-bumper traffic. That comes out to roughly 5,000 km in annual running. I am 6 feet tall, so I wouldn't want something that feels cramped. New Seltos HTK+(O) New Elevate VX Bayon HX8 All of these are close to the Rs. 16 lakh ex-showroom price mark. I've driven the Seltos and the Elevate, and I really liked both of them. The Seltos feels more premium on the inside, which I feel is a feature worth having in a daily driver. The Elevate is brilliant, but it feels a bit cheap on the inside. It also lacks a panoramic sunroof; although I might use it only one day a year, given that it's priced the same as the Seltos, it feels like a miss. I know Honda engines are top-notch, but given my limited running and lack of driving enthusiast priorities, I'm not sure if that does justice to my needs. Now comes the Bayon. I haven't done a test drive yet as it is not available, but the Bayon pricing at the HX6 and HX8 trims seems very close to the Creta. I am tempted to go for the HX8 as it offers a 360-degree camera (which I think might be useful for parking since I am upgrading from a hatchback), but I wonder if I am getting a 'lesser car' compared to the Seltos. Which one would you recommend? I am keen on booking before Diwali and will see if there are any discounts on the Seltos (unlikely, though).

Verified
•6d

We would suggest going ahead with the Kia Seltos HTK(O) IVT. Given that you have already driven it and liked its cabin, it should make for a more satisfying daily companion. This Kia car feels more premium inside than both the Honda Elevate and the Hyundai Bayon, which is something you are likely to appreciate given your predominantly city usage. The naturally aspirated petrol engine and IVT combination should also work well in Mumbai traffic. This Honda car is a good alternative, particularly for its spacious cabin and refined engine, but its interiors do feel less premium.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleHonda Elevate
VehicleHyundai Bayon
•1w

improve the grammar and write it in a paragraph - Hi Autocar, Iam looking to book a car this week. I have narrowed it down to one of 3 cars. Petrol Automatic IVTs. My running is mostly going to be 95% city (office to work in Mumbai traffic). Daily commute is around 15km, so I don't want a turbo in traffic. That's roughly 5k annual running. I am 6ft tall so wouldn't want something that is cramped 1. New Seltos HTK(O) 2. New elevate VX 3. Bayon HX 8 All of these are close to the 16L ex showroom price. I've driven the Seltos and Elevate. I really liked both of them. The Seltos feels more premium from the inside and I feel like that is something worth having in a daily car. The elevate is brilliant, but it seems cheap on the inside. No pani sunroof too, although I would maybe use it 1 day in year, it's priced the same as the Seltos, so that felt a miss. I know Honda engines are top, but at my running and limited enthusiast journey, I'm not sure if that does justice to need. Now comes the bayon. I have not done a test drive yet as its not available, but the bayon pricing at Hx6 and hx8 seems very close to the Creta currently.. I am tempted to go for the hx8 as it as a 360 camera,( I think that might be usefull for parking etc as I am coming from a hatchback ) but I am getting a "lesser car" vs the Seltos here I wonder.. Which one would you recommend? I am keen on booking before diwali, will see if there are any discounts on the Seltos (unlikey though)

Verified
•3d

All things considered, the Kia Seltos is the better fit for your needs. Since you are on the taller side, you will appreciate the extra room it has to offer compared to the Hyundai Bayon. Opting for the Bayon does get you a higher variant with a 360-degree camera, which can be helpful in tight spots. However, once you get used to the size of the vehicle, you might find yourself using the camera less often.As for the Honda Elevate, as you rightly mentioned, the Seltos feels more premium inside and costs about the same. The Elevate does offer a bit more performance from its 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, but since 95% of your driving is in slow-moving Mumbai traffic, the added performance won't really make much of a difference.Overall, the Seltos is the right fit for your needs.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleHyundai Bayon
VehicleHonda Elevate

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Posted on: 8 Nov 2026