Sir, I recently sold my 2015 4WD CRDe Thar due to restrictions in NCR. I am a birder and an off-roader, and my wife shares the same passion. I am recently retired and am now looking for a 4WD off-road-capable vehicle in the price range of Rs 20 lakh. The Sierra was a letdown, as no AWD or 4WD is offered currently.

autocar.india

•2h

Pick the Toyota Innova Crysta diesel manual. For 90% highway use, it just eats distance, the seats are genuinely comfortable for seven, and the diesel’s easy torque makes overtakes calm even with luggage. It is a proper big, tough, ladder-frame car, so your 10% on rough roads is no worry, and Toyota’s service reach and consistency are a clear step up from what you’ve seen with Scorpio.The catch is that it is not a true 4x4, so deep slush or serious trails are off the menu, and it will not wow anyone with gadgets. If you want a more SUV-looking option and still a manual, the Jeep Meridian diesel manual is worth a look for its sharper cabin and nicer highway manners, but for space, toughness and hassle-free ownership, the Toyota car fits your brief best.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Jeep Meridian

autocar.india

•3h

Given your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the most sensible recommendation. With a weekly running of around 150 km, diesel is not essential, so the petrol automatic is the better choice. It offers strong performance, a comfortable ride and a genuinely premium cabin experience, which addresses your concern with the HyCross interior. The 7XO is also well equipped with features and has a strong road presence, making it a worthy upgrade alongside your existing Safari. The Hycross remains the best choice for long-term reliability and efficiency, but if the interior is a deal-breaker, there is no point forcing the decision. The Mahindra car strikes the right balance between performance, comfort, features and value within your Rs 35 lakh budget.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Toyota Innova HyCross

autocar.india

•1h

Given your usage pattern of mainly city driving with occasional long runs, the Lexus RX 350h would be our recommendation. The hybrid powertrain is particularly well-suited to your needs, offering excellent refinement and efficiency in urban conditions while still being capable and comfortable on longer journeys. Lexus cars also have a strong reputation for reliability and lower long-term maintenance costs, which addresses your concerns with the E 250 CDI.The Mercedes GLE and BMW X5 are both excellent SUVs, but they are more performance-oriented and can be more expensive to maintain over time. The GLE 300d is a strong diesel option, but with your limited usage, the benefits of a diesel are less compelling. The X5 xDrive30d is similarly impressive, but again, the Lexus hybrid makes more sense for your driving pattern. There are also these cars' respective petrol versions, but coming from a diesel, you might find their respective running costs much higher.The RX 350h strikes the right balance between luxury, efficiency and long-term ownership peace of mind. The only downsides are that it's not that exciting to drive, and that Lexus' network isn't anywhere near as big as Mercedes or BMW cars. But if you have a dealer close to you, and don't mind a more relaxed drive, it is a genuinely premium SUV that should prove to be a more satisfying ownership experience over the long term.

Lexus RX

Mercedes-Benz GLE

BMW X5