Rs 70 lakh is a substantial budget for a 7-seat SUV, but the sad reality is that there aren't too many options for the money. The charming Land Rover Discovery Sport is the closest in terms of price, but third-row space, comfort, and access are poor. You could look at options a few rungs down the price ladder. The Skoda Kodiaq, for one, is a great SUV that scores for its premium feel, but, again, third-row space isn't great. Likewise, Volkswagen Tayron, which will go on sale in the coming months, also promises a premium vibe but is unlikely to offer great room at the very back. If third-row space isn't critical, we'd suggest you look at the Skoda and Volkswagen cars. Another upcoming option is the MG Majestor, expected in 2026. It's a large SUV that promises generous space even for third-row passengers. The Majestor will be well-equipped, packing in lots of creature comforts, and the body-on-frame construction should also lend it a tough appeal. However, we will only be able to comment on the driving experience once we get behind the wheel of the SUV when it arrives in 2026.

You should look at the Maruti Suzuki Swift. It's an easy-to-drive car whose compact dimensions make it city-friendly. Performance is pleasant, while the light clutch and smooth gearbox mean even the manual gearbox version is convenient to drive.However, if you often drive on congested roads, the AMT auto is worth a look. It's not the smoothest kind of automatic gearbox, but it sure beats having to modulate the clutch over long, bumper-to-bumper commutes.

Given your budget, you should stick to the compact SUV segment, as you will only get a base model of a midsize SUV in this budget. Of course, any product will have its shortcomings, but the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet, and Hyundai Venue are all good options in the compact SUV space.The Brezza is the most spacious and practical of the lot, and it also has a good ride quality. The Kia Sonet is a great car too, but it's not comfortable for five, and its suspension is quite stiff. The Hyundai Venue is the newest and a good all-rounder, but expensive for higher variants.We would recommend the Hyundai Venue HX8 1.0 Turbo Petrol DCT in your budget as it is a great combination of features, safety, and comfort, and would best meet your needs.

Doing long trips in an EV is possible, but it does require planning. With the charging infrastructure improving, many people are already doing highway drives without major issues. That said, charging infrastructure can still be unreliable in some areas, and charging does take more time than refuelling. If you plan to buy an EV, having access to a home charger is important. Over time, charging on long drives is only going to become easier as infrastructure improves.Given that you drive extensively and also take long trips, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a suitable option. In our real-world range test, the Ioniq 5 delivered an overall range of 457km, which should work well for your usage.