Lakshadweep

•5w

Hi Autocar, I currently drive a 2015 Honda City petrol and am planning to replace it with a 7-seater that I intend to keep for the next 10 years. My annual running is around 10,000km, with approximately 8,000km in the city and 2,000km on highways. My budget is Rs. 25-30 lakh. I also have rooftop solar and a dedicated home charging setup, so an EV is an option. Since I am a business owner, I can also claim depreciation benefits on an EV. Please suggest a car.

•4w

Given your annual running of around 10,000km, with 8,000km in the city and only 2,000km on the highway, the Kia Carens Clavis EV makes the most sense. Since you have solar and can set up charging at home, running costs will be very low. Also, Since most of your driving is in the city, the Clavis EV suits your usage well. It also offers a modern, comfortable cabin, a usable third row for adults, and well-established aftersales network of Kia cars should make it a dependable choice for long-term ownership.

The drawback of an Electric car is your highway trips will need more planning for charging stops. If you regularly travel to destinations where charging infrastructure is limited, the Toyota Innova Hycross would be the better alternative.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Carens Clavis EV

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Innova HyCross

from ₹21.70 Lakh

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•3d

My requirement is for a reasonably large 7-seater vehicle because I frequently go on very long drives. Sometimes, I even drive 1,200 km in a single stretch. I have been driving a Toyota Etios Liva for almost 15 years, and the car has given me virtually zero problems. So, I have firsthand experience of Toyota reliability. My budget is around Rs. 24 lakh, and reliability is my number-one priority. I love diesel cars, although I understand that diesel options are fewer. At the moment, I am mainly considering the non-hybrid Toyota Innova HyCross ZX(O) petrol. Within my budget, I mayconsider Innova Crysta, depending on the variant and on-road price. I am also considering Honda City Hybrid, but my concern is the reduced boot space in the hybrid version, and of course, it isn’t a 7-seater. I’m not really looking at too many other brands, although I’m also wondering about the Mahindra XUV 7XO. I haven’t driven it yet, so I’m not sure whether I should seriously consider it. When I compare Mahindra with Toyota, I personally don’t feel that Toyota-level reliability is there and reliability is important to me because I plan to keep the vehicle for many years. I also like some of the newer brands and products such as Citroen but I am concerned whether manufacturers will continue operating in India in the long term. I don’t want to buy a vehicle from a brand that may disappear. So, given my requirements including a 7-seater car for long-distance driving, excellent reliability, comfortable highway cruising, reasonable boot space, and a budget of around Rs. 24 lakh, which car would you recommend? Should I go for the Innova HyCross ZX(O) non-hybrid, Innova Crysta, or take a chance on something like the Mahindra XUV 7XO? I’m particularly interested in your recommendation from a long-term ownership and reliability, comfort perspective, because after owning a Toyota for 15 years, I know what genuine reliability feels like.

•16h

Given your priorities, the Innova Crysta makes the most sense. You have already experienced Toyota reliability over 15 years, frequently undertake extremely long highway drives and specifically prefer diesel. The Crysta matches that brief better than the HyCross or XUV 7XO.The 2.4-litre diesel is well suited to long-distance touring, with strong low-end torque and a relaxed character on the highway. It also offers a genuinely usable seven-seat cabin and good luggage space. Most importantly, its long-established powertrain and Toyota's service support make it the safer choice if you intend to keep the car for many years.The HyCross is more modern and more efficient, but there is an important point about the variant you mentioned: the ZX(O) is hybrid-only. If you want the naturally aspirated petrol, the top grade is the GX(O), which is available with seven or eight seats. The hybrid ZX(O) is also considerably beyond your Rs. 24 lakh budget.The XUV 7XO is worth a test drive, but if reliability is genuinely your number-one priority, the Toyota is the more reassuring long-term choice.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•1d

Hi Autocar, I currently own a 2021 Creta SX, but my family members are not comfortable in a 5-seater car. We are therefore looking to buy a new 6/7-seater SUV with a budget of up to Rs 30 lakh. It should have a diesel engine, and I am open to both automatic and manual options. Please recommend a good car within my budget.

•1d

Go for the XUV 7XO diesel automatic. It is the best fit for your requirements. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a spacious 6/7 seater with a comfy third row, a strong 2.0 diesel engine and a well-sorted torque converter automatic gearbox. It is also one of the most feature-rich cars in the segment and offers good value for money. The diesel engine is refined, punchy and well suited to both city and highway driving, while the automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to live with. This Mahindra car also has a good ride quality and a comfortable cabin, which makes it a great family car for long journeys.The Maruti Suzuki Invicto strong hybrid, which is a rebadged Toyota Innova HyCross, is also worth a look if you prioritise fuel efficiency, reliability and long-term ownership, but it is not as feature-rich as the XUV 7XO and doesn't come with a diesel engine option . Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the best all-rounder and the car we would recommend.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Maruti Suzuki Invicto

Toyota Innova HyCross

•2d

I have a high daily usage of around 120 km and am looking for a car with good seating ergonomics, proper lumbar support, and good fuel efficiency. My budget is around Rs. 30 lakh, but I can stretch it to a maximum of Rs. 40 lakh. Please suggest some suitable options.

•1d

With 120km a day, fuel efficiency and comfort become the top priorities. The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid is the best fit here. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency, especially in city traffic, and the Innova is known for its comfortable seating and strong long-term reliability. The seats are well-cushioned, the driving position is upright and supportive, and the car is built for long-distance comfort. The hybrid system also keeps running costs in check, which is critical at your usage level.If you prefer a more SUV-like driving position, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is a strong alternative. It uses a similar hybrid system as the HyCross, offers good fuel efficiency and a comfortable ride, and the seats are supportive for long drives. The Victoris also feels more premium inside and offers a more SUV-like experience. However, while its seats are comfortable, it is nowhere near as spacious as the Hycross, which feels like a better bet at your budget.If you are open to diesel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is worth considering. It offers strong performance, good fuel efficiency on the highway, and a comfortable, spacious cabin. The seats are supportive, and the car is well-suited to long-distance driving. However, with your high daily usage, the hybrid options are likely to deliver lower running costs over time.Overall, the Innova HyCross Hybrid is the most sensible choice. It combines comfort, efficiency and reliability in a way that few cars in this price range can match.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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Popular discussions right now

•2d

I currently drive a Grand i10 Manual petrol and am now planning to buy a new compact SUV that is comfortable, fuel efficient and has low maintenance. My usage is 35km of daily office commute in Delhi-NCR traffic. Please advice which option is best fit amongst Hyundai Venue HX 6T, SONET HTK+O and XUV 3XO.

•2d

Go for the Hyundai Venue. With your daily 35km commute in Delhi NCR traffic, comfort and low maintenance are key, and the Venue delivers on both. The 1.2 NA petrol is smooth, refined and easy to drive in stop-start conditions, while Hyundai’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. The HX6T variant also gives you a good balance of features without pushing the budget too far.The Sonet HTK+O is mechanically very similar, but the Venue is a newer model and offers a more spacious cabin. The XUV 3XO is also a good option, but its turbo petrol engine won't be as efficient as the Hyundai’s.Overall, the Venue is the most sensible upgrade from your Grand i10 for daily city use.

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

•4d

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

•6d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

•4d

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

Renault Duster

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