Autocar India
NI

Nitin

6w

For a chauffeur-driven family of 4, which is the more comfortable car under a ₹35 lakh budget: Innova HyCross, the Skoda Kodiaq 5-seater variant, or the Jeep Meridian 5-seater variant? Which one offers the best second-row legroom?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
5w
Of these three, your best bet is the Toyota Innova HyCross. Apart from being the most affordable of the three, its MPV shape allows for maximum interior space and flexibility, and it has the best second row. It's flexible, too, with seats that slide, fold and flip. This Toyota car also has the most comfortable suspension and will transport your family comfortably and relatively silently.
The Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, sadly, is outside of your budget. Although it's more luxurious and equally refined, it's simply not as spacious as the Toyota.
The Jeep Meridian has strong badge value and a luxurious interior, but it's not as spacious, comfortable or refined as the Innova Hycross. Both SUVs are high on road presence, but just can't match the packaging superiority of the Toyota MPV.
Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Innova HyCross

KA

Kapil

4w

I am looking to buy my first car for family of 4. Mostly city drive with maximum usage of 6k km per year. Occasional trips on Highway (400km one way once in 3-4 months). Budget 15 lakhs. Kindly suggest options I can look for. Automatic preferred.

SK

S Kumar

4w

Kindly advice which one better.. Hycross base petrol model or 7XO Disel AT AX7...

SK

S Kumar

4w

Im planning buy a car..

DN

Debaki Nandan Panda

5w

Hi. I have an Etios Cross V 2013 model. I feel it's ground clearance is quite low as its under body touches rumblers if loaded with 4-5 passengers. Can you suggest how to get rid of the issue.

More questions on similar cars

NA

Naveen

2d

I own a ecosport tdi 2017 Pre facelift with 60,000 km on the odometer after 9 years. I plan to keep it for city use and buy another car mainly for highway drives, as we take long trips twice a year. I am considering an EV or a diesel but am open to suggestions. We are a family of six, including two senior citizens.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

Your requirement is clear. You already have the EcoSport for city use, and now you want a comfortable, dependable long-distance car for a family of six including senior citizens. That means space, ride comfort and ease of ingress matter more than anything else.The Kia Carens Clavis is the most sensible starting point. It is a proper 6 or 7 seater, easy to drive, and far more comfortable than compact SUVs. The ride is soft, the seating is flexible and the cabin feels modern and airy. It is also positioned as a more premium, updated version of the Carens with better interiors and features, which suits family usage well. For highway trips, this Kia car is stable enough and the diesel automatic option works very well if you want efficiency.If you want the best possible comfort and willing to spend more, the Toyota Innova HyCross is in a different league. It offers far better ride quality, more space in all three rows and a much more relaxed driving experience. It is also extremely reliable and easy to own long term. For senior citizens, the ease of getting in and out, and the overall comfort level, are clearly superior.Compared to EVs, your usage does not strongly justify one. Long highway trips are still more convenient in petrol or diesel cars, especially in remote areas where charging infrastructure can be inconsistent.

VehicleKia Carens Clavis
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
DA

David

2d

I am planning to buy a new car by the end of the year, and my current top choice is the Mahindra XUV7X0 (AX7 petrol automatic variant). Earlier, I was considering the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta, but I no longer like their current exterior designs, so I have shifted my focus. For context, I currently own a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga (petrol + CNG), which is almost 10 years old and has been driven only around 50,000 km. My usage is quite low. The office is about 13 km away (around 30 km round trip), but I often use public transport. I mainly use the car on weekends, roughly 2-3 times a week, and my monthly running is around 400-450km. My priorities for the new car are: strong road presence and mass appeal, comfortable and premium interior, good reliability, reasonable service and maintenance costs (I am used to Maruti-level affordability), suitable for family trips. Given my low usage and requirements, would the XUV7X0 petrol automatic be a good choice, or should I consider other options?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

Low monthly use, mostly weekend family trips, and you want strong road presence with a premium feel, in that brief, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is the right fit, and it’s the one we would pick for you. It lines up with your goals for three clear reasons. First, presence and space: it looks big, sits high, and feels like a big step up from your Maruti Ertiga. Five adults ride in real comfort, and with the third row folded, you get a huge boot for family trips. Second, the petrol motor feels smooth and strong at low speeds and on the highway, so city gaps and quick passes are easy without effort. Third, the cabin feels premium for the price, with a clean screen layout and a quiet ride that your family will like.A few trade-offs to note, given your context: service will not be Maruti-affordable, and the car will use more fuel than your Ertiga CNG. It’s also a large car, so tight parking will need care, and Mahindra’s software still throws the odd small glitch.If the budget allows, the Toyota Innova HyCross hybrid brings top comfort and very low city fuel use, but it is pricier. Overall, for your low running and desire for presence and a premium feel, the XUV 7XO petrol automatic fits best.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Ertiga
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
MA

Manvik

4d

Hi, i have a kia sonet 2020. I am looking to upgrade to a car under 35 lakhs. I want a 7-seater car with all the features of the Sonet (top variant) and more. We were comfortable enough with the space and comfort of the car. So our main priority is features and technology. The third row will mostly be used by kids. Our yearly driving is less than 10000 km. We are also open to EV options, since our trips are mostly a maximum of 400km with chargers at the destination. Also, note that I won't have tax on EVs since I live in Telangana.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

Given your focus on features, limited running, and openness to EVs, the Mahindra XEV 9S is a strong fit. It feels like a clear upgrade from your Kia Sonet in terms of tech and safety, with features like an HD triple-screen setup, a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera and ADAS. It is smooth, quiet and effortless in city use, with plenty of performance for the highway. The first two rows are very comfortable and spacious, though the third row is tight for adults. Since you will mostly use it for your kids, it should work fine.If you want to stick with an ICE vehicle, then look at the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid VX (O) 7 seat. It is very quiet and easy to live with, and the third row is a touch better, but at this budget, you may miss some of the fancier tech that Mahindra offers. If you'd like to stay with Kia, then the Carens Clavis EV is also an excellent alternative. It isn’t as big as the Mahindra car, but it still has a better third row.

VehicleMahindra XEV 9S
VehicleKia Sonet
VehicleKia Carens Clavis EV
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross

Posted on: 17 Mar 2026