Hi, my car usage is around 3,000km per month. Currently, I drive a 2020 Ford Endeavour diesel AT 4x4 and a 2017 Mahindra Thar CRDe 4x4 for rough and countryside roads. I enjoy driving both cars on these kinds of roads, although I experience quite a bit of body roll and physical strain. For city driving and highways, I use a 2017 Skoda Rapid diesel MT and an Innova Crysta diesel. I particularly enjoy driving the Skoda, while I prefer travelling as a passenger in the Crysta because of its comfort. As you can see, I have been a diesel car owner so far, but with diesel cars becoming less common in the market, should I consider switching to a petrol engine or a hybrid? My usage covers almost every type of Indian road, including metro cities, countryside roads, highways and hilly terrain, so I am finding it difficult to decide which car would suit my requirements best within a budget of Rs 40 lakh, with an automatic transmission. My top priorities are safety, with zero compromise, followed by driving comfort and the highest possible mileage.

autocar.india

•3h

Go for the Toyota Innova Hycross strong hybrid. With your daily running of 15-20 km and occasional 60-70 km trips, a diesel does not make financial sense, and the hybrid will give you significantly better fuel efficiency in city driving than petrol. The Hycross is also the more comfortable and spacious 7-seater, with a proven Toyota ownership experience and lower long-term maintenance costs. The XUV 7XO is the better driver's car, offers more features and has a more premium cabin, but for your usage pattern, the Hycross strong hybrid is the more sensible and hassle-free choice.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Toyota Innova Hycross. With 400-500 km a week, you need a car that is comfortable, reliable and effortless over long distances. The Toyota Innova HyCross hybrid is the best fit here. It is extremely comfortable, has a spacious cabin, and the hybrid powertrain is smooth and efficient, especially on highways where it delivers excellent fuel economy for a car of its size. Toyota's reliability and low maintenance costs also make it a strong long-term ownership proposition.The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is a good alternative if you specifically want a diesel SUV with strong performance and a more engaging driving experience, but the Hycross is the better all-rounder for your usage. The Hyundai Alcazar is not a true upgrade from your Creta and does not offer the same level of space, comfort or long-distance capability as the other two.The only drawback with the HyCross is that it is not as engaging to drive as the XUV 7XO, but for your usage, comfort and efficiency matter more. Overall, the HyCross is the car you will be happiest with after five years of ownership.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Alcazar

autocar.india

•7h

First, a quick clarification: diesels are unlikely to be phased out anytime soon. There are tighter emissions norms and some city-specific restrictions to keep an eye on, but there is no immediate reason to avoid a modern BS6 diesel purely on the assumption that it will soon become unusable. Mahindra, in particular, is likely to continue offering diesel SUVs for as long as there is meaningful demand. The XUV 7XO AX7T’s 2.2-litre diesel remains a strong fit for frequent highway use, long-distance touring, heavy loads and buyers who value effortless torque and quick refuelling.Your EV reliability concern is understandable, but it should not be a deciding negative by itself. An electric car has fewer mechanical moving parts than an ICE vehicle, which can reduce routine powertrain maintenance requirements. The more relevant question is whether your charging situation and typical driving pattern suit one. If you have dependable home or workplace charging, the Harrier EV makes a compelling case with its quieter, smoother driving experience and substantially lower running costs. The Fearless+ gets a 65kWh battery with a claimed 538km range, while 75kWh versions claim up to 627km, though real-world range will naturally be lower and depend on speed, weather and driving style.If you do regular intercity runs, especially in areas where charging stops may be inconvenient, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is still the easier all-round ownership proposition. It is also likely to be the better choice if you plan to keep the car for a long time without changing your travel routine.If a hybrid is what you are after, there are now two relevant options. The MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV offers a useful EV-only range of around 100km, backed by a 1.5-litre petrol engine. However, a plug-in hybrid only makes sense if you can charge it regularly. The Kia Sorento is a conventional strong hybrid, so it does not need external charging and should offer better refinement and economy than a regular petrol SUV. It is, however, considerably more expensive than the XUV 7XOOur advice: Choose the Harrier EV if you have home charging and most of your running is urban or predictable. Choose the XUV 7XO diesel if long highway trips and maximum convenience matter more.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Sorento

MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV

Tata Harrier EV