I have a Scorpio, a diesel Dzire, and a Tata Zest, all Euro 4, and all running fine without any problems. I want to buy a family car as I have to travel to New Delhi with my family two or three times a month. Which SUV would you suggest?

Autocar India

•1h

Trips to New Delhi with family two or three times a month call for a roomy, safe, easy long-distance car that stays steady at highway speeds. For that use, we would pick the Toyota Innova HyCross VX Hybrid. It suits this job best because it rides comfortably over bad patches, has a very spacious second row, and with the third row folded, it swallows all the luggage a family carries. The hybrid runs on petrol with help from an electric motor, so it feels very smooth and quiet in traffic and uses less fuel on those long runs. The automatic gearbox makes the Delhi traffic parts far less tiring, and Toyota’s good service network is another plus.

Two things to keep in mind. The Toyota Innova HyCross is priced on the higher side, and there can be a waiting period in some cities. Also, it is not as rough-road tough as your old Scorpio, so if you do a lot of broken village roads, drive it and see if the ground clearance and comfort work for you.

If you prefer a diesel with strong pull and a higher driving view, look at the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. It is more comfortable and modern than your older Scorpio and feels steady at highway speeds. Another good diesel family SUV is the Tata Safari automatic, which has a big cabin, a more spacious third row than the 7XO and a comfy ride.

Overall, for frequent Delhi runs with family, the Innova Hycross VX Hybrid lines up best. If you want a diesel feel, the XUV 7XO or Safari will suit you better.

Explore cars mentioned

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹21.60 Lakh

Tata

Safari

from ₹15.71 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 7XO

from ₹16.14 Lakh

More questions on similar cars

AKSHIT

•3d

My daily running is in stop-and-go traffic. The car crawls for almost the entire 30km trip, with very few open stretches. On weekends, I may drive around 40-50 km. Is diesel advisable in such a scenario? D-segment SUVs have poor mileage in petrol, and EV infrastructure is not very strong. There are no good hybrid options either.

Autocar India

•2d

There is no ideal SUV for your usage, so go for the Toyota Innova HyCross strong hybrid instead. Your daily driving involves heavy stop-and-go traffic, which makes diesel a poor fit due to long-term DPF concerns. You have also expressed reservations about EVs, so that option is not ideal either.Petrol SUVs are the obvious fallback, and something like the Mahindra XUV 7X0 petrol does offer a smooth, strong turbo engine that is easy to drive in the city, but the downside is clear: efficiency will be quite limited in your kind of crawling usage, which can become frustrating over time.This is exactly where the HyCross works best. It is not a traditional SUV, but as an MPV SUV crossover, it offers the space and comfort you expect, along with the big advantage of a strong hybrid system. In traffic, it can run a lot on electric power, keeping things smooth and efficient, while on open roads, the petrol engine takes over seamlessly without any effort from your side. It is also one of the most comfortable options for long drives and daily use.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Gautham

•4d

I am a doctor with a daily travel requirement of around 200 km. I previously owned a Hyundai Creta, which covered approximately 3.5 lakh km, and I also have a Tata Nexon EV that has completed around 50,000 km. I am now looking for a car that can comfortably handle my daily 200 km commute while also serving as a family vehicle for six members during weekends and occasional trips.

Autocar India

•2d

With 200 km every day and a family of six on some weekends, you need a roomy three-row car that is easy in daily traffic and not heavy on fuel. In that use, the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid VX is the one I would pick. The strong-hybrid system runs on battery at low speeds and the petrol engine when needed, so in city stop-go it uses less fuel than most big three-row cars. It is also very quiet and smooth, which matters when you are driving long hours after a busy shift. Space is proper for six, the ride is comfortable on bad roads, and the automatic, which changes gears on its own, keeps things stress-free.Two things to note. The boot is tight with all three rows up, so for a full family trip, you may need a roof box or to fold part of the third row. Also, the Hycross costs more upfront than a diesel MPV, though running costs are low for daily city use.If you want something lower priced but still good for 200 km a day, look at the Kia Carens Clavis diesel automatic. It is easy to drive, frugal, and has a usable third row and strong air-con, though it does not feel as hushed or as plush as the Toyota. If your daily route is more highway than city and you want a stronger pull, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a solid seven-seater with good safety and steady highway manners, but it will use a bit more fuel in town.Overall, for your mix of daily city runs and family duty, the Innova Hycross Hybrid VX fits best.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO

test

•5d

I currently own a 2014 Swift Dzire, which has been driven 96,000 km, and I am planning to upgrade to an SUV. My driving will mostly be in the city, with an average monthly run of around 200 to 250 km. I take 2 to 3 long trips a year, covering 500 to 1,000 km. I have three kids. I have taken test drives of the Duster, Elevate, Kushaq, Taigun, Seltos, and Creta. I initially booked the Duster but cancelled it due to limited rear-seat space. I have now booked the Elevate, but it feels lacking in performance. Should I go ahead with a car now, or wait for some time considering the current geopolitical conflicts and rising oil prices, and explore hybrid 7-seater options in the future?

Autocar India

•1d

Go ahead with the Honda Elevate, there is no strong reason to wait. With your low monthly running and occasional long trips, what matters most is space, comfort and ease of ownership, and the Elevate delivers that well with a roomy cabin and a relaxed, fuss-free driving experience.Waiting for a 7 seater hybrid sounds logical, but realistically, apart from the Toyota Innova HyCross and Maruti Suzuki Invicto, there are no real options today, and new ones will take time to arrive, so you may end up waiting without a clear benefit.If you do want a 7 seater right now, the Kia Carens Clavis petrol is a strong alternative. This Kia car offers flexible seating for your family and is comfortable for both city use and occasional long trips.

Honda Elevate

Toyota Innova HyCross

Maruti Suzuki Invicto

Kia Carens Clavis

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