Hello. My budget is Rs 20 lakh, and I'm looking for a big, full-size petrol automatic SUV. The MG Hector and Tata Harrier are the two options I have explored, but I'd like to consider more options because making the decision has been difficult. My family enjoys long road trips, and we also occasionally drive on broken roads and light off-road trails.

autocar.india

•11h

7,000km of driving per month is extremely high usage that works out to well over 200km per day. That immediately rules out EVs, as even though most of them can cover more than 200-300km on a single charge, you would have to charge almost every day, and this kind of usage is likely to shorten the battery's life cycle considerably. Petrol, too, would be an expensive option, as running costs will be high, depending on the nature of your driving. If it is primarily on the highway, this can be offset considerably. Of your two choices - the Tata Sierra and Kia Seltos, we would recommend the Seltos in petrol manual guise, as it is far more efficient than the Tata car, which is essential for your extremely high usage. The better options, then, are CNG or diesel, which have far more reasonable running costs. If CNG, we'd recommend the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, whose underfloor CNG tanks don't compromise on boot space. However, the disadvantage is that it won't be very strong out on the highway, and you're limited to low and mid-spec variants of the car. If diesel, we'd recommend the Kia Seltos again, and while you can get this engine in higher variants, the price will be much higher.

Tata Sierra

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•10h

From what you've described, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has impressed you with its efficiency but left you wanting more from behind the wheel. If driving enjoyment is back on your priority list, the Duster Hybrid looks like the most natural upgrade. It is expected to offer a much more engaging driving experience while retaining the fuel efficiency benefits of a strong hybrid.The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid will certainly improve on comfort, refinement and performance, but it won't fundamentally change the character you're looking for. It is still geared towards relaxed family motoring rather than enthusiastic driving.The Tata Sierra EV is an interesting option and has now been launched. It promises strong performance, a premium cabin and a spacious interior. However, if the "driver in you" misses the involvement and confidence of your earlier diesel cars, we'd still wait to experience how the Duster Hybrid drives before making a decision.As for diesels, we don't think they should be ruled out altogether. With the right usage, they continue to make sense. However, given your appreciation for the fuel economy of your Grand Vitara and the direction the market is heading, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid rather than going back to diesel.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Sierra EV

Renault Duster

autocar.india

•15h

The Victoris is a better fit for your needs. It is a segment above the Tata Nexon and is therefore larger inside and out. It also has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and comes with plenty of standard safety equipment, so you will feel secure on both city drives and highway trips. The ride is good over broken roads, which helps keep the family comfortable on long journeys.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is easier to drive in traffic and will use less fuel, but the Nexon, with its turbo-petrol engine, offers stronger highway performance. You are also likely comparing one of the top-spec Nexon variants with the lower trims of the Victoris, which means you will be giving up some features. The other trade-off with the Nexon is that Tata’s after-sales service can be hit or miss, whereas Maruti generally has a strong reputation.Overall, if space is your priority, then the Victoris is the better bet. However, if features and highway performance matter more, then the Nexon is worth considering.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Tata Nexon