I have been using a BMW 3 GT for many years and am now planning to buy a new SUV with a budget of around ₹70 to 80 lakh. My daily commute is approximately 70 km. Could you please advise on the best option available today?

Autocar India

•2d

Your concerns about E20 fuel impacting the BMW X3 30's engine are understandable, but largely overblown. The current BMW X3 xDrive30 with its 2.0-litre petrol engine is fully E20-compliant, and BMW has built in sufficient engineering margins to handle even higher ethanol blends like E27 should they become standard. Any potential wear from ethanol exposure typically manifests only after 5-6 years of use, and replacement of affected components is primarily fuel system seals and sensors, which aren’t prohibitively expensive or complex. So don't let E20 worries push you toward diesel, which brings its own maintenance headaches, particularly DPF regeneration issues that require regular long-distance driving to prevent clogging.Regarding performance, while both variants produce 400Nm of torque, the power difference between the 197hp diesel and 258hp petrol is quite significant. The X3 30 petrol reaches 0 to 100kph in 6.3 seconds, whereas it takes 7.7 seconds for the 20d, making it noticeably quicker in real-world driving. That said, the diesel's torque delivery at lower revs makes it more relaxed for highway cruising and better suited for hill driving, where you need strong pulling power without downshifting.The smart choice boils down to your driving pattern. Choose the X3 xDrive20d if you regularly cover long highway distances or frequently drive in the hills where low-end torque matters. For typical urban-suburban use with occasional highway runs, the X3 30 petrol offers stronger performance, modern mild-hybrid efficiency, and genuinely hassle-free ownership over your 5-7 year horizon. Either way, both are reliable choices when maintained properly.

BMW X3

Autocar India

•8h

Yes, priced at Rs 39.99 lakh, ex-showroom India, the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge represents great value for money. It's a full Rs 4 lakh cheaper than the Kodiaq Sportline and Rs 6.5 lakh cheaper than the L&K variant, and you don't miss out on that much. The main difference, of course, is the lack of a third row, though these seats were quite small to begin with. It misses some features too, but none of them is essential. For instance, the boot is still powered but loses its hands-free-opening function, the touchscreen is slightly smaller, the front passenger seat is not powered, there's just a rear-view camera instead of a 360deg camera, and the 13-speaker Canton audio system is replaced by a simpler one with 9 speakers. What remains unchanged is the powertrain - a 204hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with AWD and a 7-speed DSG gearbox. Also unchanged is the well-sorted chassis, high interior quality and solid build, which is really what you're getting a Kodiaq for in the first place.

Skoda Kodiaq

Autocar India

•11h

You're on the right track with the Toyota Innova Hycross. The good thing about it is that it offers not just space, but also flexibility. If you choose the bench-seat second row - the 8-seater in Toyota parlance - you get more seats overall, but at a small penalty to ease of access. With the captain seats in the middle row, you can fix a child seat on each and still have a clear walkway to the third row, so the staff can get in and out without disturbing the kids. It rides comfortably over bad roads, feels very smooth and quiet in city traffic, and the hybrid makes stop-and-go driving easy. It’s also easy to live with over the years, which matters when the car will be full most days. On the facelift, there is no firm date or detail in the market right now, but a future update is likely to bring small styling and feature tweaks, not a big change to space or the way it drives, and prices usually go up. Another alternative, if you don't mind an EV, is the BYD eMax 7. Its on-road price could actually work out cheaper than the Innova Hycross with subsidies. It's not quite as spacious, but it comes close; it's well equipped, and it also offers 6- and 7-seat options. It is also even lower on running costs, but then you'll have to tailor your usage to suit an EV. Overall, however, the Innova Hycross appears to be the best bet for you.

Toyota Innova HyCross

BYD eMax 7

Autocar India

•6d

Between the two, the Tata Safari does a great job of projecting toughness. It feels solid, has that reassuring heft, and its suspension setup really shines on broken roads and you can carry speed with confidence and it just shrugs off rough patches.That said, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more rounded package overall. Its 2.2-litre diesel is not just more modern, but also noticeably smoother and stronger than the older Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre unit in the Safari. It delivers better drivability in everyday conditions, which makes a difference in city use as well as on the highway.Mahindra car has also worked well on the suspension, and the improvements show. The 7XO feels more composed, offers better ride comfort over a wider range of surfaces, and is simply easier to drive. It has lighter controls, better balance, and a more user-friendly nature overall.Where the Safari still holds an edge is in the third row. It’s more usable and accommodating, whereas the 7XO’s last row is quite tight and best reserved for occasional use.So unless third-row space is a priority, the 7XO stands out as the better all-rounder. It’s more refined, easier to live with, and ultimately the more modern SUV.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•4d

If you're comparing ride comfort, the Skoda Kylaq is easily the better pick, particularly variants with 16-inch wheels. Skoda has got its suspension tune spot on, its relatively softer setup makes it more suited to our road conditions. It rounds off speed breakers and rough patches better at slow speeds. Furthermore, the Kylaq feels stable at speeds and is surprisingly nimble and fun-to-drive around corners, too.In contrast, the Kushaq’s suspension feels a little firm at low speeds, so sharp bumps and small potholes do come through more in the cabin.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•5d

With around 1,000 km a month, two young kids and a cap of ₹14 lakh on-road, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 is the one that fits your brief best. It rides comfortably over broken city roads and speed breakers, and the rear seat is more than spacious enough for your kids. Safety is a strong point too, with a solid feel, good driver aids for this price, and mounts to fix child seats in the back. It also fits your budget in a well-equipped trim, so you are not forced into a bare-bones version. A trade-off to note: The boot is not the biggest in this price range, so if you often carry a full-size stroller plus luggage, do a quick fit check. If you prefer a more contemporary looking cabin, the Tata Nexon Creative Plus is your alternative from your list. It offers a slightly roomier boot and a very nice interior, and is easy to drive in the city, but the petrol engine feels a bit less smooth at low speeds and Tata service quality can vary by city. The Skoda Kushaq facelift would be a good pick, but only if you can stretch your budget, as within ₹14 lakh you’ll only get the base manual model, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller. Overall, for your family use and budget, the XUV 3XO AX5 lines up best.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon

Skoda Kushaq