Autocar India
•6d

We currently own a 2018 Hyundai Creta, but my mother is retiring next year and loves big cars. I'm looking for a 7-seater, preferably with a manual transmission, and my budget is around 45 lakh. The car will be used 90% on highways and 10% on rough roads. She likes the Mahindra Scorpio, but I'm not keen on it because of concerns about Mahindra's service centers. What would you recommend?

Verified
•10m

Pick the Toyota Innova Crysta diesel manual. For 90% highway use, it just eats distance, the seats are genuinely comfortable for seven, and the diesel’s easy torque makes overtakes calm even with luggage. It is a proper big, tough, ladder-frame car, so your 10% on rough roads is no worry, and Toyota’s service reach and consistency are a clear step up from what you’ve seen with Scorpio.

The catch is that it is not a true 4x4, so deep slush or serious trails are off the menu, and it will not wow anyone with gadgets. If you want a more SUV-looking option and still a manual, the Jeep Meridian diesel manual is worth a look for its sharper cabin and nicer highway manners, but for space, toughness and hassle-free ownership, the Toyota car fits your brief best.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Toyota Innova Crysta

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Toyota Innova Crysta

Toyota

Innova Crysta

from ₹23.67 Lakh

Jeep Meridian

Jeep

Meridian

from ₹28.35 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

Hi team, I already own a 2022 Tata Safari and want to replace it with a more powerful, comfortable, and feature-rich SUV. My budget is Rs. 35 lakh (on-road). I checked out the MG Majestor, but it is out of my budget, as the on-road price is around Rs. 48 lakh. I also looked at the Toyota Hycross, but I didn't like its interior. Kindly suggest the best 7-seater SUV within my budget. I usually drive in the city, covering around 30-40 km daily, and take one or two trips to hill stations every year.

Verified
•14h

At this price point and with your requirements, there isn't much choice available so the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel would be the most sensible option. It offers a more powerful diesel engine, a more refined driving experience and a premium cabin with a strong feature set. The diesel engine is punchy and well suited to both city driving and occasional hill station runs. The third row is not as spacious or comfy as your Tata Safari but it is usable. If the Mahindra car does not feel like an upgrade, you could consider the Jeep Meridian. It would feel larger and has a premium and classy cabin. The diesel engine of this Jeep car is the proven and familiar 2.0 litre multijet unit - the same engine that powers the diesel Safari. The Meridian will also do well for your long drives to hill stations as the ride and handling balance is outstanding with a secure handling for the ghats, good highway stability at higher speeds and a well judged ride quality over broken roads.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
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VehicleJeep Meridian
•4d

I am planning to buy a new 2026 Innova Crysta VX model. My average running will be around 25,000 km per year, and I want to keep the car for the next 7-8 years. Should I go for it? Will diesel cars remain a good choice in 2032?

Verified
•3d

Yes, go for the Toyota Innova Crysta VX diesel if you will do 25,000 km a year and keep it for 7-8 years. High yearly running suits the diesel well, so your fuel cost per km stays low, and this Toyota’s ladder-frame build and 2.4 diesel are proven to run trouble free well past 2 lakh km. This Toyota car is also the most comfortable way to carry family and luggage long distances, with a strong chassis and tough suspension that can take a beating, and Toyota service and resale are strong, which matters when you exit around year 8.One thing to keep in mind is policy. Diesel is unlikely to vanish by 2032, and fuel and service support will remain, but rules may tighten in big cities. If you are in Delhi-NCR, there is a 10-year cap on diesel ownership. Also, if most of your use is short, stop-start city trips, any modern diesel’s DPF can need extra attention. With your usage, however, it would seem that regular highway runs to regenerate the DPF are not out of the question.

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•1d

Hi, I'm looking for a comfortable, feature-loaded 7-seater SUV. My weekly running is around 150km. I already own a 2022 Tata Safari. My budget is 35 lakh on-road. I also checked out the MG Majestor and really liked it, but its on-road price is around 48 lakh, which is beyond my budget. I also looked at the Toyota Innova HyCross, but I didn't like its interior. Please suggest the best 7-seater SUV with good performance, comfort, features, fuel efficiency and strong road presence.

Verified
•1h

Given your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the most sensible recommendation. With a weekly running of around 150 km, diesel is not essential, so the petrol automatic is the better choice. It offers strong performance, a comfortable ride and a genuinely premium cabin experience, which addresses your concern with the HyCross interior. The 7XO is also well equipped with features and has a strong road presence, making it a worthy upgrade alongside your existing Safari. The Hycross remains the best choice for long-term reliability and efficiency, but if the interior is a deal-breaker, there is no point forcing the decision. The Mahindra car strikes the right balance between performance, comfort, features and value within your Rs 35 lakh budget.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross

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•4d

Is it worth waiting for the new BREZZA, or are there better alternatives for Mumbai city use and a few random trips outside, say 2 to 3 in a year, up to Pune, Panchgani, etc

Verified
•3d

Go for the Brezza, but wait for the new model as it's just a few weeks away. The Brezza is easy to drive in traffic, rides well over broken roads and speed breakers, and the automatic is smooth and stress-free. The cabin is airy, the visibility is good, and Maruti service reach in the city makes ownership simple. For the odd Pune or Panchgani run, it feels stable enough if driven in a relaxed manner. A point to consider if you often go up the ghats with four people and luggage: the 1.5 petrol is smooth but not very strong, so overtakes need a little planning.If that bothers you, the Skoda Kylaq with the automatic is the better alternative. It feels quicker in the hills and in gaps, and the gearbox responds a bit faster, which helps both on the ghats and in stop-go Mumbai traffic. You will trade a slightly firmer ride and a lower city mileage for that extra shove.For mostly city use, though, buying the Brezza is the sensible call.

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•5d

I am planning to purchase a new SUV. I have shortlisted two vehicles. Toyota Hyryder non-hybrid top model (manual) and Kia Seltos manual top model. Which one should I prefer? My daily running is very less around 10-15 kms.

Verified
•4d

With a daily running of just 10-15km, there's little benefit in stretching to a strong hybrid, and since you've shortlisted the non-hybrid Hyryder, the Seltos is the more complete package. It offers a more premium cabin, better performance from its naturally aspirated petrol engine, a stronger feature list and an overall more polished driving experience.The Toyota Hyryder still has its strengths. Toyota's reputation for reliability and aftersales support is second to none, and if long-term peace of mind is your top priority, it remains a very sensible choice. However, the non-hybrid petrol doesn't offer a significant efficiency advantage over the Seltos, so you miss out on the biggest reason to buy a Hyryder in the first place.Given your low running, we'd simply choose the SUV that you enjoy driving and living with every day. The Seltos also feels a little more modern inside and delivers a better overall ownership experience without asking you to compromise on reliability.

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•4d

Please suggest a car between the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in a budget of 16-18 L?

Verified
•3d

Go for the Kia Seltos. While they are both similar SUVs that use the same engines, the Seltos is a larger vehicle built on a newer platform. It thus offers better space and comfort, as well as new-generation tech, which the Creta will only get when its next-gen model is launched in 2027. It also has a higher-quality interior with better fit and finish. Depending on the engine, gearbox and variant you choose, you may find a few more features in the equivalent Creta compared to the Seltos, but overall value for money, the Seltos should still come out on top, considering its inherent benefits. That said, some reasons you might want to opt for the Creta is because you already own a Hyundai and are already in their system, and have an established relationship with the service centre. Also, if you are planning to exchange your i20, ask the dealer for a loyalty bonus or any other deal they might have; this could swing the purchase in favour of the Creta.

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Posted on: 14 Jul 2026