I currently drive a Land Rover Defender, which I absolutely love for its design and capability. That said, I’m starting to think about SUVs that offer a bit more performance and sporty driving dynamics. I’ve briefly considered the Porsche Cayenne, but I’m curious if there are other options that balance power, handling, and everyday usability. For someone coming from a Defender, what would you recommend?

Autocar India

•6w

As you've rightly said, the Porsche Cayenne is probably your best option. No other large SUV handles as well as it does, and you get the option of two powerful turbo petrol engines - a 340hp V6 and a 500hp V8. However, if you're not concerned with having the Porsche badge, you should consider the Audi Q8, which is mechanically similar to the Cayenne, but comes in three performance levels, is set up to be more comfortable and usable, and is far more affordable too.

At one end, there is the base V6 version, with the same 340hp engine, and at the other extreme is the 650hp, V8-powered RS Q8 Performance. However, Audi is about to launch the SQ8 - with the 500hp V8 - in India, and this could be the sweet spot between price and performance for you.

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Ashish Mehta

•4d

Hi team Autocar, at the outset, I am an ardent follower of the Autocar podcast, just love to hear from Hormazd, Sergius and Ketan. Thank you for creating great content. Thank you for upskilling my auto instincts. I have a query. I currently own a Basalt AT Max, 2 years old, with 10K km on the odometer, which I use for my office commute (750-800 km per month). I am considering replacing it. What would be good options in the Rs 15-17 lakh budget? Also, should I replace it now, considering the resale value will keep dropping?

Autocar India

•16h

Firstly, thanks for your appreciation. Coming to your query, for a mostly city office run of about 750-800 km a month and a Rs. 15-17 lakh cap, we would lean toward the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi AT. It fits your use because the 6-speed automatic is smooth in stop-and-go traffic, the tall driving position makes city driving less tiring, and ownership is easy with a wide service network. Coming from a two-year-old car with only 10,000 km, this will feel like a step up in comfort and ease without jumping to a much bigger, heavier car that you don’t really need for city duty.Two quick reasons it suits you: your monthly use is not high, so a simple petrol automatic makes sense and keeps costs predictable, and the Brezza’s calm, easy nature in traffic is exactly what reduces daily stress on a commute. It also holds value well among compact SUVs which helps when you do sell later.Trade-offs to note are that it isn’t the quickest when you want a fast overtake, and the cabin, while solid, doesn’t feel fancy like some rivals.If you prefer something a bit smaller and even lighter to drive, look at the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.0 turbo with the automatic. It uses a smooth automatic gearbox, is easy to park, and should fit your budget in mid to high-trim models in most cities. If you want a sharper drive and more features, the Kia Sonet 1.0 DCT mid variant is worth a look, though its dual-clutch automatic transmission can feel a bit jerky at very low speeds.On the bigger question: with just 2 years and 10,000 km, you’re in the sweet spot to keep your current car. The biggest drop in value happens early, and you’ve already taken most of it. From here, the fall is slower. Unless you want a clear upgrade in comfort, safety features or size right now, holding on for another 2-3 years makes better money sense.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Kia Sonet

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

AKSHAY RAUT

•1d

Hi, currently, I am using a Tata Altroz petrol manual XZ (2020). Now, I want to upgrade to a mid-size SUV. My driving is 50% in the city and 50% on highways. My budget is ₹15 lakh. My priorities are safety, space, comfort, mileage as well as a smooth and powerful engine. I prefer a manual car. Kindly suggest.

Autocar India

•1d

Given your requirements, you could shortlist Skoda Kushaq Classic+, Citroen Aircross X Max and Honda Elevate V MT. All of these are excellent options with powerful engines and manual transmission. The Kushaq has been updated recently, and its entry-level Classic+ variant covers the basics well, and is the most affordable of the bunch. The Citroen car that we have mentioned has an excellent turbo-petrol engine, and the nicest ride quality. It is also gives you the option of seven seats at this price. The Elevate is a no-nonsense SUV with a strong, high-revving naturally aspirated petrol engine and an excellent ride-handling balance. We'd recommend you drive all three and pick the one that meets all your requirements.

Marivel Murugan

I currently drive a 2014 Honda City diesel and am planning an upgrade. I am 60, so ease of driving and parking is important. We are considering the Grand Vitara / e-Vitara and the new Seltos, but I am concerned that the Seltos may feel too large for city use (wider body and larger ORVMs). Would it be difficult to manoeuvre and park? Alternatively, would you suggest waiting for the Sierra EV or BYD Atto 2, or are they also likely to be similarly large? I find the Creta and Hyryder well balanced for narrow roads and easy driving (due to their relatively smaller ORVMs). I would appreciate your recommendation.

Autocar India

•2d

Given your mostly city use and the need for easy driving and parking, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Strong Hybrid fits you best from your list. They offer a slightly higher seating position than your 2014 City, so getting in and out is easier, and in traffic the hybrid often moves on electric power first, which makes it very smooth and calm to drive. The size feels friendly in narrow lanes, the mirrors are not bulky, and the steering is light, so slotting into tight spots is simple. If you pick a trim with a 360-degree camera and front sensors, it takes the stress out of parking.On your Seltos worry: in real life it is not meaningfully wider than Creta or Hyryder, and its steering is easy too. The mirrors do look larger, but once you set them and use auto-fold, they don’t get in the way. That said, since you already find the Hyryder comfortable on narrow roads, it (or the Grand Vitara) will feel more comfortable, as it is a bit smaller.Two things to note about these SUVs: the boot is smaller than the petrol-only versions, and when you press hard the engine gets a bit loud and quick highway passes need some planning. As for the Sierra EV, it is larger than all these, while the launch timeline of the BYD Atto 2 is still uncertain.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Hyundai Creta

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