autocar-logo
Delhi
HS

Himanshu Shah

9w

I am planning to buy a new car with an on-road budget of ₹40 lakh. I prefer sedans like the Octavia or Superb and can wait a year or two for the right car. What are my best options?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
8w
Sadly, there are no longer any sedans available near the Rs 40 lakh mark, thanks to low demand and a shift in preference to SUVs, and it's unlikely any will launch in the coming years as well. In fact, the ₹30-40 lakh segment has effectively become a dead zone in the market.
As for other body styles, you could look at two Stellantis SUVs - the Citroen C5 Aircross and the Jeep Meridian - which are very different takes on the premium SUV.
The Citroen is more fun to drive and comfortable with a smooth diesel engine, soft seats and excellent suspension. The Jeep feels more rugged and upmarket with great off-road ability, should you need it, and a luxurious cabin with the option of a third row. You could stretch your budget a bit and get a Skoda Kodiaq, which is the closest thing you'll get to a Superb for the time being.
Citroen C5 Aircross

Citroen C5 Aircross

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

Got a suggestion for Himanshu?

Add a Comment

Latest questions people are discussing

SA

Sathyan

1d

I have a Skoda Yeti 2017, last batch with 130k on the odometer. It is my daily driving car. My running is 80 km a day on the highways. For the past few days, I’ve been having an itch to upgrade to a diesel automatic, but I couldn’t find a proper replacement for the Yeti under ₹35 lakh. The question is, should I retain the Yeti for a few more years or replace it soon?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

The Skoda Yeti was a unique and very special SUV, and there's nothing quite like it on the market anymore. In fact, the entire Rs 30-40 lakh space is virtually empty at the moment, with only a few electric cars filling it, and diesel options on the whole are becoming fewer by the day.You should definitely retain the Yeti for as long as you can, but with the knowledge that it will become more difficult and expensive to maintain with each passing year. 130,000km is a lot of mileage, and the model has long been discontinued globally, after all.Your best bet in that price range that will give you something close to that tough, adventurous feel the Yeti was so good at delivering is the Jeep Meridian. Like the Yeti, it feels solid yet luxurious, has a strong diesel engine and comes with the option of 4x4; the advantage here is that it gets an automatic option as well.

VehicleJeep Meridian
TS

Tarundeep Singh

5d

I am planning to buy a strong and comfortable SUV that will mainly be used for road trips every few months, where 300+ km drives should feel comfortable. My priorities are space, stability on highways, and reasonable maintenance. Currently, I am considering the Skoda Kodiaq, Jeep Meridian, and MG Gloster, especially since all three seem to be available with good discounts these days. However, I am also wondering if it would be worth stretching my budget to consider bigger SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner or the MG Majestor.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

The Skoda Kodiaq would be the ideal choice among the listed options. The Kodiaq has an excellent long-legged nature that makes road trips effortless. The TSI engine is refined, and cabin insulation is excellent. The quality of the interior is high-end, and the build is strong, too.If you maintain it well with timely service and drive it with care, even maintenance isn't a problem. The Kodiaq is a three-row SUV with lots of space and practicality, and a long list of features as well. What is also worth noting is the ride comfort, which is a lot better than that of body-on-frame SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner. Resale value with a Kodiaq is good too, and it is a premium, high-quality SUV on the whole.

VehicleSkoda Kodiaq
VehicleToyota Fortuner
RA

Rajeev

3d

I currently own a Land Rover Defender and really enjoy its styling and versatility. Lately, though, I’ve been wondering if there are SUVs that deliver a more premium and luxurious cabin experience. I’ve looked at the Range Rover Sport and the Lexus LX, but I’m unsure if they would feel like a meaningful upgrade. What SUVs would you suggest for someone who wants luxury, comfort, and a strong road presence?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport would be a good switch from the Defender. Where the Defender has rugged appeal, the Range Rover Sport is properly posh. The classy design stands out, and the minimalist interior has a very different vibe from the Defender.Other alternatives include the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. Further up the price ladder, there's the Mercedes-Maybach GLS and Range Rover.The Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Lexus LX are also big on price and presence, but are not as comfortable as the options listed above.

VehicleLand Rover Range Rover Sport

Posted on: 10 Jan 2026