We are a family of four, with teenage children. We have been driving a Skoda Octavia for the past 7+ years. Our usage is mainly city driving, around 600-800 km per month in Bangalore traffic, and approximately 5,000 km of highway driving annually. If we want to upgrade to an SUV or MUV, what would be ideal? We are looking for safety, driving pleasure, and a luxurious interior, overall, something that feels like a step up. The budget is around ₹40 lakh.

Autocar India

•15h

You should go for the Toyota Innova HyCross GX (O) if you want a true 7-seater with the roomiest third row of seats. The HyCross's 2,850 mm wheelbase and flat floor make the third row friendlier for adults than the Tata Safari or the Mahindra XUV 7XO. Furthermore, it's backed up by Toyota’s proven reliability and hassle-free ownership in India.However, you will have to compromise when it comes to the powertrain. The Hycross' 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine isn't as punchy as the Tata Safari and XUV 7XO's turbocharged units, and real-world mileage is quite poor, as we managed 6.9kpl in the city and 12.4kpl on the highway. The Toyota also doesn't get a diesel engine option like the other two.If you prioritise performance and high-end features, either the Safari or the Mahindra XUV 7XO makes more sense. As for pricing, the Innova HyCross GX (O) is priced between Rs 20.43 lakh and Rs 20.56 lakh (ex-showroom).

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•22h

While both brands are very popular, there's no doubt that Toyota has an edge over Mahindra when it comes to resale value. This is especially true of the Innova brand, which has made a strong name for itself with regard to reliability and longevity since its introduction in 2005, and that has passed on to the Innova HyCross strong hybrid as well.Moreover, given that electric cars have only been around a relatively short time and the longevity of their batteries is yet to be proven, there is uncertainty around them, and thus their resale value is generally lower than that of vehicles with an engine, which aren't solely dependent on their battery.So even after three years, the Innova will have a stronger resale value than the Mahindra XEV 9S. And yes, while the Mahindra has a long list of the latest features, the Toyota Innova HyCross in top-spec trim gets all the essentials and then some.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XEV 9S

Autocar India

•2d

From a pure six-seater comfort point of view, the Tata Safari is the better option. It offers a more comfortable third row, and thanks to the sliding middle row, you get more flexibility to create additional legroom and knee room for passengers sitting in the back.The XUV700’s third row is more suitable for children, and that too mainly for shorter journeys. This limitation remains even if you look at the used examples of the earlier versions.If you want an even better six-seater in terms of overall comfort, you can also consider the Toyota Innova HyCross. It offers a full-size third row and is comfortable enough even for adults, making it a stronger option if third row usability is a priority.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Safari