Dhalai

•26w

I am 68 years old and still drive on highways. My annual running is less than 12,000km. I am not used to all the fancy devices in new cars. Over the last 45 years, I have always owned a petrol sedan. Now, I am looking for an SUV with a large boot and the solid feel of a German car. My current car is in excellent condition, but being a sedan, comfort on highways is a problem. If I do buy a new car, it will be my last. Considering the foreseeable future, an electric option would be preferable.

•26w

After driving your Vento for over 15 years, it’s easy to see why you value the solid, planted feel of a German car. Given your age, highway usage and preference for a large boot and higher seating, moving to a German SUV is a very logical next (and final) step.

The Volkswagen Taigun remains the most straightforward upgrade. The 2026 facelift, which will be unveiled on April 9th, brings refreshed interiors and the new 8‑speed torque‑converter automatic for the 1.0 TSI, while the 1.5 TSI with DSG still delivers that strong, confident performance you’re used to. It will feel familiar enough coming from a Vento, but with better access, visibility and luggage space.

If you’re willing to stretch the budget, the newly launched Volkswagen Tayron R‑Line is the one that truly feels like a “last car”. It’s a larger, three‑row SUV positioned above the Tiguan, with a big 850‑litre boot (with the third row folded), a powerful 2.0 TSI engine, 7‑speed DSG and all‑wheel drive for outstanding high‑speed stability and safety. The cabin is modern and feature-packed, and the driving manners are very much in line with what you like about your current VW.

You mentioned electric as a preference, but given your running (under 12,000 km a year) and the state of charging infrastructure and costs, a refined turbo‑petrol like the Taigun or Tayron remains the more practical and stress‑free solution for the next 10-15 years.

Explore cars mentioned

Volkswagen

Taigun

from ₹12.54 Lakh

Volkswagen

Tayron

from ₹48.08 Lakh

•26w•

Thanks, will have a look at them. Regds to your team. Would an alternative like M&M XEV 9E worth considering?

More posts on similar cars

•5d

I am planning to buy my second car, a sub-4m petrol automatic SUV, with a budget of around Rs 15 lakh. I currently own a WagonR, and my usage is primarily city driving, with occasional long trips. I am confused between the Kia Sonet, Kia Syros and Hyundai Venue. I particularly like the Syros, but I am concerned about its low sales figures and the positioning of its headlamps. I am also unsure whether a 360-degree camera is worth having, as it is available only in the top variant of the Sonet, while the Syros does not offer one. I would appreciate your guidance on which of these SUVs would be better suited to my requirements.

•5h

For a second car that will primarily see city use with occasional long trips, the Kia Syros is the most interesting choice of the three. The Syros gives you a more substantial upgrade, with a spacious cabin, excellent rear seat comfort, a 465-litre boot and a premium interior while remaining under four metres. Its 2,550mm wheelbase is also longer than both the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue, which is why it feels particularly roomy inside.The low sales numbers would not be a major concern. The Syros uses familiar Kia powertrains and components, and Kia's service network is already well established. The headlamp position is unconventional and does expose the units to a greater risk of damage in a minor bumper corner impact, but it should not be a deal breaker if you like the car otherwise.The 360 degree camera is useful but not essential. It is particularly helpful in tight parking spaces and narrow city lanes, but a good rear camera and sensors do most of the job. It would not be worth choosing the Sonet's top variant solely to get a 360 degree camera. The Venue is the safer conventional choice if you prefer a newer, more established package, while the Sonet makes sense if you want a smaller, sportier-feeling cabin and more familiar product. But for your requirements, the Syros offers the most meaningful upgrade from a WagonR.

I am based in Navi Mumbai and am planning to buy an electric SUV or MPV. My daily commute is around 25km, while I typically drive 200km on weekends. I currently own a 2017 Hyundai Creta 1.6 diesel manual and have test-driven the Hyundai Creta Electric, BYD eMax 7 and Kia Carens Clavis EV. With a budget of Rs 30 lakh, which 6-seater electric SUV or MPV would be suitable for long-term ownership? I am also concerned about BYD's after-sales service and would like to understand how it compares with the other options in terms of service support and long-term reliability.

•6h

Based on your usage pattern and concerns, the Kia Carens Clavis EV is the most sensible recommendation. Your daily running of 25 km is well within the comfort zone of any modern EV, and the 200 km weekend trips are easily manageable with a car that offers a realistic range of around 400 km. The Carens Clavis EV is a well-packaged 6-seater with a spacious and practical cabin, and Kia's strong service network gives you the peace of mind you are looking for over a long ownership period.The BYD eMax 7 is a very impressive product with a large battery and strong range, but your concern about after-sales service is valid. BYD's service network is still growing, and for a long-term ownership decision, that can be a significant factor. The Hyundai Creta Electric is a good product, but as a 5-seater it does not meet your requirement for a 6-seater family vehicle.The Carens Clavis EV strikes the right balance between range, practicality, comfort and ownership confidence, making it the best fit for your needs.

Hyundai Creta Electric

BYD eMax 7

Kia Carens Clavis EV

•5d

I live in the hills, where roads are narrow and winding, and parking is either very limited or difficult to find. This would be our third car, and I am 60 years old. My annual income is Rs 4.5 lakh, with some savings set aside, and I could also consider taking a loan. We currently own a Maruti Suzuki Alto and are looking to upgrade. I have considered the Maruti Suzuki Fronx but am unsure if it would be the right choice for my requirements. What would you suggest, keeping my driving conditions, age and budget in mind?

•7h

Given your hill driving conditions, narrow roads, tight parking and the fact that this is your third car, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is a very sensible upgrade from the Alto. It is compact enough to be easy to manoeuvre and park, while offering a significant step up in comfort, safety and overall refinement. The 1.2-litre petrol engine is reliable, fuel efficient and well suited to hilly terrain, while the higher ground clearance is useful on uneven roads. It is not the most powerful engine in the segment, but performance is adequate for your requirements. If your budget allows, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol Maruti Suzuki Brezza LXi could also be a very good fit. It is competitively priced and would feel like a more substantial upgrade over your Alto.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

View all Posts

Popular discussions right now

•2d

Hi, I am planning to buy a CNG SUV and am considering the Tata Nexon CNG and Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG. I will be driving around 150km every day for office, so my main concerns are fuel economy and maintenance costs. Many people have suggested the Brezza because of its mileage and lower running costs, but Tata is also a large company and has a wide service network. So, why do buyers generally recommend the Brezza over the Nexon CNG? I personally prefer the Nexon, but I am confused about whether it would be the right choice for my daily usage. Which one would make more sense for my requirements?

•2d

Go with the Tata Nexon CNG if that is your preference. At 150 km daily, CNG is the right fuel choice, and both the Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Brezza are factory CNG cars, so reliability and safety are not a concern. The Nexon CNG is a strong product with good performance, a comfortable ride and a well-equipped cabin. The reason many people suggest the Brezza is Maruti's reputation for low maintenance costs, wide service reach and a long-standing reputation for hassle-free ownership. The Brezza CNG is also a very reliable and efficient package. However, the Nexon CNG is the more modern car and feels more premium inside.At 150 km daily, the key is to choose the car you will enjoy driving every day. The Nexon CNG is a solid choice, and there is no reason to change your decision.

Tata Nexon

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

•1d

I am confused between Creta SX IVT and Elevate CVT for 8000 km of annual running with long trips of 1200 km 3-4 times in a year for a family of 4. Apart from this, day to day usage is less than 100km per month. I am looking for a car for long term ownership and travel comfort.

•1d

The Creta SX IVT is the better fit for your requirement. It offers a quieter, more refined cabin, comfortable rear seats and a smoother CVT, which are particularly valuable when spending several hours on the highway with four people and luggage. Autocar's long term experience with the Creta petrol IVT also found it refined, comfortable and particularly well suited to road trips.The Honda Elevate CVT has advantages of its own. Its 220mm ground clearance, long travel suspension and large 458-litre boot make it particularly good on poor roads, while its naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine and CVT make for a relatively simple powertrain. However, the cabin is noticeably noisier, particularly when accelerating hard, and the CVT can produce the typical rubber band effect.

Honda Elevate

Hyundai Creta

•4d

I want to know the launch date of the new Toyota Innova Hycross model.

•4d

The Toyota Innova Hycross facelift is expected to launch in early 2027. Toyota has already been testing the updated Hycross in India, with spy shots showing a revised front end, new lighting elements and a redesigned bumper. The facelift is expected to bring some interior and feature updates as well, while the existing 2.0-litre petrol and strong hybrid powertrains are likely to continue. Toyota has not announced a confirmed launch date yet, so early 2027 is the current expectation rather than a firm date.

Toyota Innova HyCross facelift

View all Posts

Upcoming launch buzz

Community discussions on upcoming launches