Autocar India
1d

I am planning to buy a new SUV under Rs 30 lakh and am open to both five- and seven-seater options. I have tried the Toyota Innova HyCross non-hybrid, Mahindra XUV 7XO, Hyundai Alcazar, Kia Seltos and Renault Duster, but I am confused about which one to choose. My main priorities are space, comfort and a good engine. My running is not very high, at just under 1,000km a month. Please advise.

Verified
14m
Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross non-hybrid. Your priorities are space, comfort and a good engine, and the HyCross delivers on all three. It is one of the most spacious cars in the segment, with a genuinely usable third row and a comfortable ride that makes it an excellent family car. The petrol engine is smooth, refined and well suited to your running of under 1,000 km a month, where the hybrid premium is harder to justify.
The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a strong alternative with a more powerful engine and a more feature-rich cabin, but the HyCross has the edge on space, comfort and long-term ownership experience.
The Hyundai Alcazar and Kia Seltos are good cars, but they do not offer the same level of space or comfort, and the Renault Duster is more of a driver's car than a family car. The Toyota car mentioned above is the car you will be happiest with after five years of ownership.
Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Innova HyCross

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3d

Hi, my car usage is around 3,000km per month. Currently, I drive a 2020 Ford Endeavour diesel AT 4x4 and a 2017 Mahindra Thar CRDe 4x4 for rough and countryside roads. I enjoy driving both cars on these kinds of roads, although I experience quite a bit of body roll and physical strain. For city driving and highways, I use a 2017 Skoda Rapid diesel MT and an Innova Crysta diesel. I particularly enjoy driving the Skoda, while I prefer travelling as a passenger in the Crysta because of its comfort. As you can see, I have been a diesel car owner so far, but with diesel cars becoming less common in the market, should I consider switching to a petrol engine or a hybrid? My usage covers almost every type of Indian road, including metro cities, countryside roads, highways and hilly terrain, so I am finding it difficult to decide which car would suit my requirements best within a budget of Rs 40 lakh, with an automatic transmission. My top priorities are safety, with zero compromise, followed by driving comfort and the highest possible mileage.

Verified
2d

You already have different cars for different purposes, but you haven't mentioned which of the four cars you would like to replace. Within Rs 40 lakhs, the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid is an excellent, tried and tested option. It is efficient, extremely spacious, and the ride comfort is good too. Also, with light steering, a responsive powertrain and good visibility and driving aids, it is very user-friendly. So unlike the Innova Crysta, which would be more suited for the chauffeur-driven, the Hycross is also surprisingly easy to drive too.You could also consider the new Kia Sorento, which seems excellent value for money. We haven't got a chance to drive or test it yet, however it seems spacious, well-equipped and on first impression, the interior quality seems to be excellent. This is one SUV you must test drive before finalising - it has both 2.2 diesel and 1.6 turbo strong hybrid options.

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1d

Hi Autocar, I am a regular viewer of your YouTube channel and enjoy watching your reviews of cars and bikes. I currently use a 2016 Honda Jazz petrol manual at home. It is reliable and spacious, but lacks power. I now live in Mumbai and am looking to buy an SUV for both city driving and long trips. I am a driving enthusiast and regularly go on long drives with my family. I typically do at least 1,000km when I come home for holidays every alternate month, while the car will remain mostly idle in the other months. My priorities are a powerful petrol engine producing at least 120hp, an automatic transmission and enough rear-seat space for three people. I don't want too many bells and whistles such as a panoramic sunroof, multiple screens, ADAS or ventilated seats. Basic features are sufficient for me. Please suggest a safe and reliable car for long-term use within a budget of Rs 20-30 lakh on-road. I am also open to considering a used car.

Verified
21h

Coming from a Honda Jazz and considering that you enjoy driving, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic is a strong fit for your requirements. Its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol produces 203hp and 380Nm, giving it the performance you are looking for, while the 6-speed torque converter automatic works well for both Mumbai traffic and long highway drives. It also has a spacious cabin with enough width to accommodate three adults in the second row comfortably, making it a practical family car.This Mahindra car also offers a good balance of safety, ride comfort and highway stability, which will be particularly useful given your regular 1,000km road trips. Despite its size, it is reasonably easy to drive, and the large boot is useful for carrying luggage.The main drawback is fuel economy, particularly in Mumbai traffic, but your relatively low average annual running means this shouldn't be a major concern. A well-equipped AX5 or AX7 petrol AT would fit the brief without paying extra for features you don't particularly need.

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Posted on: 18 Sept 2026