I have been following Autocar since the early 2000s and want to highlight what I feel is Maruti Suzuki’s stepchild treatment of some highly competent cars that suffered due to poor marketing. Models like the original Baleno sedan and Altura, Grand Vitara, Kizashi, A-Star, Ritz, and now the Ignis were strong products in their segments, yet failed commercially. I request the Autocar team to objectively highlight the strengths of the Ignis, especially when it is compared with cars like the Wagon R, Celerio, or even the new Swift with the 3-cylinder Z-series engine. From a pure product standpoint, does the Wagon R really come close to the Ignis?

Thank you for your comments and for being such a long-time reader. We respect your views on the various Maruti-Suzuki cars that didn’t get their due. However, it is not Maruti-Suzuki that decides the success or failure of a car, but the customer who is very demanding and has other choices and options. The Kizashi failed because, for the price, customers didn’t see value in it. The A-Star was too small and cramped for the price. Going back to the start of this century, the Baleno sedan was overpriced, and the Baleno Altura failed because Indian customers don’t like station wagons or estates. In fact, there has never been a successful estate car yet. The Ignis, too, though a capable car, has not clicked largely due to its design. The reason we recommend the Wagon R regularly is that it is a practical choice. It offers unmatched space and is easy to drive and live with - attributes that have made it so popular.

You are right, the Innova, especially the Innova Hycross, is far more comfortable and refined than the Fortuner, which feels crude in comparison. There is no doubt the Toyota Fortuner has tremendous road presence with its height and imposing looks, but the suspension is bumpy, the interiors are basic, and the diesel engine is quite noisy, too. The Fortuner is the one to go for if you regularly drive to remote regions and want power and the ability to go anywhere. The Innova Hycross, on the other hand, is powered by a far smoother petrol engine. The Hycross has a far more comfortable cabin, too, and overall is the better everyday car. You also have the option of the Innova Crysta diesel, which is more comfortable than the Fortuner. But it is only available with a manual variant and is not as well-equipped as the Hycross.

Broadly speaking, the higher you sit in a car, the more comfortable you are, which is why SUVs and MPVs are more comfortable over long drives. But it's not just the height of the car but lots of other factors like the ‘H-Point’ (the distance between your hip and the floor) under thigh support, the seat cushioning and finally the driving position which impacts comfort on a long drive.

There aren't many choices in the Rs 50 lakh range for seven-seater cars, but there are a few options to consider. If the third-row space is not critical and will only be used occasionally for short trips, the best seven-seater for your budget is the Skoda Kodiaq. It drives exceptionally well, thanks to a smooth and strong turbocharged petrol engine, as well as good handling. The cabin is well-equipped and feels pretty premium, too. You could also consider the Volkswagen Tayron. It will be launched next month and is in the same league as the Kodiaq, though the price has not been announced yet. If third row comfort and all-around space are your priority, then Innova Hycross hybrid is your best option. But, it is a step down from the Kodiaq, and Tayron. Being a hybrid, you will find it exceptionally smooth, especially when it runs in full electric mode.