I have been driving Jeeps from a very young age. First the CJ3B, then MM540, Thar CRDe, Thar 2022, and now the 2025 Roxx AX7L 4x4. With government norms tightening, I’m worried that chassis-based 4x4 diesel SUVs may soon disappear. I am based in Delhi and nearing retirement in about 10 years. Is there any hope, or will this lineage disappear? My running is around 2,500 km per month, with 99% highway use. For city driving, I keep a small car, and even an EV could work there, but absolutely not for my highway travel. Do you see any suitable replacement? Also, I had met Mr Sorabjee at the Auto India stall at Auto Expo 1993.

Autocar India

•2d

For that requirement, the Toyota Fortuner is the safest bet. It feels built for bad roads, can be had with proper low-range four-wheel drive for steep, loose climbs and snow, and Toyota’s service reach is strong even in smaller hill towns. On highways, it sits steady at speed, the seats are supportive, and you can load it up with family and bags without worry. Coming from a Pajero, you will feel the same go-anywhere confidence but with a far more modern cabin and easier ownership.Two things to keep in mind. It is very expensive for what it is, and in slow, broken patches, the ride can feel firm. It is also a big SUV, so narrow village lanes and tight hotel parking will require patience.If you want most of that ability for a lot less money, look at the Mahindra Thar Roxx. It too can be had with low-range four-wheel drive, strong pull at low speed for hairpins, and Mahindra support is widespread in the North. You give up some highway polish, and it may not be as rock-solid reliable as a Toyota, but it is a serious mountain tool. Overall, the Fortuner fits your brief best; the Thar Roxx is the strong value alternative.

Toyota Fortuner

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Autocar India

•1h

Go for the Tata Punch EV Long Range. For school runs, pick-ups and short daily trips, the Punch EV works very well. It is compact, easy to park and effortless to drive in traffic, with smooth and silent performance that suits stop-and-go conditions. The long-range version gives you enough real-world range to cover multiple days of city use without needing to charge frequently. It also offers good ground clearance, so you will not have to worry about bad roads or speed breakers. Coming from an S-Cross, you will find it much easier to manoeuvre in tight lanes and parking spots, though you will notice the smaller rear seat and boot.If you want more space and stronger performance, you can consider the Tata Nexon EV. It feels quicker and more substantial, but it is more expensive and not as easy to park in tight areas. At the other end, if your usage is strictly short trips in very tight urban conditions, the MG Comet is the easiest to drive and park, but its two-door layout makes rear seat access less convenient for daily use.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Nexon EV

MG Comet

Autocar India

•7h

You are looking for higher ground clearance, smoother automatic, cooled seats and a more premium experience, and the Seltos delivers on all of these. The IVT gearbox is very smooth in city traffic, a clear step up from your current AMT, and the naturally aspirated petrol is refined and easy to drive for your low, city-heavy running. Being a newer generation car, it also feels more premium inside and out, offers better space and has a well-sorted ride that suits both city and occasional highway use.The Duster is a strong alternative if you prioritise driving feel. The turbo petrol with DCT is more engaging, but in daily city use it will not feel as smooth as the Seltos IVT, and fuel efficiency will also be lower. The Grand Vitara is efficient and easy to drive, but it does not feel as premium and the engine and gearbox combination is not as strong or responsive as the Seltos. It is also not as spacious. The Creta shares a similar powertrain, but being the older car, it does not feel as fresh or as premium inside, is slightly less spacious and costs similar money, which makes the Seltos the better pick.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•1d

You want a car that is comfortable in the city, easy to drive and capable of doing long trips for the next 10 years. The Toyota Innova Hycross fits this very well. The hybrid system makes it very smooth and quiet in city driving, and the automatic gearbox is effortless, which becomes more important with age. On highways, it is stable, comfortable and built for long-distance travel, which is what the Innova name has always stood for.What really works in your favour is long-term ownership. Toyota’s reliability, strong service network and resale value make it one of the safest bets if you plan to keep the car for many years. The Hycross also offers excellent space, easy ingress and egress and a comfortable ride, which are important for everyday use and for passengers as you grow older.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•3d

With a 70 km daily mix of traffic and highway use, we would lean towards the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid. Your usage is high, and the hybrid will use far less fuel in city traffic while staying calm and smooth. It pulls away on electric power at low speeds, so stop-go driving feels quiet and easy.You like the Seltos for its cabin and stronger shove, and that is fair. The Seltos diesel feels stronger when you press the throttle for quick passes, and its cabin does look and feel richer. If most of your 70 km is open highway and you really value that strong pull and the Kia car interior, the Seltos diesel automatic is still a solid pick.On a Kia Seltos hybrid: Kia does intend to introduce a hybrid, but timing is not yet decided as they are trying to localise components. We estimate it could arrive in 2027, but that could change. For your mix of city and highway, the Hyryder strong-hybrid lines up best with what you need right now.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•5d

Mostly highway use, about 1,000 km a month, safety first, and an automatic in the Rs 12-13 lakh range, in that brief, we would suggest the Skoda Kylaq Signature. Its torque converter is much smoother than an AMT or DCT, so city driving feels easy, and performance from the 1.0 TSI makes highway overtakes effortless. The Kylaq has a 5-star crash score from Bharat NCAP and feels steady at highway speeds, which builds confidence. It also rides well over broken patches, so you are not tossed around.Two things to keep in mind: while the front seats are comfy and supportive, space in the back seat is a bit tight. It makes up for it with a large boot and a low loading lip. If you want more space, look at the Nissan Magnite Tekna Turbo CVT, which has a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP.Overall, for highway-heavy use with safety at the top, the Kylaq lines up best in your budget.

Skoda Kylaq

Nissan Magnite