Citroen Aircross X Turbo Petrol Max 7 Seat MT

Autocar India

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Given your requirements, you could shortlist Skoda Kushaq Classic+, Citroen Aircross X Max and Honda Elevate V MT. All of these are excellent options with powerful engines and manual transmission. The Kushaq has been updated recently, and its entry-level Classic+ variant covers the basics well, and is the most affordable of the bunch. The Citroen car that we have mentioned has an excellent turbo-petrol engine, and the nicest ride quality. It is also gives you the option of seven seats at this price. The Elevate is a no-nonsense SUV with a strong, high-revving naturally aspirated petrol engine and an excellent ride-handling balance. We'd recommend you drive all three and pick the one that meets all your requirements.

Skoda Kushaq

Citroen Aircross

Honda Elevate

Autocar India

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We have not heard of any confirmed facelift for the Citroen Aircross X in June, so that seems unlikely for now. Based on your needs, the Citroen Aircross X 1.2 turbo automatic would suit you better than the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder for long highway trips.The Citroen Aircross offers a noticeably more comfortable back seat. It’s wide, has good thigh support, and the backrest angle is spot-on for long journeys. Ride quality is supple even on uneven surfaces, and the car stays planted at highway speeds, so rear passengers don’t get tossed around. The 1.2‑litre turbo engine has enough punch for easy overtakes, and the automatic gearbox shifts smoothly. As a five-seater, the boot is also generous, which makes it ideal for road trips.The only real drawback is Citroen’s inconsistent sales and service network. Before buying, gauge how proactive your local dealer is. If they’re indifferent during the sales process, expect even less enthusiasm during service visits. If that’s the case, it’s best to walk away.Opt for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder only if you prioritise Toyota’s bulletproof reliability and after-sales support. But for your stated priorities, which are highway comfort and rear-seat space, the Citroen Aircross remains the more enjoyable and relaxed choice.

Citroen Aircross

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

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Go for the Citroen Aircross if comfort and space are your priority; otherwise, pick the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder for a more well-rounded ownership experience. The Citroen has a more spacious rear seat, better cushioning and a softer ride, which makes it noticeably more comfortable over long drives and bad roads. If you are often travelling with family or prioritise back seat comfort, this is the car that will feel better day to day.The Hyryder takes a different approach. It is not as spacious or plush at the rear, but it feels more complete overall, with better features, refinement and a stronger ownership experience thanks to Toyota’s reliability and service support. It is the easiest car to live with long-term.

Citroen Aircross

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

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You can opt for Kia Carens Clavis in your Rs 15-18 lakh budget; it gives you the most space and the most upmarket feel for the money. You already have a Volkswagen Taigun, which is a great driver’s car, but the Clavis will feel far roomier the moment you get in. The second row has lots of knee room, the third row is usable for adults on short trips, and with the last row folded, the boot is huge for airport runs or a long holiday. Plus, Kia’s service reach in most cities is strong, so upkeep is simple.One thing to be aware of: it won’t feel as lively to drive as your Taigun, and the steering feels lighter, so cornering won’t be as engaging. Moreover, within your budget, you'll get the mid-range HTK+ variant, which, though it has more than just the basics, doesn't offer the full suite of features you get higher up the range. Much better value for money is the Citroen Aircross, which comes in a 7-seat variant with a flexible third row of seats that can be removed when you don't need it. It has a supremely comfortable ride, and for under Rs 17 lakh, you will get the top-spec X Max 7-seat automatic variant. Just bear in mind, Citroen's service network isn't as wide as Kia's, so make sure there's an outlet near you.

Kia Carens Clavis

Citroen Aircross

Autocar India

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Do note that you will only get the base models of most of these SUVs in your budget of Rs 15 lakh (the two Mahindra cars are entirely out of your budget), so be prepared to increase your budget if you want more features or a more powerful engine. That being said, among your chosen options, the Tata Sierra is the most spacious and comfortable, and best suited for tall passengers, so that should be your choice from the five-seaters.If you want a seven-seater, the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is the best value-for-money option you could pick, and it meets all your requirements, including the budget. However, another car worth considering is the Citroen Aircross X, which comes in both 5- and 7-seat options, and is priced really well. It's spacious, comfortable and gets a punchy engine with a smooth 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

Tata Sierra

Citroen Aircross

Autocar India

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If you are looking for something with similar performance to the Citroen Basalt/Aircross, you should consider the Volkswagen Taigun or the Skoda Kushaq with the 1.0 TSI and torque converter automatic. The facelifted Kushaq now gets an 8-speed automatic replacing the old 6-speed unit, and the Taigun will get the same when it is facelifted later this year.The 1.0 TSI makes a healthy 115hp and 178Nm, which delivers better performance than the naturally aspirated engine in the Elevate and is on par with the Basalt. The 6-speed torque converter automatic was also smooth-shifting and very convenient to use, and we expect the 8-speed to be more of the same. With 80 percent of your driving in heavy Bengaluru traffic, this transmission will be a boon.Prices for the facelifted Kushaq will be announced later this month, and we expect our first drive reviews to drop around the same time. Before you decide, take a test drive, of course.

Citroen Basalt

Citroen Aircross

Volkswagen Taigun

Autocar India

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Yes, the Citroen Basalt X or Aircross X would make great upgrades from your Honda Amaze. For one, they are a size larger, and secondly, they are very well priced - although consider upping your budget very slightly to get a higher-spec automatic variant.Both cars have excellently calibrated suspension, which gives them superb ride quality as well as sharp handling. This is only complemented by their smooth yet punchy 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine and 6-speed torque converter automatic. Considering your requirements, either of these would be a great option for you.

Citroen Basalt

Citroen Aircross

Autocar India

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Finding a genuinely good, sparingly used example of the Jeep Meridian, Skoda Kodiaq, or Volkswagen Tiguan isn’t always easy. These are relatively expensive SUVs, and many owners tend to keep them. If you do find a 2024 model with low kilometres, full service history and no accident record, reliability shouldn’t be a major concern. They’re still relatively new and based on proven platforms and engines.Between the three, VW and Skoda’s dealer networks tend to be more consistent than Jeep’s when it comes to the aftersales experience. Since you’re in Pune, network strength isn’t a problem, but service attitude and technical depth do matter, especially with turbo-petrol, DSG-equipped European SUVs. On that front, the Kodiaq and Tiguan usually inspire a bit more confidence. Ultimately, though, condition, service history and how the previous owner has treated the car should be your top priority when buying pre-owned.For peace of mind, you could also explore our partner channel Spinny, which has a good reputation for selling quality pre-owned vehicles that have been inspected and come with warranty support. That reduces risk compared to buying from an unknown individual seller.If you’re considering a new one instead, the Citroen Aircross is a very different proposition. It’s not in the same league as the Kodiaq or Tiguan in terms of outright performance, cabin plushness or road presence. Performance, too, is not in the same league.That said, buying new has its own advantages - full warranty, zero history risk and predictable maintenance. If you’re happy with the space and don’t mind that it’s not as premium or powerful as the larger German SUVs, it can be an easy car to live with.One word of caution: Citroen dealer experience can vary. If you find yourself having to chase the dealership repeatedly just to get a test drive or basic information, take that as a red flag.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Citroen Aircross

Jeep Meridian

Skoda Kodiaq

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For a mid-size SUV in your budget, you would mostly get base to low variants of most vehicles, so prepare to miss out on some features and equipment. However, there is one exception, which handily serves your other requirements nicely as well.The Citroen Aircross X is exceptional value for money, offering both 5- and 7-seat layouts with lots of space for passengers and luggage. Its suspension is superbly tuned and offers possibly the best ride comfort in the segment, and its 6-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and pairs well with the punchy 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine.While service costs are reasonable, Citroen's service network isn't as wide as other brands', so make sure there is a service centre close enough to you.

Citroen Aircross

Autocar India

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The Citroen Aircross has a turbo petrol engine, so relatively lower mileage is not surprising. In our tests, the Aircross returned around 9.5 kmpl in city conditions for both the manual and automatic variants. For reference, the Kia Sonet, which is similarly priced but smaller in size, returned around 11.5 kmpl in the city, giving it an advantage of almost 2 kmpl in efficiency. The main reason for that is the Aircross’s larger size and weight.That said, since our efficiency test was carried out in Mumbai, in cities with more free-flowing traffic, you can expect a bit more mileage from the Aircross.

Kia Sonet

Citroen Aircross