Lexus Suv Cars in India (4)

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Given your usage pattern of mainly city driving with occasional long runs, the Lexus RX 350h would be our recommendation. The hybrid powertrain is particularly well-suited to your needs, offering excellent refinement and efficiency in urban conditions while still being capable and comfortable on longer journeys. Lexus cars also have a strong reputation for reliability and lower long-term maintenance costs, which addresses your concerns with the E 250 CDI.The Mercedes GLE and BMW X5 are both excellent SUVs, but they are more performance-oriented and can be more expensive to maintain over time. The GLE 300d is a strong diesel option, but with your limited usage, the benefits of a diesel are less compelling. The X5 xDrive30d is similarly impressive, but again, the Lexus hybrid makes more sense for your driving pattern. There are also these cars' respective petrol versions, but coming from a diesel, you might find their respective running costs much higher.The RX 350h strikes the right balance between luxury, efficiency and long-term ownership peace of mind. The only downsides are that it's not that exciting to drive, and that Lexus' network isn't anywhere near as big as Mercedes or BMW cars. But if you have a dealer close to you, and don't mind a more relaxed drive, it is a genuinely premium SUV that should prove to be a more satisfying ownership experience over the long term.

Lexus RX

Mercedes-Benz GLE

BMW X5

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For your needs, we'd recommend the Mercedes-Benz GLC from your shortlist. The GLC’s front seats have good lumbar support and wide adjustment, so it is easy to set up a posture that is kind to a weak back, and the cabin is quiet which reduces fatigue on longer days. Between the petrol and diesel, it's a trade-off between mileage and maintenance - the diesel's fuel economy is no doubt better, but this Mercedes-Benz car also requires AdBlue top-ups and DPF regeneration every so often, so keep that in mind.You'll have to stretch well beyond ₹1 crore on-road for the GLE, but then it does ride and drive better, especially if you choose a six-cylinder model with air suspension. As for the BMW iX3, it is still a while away, with a launch not expected before 2027. If you can wait that long, however, it is coming here in long-wheelbase guise, so space and comfort should be plenty. Another offbeat alternative you should consider is the Lexus RX 350h. It fits in your budget, is spacious and comfortable, and offers a unique take on luxury with all the features you might want. Its biggest strength is its hybrid powertrain that is incredibly efficient and reliable too. Lexus' network in India, however, is smaller than Mercedes' or BMW's.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Lexus RX

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While there are a few interesting options in this price range, we feel you should pick the BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport. Apart from being excellent to drive and very luxurious, it will feel like a nice departure from your GLS and Volvo XC90. BMW's straight-six engines are superb when it comes to refinement, smoothness and performance, and given your intended heavy usage, some of which is on the highway, we'd recommend the diesel, which is strong and efficient. You can easily get more than 700km out of a tank of diesel in your mixed driving cycle.An alternative is the Mercedes-Benz GLE, which offers more rear-seat space and a slightly more comfortable ride, though we feel it will be too similar to your GLS, or the Lexus RX 500h, whose smooth and efficient hybrid powertrain is an excellent alternative to the established order.

BMW X5

Volvo XC90

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Lexus RX

autocar.india

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At your price range, there aren't any full-size hybrid luxury SUVs, but you do have a few options to upgrade from your Audi car. You could consider the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which, while not from one of the traditional luxury brands, offers comparable tech, space, and interior appointments to a full-size luxury SUV at excellent value for money.Alternatively, you would have to move a size down, but you can get an excellent, strong hybrid SUV in the form of the Lexus NX. It has a uniquely Japanese take on luxury, and its reputation for rock-solid reliability and low running costs means it will last you 15 years with little issue.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Lexus NX

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For a primarily chauffeur-driven requirement with rear seat space, comfort and luxury as the top priorities, the Lexus ES 350h is the more compelling choice. The ES 350h is a full-size luxury sedan with a genuinely spacious rear seat, excellent ride comfort and a very refined hybrid powertrain that delivers a smooth, quiet and effortless experience. The hybrid system also brings a clear advantage in terms of fuel efficiency, especially in city driving, which helps keep running costs lower over the long term.The BMW 330i LWB is a very good car and the long-wheelbase version does offer improved rear seat space, but it is still fundamentally a driver's car at heart. The rear seat is comfortable, but it does not quite match the sheer space, comfort and sense of occasion that the Lexus offers. The BMW's turbo petrol engine is also less efficient in city driving and overall running costs are likely to be higher over a long ownership period.Where the BMW car does have an advantage is in driving dynamics and overall engagement, but for a chauffeur-driven brief that is less relevant. The Lexus car also has a strong reputation for reliability and ownership experience, which further strengthens its case.Overall, the Lexus ES 350h is the better fit for your requirements. It offers a more spacious and comfortable rear seat, lower running costs thanks to the hybrid system and a more relaxed and luxurious ownership experience. The BMW 330i LWB remains a very good car, but it is better suited to buyers who want to spend more time behind the wheel.

Lexus ES

BMW 3 Series LWB