Mercedes Benz Suv Cars in India (9)

autocar.india

•1w

Within a budget of Rs. 70 lakh, the BMW 3 Series is one of the best choices. However, if ground clearance is a concern, an SUV would be the more practical option. Equivalent SUVs such as the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC will require stretching the budget by another Rs. 10-15 lakh. Otherwise, the alternatives will have to come from a segment below.Since comfort is a priority, it would be worth waiting for the upcoming BMW X1 Long Wheelbase, which is set to launch on 21 August. As it will be assembled in India, pricing is expected to remain competitive and within your budget.The Audi Q3 and Q3 Sportback are also worth considering. They offer a refined petrol engine, smooth performance, and a high-quality cabin. Their only drawback is that they are not the most modern in terms of features. With the new-generation Q3 expected to arrive soon, attractive discounts on the current models are also likely.

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series LWB

Audi Q3

Audi Q3 Sportback

Mercedes-Benz GLC

autocar.india

•4w

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

autocar.india

•4w

Unfortunately, there are very few EVs that will give you a real-world range of 600km - even though their official rating says so - and fewer still with a 7-seat layout. The only one that fits the bill is the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, whose price is around Rs 1.5 crore. If that fits your budget, then go for it, as it is one of the best luxury EVs you can buy in India today. The other three-row EVs lower down are the Tesla Model Y L (6 seater) and the Mahindra XEV 9S (6/7 seater). Both have official ratings of over 650km, but the real-world range is likely to be more in the region of 500km. In our real-world range test, the XEV 9S with the largest (79kWh) battery pack returned 477km overall, and while we haven't range tested the Model Y L, previous Tesla models have proven quite efficient. If your budget can accommodate the Tesla at around Rs 65 lakh, you should get it. If not, the Mahindra at around Rs 22-32 lakh should be adequate.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

Tesla Model Y

Mahindra XEV 9S

autocar.india

•10w

At this budget and with these options, there are many directions you could go, all of which have some distinct advantage. The easiest one is the Mercedes-Benz GLS, which offers maximum space for your money, including a third row of seats. It offers the choice of smooth six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, and Mercedes has the widest sales and service network of all these brands, so you're in good hands. Do note that, of these SUVs, this is the most common, and its large size can make it cumbersome to drive around town.The Land Rover Defender could be seen as the best value for money, and the one that offers the most variety, including four- and six- cylinder engines, and various body styles and seating configurations. With a slight stretch in budget, you can even get a supercharged V8 engine, which is incredibly characterful. However, quality in this Land Rover car isn't quite as good as the rest, including its own sibling, the Range Rover Sport.The Sport will push your budget, and even then, it offers a 6-cylinder petrol or diesel in a single HSE trim. However, it is the most rounded offering, mixing sumptuous luxury with good dynamics and characterful engines, not to mention excellent badge value. If you can stretch your budget slightly, this is the one to get.The Porsche Cayenne is the one to choose only if you put driving above all else on your priority list. It is exciting from behind the wheel and is a high-quality, solidly engineered product that also has great badge value. However, its performance focus means it's not as comfortable or easy to drive at low speeds, and many seemingly basic features are optional extras, which means this Porsche car too will push the limits of your budget.Overall, the Range Rover Sport is the best bet for you, or if you want a bit more space, the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Land Rover Defender

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Porsche Cayenne