Skoda Kodiaq RS 2.0 Turbo Petrol

Autocar India

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4WD SUVs are getting rarer by the day, but given what you're looking for, the best fit is the Mahindra Thar Roxx. For the price, it feels the closest to your Endeavour in the stuff that matters - proper 4x4 with low range, generous ground clearance even when loaded, and a strong 2.2-litre diesel that responds eagerly. The Roxx's new-gen chassis is Mahindra's best ladder frame yet, soaking up rough roads without breaking a sweat and handling highway duties reasonably well too. It's also gotten a lot more liveable than previous Thars, with genuine space, premium feel and creature comforts.There's the Jeep Compass and Meridian too, but their interiors won't feel spacious enough after your Endeavour, and on the other end are the MG Majestor and Toyota Fortuner, though those are likely to be out of budget. Of the petrols, the Kodiaq is probably the best AWD bet, but as you said, it is too expensive. A few-year-old example of any of these, however, might be a good option.On diesel in NCR, it might still make sense, if you can make your peace with the 10-year cap - and the associated resale value hit. You may see the odd winter restriction put into place, but new BS6 diesels have generally been clear of those. It's not an easy decision, but if it's for a car you'll enjoy, and you can work out a shorter ownership cycle that suits your needs, it can still work.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Jeep Compass

Jeep Meridian

MG Majestor

Toyota Fortuner

Skoda Kodiaq

Autocar India

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Do note, only the Volkswagen Polo GTI was brought to India as a completely built unit (CBU); the regular Polo was locally manufactured, although the localised content varied over time.Coming to your question, you seem to have tried all the options available, and none have caught your fancy. In that case, we would recommend that you look at pre-owned options instead. A two- or three-year-old Skoda Kodiaq or Volkswagen Tiguan should fall within your Rs 25 lakh budget, and both have the same solid European build quality and are powered by a strong 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. You will enjoy driving either of these two cars, which will feel like a proper upgrade from your outgoing car. Look for a car that's still covered by factory warranty for greater peace of mind.

Skoda Kodiaq

Volkswagen Tiguan

Autocar India

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While your preference is for a diesel, we suggest you consider the Skoda Kodiaq, which is a petrol-only model. Its 2-litre turbo-petrol engine is strong and punchy, and the SUV's good high-speed stability makes it a great road trip car. The third row is tight on space, but this shouldn't be a deal breaker given your occasional use of the last row. With the last row down, the Kodiaq offers loads of room for luggage. The Kodiaq is also well kitted out, and you'll like the sound quality from the Canton sound system. Do note, fuel economy isn't great in town, but the Kodiaq returns reasonable numbers on highway drives. If a diesel is a must, the new MG Majestor is an option for you. It's a size or two larger than your Tata Safari and scores big for road presence. The large size also means the Majestor is big on space. Performance is good, and there are also loads of features packed in. The only question mark for now is the price, but we expect it to be within your budget.

Skoda Kodiaq

MG Majestor

Tata Safari

Autocar India

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Unfortunately, no. The ADAS suite cannot simply be activated on the older 2025 Skoda Kodiaq via a software update alone, because it does not have all the required hardware for the system to function.While modern cars are increasingly software-defined, ADAS is not just a case of unlocking dormant code. It relies on a combination of sensors, cameras, radar modules, control units and the correct electronic architecture working together. If the full hardware stack is not present from the factory, a software update cannot magically add those capabilities.So if your understanding was that all 2025 Kodiaqs were physically ADAS-ready and only awaiting activation, that is unfortunately not the case.

Skoda Kodiaq

Autocar India

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With 50,000km covered in 3 years, the smarter move is to keep your Audi A4 for another couple of years unless you clearly need a taller car for rough roads or easier entry. At this age and mileage, a well-serviced and carefully driven A4 still has plenty of life. It is quiet and smooth on highways, and you avoid another big hit in value right now.The other issue is that, on a budget of Rs 60-65 lakh, your only available SUV options from the German luxury brands are compact SUVs like the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, which will feel like a downgrade from your A4 in terms of size and space. You will have to up your budget by at least Rs 10 lakh to move into the next segment of luxury SUVs. Better alternatives, if you don't mind a non-luxury badge, are the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron. They offer similar quality levels to their more luxurious counterparts, as well as equitable levels of comfort and refinement. They even use the same EA888 2.0-litre petrol engine as your A4. What's more, for much less money, you get far more space and an even longer list of features. You sacrifice some snob value, but you get a more rounded product.

BMW X1

Audi A4

Audi Q3

Skoda Kodiaq

Autocar India

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Considering your requirements and budget, the Skoda Kodiaq fits your brief better. Coming from a Tiguan, it will feel familiar and a clear step up: smooth petrol engine, strong highway stability, and a more premium, feature-rich cabin. Your running of 500 km a month is low, so a petrol car makes sense: it is simple to live with, refuels in minutes on road trips, and you do not need to plan charging. For a family of three, you get loads of space, plus a large boot for your highway trips.Pick the Mahindra XEV 9e only if you have a private parking spot where you can install a charger and most of your driving is in town. It will feel very smooth and quiet and will cost less to run, but highway trips will need planning in order to charge the EV.

Skoda Kodiaq

Mahindra XEV 9e

Autocar India

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Given your usage, we would not change the T-Roc unless the seating comfort issue is genuinely becoming a deal breaker, because the T-Roc is still a very solid long-distance machine with excellent driving manners. However, at 6 feet tall, if the seating position is causing leg fatigue after 8 to 10-hour drives, that is a legitimate reason to upgrade, and in that case, you need something with a more relaxed seating position, better thigh support and a roomier cabin.The Jeep Compass is a strong candidate if driving dynamics matter. It still has one of the best ride and handling balances in this segment. It feels planted at highway speeds and genuinely tackles poor roads brilliantly. It also offers a more upright SUV seating position than the T-Roc, which could suit you better for long hours. Build quality and overall solidity are still strong points.On the new Compass, there are no immediate plans for an all-new generation in India. Jeep is expected to keep the current line-up fresh with special editions and updates, with a genuinely new product likely only around 2027. So, waiting specifically for a brand new India-bound Compass does not make much sense right now.If your brief is purely long-distance comfort plus great driving dynamics, we would actually look beyond the Compass as well. The Skoda Kodiaq or the Volkswagen Tayron, as they feel like a more natural upgrade from a T-Roc, with much better long-distance comfort, stronger ergonomics for taller drivers and excellent highway manners.If you want something more SUV like, the Jeep Meridian deserves a closer look than the Compass because it offers similar Jeep dynamics along with more space and a more relaxed long-distance experience.

Jeep Compass

Skoda Kodiaq

Volkswagen Tayron

Jeep Meridian

Autocar India

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Yes, the Kia Sorento Hybrid is slated for an India launch in August-September 2026, and Kia is clearly positioning it as a premium three-row SUV.This Kia car comes with a 1.6‑litre turbo-petrol engine paired with an electric motor, with the system developing around 227 hp and over 350 Nm, driving through a 6‑speed automatic gearbox. Globally, it’s offered in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, and that mix is likely to be mirrored for India as well.It’s a properly spacious seven-seat SUV, roughly 4.8 m long and 1.9 m wide, so think bigger than a Kia Carens and right in the zone of the Skoda Kodiaq and Toyota Fortuner in terms of footprint and cabin room. Expect a flexible three-row layout, generous boot space with the third row down, and the usual load of Kia kit - panoramic sunroof, ADAS, large screens, and connected-car features.Price-wise, the Sorento Hybrid is expected to sit in the Rs 35-40 lakh (ex-showroom) band, and it will naturally tug buyers both up from something like a Mahindra XUV 7XO and away from the Skoda Kodiaq–Fortuner crowd.

Kia Sorento

Skoda Kodiaq

Toyota Fortuner

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

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Yes, priced at Rs 39.99 lakh, ex-showroom India, the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge represents great value for money. It's a full Rs 4 lakh cheaper than the Kodiaq Sportline and Rs 6.5 lakh cheaper than the L&K variant, and you don't miss out on that much. The main difference, of course, is the lack of a third row, though these seats were quite small to begin with. It misses some features too, but none of them is essential. For instance, the boot is still powered but loses its hands-free-opening function, the touchscreen is slightly smaller, the front passenger seat is not powered, there's just a rear-view camera instead of a 360deg camera, and the 13-speaker Canton audio system is replaced by a simpler one with 9 speakers. What remains unchanged is the powertrain - a 204hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with AWD and a 7-speed DSG gearbox. Also unchanged is the well-sorted chassis, high interior quality and solid build, which is really what you're getting a Kodiaq for in the first place.

Skoda Kodiaq

Autocar India

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Go for the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid ZX(O) 7-seater, as it best fits your requirements. It is very smooth and refined to drive for long hours, the hybrid automatic powertrain is efficient, and it stays steady and planted at highway speeds. Space is generous across all rows; the middle-row captain seats feature ottomans (leg rests), and Toyota’s wide service network gives peace of mind. On the highway, the hybrid still uses less fuel than a turbo petrol like in the Skoda Kodiaq, so you will stop less often for fuel, and the top trim comes loaded with all the convenience, comfort and safety features you'd want.One thing to be aware of: with all three rows up, the boot is small, so carrying seven people plus bags will require some planning. Also, the cabin feels solid but not as rich as the Skoda. Pick the Skoda Kodiaq only if you want a more premium feel and stronger performance, and you are okay with higher fuel use and a smaller service network.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Skoda Kodiaq