Suv Cars Above 1 Crore in India (43)

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The Mercedes-Benz GLS 450d is a superb upgrade from your E250 CDI, offering a significant step up in space, comfort and luxury. Given your city and highway mix, the diesel engine is actually the right choice – it delivers strong torque, effortless cruising and better efficiency than the petrol, especially in a large SUV like the GLS.The bigger question is the long-term outlook for diesel. The 10-year rule applies only to Delhi-NCR, and there is currently no nationwide policy restricting diesel ownership or resale. The GLS 450d uses Mercedes’ latest diesel technology, which is Euro 6 compliant and among the cleanest diesel engines available. It is unlikely that the government will suddenly ban or heavily penalise such modern, clean diesels.That said, diesel is not completely risk-free. Policy direction can change, and diesel cars generally depreciate faster than petrol or hybrid equivalents. At Rs 1.6 crore, that is a significant consideration.If you are planning to keep the car for 7-10 years, the GLS 450d still makes sense. You will get the full benefit of the car’s capabilities, and depreciation becomes less of a concern over a longer ownership period. If you typically change cars every 3-5 years, the potential for faster depreciation is a bigger factor.The GLS 450d is the right car for your usage, but be realistic about depreciation and ownership period.

Mercedes-Benz GLS

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Try out the Tesla Model Y L. It is a three-row SUV with a fairly large 420-litre boot with all seats up, which expands to a massive 1,076 litres with the third row folded. There is also a sizeable frunk for extra storage.The claimed range is 681km, so in the real world, a Mumbai-to-Goa trip is doable with one or two top-up stops. Ground clearance is about 169mm, which is on par with your Superb. It is tall, yet the seat isn’t as high as some SUVs, so sliding across from a wheelchair should be easier. It won't be as easy as your sedans, so make sure you try getting in and out at least a couple of times.It also fits comfortably within your budget and comes very well equipped. It's worth noting that a lot of functions are baked into the large central touchscreen, and that might take some getting used to.

Tesla Model Y

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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

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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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For your priorities, the Grand Vitara is the better long-term choice. The 1.5-litre petrol with a torque-converter automatic is smooth, comfortable and relatively easy to maintain, while Maruti's service reach and parts availability are significant advantages if you plan to keep the car for 8-10 years.Mileage is also a strong point. In our real-world testing, the Grand Vitara petrol AT returned 11.6kpl in the city and 15.3kpl on the highway. The Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT returned 10.31kpl and 14.22kpl, respectively, in the same type of testing.The Seltos is the more premium and feature-rich choice, with a stronger cabin experience and a more powerful 115hp engine. Its IVT is also very smooth in traffic, but if long-term running costs, serviceability and efficiency are the priorities, the Grand Vitara has the edge.The main drawback of the Grand Vitara is performance. The 103hp/139Nm engine is adequate rather than exciting, particularly with a full load.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Kia Seltos