Toyota cars in India (14)

Before you go ahead with the purchase, please keep in mind that the Tata Safari is a heavy vehicle and in its petrol-automatic guise, expecting double digit city fuel efficiency will be a bit ambitious. Yes, on the open roads, at constant speeds and light throttle inputs, the turbo-petrol could deliver good fuel efficiency, but in bumper-to-bumper traffic and stop-go conditions, fuel efficiency will be low. As a family car though, the Safari is a good option, on account of its spacious cabin, and impressive ride comfort. Tata's service experience can be a hit or a miss, and it isn't the best in terms of reliability either, occasionally throwing up a glitch or two. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is slightly better in that regard, however space isn't as good as in the Tata, especially in the third row. Also, the XUV's 2.0-litre turbo-petrol-automatic will fare worse (if not equally) as far as efficiency goes.

Hence, if you want a fuel-efficient family car, the Maruti Invicto or the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid are the ones to get. Of course, these are very expensive, and as you've rightly pointed out, unless your usage is very high, it will take a long time to benefit from its lower running costs after breaking even. But as far as reliability, peace of mind and a trouble-free ownership experience goes the Maruti and Toyota are still the ones to beat.

The Ebella's prices haven't been announced yet, but going by its badge engineered version - Suzuki e Vitara's pricing, it is likely to be in the same ballpark, i.e. between Rs 16-20 lakh (ex-showroom). The Hyryder G CNG on the other hand tops out below Rs 18 lakh on-road. And while the Hyryder CNG is a manual, the good news is that its clutch and gearbox are light, so even though it isn't nearly as convenient as the EV, it doesn't feel cumbersome to drive. What you need to keep in mind however is that boot space is compromised due to the CNG tank, hence during your 700km drives, it could be inadequate. 

Even the Ebella's boot is small, cabin floor is high (so the seating position is knees-up) and the infotainment's user-interface/user-experience is far from perfect. Also, while we haven't tested the Ebella's range, our preliminary tests indicate a highway range of about 370km, which means you will need to charge a few times on the way to your hometown, so you need to factor that in as well.

Between the two cars you've shortlisted, we'd recommend the Hyryder CNG, which is a tried and tested car. However, if you're open to options, the Maruti Victoris CNG will be ideal for you as it shares its platform, equipment and powertrain with the Hyryder, and thanks to its repositioned CNG tank (beneath the boot), luggage space doesn't feel as compromised as in the Toyota.

There are a couple of options that you can consider. We've listed the highlights for each.

1) Skoda Kylaq: Punchy engine, fun handling. Rear seat space is tight, though

2) Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol: Strong engine, good ride comfort. Boot space is limited

3) Maruti Suzuki Fronx Turbo/ Toyota Taisor Turbo: Strong engine. Reliability and hassle-free ownership experience 

4) Citroen C3: Strong engine. Feels a bit basic, and the service network isn't very large.

Both are very different cars, so the choice really depends on what you want from your 7-seater.

The Jeep Meridian is a proper SUV. It feels solid, has excellent ride quality, and really shines on broken roads and highways. The 2.0-litre diesel paired with the 9-speed automatic is relaxed and effortless at cruising speeds, making it a very good long-distance tourer. It also feels more planted and confidence-inspiring at higher speeds. However, the third row is tight and best suited for kids, and overall space isn’t as generous as the Toyota.

The Toyota Innova Hycross, on the other hand, is more urban in nature. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine, with a strong hybrid option that delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city use. It’s significantly more spacious, especially in the second and third rows, and comfort is a big highlight. For family use and city driving, it feels easier and lighter to live with. Long-term ownership peace of mind is also a big plus, thanks to Toyota’s strong reliability reputation.

To sum up; 
Go for the Meridian if you enjoy driving, do long highway trips and want that SUV feel.
Take the Hycross if space, comfort, efficiency and hassle-free ownership matter more, especially for urban use.