Volvo Suv Cars in India (4)

autocar.india

•11w

With 20-25 km a day and mostly city use, the Mercedes-Benz GLC petrol (badged GLC 300) fits your brief best. It feels smooth and easy at low speeds, the steering is light in traffic, and the ride handles broken roads well, so your daily run will feel calmer. On weekend runs, it stays steady and quiet, and the cabin feels properly upmarket. Mercedes has the widest dealer and service reach of these three.If you value a very calm cabin and strong safety tech, the Volvo XC60 petrol is a lovely daily driver. Volvo’s service reach is smaller, so check how close your nearest workshop is. If you enjoy a sportier feel, the BMW X3 suits keen drivers, though the interior doesn't wow like the Merc or Volvo's.Overall, for city-heavy use and peace of mind ownership, go for the GLC petrol.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Volvo XC60

BMW X3

autocar.india

•17w

The BMW X3 is the better driver's car, while the Volvo XC60 is the better all-rounder. The recently introduced X3 xDrive30 gives the SUV the performance its chassis has always yearned for, and some crucial interior updates like more leatherette trim for a premium feel. It handles exceptionally well and rides comfortably too, plus it meets your other requirements of ground clearance and boot space. However, it still doesn't feel quite luxurious enough, and that's despite costing nearly Rs 10 lakh more than the Volvo.We think you should go for the Volvo XC60, which, though far more relaxed on the performance and handling front, still feels capable and predictable, with more than enough power. Moreover, though, it works much better as a luxury car, with more comfortable seats, front and rear, and a much better-appointed interior. In fact, though it is much older than the X3, the fact that it feels more contemporary on the inside is a testament to this. Its infotainment system is also more logically laid out and easier to use, and it's better equipped than the BMW, including an exquisite Bowers & Wilkins audio system. Its boot isn't quite as large as the X3's, however, though it should be more than large enough for most of your needs. And it's worth bearing in mind that Volvo's dealer and service network isn't as big as BMW's.If you consider a sedan, it should be the BMW 530Li - it's even better to drive than the X3 and has a more spacious and comfy back seat, as well as plenty of boot space. More than ground clearance, it's the car's long wheelbase you have to be careful of over bumps. And if you're considering an electric car, look at the BYD Sealion 7, which is an excellent all-rounder with a luxurious interior and good range. However, if you do long drives regularly, any EV might not be worth the hassle of depending on the public charging infrastructure.

BMW X3

Volvo XC60

BYD Sealion 7

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•17w

Go for the BMW X3 30i. For your mostly city usage and as a one-time luxury buy, it fits best and will keep you happy. Coming from the Hyundai Creta, the X3 will not feel unwieldy in town. The steering is light at low speeds, the view out is clear, and the 360-degree cameras and parking sensors make navigating tight spots easy. The petrol engine and smooth automatic respond keenly in traffic, and the size feels manageable once you get used to it. Ride comfort is on the firmer side at low speeds, but it stays very steady at higher speeds.One thing to be aware of: the X3’s ride can feel a bit busy on broken city roads at crawl speeds, and the rear seat is not the widest in this class.If you want a calmer SUV, with great seats and more active safety features, the Volvo XC60 is a fine alternative, though Volvo’s dealer network is smaller. If rear-seat comfort matters most, the Mercedes GLC is the one to go for.On timing, the best deals typically come at calendar year-end and around March. A fresh, in-demand X3 usually gets small cash benefits or freebies, while the XC60 and Q5 see bigger cuts more often. Since you’ll use minimal finance, ask dealers to convert low-interest schemes into a straight cash discount or add a long service pack and extended warranty.

Volvo XC60

BMW X3

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Audi Q5

autocar.india

•20w

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

•33w

While you are advised to personally test the vehicles to judge comfort, a higher-riding SUV usually is more comfortable to get into and out of than a sedan. There are a fair few options within your budget (do remember to haggle hard!), among which we'd suggest you check out the BMW iX1, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 and Land Rover Discovery Sport.You could also look at the Kia Carnival if you are open to the MPV body style.

Land Rover Discovery Sport

BMW X3

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Audi Q5

Volvo XC60