Upcoming Audi cars in India (5)

Autocar India

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You should opt for the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. It is the most complete choice for everyday use and long trips among these three right now. The GLC rides very comfortably on bad roads, and the petrol engine is smooth and quiet. The steering is light in the city, the view out is clear, and the automatic gearbox shifts cleanly on its own, so it is easy to drive even in heavy traffic. Inside, it feels the newest and most upmarket, and Mercedes has a wide service network across big and small cities.Pick the BMW X3 petrol only if driving fun matters most to you and you often enjoy fast highway runs yourself. It feels keener to drive than the other two, especially in the recently introduced xDrive30 variant. Choose the Audi Q5 if you want a solid, comfortable SUV that's nice to drive and excellent value for money. Do bear in mind that it's quite old now and doesn't feel as modern as the other two.Overall, for a balanced, luxurious, and easy-to-own petrol SUV, the GLC 300 is the one to buy.

BMW X3

Mercedes-Benz GLC

Audi Q5

Autocar India

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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

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If you're looking for performance first and foremost, check out the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol. Coming from the 1.5 petrol Creta, you will immediately notice how much stronger the XUV 7XO's 202hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol is. Overtakes need a light press on the pedal, hills feel effortless even with family and bags, and it cruises comfortably at highway speeds. Mahindra tunes its engines for performance first and fuel economy second. So, be prepared for poor mileage numbers.If you’re tempted by a used luxury SUV, a 2-3 year old BMW X3 30i or Audi Q5 with a valid extended warranty will be quick and feel special, but do factor in higher service and repair costs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Audi Q5

Autocar India

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For a good petrol SUV in the Rs 40-50 lakh range, check out the Skoda Kodiaq. It comes in 5 and 7-seat guises and features a premium, high-quality and practical interior. Quality has taken a step up in this new-gen model compared to the outgoing Kodiaq, and fit and finish are now on par with luxury cars. It may look large on the outside, but it's actually quite easy to manoeuvre, and moreover, its 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine is smooth and refined.Alternatively, you can check out the Audi Q3. It's not as large as the Skoda, but since you plan to use it primarily in the city, and if you don't have a need for the added space, it could be beneficial. It has better badge value too, which should help resale value compared to the Skoda, and though it uses the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, its smaller size means fuel efficiency should be a bit better, as well as performance.

Skoda Kodiaq

Audi Q3

Autocar India

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Choose the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine 330Li M Sport (petrol). It delivers engaging dynamics and a clear luxury upgrade over your Compass, while staying under Rs 70 lakh.With your 800 km/month, petrol is the right pick for smooth, quiet performance and low hassle. As an enthusiast, you’ll feel the step up in steering feel and balance compared to the Jeep Compass 4x4, yet the long‑wheelbase cabin keeps it comfortable for daily use. Within your Rs 70 lakh budget, the M Sport trim delivers the premium fit-finish you’d expect from a top model, along with 6 airbags and strong active safety features. BMW’s warranty can be extended to 6 years, which keeps ownership predictable. Confirm current pricing and package availability with your dealer.The 330Li also rides quite well and doesn't have the hard-edged ride of your Compass. You do have to watch out for speed breakers, though, as the ground clearance is low.If you expect frequent rough roads or prefer a higher seating position, consider the Audi Q5 45 TFSI Technology instead. It rides quite well, has good ground clearance, and its quattro traction inspires confidence without crossing your Rs 70 lakh cap.

Audi Q5

BMW 3 Series LWB

Jeep Compass

Autocar India

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In this price range, you always have to choose badge versus value, as there are some exceptional executive sedans and SUVs available for the same price as entry-level cars with luxury badges on them. If you're after a luxury badge specifically, we recommend the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Limousine, which is excellent value for money, or if you want an SUV, the Audi Q3, which is a little dated now. But offers the best overall package of performance, practicality and comfort. However, for the same money, the Toyota Camry offers far more space comfort and mileage thanks to its strong hybrid powertrain, for similar money. And similarly, the Skoda Kodiaq or Volkswagen Tayron offer far greater space, practicality and power than a similarly priced luxury-branded SUV. However, these big, seven-seat SUVs with 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines are quite thirsty and could burn a hole in your pocket at the fuel pumps. However, if you're accustomed to the running costs of an Innova Crysta 2.7 petrol, then these won't be too far off. Of all these, we recommend the Toyota Camry hybrid for its all-encompassing offering of comfort, luxury, space and mileage at this price.

Toyota Camry

Audi Q3

Skoda Kodiaq

Volkswagen Tayron

Autocar India

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As you've rightly said, the Porsche Cayenne is probably your best option. No other large SUV handles as well as it does, and you get the option of two powerful turbo petrol engines - a 340hp V6 and a 500hp V8. However, if you're not concerned with having the Porsche badge, you should consider the Audi Q8, which is mechanically similar to the Cayenne, but comes in three performance levels, is set up to be more comfortable and usable, and is far more affordable too.At one end, there is the base V6 version, with the same 340hp engine, and at the other extreme is the 650hp, V8-powered RS Q8 Performance. However, Audi is about to launch the SQ8 - with the 500hp V8 - in India, and this could be the sweet spot between price and performance for you.

Porsche Cayenne

Audi Q8

Autocar India

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All the cars you have shortlisted, being sedans, have similar ground clearance, and for all practical purposes, the Audi A4 is no worse off than the other two. In fact, in our testing, it was the Mercedes-Benz A-Class limousine that required the most care over speed breakers. If ground clearance is a high priority, consider an SUV like the Mercedes GLA, Audi Q3 or BMW X1. However, if you want to stick with a sedan, the Audi A4 is the most value for money. Not only is it larger and more spacious than the others, it also has the most comfortable suspension. What's more, its 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo petrol is larger and more powerful than the engines on offer in the 2 Series and A-Class, and the most refined among them too. Given your budget, however, you could even consider an Audi A6; check if your local Audi dealer is offering any discounts, and it could fit within the outer limits of your budget.

Audi Q3

Audi A4

Audi A6

BMW X1

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Autocar India

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The BMW 320d is a sporty sedan with a strong diesel engine and more engaging driving dynamics, but it sits in a segment below the Audi A6. The A6’s 2.0‑litre petrol engine is much smoother and more refined than the BMW’s diesel, which can feel a bit gruff in comparison. With your usage of just 500 to 800 km a month, a diesel really isn’t necessary, and you won’t fully benefit from its efficiency advantage.Where the BMW does score is in the cabin, which looks and feels more modern than the A6’s interior, which is now beginning to feel a bit dated. However, overall, the Audi A6 offers a more luxurious experience, a more refined powertrain and, with the attractive deals currently available in the market, becomes the better all-round choice despite not being as sporty to drive as the 320d.

Audi A6

BMW 3 Series LWB

Autocar India

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Yes, the Hyundai Verna facelift is coming in the second week of March, but it will get only cosmetic changes. There will be no changes in the engine, which means there is no hybrid coming anytime soon.As things stand, there isn’t an ICE car below Rs 40 lakh that is significantly quicker than the Verna, which does 0-100kph in a brisk 8.8 seconds. If outright performance is what you’re after, one car worth stretching for is the Audi Q3. While its list price is around Rs 50 lakh, attractive discounts are often available, bringing it much closer to your Rs 40 lakh budget.The Q3 uses a 2.0-litre TFSI turbo-petrol engine producing a healthy 190hp, and that’s enough for a 0-100kph time of 7.3 seconds - comfortably quicker than the Verna. Beyond straight-line speed, the Q3, being a compact luxury SUV, plays in a different league altogether in terms of interior quality, badge value and overall experience. Perhaps it makes the best upgrade for you if you can extend your budget a bit.

Audi Q3