Upcoming Toyota cars in India (3)

My fiancée and I are planning to buy our first car together. We are both in the 24-26 age group and have a combined monthly income of around ₹2.2 lakh. We are considering a budget of approximately ₹16 lakh, with a planned down payment of around ₹4 lakh. My fiancé is keen on buying the Renault Duster 1.3L Turbo Manual, while I am more inclined towards options like the Kia Seltos or Toyota Hyryder. I am mainly concerned about the Duster’s long-term resale value, service experience, and maintenance costs compared to the other options.

Autocar India

•1d

The new Renault Duster 1.3 turbo manual is the enthusiast’s choice. It will be the most enjoyable to drive of the lot, feels robust, rides very well and has that proper SUV character many buyers still love. If your fiancé enjoys driving, we completely understand the appeal. Your concern is valid, though. Resale value is unlikely to be as strong as a Kia, Toyota or Maruti-backed product, and Renault’s aftersales network is not as wide or as confidence-inspiring as Kia or Toyota.The Kia Seltos is the balanced all-rounder here. It feels more premium inside, is easier to recommend from a resale and ownership confidence perspective, comes with a richer feature set and is simply a very polished product overall. It may not have the same rugged SUV flavour as the Duster, but as a first car for a young couple, it is probably the easiest to live with.The Toyota Hyryder takes a different route. If long-term ownership, reliability and fuel efficiency are high on your priority list, it makes a lot of sense. But if you are comparing the naturally aspirated petrol against the turbo Duster or even the Seltos turbo, it will not feel nearly as exciting or as effortless from behind the wheel.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Dr Venkatesh C K

•3d

I am planning for a new car, the choice is between the Mahindra 7XO and the Toyota Hycross Hybrid. Which one is better?

Autocar India

These two serve very different needs, so the right answer depends on what matters more to you. If fuel efficiency, long-term practicality and genuine seven-seat comfort are your priorities, the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid is the clear winner. It is vastly more efficient, the third row is actually usable for adults, and overall family comfort is on another level compared to the 7XO.However, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more value-packed and emotionally appealing choice. It is significantly more affordable for what it offers, feels more premium inside, and is much better equipped. If you want SUV presence, it delivers that in a way the Hycross simply does not. The petrol and diesel engines are both strong performers too.Where the Mahindra falls short is in practicality. The third row is cramped and really only works for very short journeys, and unlike the Hycross, you cannot slide the middle row to improve space at the back. Fuel efficiency, whether you choose the petrol or even the diesel, is also nowhere near the Hycross too.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Ravi

•3d

I earn a take-home salary of Rs 80,000 and currently own a 2014 Alto 800. Which car should I upgrade to for better safety and modern features?

Autocar India

Instead of your take-home salary, it would be better to help us with the budget you are comfortable allocating for your new car purchase, because several factors affect your capacity to spend like age, responsibilities, existing liabilities, etc.Assuming you plan to sell your outgoing Alto 800 and use the sales proceeds as a down payment, with an EMI of around Rs 15,000, you could look at cars with an on-road price of Rs 8.50-9 lakh. For the money, you could consider a Maruti Baleno or Toyota Glanza, both of which will feel like a proper upgrade compared to your outgoing car. SUV alternatives are the Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter, and if you prefer a sedan, the Maruti Dzire is also a good buy.

Ram

Hi, currently I am using XUV500 W10 2015 model. Now I have booked Innova Crysta for my future of 10 to 12 years, so please suggest whether I should take the Innova Crysta or try the 7XO. Kindly advise.

Autocar India

•1d

The Toyota Innova Crysta is a solid choice if your priority is keeping the car for 10 to 12 years, because long-term durability and reliability are exactly where it continues to make a strong case. If your ownership lens is pure peace of mind and dependable family transport, few cars have the Crysta’s reputation.That said, if you are coming from an XUV500 W10, the XUV 7XO will feel far more familiar and also like a much more meaningful upgrade. It will feel easier to drive than the Crysta, especially in the city, offers far more modern tech and features, stronger performance, and a noticeably more premium cabin experience. The ride and handling are also a clear step up from your old XUV500, while still retaining that big SUV feel you are used to. The availability of an automatic is another big plus, something the Crysta simply does not offer.The Crysta’s downside is that while it remains dependable, it is already an ageing product and does not feel nearly as modern or effortless to live with day to day, particularly because of the heavier steering and more old-school driving experience.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Dalbir Singh Sidju

•5d

I am replacing my 14-year-old Honda City. My usage is 80% city driving with a monthly running of around 600-700km. Is a hybrid worth it, or should I stick to ICE? I am considering the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Toyota Hyryder. What is your suggestion?

Autocar India

•4d

Considering your usage, we would skip the hybrid and go for either the Seltos IVT or the Creta IVT, with a slight lean toward the Kia Seltos. At your kind of running, the fuel savings from the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong hybrid will take a very long time to justify the higher upfront cost, so buying it purely for efficiency does not make much sense.The Seltos IVT feels more premium and richer overall as an upgrade from a 14-year-old Honda City. The cabin feels more contemporary, the IVT automatic is exceptionally smooth in traffic, and the overall driving experience is effortless in daily city use. It also feels a bit more special inside than the Hyryder.The Hyundai Creta is equally good mechanically and rides slightly softer over rough roads, so if comfort is your absolute top priority, it remains a very strong option too.The Hyryder hybrid only really starts making stronger sense if you specifically want the silent EV like feel in traffic and intend to keep the car for a very long time. Otherwise, for your usage pattern, the Seltos IVT is the sweeter all-around package.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

George Thomas

I currently drive a Swift petrol 2016 LXi. My budget is a maximum of 17, where hoping I will get a resale value of 2 lakhs on the Swift, and 15 will be made in a loan. Changing cars because I want an automatic car. My driving is mostly 10k yearly. My driving pattern is local riding of 100km on working days in a week, mostly sedative driving. Weekend ride to the hometown of 400km to and from, which is a little aggressive, takes quick overtakes. As swift is capable of doing it. Since I don't have experience with turbo cars, where they are reliable in the long term. I am looking forward to using the car for the next 10 years. While suggesting, also recommend the type of automatic gearbox to choose. My father owns a VW Virtus 1.0 Highline. I don't use that car much. So the new car should compete with that car too, and family or I should feel downgraded from that car. Also, the new one should not be a sedan. What are my options currently, and should I wait for any upcoming cars? My priorities are a decent engine for the long term, maintenance should also be decent, as I feel Virtus maintenance is not something I can manage, coming from using a swift, decent fuel economy, decent power, confidence on steep hills, and good resale value. Keeping this order on priority, suggest to me some cars.

Autocar India

Mostly city use with 400km weekend runs and a Rs. 17 lakh cap - the Honda Elevate automatic is the best fit. It uses a simple, non-turbo petrol engine and a seamless CVT automatic, which keeps long-term reliability and upkeep closer to your Swift. In town, it is easy and quiet, and on highways, it holds speed well and gives you steady, safe overtakes. The high seating position, ground clearance and space mean your family will not feel like it’s a step down from the Volkswagen Virtus.Trade-offs: It won’t feel as quick as a turbo car when fully loaded, and the cabin is more functional than fancy.For a bit more size and brand trust, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder automatic is a good pick, though your budget will limit you to one of the lower trims, which might not feel as premium on the inside. If you prefer a more modern interior, also consider the Kia Seltos IVT.Overall, the Elevate is a good fit for your needs.

Honda Elevate

Volkswagen Virtus

Kia Seltos

Dhruv

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Hi Autocar, I have a budget of ₹15 lakh and am confused between the Victoris (vxi), Hyryder (base model) and Grand Vitara (base model), all in petrol + CNG form. I do like the Victoris, but, I am not sure whether it has been able to capture the market well enough, which makes me concerned about its resale value and spare parts availability in the future. Please assist. Kindly note that I am looking for a car that will be used mostly for long-distance travel, with limited city usage.

Autocar India

•5d

The Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXI CNG suits your needs the best. It suits your highway use better than the Grand Vitara and Hyryder CNGs because unlike those two, the Victoris CNG gets underbody mounted CNG tanks which frees up boot space which is essential on road trips. Also worth noting, all three SUVs are mechanically identical. Furthermore, Maruti’s service reach is the widest and if resale is a worry, the Maruti badge is known to have one of the best resale values on the market.Do note, you'll have to plan your highway trips according to the availability of CNG pumps on your route and you'll also have to wait in the queues that are generally there at CNG pumps.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Jay

I have a 2007 Swift. This is only the third car I’ve owned in my life, and I’m no longer a young man, so my next car will probably be the last one I buy. I also intend to take occasional road trips, roughly once every two months. My next car definitely has to be either an EV or a strong hybrid. However, I’m getting all kinds of confusion: 1. If I buy an EV, it will mainly be for city driving, where I average about 80 km a week, along with occasional well-planned road trips. Otherwise, my road trips may become anxiety-ridden, especially when traveling with my two dogs. 2. If I buy a strong hybrid, the road trip concern is addressed. But since I already own an Ather 450X, I really want to use only an EV for my city driving. 3. I also know that a few plug-in hybrids are expected to arrive in India soon. This is where I’m getting confused: 1. Isn’t a plug-in hybrid essentially two cars in one; an EV and a strong hybrid? While that sounds like an advantage, won’t it also mean more complex technology and potentially higher maintenance costs? 2. Which plug-in hybrids are being planned for launch in India, what price points are they likely to be launched at, and when can they be expected? 3. Should I simply buy an EV and retain my Swift for road trips? 4. Or should I just buy a strong hybrid and not feel guilty about using it for my city driving? Please help!!

Autocar India

We think you are overcomplicating this slightly, so let us simplify it. Your usage pattern is actually very clear: very low city running, occasional long road trips, and you want this to likely be your last car. That changes the answer completely.A pure EV can absolutely handle your weekly 80 km city usage with ease, but if you already know that your occasional road trips with two dogs will create charging anxiety or force overly rigid planning, then that emotional friction matters. A “last car” should make life easier, not add a layer of planning every time you head out.A plug in hybrid sounds perfect on paper because yes, it is effectively both an EV and a hybrid. But the trade off is exactly what you suspect: more complexity, higher cost and right now, very little real choice in India. Mainstream plug in hybrids are still some distance away, and even when they arrive, expect them to be expensive. Unless you are happy waiting a few years, we would not base your decision around future promises.Which brings us to the practical answer: buy a strong hybrid and stop feeling guilty about using it in the city. A good strong hybrid will do a surprising amount of low speed urban driving in EV mode anyway, so you are not “wasting” fuel in the way a conventional petrol would. More importantly, it completely solves the road trip question without asking you to retain an ageing 2007 Swift purely as backup.Keeping the Swift only for occasional road trips while buying an EV for 80 km a week feels like an inefficient two car solution unless you have a sentimental reason to keep it.If we were in your shoes, we would buy something like a Toyota Hyryder or Innova Hycross hybrid and enjoy the simplicity.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Toyota Innova HyCross

sahil kshirsagar

I am planning to buy the Maruti Fronx 1.2 NA, which is costing me around ₹8.5 lakh on-road, including accessories. Since this will be my first car, I wanted to know whether it is a good option for long-term ownership.

Autocar India

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

The Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.2 petrol manual is a sensible buy. It is easy to drive, has light controls, and the higher seat and ground clearance help over speed breakers and rough patches. Space for four is good, the boot is useful for weekly shopping, and Maruti’s wide service network will keep ownership simple.You could also check out the Toyota Taisor 1.2, which is a badge-engineered version of the Fronx, so it is as practical as the Maruti. You could opt for it if the Toyota dealer is giving you a better deal.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Anurag jalan

I currently own a Toyota Fortuner, two Mahindra Thar Roxx models, and an XUV700. I also previously owned a Scorpio N. I am now planning to sell one of my Thar Roxx vehicles, as it is an early production model and has been giving me several issues. My usage involves daily driving in rough terrain and mountainous conditions, so having a capable 4x4 is essential for me. Before the Roxx, I owned a 3-door Thar, and honestly, given my current usage, the 3-door version seems to suit my needs better. I am now confused about what to buy next. Should I go back to a 3-door Thar, continue with the Roxx, or consider another capable 4x4 option better suited for rough and mountain use?

Autocar India

Since you've already owned a Mahindra Thar 3-door, and you believe that it is the best for you, we would recommend you go ahead with it. You already know what the vehicle is capable of, and as an owner, you're aware of all its pros and cons too. There are no other options in the market that can deliver what the Thar can.The Maruti Jimny is smaller, very tough, and surprisingly capable, although its engine performance is no match for the Mahindra. The Force Gurkha is capable off-road, but lacks the Thar's sophistication, and feels too crude in comparison. Other monocoque AWD options include the Toyota Hyryder, Maruti Grand Vitara, and Victoris, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and dual-motor EV options like the Vinfast VF7 and Tata Harrier EV. Do note that while all these models will get you through sticky situations and handle mild trails easily, none are as good off-road as the Thar. All things considered, go for the Thar; it seems to be the best fit for you.

Mahindra Thar