BYD cars in India (5)

Autocar India

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Toyota Innova HyCross may not feel special for the price, but it delivers exactly what your usage needs with genuinely usable third row space, flexibility for two child seats plus nannies. Also, it offers excellent ride comfort for family duties and, importantly, strong resale and hassle-free ownership that Toyota MPVs are known for in India. The BYD EMax 7 is the more practical of your EV alternatives, with good space and a more relaxed drive. While the Kia Carens Clavis EV would lean more towards features and a slightly more premium cabin feel. Both come with one clear trade-off today, which is that resale values are still a question mark compared to an Innova.The only drawback with the Hycross is that it does not quite justify its price in terms of outright premiumness. But overall, it remains the most complete, dependable and financially sensible choice for your needs, making it the one to stick with.

Toyota Innova HyCross

BYD eMax 7

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Autocar India

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You are coming from diesel, so your expectations are clear. Strong performance, long-range confidence and a solid feel. The Mahindra XEV 9e matches that better. It is a larger, more powerful car that offers significantly more space and boot capacity, and delivers stronger performance. It also has a bigger battery and higher claimed range, which makes it better suited for long-distance use.The BYD Atto 3, on the other hand, is a more mature and sorted EV. It feels very well put together, easy to drive and comfortable. It is slightly smaller, easier in the city and has a more proven track record as a product. If your usage is mostly urban and you value refinement over size and performance, it is a strong option.

Mahindra XEV 9e

BYD Atto 3

Autocar India

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You're on the right track with the Toyota Innova Hycross. The good thing about it is that it offers not just space, but also flexibility. If you choose the bench-seat second row - the 8-seater in Toyota parlance - you get more seats overall, but at a small penalty to ease of access. With the captain seats in the middle row, you can fix a child seat on each and still have a clear walkway to the third row, so the staff can get in and out without disturbing the kids. It rides comfortably over bad roads, feels very smooth and quiet in city traffic, and the hybrid makes stop-and-go driving easy. It’s also easy to live with over the years, which matters when the car will be full most days. On the facelift, there is no firm date or detail in the market right now, but a future update is likely to bring small styling and feature tweaks, not a big change to space or the way it drives, and prices usually go up. Another alternative, if you don't mind an EV, is the BYD eMax 7. Its on-road price could actually work out cheaper than the Innova Hycross with subsidies. It's not quite as spacious, but it comes close; it's well equipped, and it also offers 6- and 7-seat options. It is also even lower on running costs, but then you'll have to tailor your usage to suit an EV. Overall, however, the Innova Hycross appears to be the best bet for you.

Toyota Innova HyCross

BYD eMax 7

Autocar India

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Your usage and requirements point to a tough yet comfortable diesel SUV with lots of space. In that use, the Tata Safari 6-seat diesel automatic Accomplished X+ fits you best. It rides comfortably on broken surfaces, feels steady at highway speeds, and the captain seats in the middle row are wide and easy to get in and out of, which matters when you are in the car for hours every day. They're also widely adjustable and even ventilated, which is a bonus. The diesel with an automatic gearbox means less effort in slow stretches and relaxed cruising between towns, and diesel makes sense for your monthly distance.Know the trade-offs. With all three rows up, boot space is tight, so plan for a roof carrier if you carry a lot of luggage, and Tata's aftersales and service network isn't quite as good as some other brands. If you are fine with a manual, the Toyota Innova Crysta 7-seat diesel remains a great long-term workhorse and is very reliable too. However, it's not as comfortable or well equipped as the Tata Safari.As for EVs, your two options are the Vinfast VF MP7 and the BYD eMax7. However, due to their long wheelbases, slightly lower ground clearances and underbody battery packs, we'd recommend sticking to an ICE MPV for your usage on rough roads and quarries. Additionally, their dealership and after-sales networks are still limited compared to Tata and Toyota.

Tata Safari

Toyota Innova Crysta

Vinfast VF MPV 7

BYD eMax 7

Autocar India

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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

Autocar India

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If you are looking for a good EV, the BYD Seal is a great option. It is one of the best electric cars in the Rs. 40 lakh range, offering a lot of tech, equipment, and a spacious interior. Performance, too, is very good, which, being a BMW 340i owner, you will appreciate.The MG ZS EV is a good car, but it's not in the league of the BYD Seal. If the Seal is beyond your budget, the BYD Atto 3, priced between Rs. 27 and 37 lakh, is the next best option. It is not as spacious as the BYD, but it is well-equipped and has a good range.Sadly, there are not many good ICE vehicles in that price bracket anymore, but the best option for your money is the Skoda Kodiaq, which ranges from Rs. 47-56 lakh.

Skoda Kodiaq

BYD Seal

BYD Atto 3

MG ZS EV

Autocar India

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There are quite a few types of vehicles available within your budget, and it comes down to what you specifically want and like in your new car. SUVs like the BMW X1 and the iX1, or a three-row version like the Volkswagen Tayron.You can also look at a sedan like the Toyota Camry, which is comfortable inside and offers a strong hybrid powertrain. However, if you are liking the BYD Sealion 7, we would say go ahead with it as it offers a very differentiated appeal with a modern, tech laden interior that's high on quality. The electric powertrain calibration is also very good, and it offers a smooth, strong and progressive drive experience.

BYD Sealion 7

BMW iX1 LWB

BMW X1

Toyota Camry

Autocar India

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The Toyota Camry is an excellent sedan that feels spacious and luxurious. Its hybrid powertrain makes it extremely efficient, and its ride comfort is second to none. Even though it doesn't feel sporty to drive, its performance and dynamics are quite impressive. If you like the Camry Hybrid, go for it.Other sedans that you can consider in the same price point are BYD Seal, BMW 2-Series, Mercedes A-Class and Audi A4. Out of these, the Seal (EV) feels the sportiest, while the Audi A4 is the most rounded.

Toyota Camry

BYD Seal

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

Audi A4

Autocar India

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Check out the Volvo EX30 - it's a compact crossover with a high-tech, luxurious interior and loads of features with a focus on safety. It comes with a large 65kWh battery with a WLTP range of 480km and strong performance from its 272hp single motor setup. Its quirky design is very EV forward and will stand out on the road for looking like nothing else on the market.The only consideration you have to make is that, being a compact electric car, it's not super spacious in the rear seat. There are other great EVs at this price, but none of them are compact - like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and BYD Seal.

Volvo EX30

Hyundai Ioniq 5

BYD Seal

Autocar India

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Yes, the sedan market is unfortunately hanging on by a thread, especially at the mass market end of the spectrum. As such, there's not much available between midsize sedans like the Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus, and luxury offerings from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. However, depending on your budget, there are two routes you could go down.First, the Toyota Camry, which, despite costing close to ₹50 lakh, offers excellent value when you look at the overall package. The other is the BYD Seal, which also offers strong value at a similar price point, along with impressive electric performance.Of the two, the Camry might be better suited to your needs as it's more comfortable and relaxed for city driving, though the Seal is more engaging from behind the wheel.

BYD Seal

Honda City

Toyota Camry