BYD cars in India (6)

Autocar India

•2h

Buy the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid with captain seats. For chauffeur-driven usage in Bengaluru where rear legroom is king, nothing near this price gives you more usable space. The second row slides a long way, the chairs are high and supportive, and in the ZX (O) you even get the recliner with leg rest, which should feel close to your old Lexus for back-seat comfort.City use is where the hybrid shines - it glides off the line silently, rides gently over bad roads, and the cabin stays calm in traffic. The AC is powerful with roof vents for the rear, so three to four people stay cool without fuss. Safety kit is strong with multiple airbags and stability control, and higher trims add driver assists that help on longer runs.One thing to know: the ZX(O) stretches the budget in Bengaluru. If you'd like to consider an EV instead, check out the BYD Sealion 7. It too comes with a captain seat second row option, and has one of the smoothest EV powertrains for the money. But it's not quite as spacious as the HyCross, and of course the associate EV drawbacks are there, especially range on your occasional long-distance trip.

Toyota Innova HyCross

BYD Sealion 7

Autocar India

•2d

You're right, the BMW 5 Series LWB is probably your best bet. For a self-driven upgrade, it delivers the best mix of performance, driving feel, luxury and long-distance comfort. The hip point is noticeably higher, and the doors open wider than your 330Li, so getting in and out is easier, and the ride is comfy over broken Delhi roads while still feeling stable out on the highway. It also has the features you're looking for, including ventilated seats.Downsides are that it is a significantly larger car and not as exciting to drive as your 330Li, and since you enjoy driving, that might feel like a step backwards. Also, while ingress and egress are better than the 3 Series, it's still a low-slung sedan, so try it out, and if it's a bother, the BMW X3 30 might suit you better. Same engine, even more features, and almost as much fun to drive. The Sealion 7 is an excellent EV alternative, but it won't be as nice to drive as the BMWs, and though a 400km trip is manageable on a single charge, range anxiety will always hang over the journey.If you're happy with the Jeep, hold on to it for a while. Diesel cars are becoming rarer these days, and you've already taken the depreciation hit, so you might as well enjoy it as long as you can.

BMW 5 Series LWB

BMW X3

BYD Sealion 7

Autocar India

•5d

The Mercedes-Benz GLC EV will only be launched in India in 2027, and its ICE counterpart is expected to follow after that - perhaps in late 2027. The ICE version is expected to resemble the new GLC EV on the outside and inside, featuring new details like the illuminated grille, 3-pointed star DRLs in the headlamps and tail-lamps, and the 39-inch Hyperscreen display on the dashboard. However, while the GLC EV is newly developed on a pure-electric skateboard platform, the ICE version is expected to be a heavy facelift of the current model, built on the same platform and using the same petrol and diesel engines. With all the updates, however, expect the price to go up, and while we can't say for sure as it's a long way off, it could go up to about Rs 95 lakh, on road, in some cities. If that is too much of a jump, and too much of a wait, the current GLC remains an excellent choice, with strong engines, great comfort and a well-appointed cabin. And if you're interested in an EV but don't want to wait until the GLC EV is launched, consider the BYD Sealion 7 or Tesla Model Y L.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

BYD Sealion 7

Tesla Model Y

Autocar India

•6d

Pick a single-car solution and buy the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid. Your dogs get a low loading lip and a long, near-flat space with the third row folded, so they can actually lie side by side on highway runs. The hybrid makes touring simple with no charging hassles, calm cruising and a comfy ride, and Toyota’s durability fits an 8-10 year plan with sensible running costs.EV MPVs like the Kia Carens Clavis EV and BYD eMax 7 are great for city runs and dog space, but long trips with two dogs mean 30-40 minute fast-charge halts and patchy chargers once you leave big corridors. That’s a hassle you do not need. Mahindra XEV 9S and 9e are good choices, but their higher boot floors make them poorer dog haulers.You will wrestle with the Innova's size in tight parking, and it costs more upfront than adding a small EV, but day to day, it is still easy enough with light steering and cameras.If you must go smaller, the Kia Carens Clavis turbo petrol DCT is a solid choice, but fuel efficiency in the city won't be as good as the Hycross hybrid.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Carens Clavis EV

BYD eMax 7

Mahindra XEV 9S

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•2w

There aren't many sedans left in the market, especially at that price range, but with your low yearly use, and a budget of Rs 50 lakh cap, the Audi A4 is the right fit. It feels just as solid and quiet as your BMW X1, but with a comfier ride and a quieter cabin on highways. With your usage, a petrol engine's running costs should be palatable, and the A4’s seats and sound insulation make long drives easy. It is also easy to drive in the city, with light controls and good all-around visibility for a sedan. Alternatively, the Toyota Camry - though it doesn't have a luxury badge - is among the best all-rounders for the money, offering space, comfort, mileage and tech on par with the best.Two things to note coming from the X1: you sit lower, so the view of the road is not as high, and speed breakers need a bit more care than in your old, taller car. If you want to stay in the BMW family and enjoy a sportier feel, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is also within budget. It is fun and feels premium, but the back seat is less spacious, the engine is less powerful, and the ride is firmer than the A4. If you are open to an EV and have home charging, the BYD Seal brings strong performance and a very premium cabin under Rs 50 lakh.

Audi A4

BMW X1

Toyota Camry

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

BYD Seal

Autocar India

•2w

The BMW iX1 is a solid luxury EV and does exactly what you would expect from the brand. It offers a premium cabin, good rear seat space and a polished ownership experience. But as an EV package, it feels more conservative and less exciting than the BYD.The Sealion 7 feels like the more ambitious product. The cabin technology is richer, the battery pack is significantly larger, the range is stronger, and overall, it feels like a more modern and more complete EV. In terms of sheer EV sophistication, it has the edge.On comfort, it depends on what you value. The BMW has the softer, more traditional luxury car ride, especially at lower speeds. The BYD feels more spacious and more special inside, but the ride is firmer over sharper bumps.

BMW iX1 LWB

BYD Sealion 7

Autocar India

•2w

We would suggest the Kia Carens Clavis EV as the most sensible choice. It is a genuinely sorted package, and more importantly, one of the few EVs that works properly as a family-friendly 7-seater. The third row is well-executed by segment standards, so unlike many 7-seaters, it is actually usable for family duty rather than being an occasional emergency bench.If you can stretch your budget a little, the BYD EMax 7 is also worth serious consideration. Its biggest advantage is the larger battery pack and meaningfully better range, which makes it the stronger option if you plan to do longer outstation trips in your electric car. It also feels more substantial as an overall EV package.

Kia Carens Clavis EV

BYD eMax 7

Autocar India

•3w

The low ground clearance of BYD Seal is something you can live with, especially if you're used to driving sedans. Its nose sits low and the distance between the wheels is long, so tall, badly built breakers and sharp ramp crests can make it touch, especially with four or five people and luggage. However on regular speed breakers, it is likely to clear if you slow right down, and you don't necessarily need to take them at a slight angle.The underbody and battery are protected, so even if it scrapes a few times, it should not be a cause of concern, however, it will feel gut-wrenching to hear the underbody scrape over the unscientifically-built speed humps.Before finalizing, if your daily route has extra-tall breakers or a tricky ramp, take a test drive on that exact path. If it clears there, you’ll be fine in regular use.

BYD Seal

Autocar India

•3w

For your usage and budget, an EV like the Mahindra XEV 9S works well. The top-spec Pack Three Above with the larger 79kWh battery fits well within your budget, and for that, you'll get all the bells and whistles. This suits you because the XEV 9S is smooth and quiet, with no gear shifts, so stop-and-go traffic feels easy and less tiring. The taller seat makes getting in and out simple, and the view out is good. Some things to be aware of - Mahindra EVs are known to suffer a few software glitches, though these should be fixable with OTA updates, and some find the ride quality a bit soft, so check if you're comfortable with that. The XEV 9e does a better job in this respect.Additionally, considering you're using it mainly in the city, you might find it quite large for your needs. If you're looking at something more compact, the BYD Atto 3 is also worth considering at this price range.

Mahindra XEV 9S

BYD Atto 3

Autocar India

•3w

For a daily 100 km run in Delhi traffic and heat, the Tata Nexon EV 45kWh suits your usage best among these three options. It has enough real range to finish the day with plenty left, so jams won’t stress you. It can also be conveniently charged overnight on a home wall box, and Tata’s service and public charger presence is good in NCR.It also feels easy to drive in tight streets, rides bumps well, and is more affordable than the BYD. Two things to note: highway trips still need a bit of planning for fast chargers. If you'd like a bit more range, then consider the Tata Curvv EV, which now only comes in the 55kWh variant.If you want more cabin space, stronger highway performance, and fewer charging stops through the week, then the BYD Atto 3 is the upgrade option, though it comes at a significantly higher price.Overall, for your 100 km daily city use, the Nexon EV 45kWh lines up best.

Tata Nexon EV

Tata Curvv EV

BYD Atto 3