Skoda Kodiaq

autocar.india

•6h

The Skoda Kodiaq would be the right choice for you. Assuming you opted for a Kia Seltos 1.4 Turbo DCT for the way it drives, you'll like the Kodiaq's driving manners. It's got a peppy engine and neat handling, and there's also the added safety net of all-wheel drive. The Kodiaq also feels like an upgrade thanks to a more premium and upmarket interior ambience. Quality levels are really good, and it feels like an expensive car. Fuel economy isn't great, but for your kind of usage, running costs won't pinch. Routine service and spares will be pricier than the Toyota, though.The Toyota Innova Hycross is roomier and more efficient (if you take the hybrid), but doesn't match the performance and general feel-good factor of a Kodiaq.

Skoda Kodiaq

Kia Seltos

Toyota Innova HyCross

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•3d

Pick the Skoda Kodiaq. Your usage is mostly in Bengaluru city, and the Kodiaq is the best all-rounder of this lot. It's spacious, comfortable, refined and well equipped, but also comes with AWD and enough ground clearance to handle bad roads and the odd trail without fuss. It rides and handles far better than ladder-frame SUVs like the Fortuner, feels properly premium inside, and is far less tiring in traffic.The Fortuner is unstoppable off-road, but in the city, it is big, bouncy and heavy to drive, and you will pay more for less comfort. The next-gen Fortuner is unlikely to go on sale this year. The BMW X1 is great for city use, but it is not very powerful, and FWD, which isn't great for off-road use; also, the space is tighter than the others. The Innova Hycross hybrid is the most spacious and practical, with the best mileage of the lot, but it lacks that SUV road presence and status.Overall, the Kodiaq is the best choice, but bear in mind petrol costs in heavy traffic will be higher than the HyCross, and the third row is best for kids only.

Skoda Kodiaq

BMW X1

Toyota Innova HyCross

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•2d

Both your shortlisted cars are excellent options, but given your requirements, the Toyota Camry is the better bet. The main consideration is mileage, and there is nothing quite like a hybrid to maximise that. Toyota has been a pioneer of strong hybrid tech for decades, and the latest Camry showcases the best of that know-how, with a smooth and efficient drive that uses the e-motor regularly to save on fuel. With a total system output of 230hp, it has more than enough grunt for highway use as well.What's more, Toyota's reliability and low-maintenance reputation precede it, and you should be able to use the Camry for years without issue. Only possible downsides are that its ground clearance isn't as much as that of an SUV, and it isn't particularly exciting from behind the wheel, since you drive yourself.The Skoda Kodiaq is a good option too, especially on the driving front, with its punchy 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and solid-feeling chassis. It's also got more space as well as better ground clearance, which should come in handy on road trips. However, on most other fronts, it can't hold a candle to the Camry, and that's especially true of mileage, which will be in single digits for the most part.

Toyota Camry

Skoda Kodiaq

autocar.india

•6d

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Toyota Fortuner

Skoda Kodiaq

autocar.india

•1w

Buy the Toyota Camry. Its rear seat is genuinely lounge-like with a power recline function, the ride is soft, and the cabin is quiet. The petrol strong hybrid powertrain is one of the best around, feels refined and effortless in the city, and has enough power on the highway. You get the smoothness and efficiency of an EV without the stress of having to charge it. And Toyota's low running costs and excellent service quality will give you peace of mind too.It does not feel particularly thrilling to drive, and it is a sedan, so speed breakers or steep ramps need more care than an SUV. If you do want an SUV stance and a punchier engine, the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron are good upgrades from your Tucson. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is eager, and it cruises beautifully, and the ride is exceptional too. It's just that, being a turbo petrol in a large SUV, these two are not very fuel efficient.Sadly, there are no plans for Hyundai to bring in a new Tucson or Santa Fe. Kia, however, is looking at bringing in the Sorento, the Santa Fe's counterpart from its portfolio, later this year or early next year, possibly with hybrid power. If you aren't in a hurry, that might be worth waiting for.

Toyota Camry

Skoda Kodiaq

Volkswagen Tayron

Kia Sorento

autocar.india

•2w

For your requirements, the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid ZX(O) would be the recommendation. If the goal is to comfortably cover thousands of kilometres across the country with a family of four, few cars can match the HyCross. The hybrid powertrain is smooth, quiet and extremely fuel efficient on long journeys, while the ride quality is excellent. The standout feature for your use case is the ottoman second-row seats, which allow rear passengers to travel in near business-class comfort. It is also spacious, easy to drive and backed by Toyota's vast service network, which is a major advantage when travelling across India.The Skoda Kodiaq would be the alternative if you enjoy driving and want a more premium, European feel. It offers excellent ride comfort, strong performance and a beautifully finished cabin. However, it cannot match the HyCross for second-row comfort, fuel efficiency or nationwide service support.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Skoda Kodiaq

autocar.india

•2w

There aren't too many sedans left in the Rs 45-50 lakh price bracket, but the one that does remain represents superb value for money and fits most of your criteria. This is, of course, the Toyota Camry and will feel like an ideal upgrade from your Honda City. It's built around the same Japanese sensibilities of reliability, functionality, build quality and efficiency. It's incredibly well built, has a luxurious and comfortable interior with a spacious back seat, and being a strong hybrid, it's way more efficient than any other car of its size. Plus, with Toyota's famously reliable reputation, it will go on flawlessly for ages with minimal maintenance required. Its only shortcoming is that it isn't particularly fun to drive or tidy in its dynamics. For that, you'll have to stretch your budget by a few lakhs and get an Audi A4. If you want an SUV instead, there are plenty of great options like the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron, or again, for a small stretch of the budget, the Audi Q3.

Toyota Camry

Honda City

Audi A4

Skoda Kodiaq

Volkswagen Tayron

autocar.india

•3w

Of that comprehensive list, and given your requirements, we'd pick the Audi A4 40 TFSI. It looks the part outside and in, rides beautifully on Mumbai’s broken roads, and its turbo-petrol has the shove and smoothness to keep an enthusiast smiling. The cabin has the all-important physical knobs and feels properly premium, and yes, space and comfort for adults is more than sufficient. It's a very tidy handler, and you won't miss Quattro, and ground clearance is sufficient too; it doesn't have a very long wheelbase so it can clear most speed breakers with ease. Maintenance is comparable to any other luxury brand and there are good deals available on A4s with some dealers. As it's an older model, however, you will miss out some features, like ADAS for example. Next in line, is the Kodiaq, which even in the top L&K spec is the ultimate value for money offering and delivers just about everything you've asked for. More space and comfort than the A4, the same smooth engine, classy physical controls yet more modern features, including ADAS, seat ventilation and a panoramic sunroof. Yes, it's a bit larger, but it's still great to drive, and the sheer amount it packs in might make that worthwhile. The Tiguan is a bit smaller, but not by much, and the Kodiaq - or even the VW Tayron - represent better value.The X1 and Q3, compared to the rest, simply don't feel like they'll have enough space for four and their luggage on long trips, and as you've pointed out, aren't as powerful either. The Camry is the ultimate sleeper car that delivers an unexpectedly good luxury experience, but it isn't a fun or enthusiastic drive, and if anything its ground clearance is even more of a concern than the A4's. Another good option you could consider, if you find a car available at a dealer, is the Skoda Octavia RS, which will scratch your enthusiast itch while still being practical enough.Overall, however, we think it should be between the Audi A4, which is the classier driver's car, or the Kodiaq, which is the VFM all-rounder.

Audi A4

Skoda Kodiaq

Audi Q3

Toyota Camry

autocar.india

•4w

4WD SUVs are getting rarer by the day, but given what you're looking for, the best fit is the Mahindra Thar Roxx. For the price, it feels the closest to your Endeavour in the stuff that matters - proper 4x4 with low range, generous ground clearance even when loaded, and a strong 2.2-litre diesel that responds eagerly. The Roxx's new-gen chassis is Mahindra's best ladder frame yet, soaking up rough roads without breaking a sweat and handling highway duties reasonably well too. It's also gotten a lot more liveable than previous Thars, with genuine space, premium feel and creature comforts.There's the Jeep Compass and Meridian too, but their interiors won't feel spacious enough after your Endeavour, and on the other end are the MG Majestor and Toyota Fortuner, though those are likely to be out of budget. Of the petrols, the Kodiaq is probably the best AWD bet, but as you said, it is too expensive. A few-year-old example of any of these, however, might be a good option.On diesel in NCR, it might still make sense, if you can make your peace with the 10-year cap - and the associated resale value hit. You may see the odd winter restriction put into place, but new BS6 diesels have generally been clear of those. It's not an easy decision, but if it's for a car you'll enjoy, and you can work out a shorter ownership cycle that suits your needs, it can still work.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Jeep Compass

Jeep Meridian

MG Majestor

Toyota Fortuner

Skoda Kodiaq

autocar.india

•5w

Do note, only the Volkswagen Polo GTI was brought to India as a completely built unit (CBU); the regular Polo was locally manufactured, although the localised content varied over time.Coming to your question, you seem to have tried all the options available, and none have caught your fancy. In that case, we would recommend that you look at pre-owned options instead. A two- or three-year-old Skoda Kodiaq or Volkswagen Tiguan should fall within your Rs 25 lakh budget, and both have the same solid European build quality and are powered by a strong 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. You will enjoy driving either of these two cars, which will feel like a proper upgrade from your outgoing car. Look for a car that's still covered by factory warranty for greater peace of mind.

Skoda Kodiaq

Volkswagen Tiguan