BMW X1
What you'll like:
Solid build & top-notch quality, inside out. Looks smart too
Modern and well-appointed interior feels good
Refined and competent diesel engine mated to a smooth, responsive 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Excellent high-speed stability coupled with sorted handling and a precise steering. Mature ride quality at speed
Accommodating 476-litre boot and multiple storage spaces in the cabin
Loaded with features such as adaptive headlamps, electric front seats with extendable seat bases and massage function, 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, sliding & reclining rear seats, handsfree tailgate, panoramic sunroof, driving modes, etc.
5-star NCAP rating, top-notch safety kit and some ADAS features
BMW's relatively strong reliability record along with decent after-sales service and maintenance packages
What you won't:
Expensive! On-road price ranges between 55 - 63 lakhs
18-inch wheels give the ride a firm edge on bad roads at low speeds. It's totally liveable though
The 3-cylinder 134 BHP petrol engine is a misfit in this segment
Diesel motor offers just 148 BHP, which is even lesser than the older car. At this price, 190 - 200 BHP is a must! Furthermore, Diesel is available just in the M Sport variant (no AWD)
No physical buttons for the climate control and idling start / stop systems is a useability failure
Aggressively tuned idling start / stop system. Even if you slow down and stop at a traffic junction for a second, the engine switches off
Back seat is more suitable for 2 healthy adults and a child. Not 3 healthy adults
Missing features such as ventilated seats, head-up display, full-size spare tyre (has a space saver tyre), 360-degree camera, rear sunshade etc.
Review Link Mercedes-Benz GLA
Karan561's Drive Report Audi Q3
What you'll like:
Evolved sporty styling, matched with solid build quality
Increased cabin space, practicality and boot capacity (530 litres)
Incredibly fun-to-drive 2.0L turbo-petrol with a quick 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Quattro all-wheel drive provides loads of grip & will help you get out of tricky situations (sand, mud etc.)
Good road manners with sorted ride quality
Well-equipped (panoramic sunroof, powered front seats, dual-zone climate control, virtual cockpit & more)
5-star Euro NCAP safety rating and equipment
What you won't:
Efficient & punchy 2.0 turbo-diesel is no longer available. Heavy users will miss its low running costs
Same 187 horses as the Kodiaq & Tiguan. We would've preferred a higher state of tune on a more expensive Audi
Pricey! The Skoda Kodiaq and VW Tiguan are ~10-15 lakhs cheaper on-road
Just two variants. No cheaper FWD entry-level variant available. Period
Shouldve gotten adaptive dampers, at least on the top-end 'Technology' variant
Cabin is best suited for 4 adults, not 5
Missing features like a 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, driving assist tech, auto-hold, connected car gizmos etc.
Review Link Mini Countryman
AdiSinghV12's Ownership Review Volkswagen Tiguan
Review Link Review link - The 2021 Facelift Skoda Kodiaq
What you'll like:
The ultimate value luxury SUV! Classy styling, solid build & superb quality
Cabin offers space, practicality and lots of intelligent features
Impressive 2.0L turbo-petrol is mated to a quick 7-speed DSG automatic
Cushy ride quality in Comfort mode (L&K variant)
Sorted handling & road manners in Sport mode. Adjustable suspension is a USP of the L&K
3rd-row of seats is an advantage over some 5-seater competitors
Massive boot with 3rd seat row down. Boot is useable even with the 3rd seat row up
Impressive kit (12-speaker Canton ICE, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, auto parking...)
AWD available to get you out of tricky situations. Tourers will love it
5-star safety rating & equipment (9 airbags + a host of electronic aids)
What you won't:
Workhorse 2.0L turbo-diesel is no longer available. Heavy users will miss its low running costs
Single digit fuel economy of the turbo-petrol AT in the city. Drops drastically if you drive aggressively
Its sibling, the
VW Tiguan, is priced a couple of lakhs cheaper
Expensive! Worse still, Skoda increased the Kodiaqs pricing within days of the launch
Cramped 3rd row of seats is strictly for small children. A 5+2 SUV, not a 7-seater
Styling does look
Estate-ish from some angles. Doesn't have that much street cred or presence
We feel that the Sportline variant shouldve been offered with the DCC & other L&K features
Skodas ill-famed dealership network & after-sales horror stories
Skodas patchy long-term reliability track record (
including, but not limited to, the DSG)
Silly feature deletions from older Kodiaq (rear door sills, 1 umbrella, 1 blanket, chrome tip on power window switches, removable torch in the boot, red warning lights on the front doors
)
Review Link Review Link - The 2022 Facelift Jeep Meridian
What you'll like:
Handsome
unmistakably-Jeep styling & loads of character
Robust build quality. Feels very solid, just as a Jeep should
Classy cabin now boasts a versatile 5+2 seating configuration and better accommodation when compared to the Compass
Competent 2.0L diesel. Good driveability in the city, quick on the open road
Mature suspension setup, nicely-tuned EPS & rock-solid stability
Capable AWD available, with 214 mm of ground clearance
Feature packed: electric front seats (driver memory), panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, powered tailgate, LED projector headlights
Topnotch safety kit: Strong all-disc brakes, a plethora of electronic aids & 6 airbags
Diesel AT now available without the AWD as well, thereby making it more accessible for urban dwellers (
Compass Diesel AT only available with AWD, 5-lakhs more OTR)
What you won't:
Cabin has limited width, can feel snug for larger passengers. 5th passenger (in the 2nd row) will feel unwelcome
3rd row is strictly for children and small adults
Shouldve had more power for the price. Same 2.0L diesel available in SUVs from a segment below
No petrol engine in a market that is moving to petrols in a big way. Delhiites will be disappointed
9-speed Automatic gearbox is competent, but not brilliant
Wed have liked to see front parking sensors, paddle shifters, gearbox sport mode, a sliding middle row, more connected tech features (its very basic currently)
At low speeds, the firm ride quality always keeps you aware of the road quality youre driving on
Jeep Indias dealer & service network coverage is still limited
Review Link Citroen C5 Aircross
What you'll like:
A superbly engineered & properly premium crossover
Very stylish exteriors & interiors! We love the design. It's matched to solid build quality
Good quality cabin with comfortable seats, lots of storage & fantastic insulation
2.0L diesel engine is quick, efficient & extremely refined
Smooth 8-speed AT gearbox impresses
Excellent ride comfort and mature road manners. High speed behaviour is sorted too
Large, well-shaped 580 liter boot gobbles up holiday / airport luggage
Loaded to the gills with features such as a panoramic sunroof, handsfree tailgate opening, customisable instrument cluster, double laminated front windows, terrain modes...
4-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test. 3-point seatbelts for all five occupants, 6 airbags, blind spot monitoring system, ESP, hill hold, hill descent control and more
What you won't:
Very expensive! We wish Citroen had
priced-it-to-sell-it (
aka penetration pricing)
Rear legroom is strictly adequate. Two 510" adults can sit behind each other, but not two 6-footers
No turbo-petrol engine (big miss), no AWD for tourers & no manual gearbox for MT fans
Not really sporty to drive. Cars like the Compass & Tiguan are more fun
Missing some features we expect today (connected car tech, ventilated seats, electrically adjustable passenger seat, ADAS, 360-degree camera, subwoofer
)
The bolstering of the 3 individual rear seats is suitable for slim passengers, not heavier ones
Audio sound quality is alright, but nothing special as youd expect in a 40-lakh car
Many competing crossovers & SUVs offer a 3rd-row of seats, which the C5 Aircross doesn't have
Long-term reliability & after-sales service quality are still big unknowns
Review Link Review Link - The 2022 Facelift Hyundai Tucson
What you'll like:
A futuristic-looking, well-engineered premium SUV
Complete urban package with comfortable suspension, light steering and a smooth automatic
2.0L diesel engine is not just refined, but punchy too
540 litres of boot space is enough to haul holiday luggage
ADAS safety features like autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitor and lane-keep assist are cool & work reasonably well
Loaded with features like a panoramic sunroof, multi-air mode AC, ventilated and heated front seats, connected car tech, wireless charging, boss control for the front seat etc.
5-star Euro NCAP rating. 6 airbags, ESC, VSM, downhill brake control, TPMS, 360-degree camera & more
What you won't:
Edgy looks & funky styling may not be to everyone's liking
At ~44 lakhs on road for the top-end variant, the Tucson is expensive!
Not as engaging to drive as the Kodiaq or Tiguan
Naturally-aspirated petrol isn't as punchy as the competitors' turbo-petrol units
Other crossovers & SUVs offer a 3rd-row of seats. Tucson is a 5-seater only
Some missing features such as paddle shifters, rear sunblinds...
Hyundai badge lacks the snob value that many 40-lakh rupee customers are looking for
Review Link