[Aditya]

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

What you'll like:

• Very good attempt at making a mass-market hybrid car
• 20+ kmpl FE in city driving conditions makes the Hyryder cheaper to run than a diesel!
• Seamless hybrid system that makes driving a breeze. A car you will enjoy driving in the city
• Lower emissions will appeal to environmentally-conscious buyers. And those who aren’t ready for an EV yet
• Toyota’s reliability & expertise in hybrid systems is very reassuring
• Compliant ride quality coupled with balanced driving dynamics
• Well-equipped with features such as driving modes, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, wireless smartphone charging, connected car features, wireless Android Auto + Apple Carplay and more
• Only Crossover in this segment to provide AWD capability
• Toyota’s after-sales quality is usually regarded as top-notch by owners
• Does most things well, but doesn’t excel in any particular area (other than fuel economy)

What you won't:

• Practicality is compromised due to reduced boot space in the full-hybrid variant
• Quality of interior plastics feels more “Maruti” than Toyota. Frankly, the S-Cross cabin feels better in quality
• Interior is narrow and doesn't feel as roomy as some competitors. Rear seat is best for 2 adults
• Missing features such as rain-sensing wipers, premium audio + subwoofer, electric seats, electric parking brake, LED interior lighting, etc.
• Lacks the outright performance of the competition. Runs out of steam above 110 kmph
• Not as engaging to drive as the German competitors, or the Creta / Seltos turbo-petrols
• NVH levels from the drivetrain are surprisingly poor for a hybrid. Sounds from the 3-cylinder engine, electric motor and brake vacuum pump filter into the cabin
• AWD available only on the MT (not the AT) and the mild-hybrid (not full-hybrid)
• The Honda City’s Hybrid system is smoother, more sophisticated & more refined
• Does most things well, but doesn’t excel in any particular area (other than fuel economy)

Link to Review

Hyundai Creta

What you'll like:

• A superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a premium experience
• We find the Hyundai Creta to be well-priced for what it offers
• User-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good quality parts
• Loved the 1.4L turbo-petrol & 1.5L diesel. These are fantastic engines
• Smooth & competent automatic gearboxes available. With the useful "auto-hold" feature too
• Sorted road manners & handling for a Hyundai, including on the highway. You will be surprised!
• The Creta's safety package includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (panoramic sunroof, paddle shifters, Bose sound system, cooled seats, cabin air purifier & loads more)
• Hyundai's competent after-sales service, fuss-free ownership & upto 5-years standard warranty

What you won't:

• Oddball love it or hate it styling. We find the Creta's exterior design to be too weird & futuristic
• Firmer suspension isn't as cushy as the 1st-gen Creta. It is more comfortable than the Seltos though
• Back seat's width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults
• Some misses (no auto wipers, 360-degree camera, illuminated window buttons, full-size spare tyre on top trims)
• Dual-clutch ATs (like the Hyundai Creta Petrol DCT) have a history of poor reliability in India
• Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – are the lowest in the segment. Old 1.6L CRDi was superior
• No manual transmission available with the fast 1.4L Petrol (Seltos offers this combo)
• The stiffer Seltos has an edge in the handling department. IMHO, the Kia is better looking too
• You get bigger SUVs & Crossovers for the same money (e.g. Hector, Harrier, XUV700)

Review Link

Kia Seltos

What you'll like:

• A superbly engineered all-rounder that delivers a premium experience
• Handsome, contemporary styling. Looks very sharp
• We find the Seltos to be well-priced for what it offers
• Nice, user-friendly interiors with sufficient space & good quality
• Loved the 1.4L turbo-petrol & 1.5L diesel. They are BS6 compliant too
• Both the automatics - Diesel AT & Petrol DCT - are simply fantastic!
• Mature on-road behavior, including at highway speeds. A+ brakes as well
• Unusually wide variant offering. Seems there is something for everyone
• Safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, blind spot monitor, TPMS etc.
• Impressive kit (360 degree camera, HUD, front parking sensors, Bose sound system, cooled seats, cabin air purifier & loads more)

What you won't:

• Barely managed 3-stars in the GNCAP crash tests (full discussion)
• Firm suspension. Liveable, but bad roads will bother you (especially on 17" wheel variants)
• Back seat's width makes it better for 2 adults and a kid, rather than 3 adults
• Niggles are being reported by owners (details here)
• Some misses (illuminated window buttons, thinner spare tyre on top trims, no dual-tone option on GTX+ / HTX+)
• Dual-clutch ATs (like the Petrol DCT) have a history of poor reliability in India
• Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – are the lowest in the segment.
• Extremely confusing & complicated variant spread. We still haven’t gotten the hang of it!
• Kia's after-sales service quality is an unknown. We await details in our ownership reports
• You get bigger SUVs & Crossovers for the same money (e.g. Hector, Harrier, XUV700)

Review Link

Skoda Kushaq

What you'll like:

• A breath of fresh (European) air in a sea of Korean, Chinese & Indian SUVs
• Classy exterior & interior styling matched with solid European build quality
• Cabin has good legroom to offer, supportive seats, perfect ergonomics & lots of storage
• 148 BHP engine makes the Kushaq one of the most fun-to-drive crossovers in the segment
• Sporty 1.0L & 1.5L turbo-petrols are mated to slick 6-speed MTs & smooth ATs
• Sorted suspension offers a balanced ride & handling package
• Safety features include 6 airbags, ESC (all variants), 3-point seatbelts for all, electronic differential lock, brake disc wiping, multi-collision brake and more
• 6-year extended warranty & 4-year all inclusive service packages available
• Features like active cylinder tech, ventilated seats, sunroof, wireless Android Auto and CarPlay, audio system with a punchy subwoofer, auto headlamps & wipers etc.

What you won't:

• No 1.5L diesel is a major disadvantage in a world where petrol costs over 100 bucks / litre
• DQ200 DSG transmission has a history of poor reliability & breakdowns in India
• Narrow width makes a 5th adult completely unwelcome. Best for 4 onboard
• Lovely 1.5L TSI is only available on the top variant
• At 385 litres, boot space is lesser than its direct rivals (Creta & Seltos = 433L)
• Sure lacks the street cred / presence offered by some competitors
• Skoda’s notorious dealerships & after-sales horror stories
• Missing some now expected features such as driving modes (sport), panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric driver's seat adjustment & regular USB ports
• Turbo-petrols are very sensitive to driving style. FE will drop drastically when you drive hard

Review Link

Volkswagen Taigun

What you'll like:]

• Has its own fresh, European character and complements its cousin (the recently launched Skoda Kushaq) nicely in a segment dominated by Indian, Korean and Chinese SUVs
• Unmistakably VW styling matched with solid European build quality
• Cabin has good legroom to offer, supportive seats, perfect ergonomics & lots of storage
• 148 BHP engine makes the Taigun one of the most fun-to-drive crossovers in the segment!
• Sporty 1.0L & 1.5L turbo-petrols are mated to slick 6-speed MTs & smooth ATs
• Sorted suspension offers a balanced ride & handling package
• Safety features include up to 6 airbags, ESC (all variants), 3-point seatbelts for all, electronic differential lock, brake disc wiping, multi-collision brake and more
• Features like active cylinder tech, ventilated seats (weirdly 1.0 TSI only), sunroof, 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and CarPlay, auto headlamps & wipers etc.
• Advantages over the Kushaq = a top AT variant with 6 airbags, design that stands out more, cabin 'feels' better, fabric seats are executed in a nicer manner...

What you won't:

• No 1.5L diesel is a major disadvantage in a world where petrol costs over 100 bucks/litre
• GT customers will need to choose between the rock (potential DQ200 transmission problems) and a hard place (GT manual variant misses out on many top-end features)
• Narrow cabin width makes a 5th adult completely unwelcome. Best for 4 onboard
• Interior colour scheme and quality don't feel up to traditional VW standards. Some polarising details too (chrome outside, painted plastics inside...)
• Sure lacks the street cred / presence offered by some competitors
• VW’s after-sales service can be a hit or miss. Many VW owners find it expensive too
• Missing some now-expected features such as 6 airbags in the MTs, a subwoofer, driving modes (sport), panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric driver's seat adjustment & rear window blinds
• Turbo-petrols are very sensitive to driving style. FE will drop drastically when you drive hard
• Kushaq's 'clever' touches are missing = no spot on top of the dashboard to place a deity, no smartphone holders on the front seatbacks, no ticket clip on the windshield, no elastic band in the doorpad to keep items in place, or even something as simple as the small reflective tapes on the doorpads

Review Link

MG Astor

Preview Link

Jeep Compass

Jeep Compass Pros:

• Handsome Cherokee-inspired styling & loads of character
• Solid build. Feels very robust, just as a Jeep should
• Powerful 2.0L diesel. Good driveability in the city, fast on the open road
• 1.4L turbo-petrol makes 161 BHP! Offers fast performance.
• Mature suspension setup, nicely-tuned EPS & rock-solid stability
• Capable AWD available (unlike some competitors)
• City-friendly: Compact size, higher seating, smooth gearshift, soft clutch & low NVH
• Topnotch safety: Strong all-disc brakes, a plethora of electronic aids & 6 airbags
• We think the Compass is well-priced for what it offers. The driving experience & overall package feel premium

Jeep Compass Cons:

• Small size for the price! A sentiment echoed by most people who saw it in person
• Suitable for 4 adults, not 5. Boot is small too
• Inexplicably, only the AWD Diesel gets 6 airbags! All other variants have 2
• Tiny dealership network. Plus, after-sales quality & long-term reliability are unknown factors
• AWD's premium is over 2 lakh rupees on-the-road. Includes 4 extra airbags, but is still too much
• Turning radius of 5.65m is wide. Also, 17º approach angle is too low
• Missing goodies (blanks on the steering, auto-dimming IRVM, auto wipers & headlamps, lumbar adjustment, reclinable rear seats)

Link to Review

Link to Review - The Petrol AT

Link to Report - The Trailhawk

Tata Harrier

What you'll like:

• Smooth & competent 6-speed automatic transmission
• Stunning looks & strong road presence. Solid build too
• Classy, spacious cabin with comfortable seats & a chilling air-con
• Fantastic 9-speaker audio system. Sound quality & bass are enjoyable
• The Harrier's 2.0L diesel now gets 30 BHP more & offers good performance
• 205 mm of ground clearance + terrain response system. Latter will make monsoon driving safer
• Topnotch safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, break reminder, hill hold, brake disc wiping & more
• Features such as the panoramic sunroof, Eco & Sport modes, auto headlamps & wipers, cruise control…

What you won't:

• Heavy steering gets cumbersome at parking / u-turn / crawling speeds (<5 km/h)
• Harrier AT’s focus is on smoothness & comfort; gearbox is not the most responsive
• Concerns over niggles & long-term reliability associated with Tata cars
• Service visit every 6 months / 7,500 km (12-months is the norm today)
• Diesel engine does get loud at 3,500 rpm & its engine note is quite sad too
• No petrol option (almost all competitors offer it). No AWD for enthusiasts either
• Although improved, the Harrier's steering @ 120 km/h is still a level too sensitive
• Tata's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble

Review Link

Review Link - Diesel AT

MG Hector

What you'll like:

• Big size & lots of bling for the money! We find the Hector to be well-priced
• A spacious cabin that can easily seat 5 adults. Massive 587 litre boot too
• Fiat-sourced 2.0L diesel is simply fantastic
• Compliant ride quality. Suspension is tuned for comfort
• Lots of kit (panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, electric seats & tailgate etc.)
• ‘Connected’ Tablet ICE with an embedded SIM & lovely sound quality
• 5-year / unlimited km warranty with roadside assistance
• Top safety equipment includes 6 airbags, ESP, HSA, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS & more

What you won't:

• Awkward styling on the side & rear profiles. Looks weird from some angles
• Sloppy high-speed handling, noticeable body roll & easy understeer
• The petrol engine is “adequate” at best. Its guzzling Automatic variant is unimpressive
• No Diesel AT (Creta, Seltos, XUV700, Harrier offer this combination, which we love)
• Some annoyances like the ~6 meter turning radius, strange rpm meter…
• Small after-sales network. Service quality & long-term reliability are big unknowns
• Waiting period runs into a couple of months
• Don’t get blinded by the British branding. This is a Chinese car

Review Link

Mahindra XUV700

What you'll like:

• Handsome styling matched to solid build quality. Has street presence, feels robust
• Very spacious interiors with comfy seats and sorted ergonomics. 6-footer passengers welcome!
• 182 BHP turbo-diesel & 197 BHP turbo-petrol make for a potent line-up
• Smooth 6-speed torque converter Automatics available with both engines
• Sorted suspension with good road manners & high speed stability
• AWD available for the adventurous, unlike most FWD crossovers in the segment
• Loaded with features like radar-based driver assistance system, pop-out door handles, panoramic sunroof, driver memory seat, 360-degree camera, 10.25" infotainment & instrument cluster etc.
• 12-speaker Sony audio system is fantastic! You'll enjoy its sound quality
• Safety features include 7 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, hill hold, hill descent control, driver drowsiness detection, TPMS, ISOFIX...

What you won't:

• Negligible boot space with the 3rd-row seat up. Either 5 onboard, or 7 with a roof-top carrier
• Cramped 3rd-row seat is best suited to children only. A sliding middle row is sorely missed
• Petrol AT is thirsty due to its hefty weight, 197 BHP & torque-converter AT
• Some cabin plastics & a few rough areas don't feel premium in an otherwise loaded SUV
• Missing features such as an auto-dimming IRVM, ventilated seats, paddle shifters, full-size spare wheel, ambient lighting, rear sunblinds...
• Concerns over niggles & bugs in a freshly baked, complex Mahindra. We saw 2!
• Mahindra's after-sales service is a hit or miss. Remains a gamble
• AWD is available just with the Diesel AT, and not the MT or petrol motor

Review Link

[GTO]

Wow, customers in this segment are really spoilt for choice huh? And it's not just cars, but so many brands, sizes, engines, 3rd row or not, AWD, Hybrid, safety ratings etc. to choose from. The space is getting as competitive as the hatchback scene was 10 years ago. My favourite remains the XUV700 for its all-roundedness.

[FAIAAA]

Agree with GTO. There's something for everyone here. Having test driven all the options here except the new MS-Toyota twins, my vote goes for the Seltos for it's well rounded package, it's only major downer for me being the safety rating. If only MS/Toyota had given a AWD-AT combo, it would have got my vote and money.

[Vid6639]

Each option has a different USP. Very tough choice.

I want the Urban Cruiser Hyryder for my needs but the XUV700 is a brilliant package. Same time the Kushaq/Taigun 1.5L TSI DSG are perfect for city in terms of compact dimensions and explosive performance on highway.

The Compass feels premium and is the rare premium crossover that can take abuse.

My pick would be XUV700 but for my current need the Hyryder is what I am looking at getting as an urban commuter.

[Overlander]

This is a bit of an odd ball poll. The “competition” price range varies from 15 lakhs to 30+ lakhs; so not sure which gravely flexible individual will have these cars pitted against one another.

And surely, objectivity is lost when cars of such varying benefits and flaws are stacked in together. Since this comparison cannot be answered vide a “poll”, here is my (&only mine) view:

a. If I want a car where I expect occasional but multiple passengers; and I need to be on the highway more often than not : Mahindra XUV (if you can get hold of one, or both Lady Luck and honchos at Mahindra feel you’re worth it)

b. If my usage is going to be individual drives to office, weekends with family and going to be in city more than highways: Toyota Hyryder

Note: If you aren’t an Ola/ Uber guy who drives to the airport everyday, just stop worrying about the boot being able to carry cargo. It’s an important aspect, agreed! Cannot be a priority.

[bijims]

The XUV700 remains the SUV to beat in this segment, with its all-round prowess. Be it power, space, features, its indeed the overall package.

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Strong Hybrid is indeed a great proposition for the mileage conscious, with class-leading fuel economy figures, adequate features and SUV stance.

For those who want a fun to drive car, the VW Taigun and Skoda Kushaq 1.5 DSG are the best bets.

The Korean twins, the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos are essentially the most feature loaded offerings with a wide array of engine and gearbox options to choose from for every need.

[CEF_Beasts]

A wide range of cars from 15 to 30 Lakh OTR.

Use Case City driving >80% and Highway driving <20%:

If city driving is the main focus with few highway runs, I would go for the Urban Cruiser Hyryder eyes closed. Basically for it’s battery and engine transitions that are very smooth and help stretch the kms that can be done in a single tank of fuel.

Use Case Highway driving >50% and city driving <50%:

If highway travel is more compared to city driving and need a compact car then I’ll go for the Taigun/Kushaq 1.5L TSI DSG.

Drove the Virtus 1.5L TSI DSG 4 months back and was blown away by the engine performance on offer!

Use Case Highway >50% and city <50% but need 7 seats:

First Choice will be the Innova Crysta, no car comes close to the Crysta in terms of space and comfort be it out on the highway or in the city.

Diesel Crysta has been temporarily discontinued, so I will go for a well-maintained Crysta 2.8L or even the newer 2.4L BS6 is not bad.

Service quality and peace of mind given by Toyota is miles ahead of the other manufacturer’s cars mentioned in the poll.

Second choice is the XUV700 but that waiting period of one and a half year/two years is a bummer. So it will be a tie between the Safari and XUV700 for second place for me.

[Mechanto]

Since the options only have Harrier (no Safari) and Hector (no Hector Plus) I am assuming XUV700 is just going to the 5 seater avatar. And XUV700 5 seaters are limited to the AX5 variant, which is a compromise on the number of features. Add to that the atrocious waiting period - my vote is for the Tata Harrier.

[Bhalla]

Voted for Harrier/Safari. Tata have good reputation in my hometown and our local Tata dealer have good track record. Harrier or Safari, depending on my requirements. Both of them are definitely best looking SUVs on southern side of 50 lakh price point. Wish Tata to launch Harrier twins with at least AWD in near future.

[Kosfactor]

XUV7OO.

A worthy sequel to the very practical and capable XUV5OO.

Choice # 2 will be Seltos.

I love to drive and these two felt the best among their size and price category.

[Shreyans_Jain]

Jeep Compass for the win!

Best looks, best build, best ride and handling, best performance, superb cabin ambiance, a capable 4x4 option and by far the most engaging to drive. It’s not the most spacious but it is the best car for the discerning small family in the 20-30L range.

Those who definitely need a bigger car to haul more people can pick squarely between the XUV700 and Safari. Can’t go wrong either way.

[PaddleShifter]

Torn between three options:
XUV700
MG Hector
HyRyder

Delhi is temporarily banning all BS4 diesels starting 1st October. A diesel car bought in Feb 2020 will not be able to ply on Delhi roads for next 2-3 months as per news. I would thus like to restrict to petrol models as much as possible (only exception being a diesel only Force Gurkha, a one of its kind car).

XUV700 petrol is a fuel guzzler. The middle class me can not thrive on 7kmpl (as per a few of my NCR friends).
MG Hector is a very good car but is again worth only in the diesel format.

Among all the above mentioned cars in the poll, HyRyder is the best petrol car from day to day practicality perspectives.

I also love the Meridian like rear of Grand Vitara though HyRyder looks better overall.

[shubham322000]

My heart goes out for Seltos surely, eagerly waiting for the facelift version to launch in India. Reviewed the recently launched Korean version and it appears to be surely a notch better than the current one. Fingers crossed to see what Indian version will inherit from it. ����

[TechnoBloop]

My choice would be the Taigun.

Surely it lacks the street presence and the features provided by it's competitors but Taigun's compact size makes it easily manoeuvrable in city traffic, and the car itself is beautiful! Safety would probably be the best in segment, considering it's a VW.

Engine and driving dynamics is the major highlight of the car. It's definitely the most fun-to-drive car in the segment. Drive the 1.5TSI and all the other cars of the segment feel underpowered. Same applies for Kushaq too!

The Grand Vitara and the UCHR are the best family oriented cars in the segment, a perfect city car with it's strong hybrid tech. But it does feel underpowered.

Creta/Seltos- Cars are good, no doubt and they're the most feature laden car in the segment (which is what people like, hence the huge sales), but they score 0 in terms of safety. I consider safety as a major aspect while buying a car! If these 2 cars were safe, then nothing could stop them from becoming the perfect cars in the segment. The engines and driving pleasure is better in the VWs tho.

That said, it's really astonishing to see how the Indian people are preferring SUVs (pseudo) nowadays. They are literally spoilt for choice, just like GTO said.
Anyways, I would take a Virtus GT over these pseudo-SUVs anyday.

[sunikkat]

Very difficult poll as the choice differs based on preference.
My personal favourite is Kushaq/Taigun 1.5. Couple of months back went on a highway drive in Kushaq 1.5 and the performance is so great (along with handling and high speed stability) that I would put my money in this without any doubt.
As an overall package Compass diesel or XUV 700, but no way I am going to wait > 6 months for a car, no matter how good it is.
Others in the poll doesn’t make cut for me.