[RohaNN_kWh]

I'm seeking advice for my friend here, he currently owns a 2015 Audi Q5 2.0 TDI with more than 1.5 Lakh Km on the ODO and is looking for a new ride under 18L.

His Requirements:

- Preferably Diesel (very high usage).
- Automatic Only (NO DSG/AMT)
- Open to pre-owned vehicles.
- SUV/CSUV's preferred, No 7 seater requirements
- Highway usage is high so stability and safety is a must.
- He has owned multiple fortuners/endeavours and is looking for something new.
- We did TD the XUV 700 AX7L Petrol variant (Diesel wasn't Available), he didn't like the engine noise and performance when pressed hard, coming from a Q5 his expectations are set quite high so good preowned germans might interest him !!

Thanks in advance

[M A D over CARS]

Originally Posted by RohaNN_kWh

under 18L.

His Requirements:

- Preferably Diesel (very high usage).
- Automatic Only (NO DSG/AMT)
- Open to pre-owned vehicles.
- SUV/CSUV's preferred, No 7 seater requirements
- Highway usage is high so stability and safety is a must.
- He has owned multiple fortuners/endeavours and is looking for something new.

Looking at the requirements the first choice that comes to my mind is a pre owned Innova Crysta ZX AT with the amazing 2.8 litre diesel engine. It ticks most of the requirements.

Under 18L- check
Diesel- check
Automatic-check
Highway usage-check

Tell your friend to check out the innova with an open mind and he will find out it is one of the most comfortable car to be ridden on highways.

[MotoBlip]

Not sure whose validation you are looking for but your requirements scream of a Toyota Innova. Comfortable, reliable and well built. Only thorn in your flesh are the NCT tribunal's ruling(10 year diesel ban), but Innova's brilliant resale value would definitely take the steam off.

Just go ahead and get it man!!

[AjinkyaP]

Pre-owned Innova Crysta AT would be the safest bet.
18L is a tight budget for a new Diesel AT within SUV/CSUVs.

You can look at MG Astor Smart 1.3 Turbo AT in Petrol as well.

[hserus]

Originally Posted by M A D over CARS

Innova Crysta ZX AT with the amazing 2.8 litre diesel engine. It ticks most of the requirements.

He doesn’t like engine noise after coming from a q5? The Innova sounds like a tractor even if it ticks all the other boxes.

Tell him to go back to a Fortuner or Endeavour.

[car_guy1998]

I'd suggest your friend the new Thar Diesel AT if rear seat comfort is not much important and comes within 18L of budget.

But, a pre-owned Innova Crysta 2.8 AT would be a best bet for your friend as it gives peace of mind during the ownership and that 2.8 AT engine is a beast. Since your friend is from Delhi, I'd suggest him to look 2019 ones.

Even a pre-owned pre-FL Jeep Compass Diesel AT would be a good purchase for your friend but finding a good pre-owned Compass Diesel AT is a herculean task as it was launched in 2020 and he have to stretch the budget a bit.

One more car I'd suggest is Creta/Seltos Diesel AT as it has 6 speed Diesel TC AT, which is smooth and gives good FE as well.

[Akshay6988]

Originally Posted by car_guy1998

I'd suggest your friend the new Thar Diesel AT if rear seat comfort is not much important and comes within 18L of budget.

He has stated the friend has very high usage mostly on the highway, no way Thar can do that Agree with rest of your post. My pick would be the Jeep Compass diesel automatic - our distinguished member Arun.josie has one Scarlett comes home | My Jeep Compass Limited (O) 4x4 | EDIT: 75,000 km service update

[narayans80]

Since he is looking for refined diesels mid-budget. Hyundai Creta and Tucson come to mind. These are much more compact than 4800 mm Crysta. new Tucson though is a good 10L more though. These would also be fuel efficient too.

Depends on how much he wants to tradeoff highway comfort vs refinement.

[sierrabravo98]

Originally Posted by RohaNN_kWh

I'm seeking advice for my friend here, he currently owns a 2015 Audi Q5 2.0 TDI with more than 1.5 Lakh Km on the ODO and is looking for a new ride under 18L.


- We did TD the XUV 700 AX7L Petrol variant (Diesel wasn't Available), he didn't like the engine noise and performance when pressed hard, coming from a Q5 his expectations are set quite high so good preowned germans might interest him !!

Thanks in advance

I am quite surprised that your friend was not satisfied by the 7OOs performance (and the petrol one at that) considering his erstwhile Q5 with lesser power (174 bhp) and similar torque (380NM) and a higher kerb weight is arguably slower than the XUV. Also, I would stick out my neck and state that NOT one VAG group diesel engine can even come within miles ot the MStallion GDI engine in terms of NVH refinement. VAG diesels are closer to tractors in that particular aspect.

So, are you sure that your friend actually wants a car because NONE of the vehicle under 18L is going to fulfill your criterias (certainly not a pre-owned Crysta which seems to be the crowd favourite here) if the 7OO cannot.

[Axe77]

If he wants a German (/European) experience with diesel high mile munching abilities, perhaps he can consider a used diesel Kodiaq. (I am considering this a 5 seater for all practical purpose with a big boot assuming the third row will be permanently down).

Its as underwhelming as the Q5 to drive (when you compare to other competing Germans) and the engine gruffness will be comparable. It’ll still however feel better to drive and smoother than comparable BOFs like a Fortuner or even alternatives like an Innova.

Other than that it’ll be fuel efficient, will feel similarly solid to Germans, the driving experience will be more connected than the the likes of Fortuner / Innova, will have much less body roll, will be safe and will feel plusher than the above alternatives too.

He may have to stretch a tad beyond 18 lakhs though to get a more recent example, but that should hold him in good stead with a longer ownership lifecycle.

[TorqueMonster]

Your friend's usage and requirements exclude the Innova directly, as there is a lot of noise and clatter that can be heard. I think you should stick to cars with the FCA 2.0 diesel or used VW's.

The Compass is a great car you can buy, used though since now even the base model crosses 21 lakhs in my state. Also try if you can get a fairly recent VW/Skoda diesel, such as Tiguan or Kodiaq.

You also have the MG and Harrier/Safari, both good cars, but with Safari and Harrier having the occasional problems or bad after-sales and service from Tata.

There is also the used Germans possible, a 3 - 4-year-old BMW 320d will come at the same price or at a slight premium to the budget your friend has. Your friend already owns a German so will certainly be familiar with its maintenance costs and requirements, he can always decide whether to buy another German Luxury car too or not. You always have the X1 too if SUV's are a requirement. The Q3 has been discontinued for a while, but I'm sure good examples will be there for it too.

[PrasannaDhana]

I am the odd one out here.

My recommendation is a Tata Hexa Varicor 400 AT

Falls within the budget
Enough grunt for upper triple digits cruising
Extremely comfortable over all kind of roads
Excellent refinement
Solid build quality
Very good interior quality
Varicor 400 is fuel efficient for a big car. Easy 14 kmpl at 110 kmph cruising.

Personally, I would pick a Skoda Octavia TDI DSG.

[RohaNN_kWh]

Thank you soo much everyone for your advice !!!

My friend rejected the mighty Innova very early on due to the perceived taxi image, though a great package, he is looking for something SUV-ish only or a good deal on any of the germans.

Currently, we have shortlisted Jeep Compass Diesel AT and TATA Hexa AT, as of now he is looking for a decent Compass online.

Also, he has been looking into a 2015 Mercedes C220D for 20L in good condition, he has no issues maintaining the germans.

I have advised him to get a Diesel XUV700 TD from Mahindra Noida, though he isn't keen on waiting forever it might be worth a shot.

He has been offered plenty of VW/Skoda's but I have strongly advised him to stay away from the nasty DSG's.

[krishnakumar]

Looking at his requirements and current benchmarks, the only car with an 18L budget that seems like it would satisfy your friends needs is the Jeep Compass.

However, automatics are short in supply in the used car market at least when I checked OLX in Bangalore a few months ago.

[jeganatu]

The only choice meeting his requirement is a used Diesel Compass under 20 lakhs. Finding one is pure luck, and is worth waiting for one!

Meanwhile, ask him to take test drive of Nissan Kicks CVT with 1.3 Turbo petrol engine. This Mercedes Benz- Renault derived engine offers 154hp with 254nm of torque! Its a pure bliss to drive this monster on HW and yeilds an Arai Mileage of 14.5 Kmpl.

I hope lower purchasing costs will compensate on saving on intial purchase costs of a diesel. Make a try!