[Ripcord09]

Nissan X-Trail

What you'll like:

• Handsome-looking SUV with a perfect blend of conventional & modern styling
• 1.5L turbo-petrol with variable compression is refined and offers decent performance
• Smooth CVT combined with a light steering makes the X-Trail a good urban car
• 585 litres of boot space (3rd row folded) is accomodating enough for family holiday luggage
• 3rd-row of seats gives it an advantage over 5-seater competitors
• Features such as the panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, paddle shifters, drive modes, fully digital instrument cluster, etc.
• 5-star Euro NCAP & ANCAP rating. Safety features such as 7 airbags, ESP and brake limited slip differential among others
• 210 mm of ground clearance is great for tackling bad roads

What you won't:

• Missing features in what’s pitted as a premium SUV – lacks leatherette seats, ADAS, a spare wheel, powered and ventilated seats, ambient lighting, connected car tech, hands-free tailgate, rear sunblinds, wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, etc.
• 20-inch alloy wheels and shorter tyre sidewalls make the ride firm. Should’ve had smaller wheels as an option
• Since this is a direct import / CBU, the X-Trail is the most expensive in its segment. Not many people would be willing to pay big money for a Nissan
• Single variant and single powertrain on offer. No turbo-diesel, no AWD
• Cramped 3rd row has very limited usability & is best for kids. This is more of a 5+2 seater SUV than a 7-seater
• Not as engaging to drive as the Kodiaq or Tiguan
• Nissan's tiny dealership network & poor after-sales service

Review Link

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 ~ 5 lakhs cheaper
• Expensive! Even with the recent discounts, it is still an expensive SUV
• 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 should’ve been offered with the DCC & other L&K features
• Skoda’s ill-famed dealership network & after-sales horror stories
• Skoda’s 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

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
• Should’ve 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
• We’d have liked to see front parking sensors, paddle shifters, gearbox ‘sport’ mode, a sliding middle row, more connected tech features (it’s very basic currently)
• At low speeds, the firm ride quality always keeps you aware of the road quality you’re driving on
• Jeep India’s dealer & service network coverage is still limited

Review Link

Volkswagen Tiguan

First Look Link

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 ~43 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

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 5’10" 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 you’d 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

Toyota Fortuner

What you'll like:

• Fantastic 2.8L diesel engine has gotten even better. More power, more responsive!
• Smooth and competent 6-speed automatic gearbox
• Contemporary styling & imposing street presence
• Tough build. Toyota body-on-frame UVs are known to have very long lives (400,000+ km is realistic)
• Smooth petrol also available, if you want more refinement and / or are from Delhi-NCR
• Features such as Quad-LED headlamps, powered tailgate, wireless smartphone charging, ventilated seats & more
• Impressive offroad capability (by big SUV standards) is superior to its direct competitors
• Top-notch safety kit. 7 airbags, ESP, TC, hill assist, ISOFIX & 3-point seatbelts for all
• Outstanding long term reliability. And you get great resale value as well
• Toyota's excellent after-sales quality, fuss-free ownership experiences, low service costs & up to 7 years of extended warranty coverage

What you won't:

• The already-expensive Fortuner has gotten even more expensive! Top variants cost 51-lakhs OTR
• Legender variant has many limitations (no MT, no petrol, no colour options, no 11-speaker sound system)
• Firm & bumpy ride quality. Bad roads in the city are prominently felt inside
• Heavy steering at low speeds will bother you
• Lots of body roll. Go easy on the curves
• Missing sunroof, lumbar adjustment, auto-wipers, TPMS, adaptive parking guidelines etc.
• 6-speaker sound system is terrible for a 40-lakh rupee car!
• Cost-cutting evident in a couple of areas; some interior plastics, ICE audio quality, camera display…
• Fortuner's petrol variant is a guzzler. We've seen merely 6 – 7 kmpl on the AT
• No longer a full-time 4x4 like the 1st-gen car. Also, 4x4 carries a Rs. 5 lakh OTR premium

Review Link

MG Gloster

What you'll like:

• Huge & imposing size! Bigger than even the likes of the Fortuner and Endeavour
• Splendid long-distance mile muncher. The Gloster is built for expressway cruising. Just set the adaptive cruise control and let the Gloster waft along
• ADAS safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitor and lane change assist are cool & work well
• Suspension is tuned for comfort. Gloster owners will enjoy its ride quality
• Spacious cabin with captain seats at the back and a usable third row too!
• Interior ambience is nicer vs the competitors which are utilitarian in comparison
• Loaded with features - panoramic sunroof, 12.3" touchscreen ICE, driver seat with massage function, 360 degree camera, three zone climate control, PM 2.5 air filter etc.
• 343 liter boot even with the 3rd-row seat being used

What you won't:

• Engine and gearbox tuning are shockingly terrible inside town. Turbo lag and the gearbox's reluctance to downshift make things awful in city traffic
• Massive size can be a handicap in urban India. Quite cumbersome in tight areas
• While the interior looks premium, you know it is not as well-built as a Toyota or Ford
• Top-end Savvy variant is optimistically priced at par with the well-established Fortuner & Endeavour
• Savvy variant doesn't get the 3-seater bench option for the middle row. Captain seats = 2 occupants
• 4,000 rpm redline is too early. Engine has a very narrow powerband
• Urban fuel economy is mediocre due to the power & fat kerb weight
• Twin-turbo diesel, 8-speed AT & gizmos bring a lot of complexity. Long-term reliability is unknown (unlike the Fortuner & Endeavour)

Review Link

Isuzu MU-X

Launch Discussion

[Omkar]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[GTO]

With the exception of the Tucson, this market segment is really full of "oldies"....cars that have been around for a while and which don't particularly feel modern.

That's why the choices remain the same. If Petrol, then the Kodiaq with that sweet 2.0L turbo petrol, DSG & adaptive suspension. If Diesel, then the Tucson which is quite the all-arounder. If Electric, I'd ditch both of these and choose the Ioniq 5 .

Honestly, there is more action & product dynamism in the 15-30 lakh SUV & Crossover segment than the 40-50 lakh one.

[CentreOfGravity]

My pick is the Hyundai Tucson. Second choice = Kodiaq. Here's why:

- The design is to die for. This is a rare Hyundai that impressed me on the design front in recent times, the only other ones being the i20 N-Line and Ioniq 5. Not only is it proportionate, but it also looks good from all angles IMO. Now this is "Sensuous Sportiness" done right!

- The interiors look premium and futuristic. It is also feature loaded to the brim. The Kodiaq is the only car that matches/betters the Hyundai on this front.

- CRDI + 184 bhp + 416 Nm = A blast on the highway! More than makes up for the weak performance of the 154 bhp 2.0L MPI engine. AWD is an added plus.

- Hyundai ASS is reassuring. I think it's safe to assume that issues with the car and service will be few and far between.

- My second pick = Skoda Kodiaq. I do think the Kodiaq is the better car overall and expect the votes to tip in its favour with time. Compared to the Tucson, it has better build and material quality, a 190 PS turbo-petrol engine vs the Tucson's NA unit, better ride and handling balance and the "Skoda" badge. However, it never managed to tug at my heartstrings for some reason ever since its debut in 2017.

- IMO, the Meridian and Tiguan lack the X-factor, the C5 Aircross is overpriced, the Fortuner and Gloster belong to a different segment and the X-Trail deserves a separate point - see below. And MU-X? What is that?!

- A 523 bhp BYD Seal costs around 3 lakhs less OTR Mumbai than the 163 bhp X-Trail, while offering way more features and tech. Forget the X-factor, buyers (whoever they are, a big salute from my side ) will be waiting to be (e)X-X-Trail owners. There you go, two factors of X

- At the time is typing this post, there is one vote for the X-Trail. I sincerely hope the vote was cast by mistake. If not, I am dying to hear the rationale behind it from the BHPian!

[chiekennugget]

My pick is the MG Gloster.

At the time of purchasing this car, we checked out every option except for the X-trail (it didn't exist back then). I am confident my Father wouldn't bat an eye to it, even if it existed.

the highway cruising capabilities are UNMATCHED. The car mimics a ballerina, smooth and just sails. Cabin is super quiet and being a passenger is wonderful in this car.

Power is adequate but the tuning is awful, driving inside the city is painful. We didn't struggle going uphill. Power band is too narrow, ends at 2200rpm.

Not an enthusiast car by any chance, but people who would want a nice pampering experience would love it.

We have done multiple road trips with this car. These road trips used to be tiring in our XUV500, no problems with this car. We felt pretty good even after a horrible journey back home from Shirdi (bad roads, diversions, terrible weather)

Honestly, the price hikes are killing this car. It was 52L (on road) when we purchased it in 2023, and there have been price hikes since then. Also, MG after sales is a hit or miss.

All in all, love this car. We would buy it again 100%

Shame less self plug: Our car (MG Gloster Review | Ownership Report)

[Axe77]

A bunch of imperfect options here.
Voted: Others

Longevity wise, if you want to pay a bomb and buy an “eyes shut peace of mind” product, it’s the Fortuner. But it’s outdated and whether a diesel over 10 yrs will be allowed to run on the roads is a question mark.

Meridian is now a confirmed failure, so anyone who picks it will have to walk in with that aspect in mind. But for diesel non BOF, it remains one of the two key options along with Tucson. If I had to pick diesel today, it would more likely be the Tucson just for that excellent engine. Meridian honestly with its surprisingly low single digit FE doesn’t even make a diesel efficiency case for itself so it really falls into a no man’s land.

For petrol, without a doubt the Kodiaq. Amongst this entire lot it is the most sophisticated offering and the one that will undoubtedly feel the most luxurious. But be prepared for low FE.

The rest are really not worth discussing.

From this list and going a bit beyond it, if I were choosing in this broad price segment it would be down to choosing between Kodiaq for the sophistication and better to drive factor vs Hycross strong hybrid for efficiency, reliability, enhanced comfort and longevity of ownership - more likely a Hycross for me.

[SilverSmoke]

As a driver, I picked up Kodiaq TSI two years back & even after 40K KMs, it amazes me everytime with it's highway manners, super solid build quality, silky power delivery & unmatched accelerations. Till now, I keep on finding alibi to take her out for a spin.

[ramki.grandhi]

Nice comparison. Given the price range, I feel it is quite possible that x-trail "competes" with entry level luxury SUVs as well.

About the poll, on this forum Kodiaq will win easily. But in real world no one can beat the mighty Fortuner's numbers. In July 2024, Toyota sold 2700 Fortuners. No other car in the poll list is even closer to that.

[ankan.m.blr]

One question: Why isn't the Scorpio-N or the XUV700 considered as a competition to X-trail? Is it because of the comparatively lower price tag of these 2 vehicles? Or because M&M vehicles do not have that comparatively higher 'snob' value w.r.t a Tuscon or a Meridian?

[Tutenkhamen]

This list desperately needs a westerner (a la Everest) to dethrone the Toyota king (Fortuner).

I think, Tiguan has a fan following of its own. The classic plain lines from Jetta / Passat era, overall a very solid package and add to it VW's bread and butter 2.0 TSI + DSG.
Tiguan > Tucson.
Between Tiguan and Kodiaq is a different story. There is significant features and price difference as well.

And X trail? They "could" sell few numbers if they go on Friday BOGO offers (buy one get one)

[viren83]

All the cars are either Old, low on feature count, poor ASC, or laced with reliability issues.

I'd invest some more and get the X1.

[Sandy Damodaran]

For my Kind of useage (Long drives/Off beat destinations/Unknown infrastructure), there is nothing close to the Fortuner MT 4*4.

The engine is lovely, the gearbox is liveable, the peace of mind is unbeliveable. The only thing holding me back from buying one is my current Pre owned Pajero Sport MT pulls the heartstring like nothing else can!

When it is time to replace it, this is the only choice I have. Fortuner/Diesel/Manual/4*4.

Just hate the black/dark/shoddy interiors though.

[VrsFreak!]

Nissan India should focus on partnering with an Indian Manufacturer to be honest.
They have such a great history of providing such good cars to this country.

The X-Trail being a CBU is just a marketing effort to showcase what Nissan is. Hope the other launches are aligned with the Indian consumer.

[sunikkat]

Hands down Kodiaq or Tiguan for me. It has got the performance, better ride and handling and feel more luxurious inside. Also like the understated VAG looks. However I don’t think I would ever need a 7 seater, so if I am putting my money it would be Tiguan.

[sharmanova]

My pick will be the Skoda Kodiaq!

Understated look: check
Turbo Petrol engine: check
Price: ~45L check
Features: check
Ride and handling: check
Practicality: check
Safety: check