[shrinz.vivek]

I am looking to replace my 2012 Innova Gx 8-seater diesel.
The primary reason for me to change is because I am getting worried that our government may ban 10-year-old Diesel cars in Bengaluru soon.
Innova will be first affected because it satisfies all the criteria like >2000 cc engine, >4m, >10year etc…

My primary requirements and the reason for it is as below.
1. Spacious and easy in/out – My dad and I both are 6ft tall with weak backs. Seating comfort and getting in and out of the car easily is top priority.
2. Auto Transmission (AT) – Because my wife has learnt to drive recently. She drives my dad’s Ritz auto pretty well and I would like my next car to be suitable for her too.
3. Petrol engine – It breaks my heart to say this, but I do not want to worry about possible bans in the coming years.
4. Wireless Apple CarPlay (ACP) and cruise control (CC) – I am finding the need for both these features nowadays as we have started exploring more of unknown places due to better roads. Also, I take Bengaluru Mysuru e-way to work daily, and cruise control is pretty useful.

Before I take your advice, I would like to set some context.

a. My dad and myself are passionate drivers and change cars frequently. But we have always stuck to tall boy designs. Our previous cars were TUV300, Wagon R, Ritz, Indica, Santro, Omni, Matiz. We just cannot use cars like i20, Polo or Altroz.
b. We love diesels. I started with a diesel Indica when I turned eighteen and haven’t looked back. Jumped to a diesel Ritz and then TUV300 before landing in the Innova.
c. Reliability and ease of maintenance is more important than electronic features. Apple CarPlay and cruise control is all I want. I do not care about stuff like air purifier, ambient lighting etc…

Coming to the budget … here is where things get little tricky.

My max budget is ten lacs on the road (including the proceeds from the sale of my Innova)
But a firm I do business with is offering me an interest free loan of 6 lacs if I buy any of these 4 Suzuki cars: Baleno, Grand Vitara, Fronx, Ertiga.

Baleno and Fronx are not comfortable enough for us as the seating is quite low.
Coming to GV, in my budget of 10+6 lacs I can only get the Delta-AT spec but unfortunately this variant is not available in the loan deal.

That leaves me with the Ertiga ZXI+ AT (top spec)

So, I need your help in deciding between the below three options.

1.Go with the Ertiga ZXI+ AT which satisfies all my requirements (Space, comfort, petrol, AT, ACP, CC). Will I be happy with its performance compared to my Innova?? I don’t know.
2.Ignore the loan deal and look for other 10lac cars like Exter, Punch, Tiago etc with ACP and CC. By doing this I will be compromising on Space and AT and will have to live with a small AMT car.
3. Keep running the Japanese legend a.k.a the Innova classic and wait till it is banned. I will not get Auto transmission and Cruise Control. But my soul will be satisfied that I drove a diesel till its death.

I would like some technical and emotional advice here please.

[GTO]

If the fear of a ban is the only reason, I would suggest you continue driving your Innova. Two in my close family continue to drive 2005 & 2007 Innovas, despite having newer cars in the house.

For the replacement, well, you are selling a car that would cost 20 lakhs today, and wanting to spend 10-16 lakhs. The Ertiga ZXI AT is the perfect replacement if you are keen on swapping and boy, has the Ertiga grown in size. It is very spacious & comfortable. Else, look in the pre-owned market for good cars at 16-lakhs.

[bijims]

Originally Posted by shrinz.vivek

So, I need your help in deciding between the below three options.

1.Go with the Ertiga ZXI+ AT which satisfies all my requirements (Space, comfort, petrol, AT, ACP, CC). Will I be happy with its performance compared to my Innova?? I don’t know.
2.Ignore the loan deal and look for other 10lac cars like Exter, Punch, Tiago etc with ACP and CC. By doing this I will be compromising on Space and AT and will have to live with a small AMT car.
3. Keep running the Japanese legend a.k.a the Innova classic and wait till it is banned. I will not get Auto transmission and Cruise Control. But my soul will be satisfied that I drove a diesel till its death.

I would like some technical and emotional advice here please.

To answer your questions, one by one:
1. I doubt you would be satisfied with the performance of the Ertiga, the 1.5 Litre K-15 C engine just has sufficient power and torque on tap with the torque assist functionality helping in providing reasonable grunt at most speeds for regular driving situations. The Innova had much more displacement, and more torque so that could affect driving dynamics on a full load.

2. This doesn't seem to be a good option as the sub 10 lakh cars would seem like a huge downgrade to your existing ride.

3. This seems to be the best option at the moment, you still have a couple of years for the car and I am sure it won't be banned by then, By that time, you may be able to afford a better car or other/updated options may be available

So considering these I would recommend you hold on to your car as long as you can, however if you have made up your mind on a new car, the Ertiga ZXI+ AT is the next best option.

[Asoon]

Stick to Innova for sometime, I do not feel Bangalore will implement 10 years so soon. Also, you will not get even 50% of ownership experience, peace of mind, space, comfort and power within the options listed.

In the preowned segment you could get City, Creta, Vento, Rapid, duster, Octavia in 10L range

[Geo_Ipe]

Originally Posted by shrinz.vivek

So, I need your help in deciding between the below three options.

1.Go with the Ertiga ZXI+ AT which satisfies all my requirements (Space, comfort, petrol, AT, ACP, CC). Will I be happy with its performance compared to my Innova?? I don’t know.

That would be the biggest form of disrespect you could show your Innova! If I were your Innova, I'd go into depression if you did that!

My attempt at humor apart, Innova to Ertiga will be a massive downgrade. You may be getting more features at the cost of displacement, Innova's ride quality & mile munching ability. I don't think you would ever be happy with this particular downgrade.

2.Ignore the loan deal and look for other 10lac cars like Exter, Punch, Tiago etc with ACP and CC. By doing this I will be compromising on Space and AT and will have to live with a small AMT car.

Come on, man don't do that to your lovely Innova. Exter & Punch are modern day equivalents of the Alto. These are small hatchbacks on stilts. I can't comprehend how they can even be considered replacement options for the Innova.

3. Keep running the Japanese legend a.k.a the Innova classic and wait till it is banned. I will not get Auto transmission and Cruise Control. But my soul will be satisfied that I drove a diesel till its death.

This is the only option I would sincerely consider. The Toyota Innova is built to last and is a very competent machine even today. There are no serious talks of banning 10 year old diesels in Bangalore yet. Please hold on to your Innova till you can.

Wildcard point: You may be undervaluing your Innova's resale value. I've seen 10-12 year old single owner private Innovas going for 12-14L. My colleague recently spruced up his 2013 Innova with nice interiors and a new music system, along with all pending mechanical works. He was offered 15L for his car, which he denied.

[Kosfactor]

Old Innova is a bit of a pain to drive, it is nice to sit in though. If you like a comfortable and spacious MPV, especially for taller adults - XL6 makes a solid case. The captain seats are good, perfect height for older folks, engine is a good urban commuter.

The most important part of it is that XL6 is very easy to drive , something your Wife may appreciate.

[asterix08]

I would suggest that you stick to the Innova. I dont think the Ertiga would match up and the rest of the options are non starter for me.

Innova is a much safer car esp given that you hit the highway daily.

[100Kmphormore]

Stick to the Innova. The Ertiga or XL6 or Marazzo would never give you that level of reliability and comfort. When many are still running their 5L+ run Qualises and Etioses, you will miss that at some point, and also the charm of it if you’re a 90s guy like me. Still miss the 2005 Innova, it’s 2.5L D4D engine startup the best sounding.

[Asish_VK]

Ertiga is a very good choice. It may be smaller in footprint compared to Innova, but the space management in new Ertiga is very good and everyone will be comfortable inside. Also it's easier to drive and more car like. With the mild hybrid system, it have enough grunt too.
Also Ertiga being a Maruti - Suzuki, Peaceful ownership and good fuel efficiency are already part of the package.

Regarding the Diesel ban, I personally believe Bangalore is one city which I expect to implement it all of a sudden. Based on the history of illogical and knee jerk decisions of Bangalore administration (Remember the infamous out of state vehicle hunt?), it can happen any time.

[Sphere]

This is a little out of context, but why don't you check out the Jimny?

It is the tall boy design which you like, It does have the ACP and CC. It has a great TC gearbox & 4x4 capabilities. The only concern might be space. It would be quite cramped and congested. After the massive discounts provided by Maruti and the dealers, it might fit into your budget.

[shresan23]

Like all the others in this thread and to support their views. Here's mine.

1. Nope. I have personally driven 2012 innova and the ertiga and the latter is not known for its enthusiastic driving capabilities. Its more mediocre and suitable for the no nonsense, no thrill highway ride.

2. Just Nope. Any other car with somewhat manageable ingress and egress (family of 6 footers and poor backs here too) will mostly be base variants and will not satisfy either of your needs imho.

3. The innova will run beyond its odo capabilities. One of my friends has one that has almost clocked the end of its odo (999999 i think, didnt count. They do a ton of highway rides every week) and hasnt given them any problem.

I would suggest running with the japanese as long as possible. They can do longetivity right by the books.

If you really want to change cars, i would suggest putting feelers out for the sale price for the innova. Just to get a ballpark and to check if you can get really good deals.

[manofinfinity]

I would suggest continue using your OG Innova for as long as possible, diesel bans will not happen overnight and you will have enough time beforehand to sell if it ever happens.

[Phantom 510]

The Ertiga Automatic should be your pick. It will be reliable, refined, decently spacious, easy to drive and efficient too. You can't go wrong with this one for sure.

[sapien]

Originally Posted by shrinz.vivek

1. Spacious and easy in/out – My dad and I both are 6ft tall with weak backs. Seating comfort and getting in and out of the car easily is top priority.
2. Auto Transmission (AT) – Because my wife has learnt to drive recently. She drives my dad’s Ritz auto pretty well and I would like my next car to be suitable for her too.
3. Petrol engine – It breaks my heart to say this, but I do not want to worry about possible bans in the coming years.
4. Wireless Apple CarPlay (ACP) and cruise control (CC) – I am finding the need for both these features nowadays as we have started exploring more of unknown places due to better roads. Also, I take Bengaluru Mysuru e-way to work daily, and cruise control is pretty useful.

Let me add a perspective here, since you have frequent highway runs go for adaptive cruise control, it’s much better than regular cruise control. But in 10L there’s no car that provides this feature currently. But if you’re willing to wait MS is likely to democratize ADAS in their next update cycle. You can also continue enjoying the Innova till then.

I think currently the cheapest car offering Adaptive cruise must be XUV3X0, but you’ll have to extend your budget significantly for a suitable variant. It also satisfies all other requirements of yours. Sedan option is City.

[ex-innova-guy]

I think you are worrying unnecessarily. You haven’t mentioned the mileage of your car. My Innova did 2.6L km without any issues. Just follow the service interval (5000 km can be extended to 7500 km) and you are good to go. If mine wasn’t totaled, we had planned to never sell it.

Innova and Ertiga are very different. The AT gearbox of Ertiga is tuned for fuel efficiency. Ertiga is miles ahead in the kitna deti hai department! A cousin who had a similar budget for a 7 seater recently bought a Rumion V AT (rebadged Toyota). The car felt spacious, but you sit low as compared to the Innova. In Ertiga, you could be doing 100 kph easily, while the Innova will do 120 kph easily. The point being that highway cruising is any day better in the Innova. The steering is also very light in the Ertiga as compared to the Innova.

Also, you can give the car a new ICE, which will solve your Android Auto/Carplay issue.

I would suggest holding on to your car a bit longer, at least until the FC expires, and then replacing it.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the resale value of the Innova just wait for the right buyer instead of selling it to a dealer.