Need a car in 30-40 lakhs that can do it all: What are my real options

With the newborn and the nanny, I think the Compass might not be sufficient.

BHPian Anand2712 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Hi BHPians,

Been here for ages and recently got stuck while thinking of purchasing a car.

Bit about myself (age - 39): Based in Bangalore. Have a wife, newborn baby girl, full time nanny and 4 year old crazy Shih Tzu at home. I have an existing Jeep Compass 1.4 petrol AT bought in Jan 2022. We love traveling (1 international and 4-5 domestic trips annually) and our pet is used to sitting in his carrier seat. Infact since he was small, he has gotten so used to his car seat, that we did Goa to Bangalore and he slept the entire way and only got up when we took a break and he realised that he could too take a pee break.

Dilemma:

With the newborn and the nanny, I think the Compass might not be sufficient. The baby car seat and the pet car seat pretty much don't leave any room in the back seat, although my wife is super thin and can maybe manage it. However we want to be comfortable especially if we go on long trips. Additionally Compass boot is not that huge, and now with the stroller, and luggage for 3 adults and 1 baby, it will 100% fall short.

Query:

We want a car within a budget of 30-40 lacs (need to be strictly adhered) with below criteria:

• Can seat 5 folks comfortably
• Ample amount of luggage space and places to keep small items
• Hybrid or EV
• All bells and whistles - top safety, good audio, ventilated seats. Most probably will go for the top model to make sure of these aspects
• No change in model atleast for next 18 months - basically do not want something which will get a new iteration soon
• 0 to 100 under 10 secs, instant torque, good to have feature especially on highways during overtakes

Options in my mind:

• Hycross - I love it but my wife hates it. I have tried convincing her but she always makes the statement "do whatever you want" - a territory while literally blissful but has multiple dangerous meanings. On top of it, since the car will be bought on company lease by my wife, I don't want her to go for something like this with such a half hearted attitude.
• XEV 9E - looks good but been on Team BHP for too long and know the opinions about forum members about a just launched Mahindra ie avoid the first batch. But fits the bill to the "T".
• XUV/XEV 7E (basically the Electric version of XUV 700) - yet to be launched but if it does before Diwali, will be the best option.

Others: Tata Sierra/Safari EV versions - No idea about the launch date and how spacious they will be.

Dream car which does not exist but if it did, this query would not have been posted on this forum - Fortuner in a monocoque chassis with good hybrid petrol (if wishes were horses)

I will be keeping this car for 5-7 years minimum and looking for some suggestions. Please feel free to advise if I have missed out on any other models which I can consider. You can also ask my any additional questions if I have missed them in the information provided above.

Here's what BHPian IshaanIan replied:

Ideal car would be a monocoque 7 seater like you mentioned. Hycross/Invicto is the perfect car currently available. Ultra smooth and quiet also. Perhaps a thorough test drive might convince your wife? Is something like a Camry Hybrid not possible? Also considering it will be a lease, assuming you wouldn’t be buying it after the lease period, the heavily discounted X-Trail may also do the trick

Here's what BHPian heydj replied:

I would suggest keep the Compass for sometime now as space wise should be ok even with nanny. My cousin has same setup and does same thing in seltos and is perfectly fine. If after a year or so it feels that adjusting is not working out then look for a car. Right now why waste money, in this economy with us paying almost 150% in taxes to government for buying a car. Changing cars frequently only makes government the winner. If anything they would love if we buy new car every year.

If you are bored and this is just an excuse then its a different matter. Go for Tucson then, i have Diesel variant and love it.

Here's what BHPian Taxman replied:

I would recommend do check out if there are any unsold units of the Skoda Superb. It has a voluptuous boot and can easily accommodate 5 people. At 40 big ones you may also be able to get an Audi A4 technology variant after some hard negotiations (Do check out Luxury car price thread have read couple of posts mentioning similar prices there).

For the SUV/Coupes your options are Safari twins (no petrol), XUV700 (facelift due next year) and the Hycross as considered by you. I personally still believe that we do not have adequate infrastructure for EV to be sole vehicle in the garage and hence would not recommend the same considering you also do significant road trips.

Here's what BHPian Sanidhya mukund replied:

If you are particular about getting a hybrid or an EV, your best bet is the Hycross. I’ve had one for the last 1 year now and it has already touched Assam, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and U.P. It is an excellent car for long journeys. We have the ZX (o) with the ottoman seats, which eliminate fatigue in the middle row. The audio system is nice, the cabin is quiet, the AC is effective and the boot is quite large. It is also very fuel efficient. It isn’t slow either; in sports mode, the pickup is at par with my W204 Mercedes C200. I guess Toyota does claim a sub 10 second 0-100.

However, I do appreciate the fact that it may not be to everybody’s tastes, given the van like shape and the taxi image that it may carry for some people.

If not Hycross, I would suggest the Hyundai Tucson. This one was our second choice, but we went with the Innova because of the Hybrid power train. Tucson has a large boot, a good audio system and a very premium cabin. It can rival an Audi Q5 on every single aspect. However, it doesn’t feel all that fast, and the availability of parts could be an issue.

Third best choice would be the Mahindra XUV700. You’d have to let go of your preference for a Hybrid/EV, but other than that, it delivers almost everything that you’re looking for.

If you’re open to trying pre-owned, a 2022+ BMW X1 or a 2020+ Mercedes GLC could also suit your budget and requirements. Maybe even a used Lexus NX.

Here's what BHPian speedfreak77 replied:

First off, congratulations on the arrival of your baby girl, wishing you and your family countless joyful moments ahead. You've painted a picture that many of us here can relate to - the intersection of heart, head, and a car boot full of baby essentials. With that in mind, I wanted to share some thoughts on a few options that might strike the right balance between practicality, comfort, and long-term satisfaction.

Let’s start with the Toyota Innova Hycross. It may not have the appeal of a German SUV or the flair of some newer electric crossovers, but spend a bit of time inside it, especially in the ZX (O) Hybrid trim, and its quiet confidence becomes clear. The second-row ottoman seats are a real game-changer, it’s hard to overstate how much of a difference that kind of comfort makes, especially with a child seat installed beside. The cabin is bright and airy, the panoramic sunroof makes long journeys feel less tiring, and the hybrid powertrain is remarkably smooth, with no jerks or engine grumble, just a silent, composed drive that keeps everyone relaxed. Add to that a generous boot that handles luggage, strollers, and pet carriers with ease, and of course Toyota’s peace-of-mind reliability, and it becomes the sort of vehicle that doesn’t need to shout to be the right choice. Take the whole family for a long test drive, baby and all - the cabin sells itself.

If you're leaning toward something more modern and dynamic, the Volvo XC40 Recharge brings an entirely different kind of experience. It’s fast, lightning quick off the line with that instant EV torque, but it also wraps you in a cabin that feels truly premium. The clean, minimalist Scandinavian design, Google-powered infotainment, and quality materials all work together to give it a calm, upscale presence. Safety, as expected from Volvo, is top tier, with well-tuned ADAS features and a solid Euro NCAP rating. Yes, the boot is smaller and rear seat space is more modest than in the Hycross, but if you pack smart and your pet’s okay riding in the footwell or boot, it’s workable. The real joy of the XC40 Recharge is in the drive, effortless, silent, and always ready, and if the heart is craving something stylish and exciting without compromising on family safety, this one’s worth a serious look.

Then there’s the Kia EV5, not launched yet, but firmly on the horizon and shaping up to be a contender worth waiting for. Based on a dedicated EV platform, it promises a flat floor, spacious second row, and a cabin that looks both futuristic and inviting. The expected range of over 500 km, fast charging, and vehicle-to-load capabilities add to the appeal, especially for future-proofing your purchase. If priced right (under ₹40L for the higher trims), it could deliver a mix of practicality and tech that’s rare in this segment. That said, it’s still a few months away from hitting Indian roads, and real-world impressions will be key. Kia’s after-sales service has improved, but it’s not quite at Toyota or Volvo levels just yet, something to keep in mind if long-term reliability is a top concern.

Ultimately, if you're buying now and comfort, space, and peace of mind are top priorities, the Hycross feels like the most complete and family-friendly option. If you want something more engaging to drive and don’t mind the compromises in space, the XC40 Recharge delivers a refined, premium EV experience. And if you're open to waiting a few months for something newer with all the latest tech, the EV5 might just surprise you. Whatever you pick, here’s to peaceful road trips, quiet naps in the back seat, and the beginning of many wonderful family drives.

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