The other cars in the comparison include the Tata Safari, Mahindra Scorpio N, MG Hector Plus, Hyundai Alcazar and Toyota Innova Crysta.
BHPian RahulNagaraj recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Maruti Invicto
Maruti Invicto Pros
- A great-looking MPV. SUV’ish styling packs appeal
- Nicely designed interiors, good comfort in all 3 rows and usable boot (even with third-row up)
- Many Maruti dealers across the country are currently offering faster delivery than that for the Innova Hycross
- Loaded with features such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, 360-degree camera, connected car features, leather upholstery, drive modes, paddle shifters, ambient lighting etc.
- Hybrid powertrain makes it lighter on the pocket than diesel and future-proof too. Very good fuel efficiency
- Lower emissions will appeal to environmentally-conscious buyers. And those who aren’t ready for an EV yet
- Impressively fast for a MUV. Very quick straight-line performance
- Monocoque construction results in sorted handling, comfortable ride quality & overall better driving experience than a body-on-frame UV
- Brilliant NVH levels result in a quiet and serene experience inside the cabin
- Toyota’s bullet-proof reliability combined with Maruti’s excellent after-sales service and fuss-free ownership experiences
- Safety features such as 6 airbags, ABS, ESP, TC, all-wheel disc brakes, hill hold, TPMS, ISOFIX & 3-point seatbelts for all
Maruti Invicto Cons
- Expensive with on-road price crossing Rs. 35 lakhs. This is the most expensive car Maruti has ever sold
- Toyota offers you a longer warranty, better badge (the big “T”) and nameplate (“Innova”)
- Top-end variant is only available with captain seats in the middle row. No bench option is inexplicable!!
- Innova Hycross has more features. Missing on the Maruti are Ottoman seats, ADAS, fore & aft adjustment levers on the second-row seatbacks, foglamps, 9-speaker JBL system etc.
- 17″ wheels with 60 profile tyres compromise the overall stance; they look very small
- Monocoque construction won’t be as rugged & abuse-friendly as a body-on-frame build
- Interior plastic quality is very mediocre, some parts feel budget-grade
- Non-hybrid regular petrol engine unavailable on Invicto (it is sold on the Hycross). Further, Invicto is available only in 4 colours and 2 variants
- Poor sound quality from the 6-speaker system (subwoofer missing too), poor camera resolution and a basic infotainment system display
- Both cars – the Invicto & Hycross – don’t offer rain-sensing wipers or lumbar adjustment
- The already-good ride quality could be even better with higher-profile tyres (e.g. on craters)
Toyota Innova Hycross
Toyota Innova Hycross Pros:
- A great-looking MPV. SUV’ish styling packs appeal
- Upmarket interiors, good comfort in all 3 rows and usable boot (even with 3rd row up)
- Loaded to the gills with features such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, electrically adjustable rear ottoman seats, multi-zone climate control, connected car features, leather upholstery, drive modes, etc.
- Hybrid powertrain makes it lighter on the pocket than diesel and future-proof too. Very good fuel efficiency (expect city FE of 15-17 km/l)
- Impressive performance with a sub-10 second 0-100 km/h time (Toyota claims 9.5 seconds)
- Monocoque construction results in sorted handling and comfortable ride quality
- Brilliant NVH levels result in a quiet and serene experience inside the cabin
- Toyota’s bullet-proof reliability, excellent after-sales service and fuss-free ownership experiences
- Safety features such as 6 airbags, Toyota Safety Sense (ADAS), ABS, ESP, TC, all-wheel disc brakes, hill hold, TPMS, Isofix & 3-point seatbelts for all
Toyota Innova Hycross Cons:
- Premium pricing. More expensive than the already-pricey Innova Crysta
- Top-end variants are only available with captain seats in the middle row. No bench option is inexplicable!!
- 18″ wheels with 50 profile tyres compromise the overall stance; they look very small
- Monocoque construction won’t be as rugged & abuse-friendly as the Crysta’s body-on-frame build
- Rear seat ottomans are useless for taller passengers
- Average sound quality from the JBL system, poor camera resolution and a basic infotainment system display
- Missing features such as rain-sensing wipers, lumbar adjustment, boss lever on the front passenger seat…
- The already-good ride quality could be even better with higher-profile tyres (e.g. on craters). 225/50 sidewalls are on the shorter side
Toyota Innova Crysta
Toyota Innova Crysta Pros:
- Indestructible build & durability. The Innova is known for its bullet-proof reliability
- Spacious, flexible & practical cabin. An extremely comfortable long-distance commuter
- Upmarket interiors. The ZX variant is plush
- Powerful diesel engines with user-selectable driving modes
- Balanced suspension & road manners. High-speed stability is rock solid
- Top-notch safety kit. 7 airbags, ABS, ESP, TC, Isofix & 3-point seatbelts for all
- Feature packed! Leather seats, LED headlamps, mood lighting, cruise control & lots more
- Toyota’s excellent after-sales service and fuss-free ownership experiences
Toyota Innova Crysta Cons:
- Top ZX variant is unavailable with a middle-row bench seat (8-seater)
- Lower variant’s interior looks too basic
- 2.4’s NVH package still has holes to fill (engine clatter, dancing gear lever)
- Heavy steering at parking / low speeds. It can get cumbersome in the city
- Poor sound quality from the ICE. Cheap speakers beg for an upgrade
Mahindra XUV700
Mahindra XUV700 Pros:
- 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 is 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…
Mahindra XUV700 Cons:
- Negligible boot space with the 3rd-row seat up. Either 5 on-board 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
Tata Safari
Tata Safari Pros:
- The iconic brand “Safari” is back! We agree with using the legendary nameplate for this car
- Stunning looks & strong road presence. Solid build too
- Classy, spacious cabin with comfortable seats & a chilling air-con
- Extra 3rd row of seats brings lots more practicality & utility
- Superb captain chairs available as an option for the middle row (top variant only)
- Extras over the Harrier include rear disc brakes, TPMS, e-parking brake, auto-hold, boss mode…
- Fantastic 9-speaker audio system. The sound quality & bass are enjoyable
- 168 BHP 2.0L diesel offers good driveability and a punchy mid-range
- Smooth & competent 6-speed automatic transmission
- Sufficient ground clearance + terrain response system for rough and wet roads
- Top-notch safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, rest break reminder, hill hold, brake disc wiping & more
- Features such as the panoramic sunroof, Eco & Sport modes, auto headlamps & wipers, cruise control…
Tata Safari Cons:
- Heavy steering gets cumbersome at parking / u-turn / crawling speeds (<5 km/h)
- 3rd-row access is too difficult in the captain seat variant
- Negligible boot space with all the seats up – a paltry 73 litres
- Safari AT’s focus is on smoothness & comfort; gearbox is not the most responsive
- Concerns over niggles & long-term reliability. Our test car had a problem too!
- Service visit every 6 months / 7,500 km (12 months is the norm today)
- Diesel engine does get loud above 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 Safari’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
- We don’t agree with the excessive chrome (outside), impractical white interiors & 18” rims (bit firmer ride)
Mahindra Scorpio-N
MG Hector Plus
Hyundai Alcazar
Hyundai Alcazar Pros:
- A 3-row family car that’s well-built inside out
- User-friendly interiors look really good (brown shade is awesome) and have quality parts
- Economical 1.5L diesel is available in MT & AT variants. Offers good driveability
- Comfortable ride quality with neutral road manners
- Unladen ground clearance of 200 mm is perfect for Indian roads
- The Alcazar’s safety package includes 6 airbags, ESP, all-wheel disc brakes, auto-hold, TPMS etc.
- Impressive kit (fully digital instruments, 360-degree camera, 2nd-row wireless charger, panoramic sunroof, paddle shifters, Bose sound system, cooled seats & loads more)
- Hyundai’s competent after-sales service & wide dealer network
Hyundai Alcazar Cons:
- Oddball love-it-or-hate-it face. We find the Alcazar’s front design to be weird & overdone
- 2nd-row legroom is mediocre (captain seat variant). Compromises have been made to accommodate the 3rd-row & boot
- 3rd-row seat is best suited to kids only. Not really a place for adults
- Rs. ~3 lakh OTR premium over the Creta on the higher variants is too much!
- Diesel’s 113 BHP & 250 Nm – although adequate – is the lowest in the segment
- Competitors like the Tata Safari & MG Hector Plus offer way more spacious cabins
- Some misses (no auto wipers, illuminated window buttons, full-size spare tyres on top trims etc.)
Here’s what GTO had to say about the matter:
XUV700 AT is my first choice. Would choose the turbo-petrol because my running is very low, and the motor is very fast. The car is nice to drive as well.
Hycross would be my second choice (very close 2nd choice). It’s a great MPV, quick, efficient, spacious & practical. I’d buy the Hycross over the Invicto for the Toyota badge & the additional features that the top variant gets.
3rd choice would be Scorpio-N if I needed something brute. But I doubt I’d ever buy the Scorpio-N over the XUV700.
Love the Safari’s styling, but not the unfinished areas & niggles. Hector is a great family cruiser, although not my kind of car at all. The Alcazar is flawed – the 2nd seat row isn’t as good as the Creta & the 3rd is just there as a namesake. Plus, the styling of the new Creta / Alcazar is a big turnoff for me. Any car I buy just has to be good-looking, am a sucker for aesthetics.
Here’s what BHPian mgastor2022grey had to say about the matter:
Tata Safari. Have always been a Tata fanboy since my childhood and I just love the way the new Safari has been styled. Its luxurious interiors, sexy exterior and subtle applique of chrome, are just the way I like. I also love the minimalist design and the powerful 2.0L engine is just like a beast who is tamed for humans.
I would have actually chosen the Hycross over the Safari, but I am a technology freak and those old and slow interiors in the front put me off. Also, I have always had the heart to appreciate Indian products more than other countries’ products.
Here’s what BHPian Bhalla had to say about the matter:
Toyota Innova Hycross. The main reason is Toyota’s proven reliability record. The second reason is the presence of a proper Petrol Hybrid. So reliable, future-proof proof and fuel efficiency at the same time. Hycross is mind over heart choice.
The second option is Safari. Loved Safari since childhood. Love the looks, space on offer and features of the current generation Safari. The biggest reason for not voting in favour of Safari is the reliability factor. Safari is going to heart over mind choice.
Keyword: Maruti Invicto vs Toyota Innova Hycross vs Mahindra XUV700 vs others