Latest questions answered by experts

autocar.india

•1h

Go for the Skoda Kodiaq or Volkswagen Tayron, which are sister models from different brands. They are among the best driver’s SUVs in the segment, with strong performance, excellent handling and a genuinely premium feel. The ride is well judged, the cabin is spacious enough for four adults plus a child seat, and the boot is large enough to comfortably accommodate a stroller and a couple of suitcases. If you stretch your budget, you can get the 7-seat versions with greater space flexibility and more features, but the five-seat versions are closer to your budget with the same performance and handling. Bear in mind, however, that they are still on the expensive side and fuel economy will not be great.A bit easier on the pocket will be the Jeep Compass, which is more affordable and comes with a diesel engine. It's also quite a lot of fun to drive, but doesn't score as well on the reliability stakes. Finally, another option is the outgoing Audi Q3, remaining stocks of which should be available with some good discounts given the launch of the new model is right around the corner. It's a bit smaller than the VW and Skoda, but even more fun to drive, with the same 2.0 TFSI engine. And though it's the outgoing generation, it remains a premium and luxurious SUV that feels worth the money.For your needs, though, the Skoda Kodiaq and VW Tayron are the best bet. Choosing between them is down to preference, but the Tayron has a sportier design for the exterior and interior, while the Kodiaq has more of a luxurious vibe.

Volkswagen Tayron

Skoda Kodiaq

Jeep Compass

autocar.india

•1h

The Honda CB350 models and Royal Enfield Hunter / Bullet / Classic 350 should be on your radar for the sort of usage you're going to put the machine through. The Meteor's feet-forward seating position places more load on your tailbone and also transfers the shock from road imperfections directly to your spine which is why we wouldn't recommend it for a long daily commute. The CB350s and the three RE 350s listed above have more natural, upright seating positions which will make them more suited to your usage. The Hondas are lighter on their feet than the RE Bullet and Classic and feel more manageable inside tight city traffic. The REs claw back some ground with their characterful and torquey J-series motor. Picking between them will boil down to what sort of experience you prefer and a test ride should help you determine which is the right one for you.

autocar.india

•2h

We'd advise you to choose between the TVS iQube and River Indie because both are trustworthy, practical and comfortable EVs. While both will feel quite adept at tackling city roads, on the highway, the Indie will offer better stability owing to its larger 14-in wheels and fatter tyres. There's not much wrong with the Yamaha EC-06 (unsurprisingly, since it is effectively a dressed-up and pricier River Indie) but it costs quite a bit more than the River. You also have a substantially smaller boot and a very slow 450W charger on the Yamaha, both of which will make their presence felt in day-to-day scenarios. Take a test ride of the iQube and Indie and depending on which one you like more, make your decision.

autocar.india

•2h

The very fact that you still want a RE Himalayan, despite not having ridden one in many years would suggest you have a deep yearning for the bike. More so, since your very words are,"It was one of those bikes I didn't want to return." Even though you don't ride a lot currently, the Himalayan 440 may well change that. From our experience with the Scram 440, we believe the Himalayan 440 will offer a step up in terms of refinement, reliability and features compared to the erstwhile 411. Take a test ride and if you like how the bike rides, go ahead and make your purchase.

autocar.india

•3h

Since you stay in a coastal city like Chennai, its not uncommon to hear about rust causing structural integrity issues in the scooter's chassis. Given that your daily run is quite low, opting for an EV would be our recommendation only if you plan to keep it for a long time because that's the only way you'll be able to recoup the additional initial acquisition cost over an ICE scooter. In the EV space, our top picks are the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ather Konarc / Rizta, Vida VX2 and River Indie. Whereas in the ICE scooter segment, choose between the Honda Activa 110/125, Suzuki Access, Yamaha Fascino / RayZR and TVS Jupiter 110 /125. Ensure you take a test ride of all the models in whichever segment you are shopping in before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•3h

With a daily running of 120km, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability become the most important factors. A Honda City hybrid is worth considering, which should easily fall within your budget. Seat comfort is excellent and its hybrid system is particularly effective in city driving, where it can run on electric power at low speeds, and on the highway it remains efficient and refined. Honda's reliability and low maintenance costs make it an excellent long-term ownership proposition, especially given your high annual mileage.If you specifically want an SUV, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the next best option. It shares its hybrid system with the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and offers similar fuel efficiency benefits. The Victoris also gets brighter interior, it is comfortable, and it will keep running costs low over the long term.

Honda City

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

autocar.india

•4h

Go for the Honda Amaze, which is possibly the best automatic car in this price range for your needs. The biggest advantage is its smooth CVT gearbox, which is far superior to the more basic AMTs that are offered by the other cars in this price range. That gearbox is mated to a smooth, refined and fuel efficient 1.2-litre petrol engine that's proven and reliable. Its compact dimensions make it easy to drive, and Honda's famous attention to space management and ergonomics mean it feels like a big car on the inside and is easy to drive too. Moreover, for your occasional highway trips, the 89hp, four-cylinder engine has good power for cruising and overtaking. There's no harm in choosing a sedan at all, and you should buy the car that suits you and not the market.The Exter is a good alternative, with a higher seating that makes it easy to see out of, and you will get a higher variant in your budget, although compared to the Amaze, it feels like a smaller car from a lower segment. The engine isn't as punchy as the Honda's and the AMT gearbox is nowhere as smooth, and while it might be sufficient in the city, it doesn't inspire confidence on the highway. Overall, the Amaze is the best bet for your needs.

Honda Amaze

Hyundai Exter

autocar.india

•4h

The upcoming Duster Hybrid is an interesting option, and if the petrol version is anything to go by, expect stellar ride-handling balance and a larger boot than the Hyryder. Also, as a four-cylinder engine, it is likely to be a touch more refined than Toyota's 3-cylinder unit, but we'll have to wait and test it before passing judgment.Sure, the Hyryder Hybrid is a proven product with a strong track record, and Toyota's reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs makes it a very sensible long-term ownership proposition. But since the Duster hybrid is something you're keen on, we'll recommend waiting for it to launch and making your decision only once you've tested both cars. However, if you can't wait, then the Hyryder hybrid is a sensible pick.

Renault Duster

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

autocar.india

•6h

The difference between maintenance of modern turbo GDI and turbo MPFI engines can be minimised if you follow the company's recommended maintenance schedule. Still, there could be some difference in maintenance costs between the two when it comes to oils, replacement parts and other perishables. The key factor is not to miss a scheduled maintenance appointment, which could lead to more expensive problems with a T-GDI engine. With that in mind, since this is your first car and maintenance costs are your priority, go with the Maruti Brezza 1.0 Turbo. Its overall maintenance costs are lower, and Maruti Suzuki after-sales is more reliable and hassle-free overall. With the recent update, the Brezza is also pretty closely matched on features to the XUV 3XO. The Mahindra has advantages like a larger sunroof, dual-zone climate control, digital dials and radar-based Level 2 ADAS, but the Brezza has advantages like ventilated front seats and a PM2.5 filter. It also has sensor-based Level 1 ADAS, and crucially, both cars now have 5-star NCAP ratings.The Mahindra XUV 3XO is more powerful and more fun to drive, but on most other fronts, the Brezza is as good as, if not better, and thus should be your choice.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO