Latest questions answered by experts

I am looking to buy either an SUV or a Sedan under a budget of Rs. 28 - 30 lakh. I drive an average of 120 km everyday. I am not looking for an EV because the charging infrastructure is not very reliable where I drive to. Could you suggest me a car with good mileage?

•3m

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

•20m

Annual maintenance packages are being pushed harder at the time of purchase than ever before, sometimes bundled straight into the loan. Is this actually good value for most owners?

•6h

I am a first time driver looking for an AMT car. I have shortlisted Hyundai Exter, Honda Amaze and Maruti Suzuki Fronx. I like Fronx the most but compared to Exter and Amaze, its basic features are missing. Further, I have found some visibility issue while driving in nearby area because bonet comes in my near vision. Exter is good but I have heard negative reviews about it. Amaze is good too for AMT but I am little confused whether I should go for sedan in today's market. I would be mostly driving on weekends so my driving will be mix of city and highway for trips. I stay in Mumbai and I personally don't like Punch and Brezza. While Punch is for space and Brezza is for features and build quality in comparison to other car. I am not particularly sure about Nexon AMT's performance. I need your guidance about a car that will be suitable for me in a budget of Rs. 9 to 10 lakh.

•33m

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

•13h

I’m torn between the top-spec Toyota Hyryder Hybrid and the Duster Hybrid. I’m not sure if the Duster Hybrid’s characteristics can be extrapolated from the Turbo-Petrol variant, so I would appreciate some advice. I am planning to purchase the car around the Diwali season.

•58m

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

•1h

Test drove the Camry Hybrid at a friend's insistence, and the cabin refinement at highway speeds genuinely surprised me for a car in this segment.

•2h

Claimed mileage figures on turbo petrol SUVs rarely survive real city traffic, yet they're still the number everyone quotes while comparing cars. Should brands be forced to publish a separate city-only figure instead of one blended number?

•8h

I am looking to buy my first car and am confused between the Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX M and the new Brezza VXi Turbo. I am particularly confused about the actual operation and long-term maintenance costs of the TGDi and TCMPFi technologies. The Mahindra has a very nice interior but lacks Android Auto and a few other features. The Brezza also misses out on some interior features, but I am not too concerned about the maintenance of the TGDi engine. Considering long-term comfort, maintenance costs, and value for money, which car would be the better choice?

•2h

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

•3h

Six months into running my Wagon R on CNG, and the boot space compromise is smaller than I expected going in.

•4h

First-time buyers keep getting pushed toward automatics for convenience, but does anyone actually think learning on a manual makes you a better driver long term, or is that just old-school thinking at this point?

•19h

Took my Kushaq 1.5 TSI to a track day event for the first time, and the chassis held up better through the corners than I expected from a compact SUV.

•19h

Ladakh trips are becoming almost a rite of passage for every Thar and Scorpio N owner now. Is this actually good for those roads long term?

•21h

My Seltos's forward collision warning went off for the first time yesterday during an actual near-miss with a bike cutting across.

•21h

A lot of brands bundle a must-have feature like ventilated seats with an unrelated one like a bigger touchscreen, forcing buyers to jump two variants just to get the one thing they actually wanted. Does anyone else find this variant structuring more frustrating than the price jump itself?

•22h

Took the whole extended family, nine people across two trips, in the Carens for a wedding last weekend, and the third row held up fine even on the return late at night.

•1d

I am a first-time car buyer and relatively new to driving. Most of my travel involves highway driving, with occasional trips through city traffic. I am looking for an automatic car with a budget of under Rs. 12 lakh. Could you suggest a suitable car based on these requirements?

•23h

For a first-time buyer who is new to driving, prioritises highway use and wants an automatic under Rs 12 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is the most sensible recommendation. It is one of the easiest cars to drive in the segment, with good all-round visibility, a comfortable driving position and a smooth torque converter automatic gearbox that is far more refined than the AMT gearboxes found at this price point. On the highway, the Brezza feels stable and confidence-inspiring, while in city traffic the gearbox is smooth and the car is easy to manoeuvre. Maruti’s service network and low running costs also make it a stress-free ownership proposition, which is important for a first-time buyer. The only real drawback is that the Brezza is not the most feature-rich car in the segment, but it gets the basics right and is a easy car to live with. If you want something with a bit more space and a more premium feel, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic is also worth considering, but the Brezza remains the safer and more beginner-friendly choice.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO

•23h

Strong hybrids like the Hyryder seem to be quietly winning over buyers who were on the fence about full EVs. Do you think hybrids end up being the longer-term default in India?

•1d

Hi, at present, I am using Tata Altroz DCT and want to replace with some compact SUV. My running is mostly in city area with bumper-to-bumper traffic around 450 km per month. I have chosen Skoda Kylaq Signature Plus and Tata Punch Adventure, both in AT, petrol mode. My budget is around 10-12 lakhs. Which one out of these, would you suggest or any other car is best for me?

•23h

With your usage of around 450 km a month, predominantly in city traffic, the priority should be a compact SUV with a smooth automatic gearbox, good fuel efficiency and easy manoeuvrability. The Skoda Kylaq Signature Plus automatic is the better choice here. It uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is smoother and more reliable in stop-start traffic than the AMT gearbox in the Tata Punch. The Kylaq also offers a more refined driving experience, better performance and a more premium feel overall.

Currently, I own Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha 1.3 (2017) diesel that has crossed 12,000km and its current mileage is 14kpl in the city. At what price should I sell this as I currently have an offer for Rs. 3 - 3.5 lakh. Once I sell my car, which SUV should I buy for my family under Rs. 15 lakh ( maximum on-road budget). I prefer comfort, space, mileage and performance and I prefer to keep the car for at least 10 years. My 85% usage is in the Kanpur city (Tier-2 city) and my monthly driving is 1000-1100 km. In 4-5 months, I travel from Kanpur to Delhi or from Kanpur to Jaipur. I am confused about what should I do with issues like the current ethanol blending scenario in India, diesel bio mixing, diesel DPF problem, EV infrastructure issue as well as range problem and battery degradation. Which fuel variant should I be looking at?

•1d

Since your diesel Baleno is nearing 10 years, and you're being offered Rs 3-3.5 lakhs for it, it makes sense to sell it. Keeping your usage in mind, we'd recommend you to shortlist the Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG and the Mahindra XUV 3XO Diesel. Both these are very sensible, comfortable choices, and are likely to return strong efficiency. The Mahindra has an edge as far as performance goes. In summary, if you don't mind the long CNG queues at refilling pumps, the Brezza CNG will be an economical option, which is further backed by Maruti's widespread network. However, if you want a fill-it, shut-it, forget-in option the XUV 3XO diesel is a good choice.

Switched my daily commute from the car to a scooter six months ago just to beat traffic, and honestly haven't looked back even once during peak hours.

•3d

I currently own a used Maruti Ciaz (2025) and am planning to shift to a smaller car since my regular driving is within the city and occasional long highway rides. Is Maruti Suzuki Wagon R ZXI Plus 1.2 a good choice considering Maruti's reliability and easy access to inexpensive spare parts? I do not want to stretch my budget beyond 10 lakh. Alternatively, should I consider Baleno, Glanza or upcoming Renault Triber Turbo?

•1d

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R ZXI+ 1.2 is a sensible choice for your requirements. It is compact, easy to drive in the city, and the 1.2-litre engine also gives it enough performance for occasional highway runs.However, coming from a Ciaz, you will notice a significant step down in overall refinement, ride comfort and highway stability. The Wagon R is primarily a city car, and while it can handle highway trips, it does not feel as composed or as comfortable at higher speeds as a larger hatchback.Instead, consider the Maruti Suzuki Baleno facelift as it would be a better fit and its smaller car than your Ciaz but you won't be compromising too much on comfort and highway ability. The Baleno is still easy to drive in the city, offers a better ride quality and more stability on highways, and is more refined overall than the Wagon R.The upcoming Renault Triber turbo is an interesting alternative if you need more flexibility with seating and boot space, but it is not as refined or as proven as the Maruti options.Overall, the Baleno would be the more balanced upgrade from a Ciaz.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Renault Triber

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