Latest questions answered by experts

Ravi

I want to purchase an EV with strong road presence and a premium look and feel. My driving is approximately 4,000 km per month. Charging is not an issue, as I follow a loop drive every day. My budget is ₹20–22 lakh.

Autocar India

•10h

For your budget, it’s quite challenging to find an EV that genuinely delivers both a premium feel and strong road presence. Typically, those attributes come with larger electric SUVs that sit in a much higher price bracket.That said, you could consider the Mahindra BE6. It has a very striking, concept-like design that certainly stands out on the road and fits within your budget. In fact, the design is the BE6’s biggest talking point. It’s bold and quite polarising, so while not everyone may like it, it’s impossible to ignore.The interior follows a similarly radical theme, with a modern, tech-heavy layout that feels fresh compared to more conventional offerings in this price range. However, there are a few compromises to be aware of in this Mahindra car. Rear seat space is a bit tight for regular use, and there are some ergonomic quirks that may take getting used to.Given your high monthly running and predictable loop drive, the BE6 could still work well as a distinctive, urban-focused EV provided you’re willing to prioritise design and presence over outright practicality.

Mahindra BE 6

Rahul Singh

•1w

Hi, my family is planning to buy a car by the end of the year in December. Our current options are Venue, Kylaq, Punch, and Nexon. We want an automatic and preferably diesel if it fits within the budget of ₹12–14 lakh. I already own a 2021 Creta SX (O) CRDi AT and have driven it for 85,000 km across India without any performance issues, so I am slightly biased towards Hyundai Venue. What would be your advice?

Autocar India

•10h

Since you are leaning towards a diesel, the only models shortlisted by you, that offer a diesel engine are the Hyundai Venue and Tata Nexon. The Skoda Kushaq and Tata Punch do not come with a diesel option.Between the Hyundai Venue 1.5 diesel and the Tata Nexon 1.5 diesel, the Venue diesel would be my pick. Given your experience with the Creta SX(O) CRDi AT and 85,000 km of trouble‑free running across India, it makes sense to stay with a familiar and proven Hyundai diesel powertrain. In your budget, the Hyundai Venue HX5 Diesel AT is the variant to focus on. It gives you the 1.5‑litre diesel with a proper 6-speed automatic and a sensible balance of features without stretching the budget unnecessarily.The Nexon feels more robust, has a bigger boot, and is a strong product on its own. However, the Venue has more finesse, a higher quality interior, a smoother and more consistent drivetrain, and overall feels better put together. For your usage and preferences, the Venue HX5 Diesel AT is the more confidence‑inspiring choice.

Narayan

Hi Autocar team, I am planning to upgrade my vehicle. I currently own a Nissan Terrano, which has done over 3.5 lakh km and still runs very well. However, due to its age, its parts are wearing out, and Nissan service takes a long time (often 15 days to a month) to replace parts, sometimes even suggesting unnecessary replacements. I am confused between the Victor's Strong Hybrid and the GV Strong Hybrid. I am getting a good discount on the GV. My main concern is that the GV does not have a crash test rating, whereas the Victor's has a 5-star rating. Plus, can you tell me how much I'll pay in tolls for ride quality? Since Terrano has excellent suspension, is that acceptable, or should I avoid Maruti Duo & Toyota? After-sales service is very important to me, so if you suggest any other vehicles, please recommend from well-established brands.

Autocar India

•11h

The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Maruti Suzuki Victoris share the same Global C platform and are structurally as well as mechanically identical, so the crash structure and safety levels should be very similar. However, since you're concerned about having a certified 5-star rating, the Victoris is the safer bet as it has been officially crash-tested by Bharat NCAP and awarded a 5-star rating for both adult and child occupant protection. The rating applies to all Victoris variants, including the strong hybrid models. The Victoris is also the newer model with additional features like a larger 10.1-inch infotainment system, ADAS, and improved tech over the Grand Vitara.Regarding everyday use, the strong hybrid powertrain is exceptionally well-suited for city driving with long daily commutes. The system operates in near-silent EV mode for extended periods in city traffic, switches seamlessly between electric and petrol modes, and delivers excellent fuel efficiency. This Toyota-based strong hybrid technology is both smooth and refined in operation.As for ride quality, you will need to adjust your expectations coming from the Terrano. This Nissan car suspension setup was indeed exceptional on broken roads and offered a plush ride. The Grand Vitara and Victoris, while comfortable, have a slightly firmer setup that may not quite match the Terrano's ability to absorb bad road surfaces. However, the ride is still acceptable for most conditions.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Ramesh

•5d

I am planning to buy a new EV for both home use and long drives. My budget is around ₹15 lakh. I would appreciate your suggestions to help me decide on a suitable brand.

Autocar India

•12h

The Nexon EV with the 45kWh battery looks like the best fit within your Rs 15 lakh budget. It’s a well-established product now, having gone through multiple updates since its debut in 2020, and Tata Motors has steadily refined it over time.That said, don’t expect it to be entirely free of minor niggles that are known to still come up occasionally, but overall, it’s a sorted and usable EV. The size works well for city use, while its solid, reassuring build gives it good highway confidence, which is important if you’re planning longer drives.In terms of range, you can realistically expect over 300km in real-world conditions, depending on driving style, traffic, and terrain. Charging infrastructure is also steadily improving, which makes this Tata car easier to live with as a primary car.All things considered, it strikes a good balance between practicality, range, and price, making it one of the safest choices in this segment right now.

Tata Nexon EV

Scientist

•1d

I am planning to buy an SUV for myself and my family. My daily driving will be around 80 km, and I plan to do occasional off-roading once a month. My average monthly driving is about 2,000 km. I am looking for a powerful, safe, and secure vehicle with 7 seats that is also economical. I am open to electric, hybrid, petrol, and diesel options, but not CNG. Since I have high running, I am also looking for low running costs. Please suggest, as I plan to make the purchase within the next 2 months.

Autocar India

•13h

Go for a diesel 7-seater SUV or MPV, and shortlist the Kia Carens Clavis or Toyota Innova HyCross depending on your budget. These are the most practical and economical choices for your usage.The Kia Carens Clavis diesel is the most practical starting point. It is comfortable, easy to drive daily and efficient for long distances. The diesel engine is well suited for your high running, and this Kia car is stable enough on highways while remaining manageable in the city. It is also one of the most sensible family 7-seaters available today.If you can stretch your budget, the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid is the best overall choice. It offers excellent comfort, much better space across all three rows and very low running cost for a large vehicle thanks to its hybrid system, which delivers high efficiency for city and highway use. It is also among the most reliable long-term ownership options.Now, since you mentioned occasional off-roading, you need to be realistic. Cars like the Carens Clavis and Hycross are not meant for serious off-roading. If your off-road use is mild, like rough roads or trails, they will manage. If you want proper off-road capability, then something like the Mahindra Scorpio N diesel is the better fit. It is rugged, has strong torque and proper SUV capability, while still being usable daily.The trade-off is clear. The Scorpio N is tougher and more capable off-road, but less comfortable and less efficient than the Carens or Hycross.

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra Scorpio N

Toyota Innova HyCross

Rajan Khurana

•1d

I have booked the Hyundai Venue HX10 DCT, but I am confused about the transmission. At lower speeds, it feels like there is a noticeable gear shift, which can feel jerky. On the other hand, I really like the interior. I am unsure whether I should go ahead with the Venue or consider the 3XO. My only concern with the 3XO is that the interior feels very traditional and not as premium. I am quite confused. Please advise, as the car delivery is planned within the next 15 days and I want to make the right decision.

Autocar India

•14h

From what you’ve said, most of your worry is low-speed city use and how smooth the automatic feels, with cabin look a close second. For that use, I would lean to the XUV 3XO petrol automatic, because its regular automatic gearbox is smoother when you are moving slowly in traffic. The Venue DCT (a dual-clutch automatic that changes gears very quickly) can feel like a small pause or a light jerk at 10-20 kph as it shifts, which is exactly what you noticed. The 3XO’s automatic does not do that, and it also handles long, crawling jams without any worry about clutch heat.The catch is what you already feel: the 3XO’s cabin design looks more simple and not as flashy as the Venue. If the cabin look matters to you every single day, the Venue still makes sense. You can also drive the DCT more gently in the first two gears and let the car roll on its own to smoothen that low-speed feel. Once above 20-25 kph, the Venue DCT feels quick and easy.So the call is this: pick the XUV 3XO petrol automatic if your priority is a smooth, calm drive in heavy city traffic. Stick with your Venue DCT booking if the premium cabin is what you love and you can live with a little shift feel at very low speeds. For your brief, I’d pick the 3XO for the smoother city drive.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Hyundai Venue