Latest questions answered by experts

autocar.india

•3h

Within your budget, we would suggest looking at the Maruti Suzuki Swift AMT or the Baleno/Toyota Glanza AMT. All three offer good fuel efficiency, easy city driving and relatively low maintenance costs, making them suitable as a second car for your wife.The Swift is more compact, easier to manoeuvre and has a slightly sportier driving character. The Baleno and Glanza, on the other hand, share the same mechanicals but offer a larger, more spacious cabin and a more comfortable experience for passengers. Their 1.2-litre petrol engine is also well suited to everyday city use.

autocar.india

•4h

Given your usage, we would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi manual over the VXi automatic. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, but it isn't particularly peppy. The six-speed manual makes better use of the engine's performance and gives you greater control on hilly roads, particularly when climbing or overtaking on steep gradients. The torque converter automatic is more convenient in city traffic and relaxed highway cruising, but the manual is better suited to your predominantly hilly usage.There is another option worth considering: the Brezza Turbo ZXi manual. Its 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 110hp and 170Nm, offering stronger mid-range performance and better flexibility on climbs and highway overtakes. Its low-speed response and clutch operation are also quite manageable. We would suggest test-driving both manual versions, but the Turbo would be our pick if performance is a priority.

autocar.india

•6h

The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a great choice for your needs. It has good performance on the highway, decent efficiency and a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating. If you are being chauffeured and spend time in the back seat, you'll find the seat is wide and comfortable, with good space too. Reliability is also quite good, though some owners report electronic glitches.Among your alternatives, the Maruti Victoris LXi is larger overall and therefore roomier, but being the base model, it will feel a bit bare-bones. The Hyundai Venue HX5+ is a better choice, offering a good balance of features and passenger comfort. However, if you want the most space in the sub-4-meter SUV segment, consider the Kia Syros. It has a very spacious and comfy back seat and a large boot. It is offered with the same 1.0-litre turbo petrol as the Venue, so highway performance is good too.Overall, the XUV 3XO is a solid choice, but if you are not convinced, then consider the Venue or the Syros.

autocar.india

•8h

If you are going to buy an electric car, make sure you have charging at home, as relying only on public chargers is really not very feasible. As for the choice of car, we would suggest the Kia Syros EV, which is very comfortable to get in and out of, to sit inside and on the move. It is well equipped too, and the electric drivetrain and electronic systems are well designed and robust.At your budget, you would not get the variant with a 360-degree camera, but the car would have a reverse camera setup, which should help. If you must have this feature, consider the Tata Punch EV, which is also a good buy with a good ride and easy ingress / egress and a nice high driving position.

autocar.india

•9h

Between the two, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a better choice for a growing family. As you mentioned, road conditions where you live aren't ideal, so the 3XO's added ground clearance and superior ride quality give it an edge over the i20 N Line. The N Line is more engaging to drive, but its ride has a firm edge to it, which can get a bit jarring. The 3XO RevX A rides on 16-inch wheels with tall-sidewall tyres that do a remarkable job of rounding off sharp edges. It is also a surprisingly tidy handler, with slightly numb steering being the only real complaint. The 3XO offers very good performance too, while its torque converter automatic is smoother in traffic than the i20 N Line's DCT. In terms of practicality, the 3XO's wider cabin, roomier rear seat and larger boot give it another advantage over the i20.Overall, while the Hyundai i20 N Line is certainly a more entertaining car to drive, it can't match the 3XO's practicality, which matters more when you have a young family. If you'd like an alternative, consider the Hyundai Venue N Line, which is a more direct rival to the 3XO.

autocar.india

•10h

Between your picks, the Kia Seltos diesel automatic is the easiest recommendation. Its diesel powertrain is very refined and is paired with a slick 6-speed torque converter automatic. It also offers enough performance for highway driving, while ride quality is significantly better than that of the previous generation. The cabin feels premium, with good-quality materials, more space than the previous generation and an infotainment system with a very user-friendly interface.The Mahindra XUV 7XO offers better outright performance from its 2.2-litre diesel engine and a more plush ride quality. It also has a more commanding road presence, thanks to its sheer size. The cabin is premium and spacious, with the added advantage of a third row. However, its size can make it cumbersome to park in the city, while its infotainment interface takes some getting used to.If you can wait, the next-generation Hyundai Creta is expected sometime in mid-2027. It will move to the K3 platform, just like the Seltos, making it larger than the current model and allowing for a more spacious cabin. It is expected to retain the current Creta's powertrain options, so a diesel variant should still be on the cards. Other details are scarce at the moment, but it could make for a compelling alternative to the Seltos.Overall, if you don't need the third row or the added performance, the Seltos is a better fit for your needs than the XUV 7XO. While it doesn't have the outright performance of the Mahindra, it offers a good balance and better fuel efficiency.

autocar.india

•11h

The Kia Sonet diesel is a good fit for your Mysore-Bengaluru commute. The next-generation Sonet is expected to launch sometime next year, although the exact timeline is unclear at the moment. What we do know is that the new model will move to the K1 platform and get the latest electrical and electronics (E&E) architecture, enabling over-the-air updates and remote diagnostics. It may also grow in size, which could address the cramped rear-seat issue of the current Sonet. However, it is also likely to be more expensive.Since you don't want to spend too much on your second car, you might be better off looking for discounts on the current Sonet, particularly as the launch of the new generation draws closer.You could also consider the Hyundai Venue diesel. It already uses the new K1 platform and gets the latest technology. The rear seat is roomier, and the ride is more absorbent. It uses the same diesel powertrain as the Sonet, so fuel efficiency should be similar. One drawback, however, is that the Venue's light steering doesn't inspire much confidence on the highway, which will make up the bulk of your commute.Overall, the current Sonet is a fine choice for your needs. However, if you can wait, you might be able to get a better deal when the launch of the next-gen model is near.

autocar.india

•12h

Since you value comfort, safety, reliability and understated luxury, the Toyota Camry would be the better option as compared to the Jeep Meridian. And if the roads are in general good shape, around your place of residence and over the trips you would make then the lower ground clearance should not be too much of a bother. Go with the Jeep Meridian only if you require the 7 seats for a large family perhaps or the roads where you live and travel over are in bad condition.

autocar.india

•12h

With just 37,000km on the clock, it is possible your car is still running on its original tyres. Check the date code on the tyre sidewalls to verify this. If that is the case, we'd recommend replacing them even if they appear to have sufficient tread remaining. At around seven years old, the rubber compound would have hardened, significantly reducing grip, particularly during the monsoons. Even if you only drive in Mumbai city, our roads can get notoriously slippery when wet.Also, since you plan to keep the car for another three to four years, you're better off replacing the tyres now and enjoying fresh rubber yourself rather than replacing them for the next owner when it comes time to sell.

autocar.india

•13h

We would suggest you go ahead with the Mahindra XUV 3XO as the Sonet will be replaced within a year with an all new model. The rear seat space too is not a lot and in this regard the XUV is much better, so if this is important for you then the Mahindra would be the ideal choice. The performance and handling of the XUV is also tuned for driving pleasure so this would meet your other requirement too. In terms if ownership experience though Mahindra service stations are a mixed bag so make sure the dealer in your area is a well reputed one.

autocar.india

•13h

In general, it is a good practice to have an extended warranty. It is a bit like medical insurance, you hope to never actually require it but its always wise to have a policy just in case. In the case of the car, the extended warranty on Kia Carens Clavis EV can also be transferred to a new owner, though double check this with your dealer. If that is the case this can help increase your resale value too. So all in all its a good backup to have.

autocar.india

•14h

From a practicality perspective, the Kia Syros is a better choice than the Skoda Kylaq. Its cabin is easily the most spacious in the sub-4-metre segment, and it gets practical features such as a sliding rear bench, which lets you free up more boot space or increase rear passenger legroom. Accommodating two adults in the back seat on long journeys is no problem at all. Highway performance from the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and DCT combination is also very good, while high-speed stability is decent too. Ride quality is a touch firm, though, which is also the case with the Kylaq.The Kylaq is the more engaging car to drive, and its torque converter automatic is smoother in city traffic. The DCT in the Syros can feel a bit clunky at times in the city, but since most of your driving is on the highway, this is unlikely to be a deal-breaker.Pick the Kylaq if driving dynamics are your top priority, but when it comes to practicality, the Syros is hard to beat.

autocar.india

•14h

Yes, if the ride of the current Thar Roxx is not something you can live with it would be better to wait for the update as the car is expected to get the same frequency selective damping setup from the Thar OG - what Mahindra markets as Davinci suspension. However while this is expected to improve the ride quality and body control it would be unlikely that it would match the level of the Hyundai Creta that you are used to. So in any case if you can wait, we would suggest you do so.

autocar.india

•1d

The Renault Duster (non-hybrid) has a large rear boot and the car is also newer and fun to drive, however your priorities of spacious rear seats and easy ingress/egress would be better met in the Creta and we would suggest the IVT as its smoother than the DCT autobox for everyday family use. Given that an all new Creta is around the corner you should bargain hard for a good deal and you could have a significantly lower purchase price too.

autocar.india

•1d

The Ultraviolette Automotive Tesseract is not ready to go on sale yet but it will be in the next few months. Once it launches, you should be able to see it in showrooms and get a test ride of one as well. Stay tuned to our channels for these updates!

autocar.india

•1d

For your needs, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Tata Punch are both good fits. Both cars have a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating and come with a comprehensive suite of safety features as standard.The Dzire is the more fuel-efficient of the two, with its 1.2-litre Z-series engine delivering an average of just over 15kpl in our real-world testing. It also has the more refined powertrain, while Maruti has a strong reputation for after-sales service.The Tata Punch offers a more SUV-like stance. You sit higher up, with a better view over the bonnet, which can help build confidence as a new driver. It also rides superbly for a small car, while the higher ground clearance is an advantage on bad roads. Service and parts costs are likely to be similar to those of the Maruti. However, Tata's after-sales service is known to be somewhat inconsistent, so we'd recommend checking your local dealer's reputation before committing.Overall, both cars are good choices for a new driver. Test drive both to see which one suits your needs better.

autocar.india

•1d

Between the two, the Venue has the more absorbent ride in the city. The Sonet's suspension is a bit firmer, which helps it feel more planted on the highway, but around town, it can feel harsh over sharp bumps. The Venue also has a longer wheelbase, which gives it a roomier rear seat than the Sonet.Overall, the Venue is the better choice since your priority is ride comfort in the city.

autocar.india

•1d

There's no one product right now which will give you all of these attributes in one package today in the 125cc segment. The Suzuki Burgman will probably come closest but its not a heavy or substantial feeling machine - but we think that's a good thing considering you'll usually be using it in tight urban confines. If you want a 125cc scooter with 14-in wheels for added stability, the Hero Xoom 125 is one option we'd recommend. Its motor is fuel efficient and smooth, its styling is very modern and catchy and its suspension is pretty decent too. It doesn't have a TFT display and its boot is rather small because of its larger wheels, points to keep in mind before you go ahead with your purchase. The TVS Ntorq 125 is a great scooter which balances fun and practicality very well although, again, this is not a heavy-feeling scooter and like we mentioned earlier, this is a good thing. You should also consider the Aprilia SXR GT 125 because this scooter will have the "heavy feeling" you're after but it doesn't have a TFT display and from what we experienced on the SXR GT 175 when we reviewed it, its front suspension is not very comfortable over bad roads. Aprilia's dealer network is also far smaller than the bigger Indian brands and its aftersales and service cost has historically been on the more expensive side too. We'd recommend you take a test ride of the aforementioned options and see which one you gel with the most before you make your decision. We would also be remiss if we didn't recommend you at least take a look at and get a test ride of the Suzuki Access because while it may not be the flashiest option out there, it is really a sublime scooter which and its highest variant comes with ABS which no other mainstream manufacturer offers on a 125cc scooter.