Latest questions answered by experts

Kia dealers are giving 40 thousand discounts on Seltos currently. Are you people getting more somewhere?

Hi team, I am planning to buy my first car and am looking forward to your recommendation. My budget is Rs. 20 lakh (on-road) that I can stretch slightly for clearly more value. I need a 5-seater that I can keep for more than 10 years. My running is around 8,000-10,000 km annually which is mostly within the city and I also travel occasionally on Ajmer-Noida highway (around 420 km one way). My hometown is Ajmer where I have my own parking and rooftop solar (6 kW sanctioned load). The car will stay there most of the time and will be registered in Rajasthan. But I have a doubt. I work in Noida where I have no parking or charging at home or at the office. I am not sure where my next job will be and I might have to take the car may move with me in a few years. My priorities are safety, reliability, low long-term ownership cost and good service support. Features come second in priority. I'm in no hurry to buy the car and can wait a few months. For this usage, which powertrain makes the most sense for an ownership of over 10 years among petrol, strong hybrid or EV? Which car and variant would you advise in this budget? Should I buy a car now, or is there an upcoming launch worth waiting for?

I’m a first-time car buyer and I’m confused between the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Delta (Rs 12.7 lakh on-road), the Brezza VXi automatic (Rs 11.4 lakh) and the Brezza ZXi manual (Rs 11.5 lakh). I’m not sure how much of my driving will be in the city and how much on the highway. If I choose the automatic, I’ll miss out on many features that come with the Brezza ZXi and the Grand Vitara Delta. Is it okay to give up those features and choose the VXi automatic?

Hi team, I’m planning to buy my first car. I’m 6 ft tall and will use the car mainly for weekend trips and highway runs. My maximum budget is Rs 12 lakh on-road. I’ll drive about 600 km a month on average and plan to keep the car for at least ten years. Which car would suit me best for spirited driving, reliability and low, stress-free maintenance?

Dear Autocar India team, I am planning to purchase my first family car with a budget of Rs 11 lakh and have already booked the Kia Sonet HTK+ variant. However, concerns raised on social media about the performance of its 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine have made me reconsider my decision. Since our monthly usage is relatively low and the car will primarily be used for occasional trips, would the Sonet HTK+ be a suitable choice for our requirements, or should I consider another model or an alternative powertrain within the Sonet range? I would appreciate your professional guidance in making the right decision. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

We’re first-time car buyers, a couple aged 40 and 35 with two kids (aged10 and 5), and we’re currently learning to drive at a Maruti driving school. Our budget is up to Rs 13.5 lakh on-road, and our usage will be about 40 percent city and 60 percent highway. We’re torn between the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.5 petrol (manual or automatic), which I prefer, and the Hyundai Venue 1.2 petrol, which my wife prefers because it feels smaller and more stylish. Between the Brezza and the Venue 1.2, which is better for new drivers with mixed city and highway use? Should first-time drivers choose a manual or an automatic, considering the extra cost, fuel efficiency and maintenance? Some people suggest an automatic, while others recommend a manual for better control and lower long-term maintenance. I’m also concerned about reports of the Venue 1.0 turbo DCT gearbox overheating. Please advise.

Which coupe SUV has the most appealing design?

Hello Autocar Team, I just bought a used Ecosport (2019 model) that has clocked 37,000 km. I am planning to keep the car for atleast next 3-4 years and my driving will be mostly limited to Mumbai City. Should I replace its tyres for a better driving experience even though its tyres are in usable condition.

With unpredictable traffic and insurance disputes, a dashcam seems increasingly useful. Seen many videos online of cars having one.

Modified Thar with bigger tyres, a new grill and aftermarket lights certainly stands out.

I wish more cars had windows that could be operated remotely before getting inside. Cooling a parked car before entering it would be genuinely useful.

Hi Autocar Team, I own a Mahindra XUV500 and am considering a Stage 1 ECU remap. What impact would it have on the engine's performance and mileage? Would it affect the engine's lifespan or long-term reliability? I would also like to understand the pros and cons of ECU remapping, including its impact on maintenance costs and overall vehicle reliability. Please advise.

Is the Jeep Compass Sport manual a good car for long-term ownership? I am looking for a car with good handling, driving dynamics and long-term reliability. Would the Compass Sport manual be a sensible choice for keeping over several years?

Will the Maruti Suzuki Brezza get a torque converter automatic transmission with its new turbo-petrol engine? If so, when can we expect it to launch?

Hi, I am considering a petrol automatic SUV under Rs 18 lakh. My daily office commute in Panipat is around 6km each way, with occasional trips to my hometown, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, and other tourist destinations. My annual running is around 6,000-8,000 km. My priorities are reliability, a 5-star safety rating, hassle-free servicing, good value for money, cruise control and enough seating space for five people. I do not want a sunroof, although it is not a deal-breaker if the car has one. What are my options? Please rank your top three recommendations.

Jimny has a very different design as compared to other SUVs trending in the market. Do you like its design?

Buyers are preferring SUVs over sedans from the last few years, but still few sedans like City are sold in high numbers. Why do you guys think this is happening?

Please suggest an automatic car for 80% city use and 20% highway driving for an average monthly running between 1200 to 1500 km. I am looking for a car that delivers good performance, decent mileage and is safety under an approximate budget of Rs. 12 lakh. Also, are EV safe? Do EVs have any electromagnetic fields that can cause headaches during long drives. Please advise.