Ghazipur

•8w

I am looking for a car with at least 4 -5 star safety rating. My preference is a 7-seater car as occasionally I travel with my extended family. My daily commute is from Dadar to Malad in peak traffic and I return late from work at night. We have a second house in Virar where we travel over the weekend and therefore I need a bigger car, mostly an suv. My average running is approximately between 700 km and 1000km. I am also concerned about the E20 fuel since I am planning to use the car for minimum 8 to 9 years. In worst case situation, I am ready to compromise to a 5-seater car with spacious rear seats and am giving serious thought to an EV as well. I currently own a 2021 Kwid RXT AMT petrol and need to upgrade as it is very small and it is difficult to travel to long distances with full load. Also, I am not sure whether ADAS would work in bumper-to-bumper traffic or highway, but at least a blind view monitor or alerts would be helpful. Please suggest best options as I am flexible to stretch my budget upto 22 lakhs at max.

•8w

Based on your requirements, the Kia Carens Clavis petrol DCT is the most sensible recommendation. Your running of 700-1,000 km a month does not justify a diesel, and the Carens is a comfortable 7-seater that will serve you well over an 8-9 year ownership period. The one downside with this powertrain is that the DCT can feel a bit hesitant, which you will notice on your commute.

If you can install a charger at home, the Clavis EV is a superb fit for your needs. It has the same practical cabin as the ICE car, but the electric car will feel a lot better to drive in stop and go traffic. Your budget will only get you the 42kWh battery which should give you a real world range of around 300-320km.

If you aren't going to use the third row that often then the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Strong Hybrid is a great choice for your needs. In heavy traffic it will run on EV mode cutting down fuel cost significantly. It is also very easy and smooth to drive in bumper to bumper traffic.

On the E20 fuel concern, modern petrol engines are engineered to handle E20 blends, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20 at this stage. The main impact is a slight reduction in fuel economy.

Explore cars mentioned

Kia

Carens Clavis

from ₹12.99 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Victoris

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Kia

Carens Clavis EV

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•8w•

@autocar.india thank you for taking up my question

•8w•

Is Renault Triber Emotion a good choice for family

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•1d

I am planning to buy a 7-seater car and am confused between the Kia Carens Clavis HTX (O) Petrol DCT and the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5 Diesel. My confusion is mainly around a few points. The XUV 7XO has better looks and more power than the Clavis, while the Clavis offers better third-row space and a more spacious cabin. I do not have a very high annual running either. With my current car, I drive around 12,000-14,000km a year, including both city and highway driving, with occasional hill trips. This has left me confused about whether I should opt for a diesel or petrol. The XUV 7XO petrol is also not known for particularly good mileage, which makes the decision even more difficult. With the diesel option, I am also concerned about potential DPF-related issues, especially given my relatively low annual running. Since the car will primarily be driven in NCR, there is also some uncertainty around the applicability of BS6 diesel vehicles when GRAP Stage 4 restrictions are in force, as government regulations can change. Another concern is the DCT transmission. I have heard about DCTs facing heating issues in bumper-to-bumper traffic, although I am not sure how significant this issue is with the Carens Clavis. During my test drive, I also felt that the Clavis seemed somewhat underpowered in Normal mode, particularly when starting from a standstill. I had to press the accelerator pedal quite hard to get it moving more quickly. Is this simply a characteristic of the DCT and its calibration, or could it be specific to the particular test-drive car? I would really appreciate any suggestions or experiences that could help me clear up these doubts before making a decision. Thanks in advance.

•1d

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis HTX (O) Petrol DCT. Your annual running of 12,000-14,000km with a mix of city, highway and occasional hill drives is pretty healthy actually, but given your other concerns like DPF regeneration and NCR policies, petrol is the safer long-term choice. A turbo petrol gives you the punch you need out on the highway and in the hills, while also the benefits of a petrol engine that you're looking for. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more powerful and more rugged SUV, but the Clavis is the better family car. It has a more usable third row, a more spacious and practical cabin, and a more comfortable ride for everyday use. On the DCT, yes, it can feel a bit hesitant at low speeds and in bumper-to-bumper traffic, but Kia’s DCT is one of the better ones in the market, and it is not a deal-breaker. The slight lag you felt in Normal mode is more to do with the car’s tuning than the gearbox itself. Switch to Sport mode and it feels much more responsive. The Clavis is not as powerful as the XUV 7XO, but it is quick enough for family use and much easier to live with in the long run. And as you pointed out, the heavier, more powerful XUV 7XO petrol is is nowhere near as efficient as the Clavis.

Kia Carens Clavis

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•1d

I’m looking for a spacious, comfortable 5-seater that I can keep for 8-10 years. My priorities include excellent fuel efficiency, low maintenance, reliable ownership, good safety, comfort, strong resale value and essential features only. I’m happy to skip gimmicky features. My monthly running will be around 600-1,000 km that includes daily office commute and one long trip every 1-2 months. I’m confused between petrol, diesel, CNG and hybrids, especially considering the E20/E30 discussion going on. My budget is Rs. 8-15 lakh on-road, with Rs. 12 lakh being the sweet spot. I’m also open to spending less if a lower-priced car offers the right combination of mileage, safety and space. Based on my usage, budget and priorities, which car, variant, engine and fuel type would you recommend? Also, when would be the best time to buy it?

•1d

Based on your usage, budget and priorities, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris mild hybrid petrol is the best fit. Your running of 600-1,000 km a month is not high enough to justify the premium you pay for a strong hybrid, and diesel does not make sense at this usage level. The Victoris mild hybrid petrol offers excellent fuel efficiency, low maintenance costs and Maruti’s strong reliability and service reach, which aligns perfectly with your ownership plan of 8-10 years. It is also a spacious and comfortable 5-seater with good safety credentials and a strong resale value. The mild hybrid system provides a useful efficiency boost without the complexity or cost of a full hybrid system, making it the most sensible choice for your usage pattern. The Victoris also offers a good balance of essential features, and the overall ownership experience is likely to be hassle-free over the long term. In terms of timing, there is no need to wait as the Victoris is a new product with no major updates expected in the near future, so you can buy with confidence now. Go for the VXi trim as it gets all the necessary features and can be had either with a manual or an automatic gearbox option. If you want something more affordable and are willing to compromise on space, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is a good alternative, but the Victoris is the more complete package for your requirements.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

•2d

Currently driving a XUV700 but thinking of moving to something like Victoris for easier city driving. Anyone else gone from a large SUV to a smaller one, how did it feel?

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•1w

I am confused between the Elevate and the Creta. I understand that the Creta is the more established one, but with Honda, the value it brings is amazing, while the price of the Creta is a bit higher than the value it offers. I am mostly a city driver, with around 95% of my driving in the city and occasional highway trips, covering around 10,000km per year. Can you help me get some perspective?

•6d

The Hyundai Creta is the more premium product with a richer feature list. Since your usage is mainly in the city, you are likely to appreciate the Creta's smoothness and refinement, as well as the additional features it offers. Sure, this Hyundai car might cost a bit more, but it is a proven product that commands strong brand equity, which is likely to translate to higher resale value. The Honda Elevate gives you most of what you need at a significantly lower cost, and Honda’s service network is strong enough to make ownership hassle-free. Go for the Elevate if you value its stronger engine performance, else for a refined drive experience, pick the Creta.

Hyundai Creta

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•4d

I currently drive a Hyundai i10 CNG, with daily running of around 6 km in Gurgaon city traffic and a monthly highway drive of around 200 km. I am now planning to upgrade my car, with an on-road budget of Rs. 12 lakh for a petrol sub-4-metre SUV, up to Rs. 14 lakh for a petrol midsize SUV, and Rs. 15 lakh for an EV. I live in a rented apartment on the second floor, so I am apprehensive about getting an EV. I prefer an EV, but installing a charger could be complicated due to the sanctioned load. My running could increase to nearly 800 km per month in the future. My key priorities are: - Good suspension and ride comfort, as I have a back problem - Decent fuel efficiency in heavy city traffic - Low to medium maintenance costs - Auto hold and ventilated seats would be good to have I sometimes consider buying a manual, but I mostly prefer an automatic. I am currently considering the Maruti Brezza, Baleno AMT, Fronx AMT/AT, Sonet iMT, Exter AMT, and even the upcoming Inster, VF3, and Bayon. I am open to other suggestions as well. Note: I had a bad driving experience with the Punch AMT, as it caused back fatigue.

•3d

Given your priorities of ride comfort, fuel efficiency and low maintenance, the Maruti Brezza automatic is the most sensible upgrade. It offers a comfortable ride, a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine and Maruti's strong service network, which keeps long-term ownership costs in check. The torque converter automatic is smooth in city traffic, and the Brezza's higher seating position will help with your back issues. The Sonet iMT is not the right choice here. While it is a good car, the iMT is not a true automatic and will not offer the same ease of use in Gurgaon traffic. The Baleno AMT and Exter AMT are also not ideal given your back issues and the fact that AMT gearboxes are not as smooth as torque converter automatics in stop-start conditions.On the EV front, your apprehension about charging is valid. Without a straightforward home charging solution, an EV will add unnecessary complexity to your ownership experience. The upcoming Bayon is interesting and if you can wait a few weeks you would have a better picture before making a decision. For now, the Brezza automatic strikes the best balance between comfort, efficiency and hassle-free ownership.

Hi, I’m confused between the Skoda Kylaq and Tata Punch EV and would like some advice on which one to buy. The car will primarily be used for city driving, with occasional highway trips. The budget is Rs 10-14 lakh on-road. I previously owned a Volkswagen Polo GT TDI, so I’m looking for a car that can offer a similar level of driving satisfaction while also being practical for everyday use. I’m currently confused between these two options and would appreciate some guidance.

•2d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI. With your budget of Rs 10-14 lakh, mostly city usage and occasional highway runs, the Kylaq is the better fit. It offers a familiar driving experience coming from a Polo GT TDI, with a punchy turbo petrol engine, solid build quality and a sorted ride and handling balance. The Tata Punch EV is a good city car, but the Kylaq is more versatile for occasional highway trips and long-term ownership. The Kylaq also offers better rear seat space and a more premium feel overall. The Punch EV makes sense only if your usage is almost entirely city-based and you have reliable home charging. Given your budget and usage pattern, the Kylaq is the more balanced and sensible choice.

Skoda Kylaq

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