Latest questions answered by experts

Girish

I have an i20 manual petrol car that is 9 years old. I drive around 50 km daily in traffic. Please suggest whether I should switch to an automatic and recommend a car within Rs 10-12 lakh.

Autocar India

•11m

A daily 50 km commute in heavy stop-and-go traffic is exactly the kind of usage where an automatic makes the biggest difference, so upgrading from your 9-year-old i20 manual to an automatic is a sensible move for better comfort and lower driving fatigue. In your Rs. 10-12 lakh budget, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AMT is the neatest fit. It is very easy to drive in traffic, the steering is light, the gearbox takes the hard work out of slow moves, and the ride is comfortable over broken roads. Coming from your older i20, it will feel quieter and more relaxed, and it’s also easy to park. Running costs and service reach are simple too, which matters when you drive every day.Two things to note: the AMT's shift can feel slow, and if you want a higher seat and extra ground clearance, you may want a taller car instead.If you prefer to stay with Hyundai, look at the i20 CVT as well. For a higher seating position within budget, the Tata Punch AMT is a good second choice. Overall, for your city commute, the Baleno AMT lines up best.

Niraj

For buying a new car, I have shortlisted two options: the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5L and the Kia Seltos HTK. I have taken test drives of both, and both felt good. However, I have heard a lot online about issues faced by 3XO owners regarding brakes, software, and other things. Are these concerns true?

Autocar India

•1h

The Kia Seltos is from a segment above the XUV 3XO and is naturally the better choice if it fits within your budget. The HTK is very well equipped and, while it misses out on features like ADAS that the XUV 3XO offers, it makes up for it with a roomier and more modern cabin.The drawback is that for around Rs 15 lakh, you get the naturally aspirated-engined Seltos, while the 3XO will get you a more powerful turbo-petrol. Here, the 3XO has an advantage, offering stronger acceleration and better overtaking performance on the highway. If your use is primarily in the city, though, the Seltos will suit you just fine.Kia also generally has a better reputation for service quality, which should help ease concerns about the potential issues you have heard regarding the Mahindra XUV 3XO. Overall, the Seltos is the better pick between the two.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kiran MG

•6d

I currently own a VW Polo that has done around 50,000 km. I am looking to upgrade to a midsize SUV. I have shortlisted the Duster 1.0, Creta S(O), and Nexon Creative diesel. I drive 90% on highways. My budget is Rs 18 lakh. My requirement is low maintenance and good mileage.

Autocar India

•2h

With 90% highway use and an Rs. 18 lakh cap, the Tata Nexon Creative diesel is the best fit from your list. On long runs, it uses less fuel than the Hyundai Creta petrol, and the diesel pulls strongly in higher gears. So, overtaking is easy even with family and luggage. Coming from a Polo, you will like how steady it feels at speed and how it smooths out rough patches. Tata’s service costs are reasonable, and the diesel’s range means fewer fuel stops.Two things to note. Tata service quality can vary by city, so pick a well-rated workshop near you. Also, the Nexon’s cabin and boot are smaller than the Creta, which you may feel on big trips.If low maintenance and a larger, calmer cabin matter more than top mileage, the Hyundai Creta S(O) is the safer alternative. It will be smoother and easier to own, but it will use more fuel on the highway than the Nexon diesel and may sit close to your budget on-road.

Tata Nexon

Hyundai Creta

Riza Shah

•6d

Hi. I am a doctor living in the city. I am married and have a daughter. I own an Alto 800, and I have never had a problem with it until now. My wife constantly complains that the car is too small and feels a bit odd for a doctor to drive. I think it is time to get a more spacious car for me, my wife, and my daughter. Any advice?

Autocar India

•3h

Since you are content with your Alto 800, a sensible upgrade would be the Maruti Suzuki Swift or Dzire. They keep the compact, fuel-efficient, fuss-free nature you like, but will feel like a definite step up from the Alto for your family.If you'd like to make a bigger jump to an SUV, then you have a number of options available, from the Maruti Brezza to the Hyundai Creta. They will offer much more space, but will also feel larger and a bit more cumbersome to drive in the city.Do write to us with your budget and which segment you are looking at, and we can help you further.

Vipul Saini

Hi, thanks in advance. I am looking for a midsize SUV with a budget of Rs 12 lakh on-road in Ludhiana, Punjab. I am confused between the Victoris LXI and the Kia Seltos HTE. My driving will mostly be in the city, with one or two occasional weekend outstation trips. I am confused whether I should prioritise looks and features or reliability and ease of use.

Autocar India

•4h

Given your mostly city use, opt for the Kia Seltos over the Maruti Suzuki Victoris. For a base model, the Seltos HTE is rather well equipped and generally feels more premium than the Victoris LXI.The Seltos might be slightly more expensive, but it feels more modern and comes with more standard features than the Victoris. In terms of ease of use, the Seltos is just as friendly to drive, with light controls and good drivability from the engine. Maruti’s service reach in Punjab is generally wider than Kia’s, but if you have a Kia dealer and service centre nearby, the ownership experience should be comparable.The downside is that the Seltos may cross your Rs 12 lakh budget. If you can stretch a bit, though, the Seltos is a good choice for your needs.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Sandeep Patel

•5d

My usage will be around 30 km per day, three days a week, plus a couple of weekend trips. So I don’t want just a typical city car. I’d like something that feels a bit fun to drive as well. Could you suggest some options? I see there are turbo-petrol choices available, but the Honda City’s 1.5 i-VTEC also seems like a strong and powerful naturally aspirated option. One thing I noticed during a test drive, though, was the tyre noise. Even at around 30kph, it felt noticeable and a bit annoying. Is that actually a concern in real-world city or moderate-speed driving, or am I overthinking the NVH levels? Some owners do mention that tyre and road noise in the Honda City can be more noticeable than expected, especially depending on the road surface and tyres.

Autocar India

•5h

For light weekday use, occasional highway trips, and a slightly fun driving experience, the Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 turbo-petrol manual suits your requirements better. It feels quick without needing to rev hard, so gaps in traffic and hill climbs are easy. The steering is light in the city, yet the car stays steady on open roads, and the big boot makes weekend runs simple. The manual is also enjoyable to use if you like being involved while driving.About the Honda City’s tyre noise: it does let in more tyre and road noise than you might expect on rough or concrete roads, but it is rarely a deal-breaker. It also varies a lot with tyre brand and pressure. Switching to a quieter set of tyres later usually helps.Two trade-offs with the Virtus: the rear seat is not as wide as the Honda City’s, and it won’t be as fuel-efficient. A close alternative with a similar driving feel is the Skoda Slavia. If you love the City’s smooth engine and spacious cabin, then that is still the one to get. Just keep in mind that a facelift is expected soon, so either wait for that or negotiate a good discount on the current stock.

Volkswagen Virtus

Skoda Slavia

Honda City