Mumbai

•4d

I am looking for an automatic car under Rs 15 lakh, although the budget can be somewhat flexible. My monthly running is no more than 500km, largely within the NCR, with only occasional weekend trips to Haryana, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. I am open to petrol, EV and hybrid options, but given my low usage, a petrol car would probably make the most sense. However, the uncertainty around fuel-blending policies is what has made me consider an EV. With such low running, I am also concerned that a DCT gearbox may not be ideal, so I would prefer a car with a torque-converter automatic. A Hyundai dealer mentioned that Hyundai’s DCT and torque-converter automatics are essentially the same, but I am not convinced that is correct. I would appreciate some recommendations based on these requirements.

•13m

Go for a petrol automatic with a torque converter gearbox. Your usage is low, mostly city with occasional highway trips, so petrol is the right choice and a torque converter automatic is the most reliable and stress-free option for city driving. The Hyundai dealer is incorrect – Hyundai cars use DCT gearboxes on turbo petrol engines and torque converter automatics on naturally aspirated petrol engines, and they are both completely different. DCTs can feel jerky in stop-start traffic and can throw up some issues, while torque converters are smoother and more reliable in the long run.

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic is the most sensible recommendation here. It uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, is reliable, easy to drive in the city and has Maruti’s strong service network; the ride too is geared for plush low-speed city comfort, on highways though there is some float at higher speeds.

On the EV side, your low running does not justify the higher upfront cost, and you do not have a clear financial case for it. On the fuel blending concern, modern petrol engines are engineered to handle E20, and there is no official roadmap beyond that, so it should not be a reason to avoid petrol.

Furthermore, Maruti has said that they have built in a higher margin for material compliance to slightly higher ethanol blends, so on the material front you should be fine; mileage, though, would likely drop with higher ethanol blends, but this would be true across models. Thus, go for the Brezza automatic and you will have a hassle-free ownership experience.

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•3m

@autocar.india Thank you for the suggestion

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•2d

Looking to buy my first car with a petrol automatic. I have never driven before, and going forward, I will mostly use the car for city driving with occasional highway trips. My budget is around Rs. 15 lakh. I am confused between the Brezza ZXI+ AT and Victoris VXI AT. Which one should I go for? Please suggest some better options as well within a budget of around Rs. 15-17 lakh.

•16h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI+ AT. As a first-time buyer with mostly city driving and occasional highway runs, the Brezza is the more confidence-inspiring choice. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and predictable, the torque converter automatic is reliable and easy to live with, and the higher seating position gives you excellent visibility in traffic. This Maruti Suzuki car is also a genuinely comfortable 5-seater with a well-sorted ride, and Maruti's service network is a big plus for long-term ownership.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXI AT is a good car, but if you don't need the extra space, you are better off with a higher trim of the Brezza with more features. If you are looking for alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 AT is worth a look. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs, has a wide cabin and a strong turbo petrol engine, but the boot is smaller than the Brezza's. The Skoda Kylaq AT is another option if you want a more engaging driving experience, but as a first car, the Brezza's ease of use and ownership peace of mind make it the better recommendation.

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•1d

I'm driving Tata Altroz NA petrol manual for the past five years. Now, I want to switch to a diesel engine since most of my running would be on rough terrain and ghat roads. My yearly running is around 15,000 km. I am looking for a used Nexon diesel due to budget constraint. I live in Mangalore. Would it be a good option or should I look for some other brand/model? I would prefer manual only since I like driving manual cars and I don't need very fancy features. Please suggest.

•1d

Given your usage of 15,000 km a year, rough terrain, ghat roads and a preference for manual driving, a diesel SUV is the right direction. The Tata Nexon diesel is a good choice for this use case. The diesel engine has strong low-end torque, which is exactly what you want for hill climbs and rough roads, and the Nexon’s ground clearance and suspension setup are well suited to the kind of terrain you’re describing. It’s one of Tata Motor's older cars and has been constantly updated since its introduction for improve aspects of performance comfort and reliability so get as new a car possible as your budget allows. If you find a well-maintained example with a clean service history, the Nexon diesel is a very sensible and cost-effective upgrade from your Altroz.If you want to consider alternatives, the Hyundai Venue or even the Maruti Suzuki Brezza diesel (from the previous generation) is worth a look. Overall, the Nexon diesel manual is a good fit for your requirements. Just focus on finding a well-maintained used example with a full service history.

Hi, I am planning to purchase a new automatic car and am confused between the Brezza ZXi 1.5L petrol automatic and the Hyundai Venue HX8 1.0L turbo DCT. Please advise me on which one would be the better choice.

•1d

The choice will come down to what you value more in a car. Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi 1.5 petrol automatic if you want a smooth and relaxed drive experience. This Maruti Suzuki car uses a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is the smoothest type of gearbox around, and you will appreciate this in stop-start traffic. Go for the Hyundai Venue 1.0 turbo DCT if it's a more exciting drive you are looking for. The DCT gearbox is not as well-suited to stop-start city conditions and is more fun to drive, with quick shifts, and the powertrain is more peppy and lively. Ride quality is another aspect to look into; if it's mostly city, the Brezza has a more plush low-speed ride, whereas the Venue feels better at speed. Thus, if it's a relaxed city car you are after, pick the Brezza, and the Venue if you are looking for a fun-to-drive car and will have a lot of highway running.

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•5d

I want to purchase a 7-seater SUV. My options are the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and Scorpio N, and I am considering installing an aftermarket CNG kit for better fuel economy. Could you please suggest which one would be better suited for CNG?

•4d

We would strongly advise against installing aftermarket CNG on any of these SUVs. All three – the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO and Scorpio N - are large, heavy vehicles with powerful turbocharged petrol engines. Fitting CNG to such engines is not recommended, as it can lead to drivability issues, increased wear and potential reliability concerns over time. More importantly, these SUVs are not designed with CNG in mind, and the installation can compromise safety and performance.If fuel economy is a top priority, opt for their diesel versions instead. The Mahindra and Tata offer strong torque, excellent highway efficiency and are well-suited to long-distance touring. If you are set on CNG, it is better to look at smaller, naturally aspirated petrol cars that are either factory-fitted or specifically designed for CNG use.Between the three, the XUV 7XO diesel would be our recommendation. It offers a more modern package, better ride comfort and a more premium cabin than the Scorpio N, while the Safari diesel is also a strong contender if you prefer Tata's design and feature set. But CNG should not be the deciding factor here.

I am a first-time buyer. My salary is Rs 4.2 lakh per year (CTC). Which company and which model would suit me?

•5d

With a CTC of Rs 4.2 lakh per year, the key is to keep the purchase affordable and running costs low. The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the most sensible starting point. It is reliable, easy to maintain and has excellent service reach, which is exactly what you want as a first-time buyer. The 1.0-litre petrol engine in this Maruti Suzuki car is efficient, and the car is easy to drive in the city.If you need a bit more space, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a good alternative with its tall-boy design and larger boot. If you are open to a slightly higher budget, the Tata Tiago is worth considering for its stronger build and more premium feel, but Maruti's service network and lower maintenance costs make it the safer long-term choice at this budget. The Alto K10 is the most practical and financially sensible first car.

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•2d

I currently use a Skoda Slavia Ambition 1.0 automatic since last 4 years. Now, I am thinking of switching the car but I am confused between Honda Elevate V CVT petrol and Kia Seltos HTK iVT petrol.

•1d

Given that you are coming from a Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI automatic, the Kia Seltos HTK IVT petrol is the more natural upgrade. The Seltos offers a noticeably larger and more premium cabin, better rear seat space and a more substantial feel overall. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving, and the car feels like a genuine step up from the Slavia in terms of comfort and overall ownership experience.The Honda Elevate V CVT petrol is a solid and reliable choice, but it does not feel like as much of an upgrade from the Slavia. The cabin is not as spacious or as premium as the Seltos, and the overall ownership experience is more about simplicity and reliability than about feeling like a significant step up.The only caveat with the Seltos HTK is that it is not the most feature-rich variant in the lineup. If you can stretch to a higher variant, the Seltos becomes an even stronger recommendation. If not, it is still the better choice over the Elevate because it offers a more substantial upgrade from your current car.

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