Mumbai

•1d

Hi, I am a regular reader of Autocar articles, and this time I thought of asking for some clarification. I have been using a 2022 Nissan Magnite CVT for the last 4 years, mostly for highway driving. I have noticed a significant drop in mileage after the introduction of E20 fuel, and I am doubtful about my vehicle's E20 compatibility. I checked with the dealer, but they simply said it is compatible with E20. However, the mileage drop I am experiencing, especially on highways, is quite significant. I am now planning to buy a new automatic SUV with good mileage. My budget is Rs. 17 lakh (on-road). Please advise.

•9m

Thank you for reading Autocar India and for your question. Your Magnite CVT is E20 compatible, so there is no need to worry about the engine. The drop in mileage you are seeing is normal. E20 petrol has a lower energy content than E10, so fuel efficiency drops by around 5-10%. This is expected and not a sign of a problem with the car.

For your new car, your usage is mostly highway and you want good mileage with an automatic within Rs. 17 lakh on-road budget. The best fit is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris mild hybrid automatic. It is a petrol mild hybrid, so it delivers better highway efficiency than a standard petrol, and the automatic is a smooth torque converter unit that is reliable and well suited to long-term ownership. The Victoris is also a comfortable and spacious SUV with a proven ownership record.

If you want a more premium feel and a slightly more engaging driving experience, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is a good alternative. It has a new 8-speed gearbox and the car feels more solid and planted on the highway. However, the Victoris will be the more efficient and easier car to own long term.

If you are open to diesel, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel automatic is worth considering. It will deliver the best highway efficiency and strong performance, but diesel makes sense only if your annual running is high enough to justify the higher fuel and maintenance costs.

Overall, the Victoris mild hybrid automatic is the best fit for your requirements. It delivers good mileage, a smooth automatic and a hassle-free ownership experience.

Explore cars mentioned

Nissan

Magnite

from ₹6.53 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Victoris

from ₹12.39 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹9.00 Lakh

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.62 Lakh

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

I want to buy my first car. I currently own a Hero Passion XPro bike. Around 70% of my driving will be on highways, and my budget is Rs. 10 lakh. I have shortlisted the Maruti Dzire VXi, Mahindra XUV 3XO REVX (M), Tata Nexon Smart Plus, and Tata Punch Turbo. Which one would be the most suitable for me?

•21h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO. With 70 percent highway usage, you need a car that feels stable at speed, has strong overtaking performance and offers good safety. The 3XO delivers on all three fronts. The turbo petrol engine has enough punch for quick overtakes, the car feels planted on the highway and Mahindra car has a strong safety record. The Maruti Suzuki Dzire VXi is a good car, but it is more suited to city driving and engine performance feels a bit lacking for the highway. The Tata Nexon Smart Plus is a solid option, but the 3XO offers better value and a more engaging driving experience.

I am using Tata Zest XM Diesel 90 PS since November 2024 and the odometer has crossed 1 lakh km. My annual running is around 8000 km but my monthly running sometimes might just be 150km. On day to day basis, I am using the car for commuting to office which is nearby. In a year, I have taken 4-5 long drives with more than 1000 km running that amounts to around 8000km annual running. Now, I have started looking for a new vehicle under 25 lakhs. And I want technologically advanced car with all bells and whistles along with reliability and affordable maintenance. Will BS6 diesel suit my commute pattern? Since I want upgrade from sub-4m range, which vehicle should i choose?

•1d

With your annual running of around 8,000km and a commute that is mostly short city trips, a BS6 diesel is not the right choice. Modern BS6 diesels use a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that needs regular long runs at steady speeds to regenerate properly. Your pattern of short, low-speed trips with only occasional long drives increases the risk of DPF issues over time. Petrol cars, hybrid or EV would be a better fit.Given your budget of Rs. 25 lakh and your desire for a technologically advanced car with all the bells and whistles, the Kia Seltos is the most sensible upgrade from your Tata Zest. It is a genuinely premium midsize SUV with a strong feature list, a comfortable cabin and a good balance between city usability and highway capability. It also has a proven ownership track record and affordable maintenance.If you want something a bit more driver-focused, the Skoda Kushaq is worth considering. It is a more engaging car to drive, but it does not feel as premium or as feature-rich as the Seltos.Overall, the Seltos is the best fit for your requirements. It is a significant upgrade from your Zest, it is technologically advanced, it is reliable and it will be easy to live with over the long term.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

•1d

I am planning to buy my first car, with a budget of around Rs. 10 lakh. Around 70% of my driving will be on highways. I have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Dzire VXi, Mahindra XUV 3XO REVX (Manual), Tata Nexon Smart Plus, and the upcoming Renault Triber Turbo. Which of these would be the best choice in terms of safety, highway performance, comfort, reliability, and overall value for money?

•1d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO RevX (M). With 70 percent highway usage, you need a car that feels stable at speed, has strong overtaking performance and offers good safety. This Mahindra car delivers on all three. The turbo petrol engine has enough punch for highway overtakes, the car feels planted at speed, and Mahindra has a strong safety record. It is also one of the most spacious cars in this price range, with a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater. The Maruti Suzuki Dzire VXi is a solid, reliable choice, but it is a sedan with a smaller footprint and does not feel as stable or as confidence-inspiring on the highway. The Tata Nexon Smart Plus is a good alternative, but the 3XO offers better value and more space for the money. The upcoming Triber Turbo is worth considering if you need a flexible seven-seater, but it will not match the 3XO for performance or highway stability. Overall, the 3XO is the best fit for your usage and budget.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

I am confused between the Toyota Innova Crysta and the Mahindra XUV 7XO. I am looking for a comfortable 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium interior, including a high-quality music system. My usage will be mostly on highways, with occasional city driving. Which one would you recommend?

•3d

Go for the Toyota Innova Crysta. Your usage is highway-heavy with occasional city runs, and you want a proper 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium feel. The Crysta is still the benchmark for this kind of requirement. It is genuinely spacious in all three rows, has a large and usable boot even with all seats up, and is built for long-distance comfort and reliability. The diesel engine is strong, refined and well-suited to highway cruising, and Toyota’s ownership experience and long-term reliability are hard to beat. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more modern product with a more premium-looking interior and a better sound system, but it does not match the Crysta for outright space, practicality or long-term peace of mind. If your priority is a proper 7-seater that will serve you well for years, the Crysta is the safer and more sensible choice. If you want a more premium cabin and a richer feature set, the XUV 7XO is the alternative, but it is not as practical as the Crysta.

Toyota Innova Crysta

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•1w

I'm happy to choose either the Kia Seltos diesel or the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel, as you suggested. However, I'm concerned about DPF issues. My usage is around 40km daily in Bangalore city, along with 3-5 highway trips every month.

•6d

With a 40km daily commute in Bangalore and 3-5 highway runs a month, you are actually in a good position for a modern diesel. The DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) issue is a concern mainly for cars that do only very short, stop-start city runs with no opportunity for the filter to regenerate. Your 3 to 5 highway runs every month should suffice in keeping the DPF clean; you would have long enough stretches for the car to reach operating temperature and allow passive regeneration to occur. Between the Kia Seltos and the XUV 7XO diesel, the decision comes down to priorities. The Seltos diesel is the more refined and polished package, with a smoother engine and a more premium cabin experience. The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the more powerful and more spacious car, with a stronger engine and a more commanding road presence. If you value refinement and a more premium feel, go for the Kia car. If you want more power, more space and a more rugged feel, go for the Mahindra car.The key point is that with your usage pattern, the DPF should not be a deal-breaker. Both cars are strong diesel options, and your driving routine is well-suited to modern diesel ownership.

Kia Seltos

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•1w

Our budget is Rs.18 lakh, and we plan to sell our Maruti Swift VXi 2016 model and upgrade to the Hyundai Creta. Is it a good choice, or should we consider a hybrid car, considering the future of petrol cars? What would you suggest?

•6d

With an Rs 18 lakh budget, the Hyundai Creta is a very good upgrade from your Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi. It is a well-rounded SUV with a comfortable ride, good space, and a strong ownership track record. The petrol engine is refined and reliable, and for most buyers with moderate running, it remains the most sensible choice.Hybrid cars are worth considering only if your running is high enough to justify the premium. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most affordable strong hybrid option, but it is still a significant step up in price from a Creta petrol. The fuel savings are real, but it takes time to recover the extra cost if your running is low, and at your budget, it may not make financial sense.If you want an alternative, consider the Kia Seltos. It uses the same 1.5-litre NA petrol as the Creta but sits on a newer platform, which means it's larger inside out.Overall, the Creta petrol is a safe and sensible upgrade. Only consider a hybrid if your running is high enough to justify the premium.

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Maruti Suzuki Swift

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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