I am planning to buy a new car and would appreciate your expert recommendation based on the following requirements: Budget: ₹20-22 lakh (on-road) Usage: Daily commute of around 50 km, mostly in heavy city traffic (Mumbai) Priorities: Ease of driving in city conditions and overall comfort I am open to all fuel types: petrol, diesel, or electric, but I am unsure which would be the most sustainable and cost-effective option for my usage, especially considering heavy traffic conditions.

autocar.india

•1d

Pick the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG, in either Prestige or Monte Carlo. It’s the most fun-to-drive in your budget, with strong mid‑range power for four-up highway climbs, and a suspension that rides well on broken roads without feeling floaty. It stays stable at speed, and the steering feels natural on long drives. One honest caveat: the 7‑speed dual‑clutch can feel a bit jerky in stop‑go traffic, but your use is mostly highways, so it suits you fine.Close second is the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI DSG. Same punchy engine and gearbox, and equally enjoyable on twisty hill roads. Between the two, buy the one that gets you the better deal or closer service centres in your city.From Renault, the new Duster turbo‑petrol DCT is a solid choice too. It’s also great on rough roads and enjoyable in the twisties with enough performance for quick highways. Its DCT uses a wet clutch compared to the dry clutch from VW/Skoda, which means shifts are smoother in the city. Wet clutch transmissions are also generally more robust than dry clutch units.Alternatively, consider the Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo-petrol DCT. It has a roomier cabin, which will be important when you are travelling four up. It isn't quite as sharp as the above competitors, but it is enjoyable with plenty of performance.If you are going to be travelling to remote locations, service availability can be scarce. If that is a concern, then include the Maruti Victoris or the Grand Vitara 1.5 petrol. They can also be had with AWD, which can be very useful on rough roads and in icy conditions.

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

autocar.india

•19h

Without knowing your exact requirements, it'll be hard to suggest the best one for you. Go for the Maruti Victoris strong hybrid if your driving is mostly in city traffic. It will cost far less to run than the Kia Seltos turbo petrol, and it feels calmer and smoother in stop-and-go traffic. You also get that quiet, refined drive in pure EV mode at low speeds that takes the stress out of jams.The Seltos 1.5 turbo is the better driver’s car. It feels quicker, has a stronger mid-range shove for fast overtakes, and its cabin is more high-tech and polished. But in heavy traffic, its dual-clutch automatic can feel a bit jerky, and real-world mileage won't be nearly as much as the strong hybrid.If your daily run is short-to-medium and mostly urban, pick the Victoris hybrid and don’t look back. If you do long highway trips often and enjoy a spirited drive, only then is the Seltos turbo worth choosing.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•13h

The Tata Safari EV certainly looks promising if you're after a 7-seat electric SUV, but some questions can only be answered once we get behind the wheel. Based on what we know so far, there are a few reasonable expectations. As with most modern EVs, the battery pack is mounted under the floor. Manufacturers usually compensate by raising the seating position slightly, so outright comfort shouldn't be compromised significantly. That said, there can be some impact on under-thigh support and seating posture, particularly in the third row, depending on how successfully Tata has packaged the battery.As for the third row, don't expect miracles. Like most three-row SUVs in this size class, it is likely to be best suited to children, teenagers or shorter adults on longer journeys. Average-sized adults should be fine for shorter trips, but if you regularly carry seven adults, the third row is unlikely to be as accommodating as the one in the Kia Clavis EV. The AWD version should offer noticeably better traction on loose surfaces, gravel, mud and rough trails than the standard model. However, it is important to remember that the Safari EV is still a monocoque family SUV, not a dedicated off-roader. It should be capable of handling mild to moderate off-road conditions and adventure touring, but serious off-roading won't be its primary brief.

Tata Safari EV

Kia Carens Clavis EV