My daily usage will be around 70-80 km, and I am looking for a CNG car without compromising too much on boot space. I have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Invicto CNG / (assuming you meant a Maruti CNG MPV like Ertiga/XL6), but I am confused about which variant to choose. The LXi and VXi variants seem sufficient, but I do not want to miss out on features like DRLs and LED headlamps, which are available in the ZXi variant. Is the ZXi variant a good option at around ₹15.2 lakh, considering it still misses features like a 10-inch infotainment system, sunroof, ventilated seats, leather seats, and a 360-degree camera? I am a first-time buyer and have not yet started learning to drive. Also, could you advise on the government’s future policy regarding E85/E100 fuel and how it may impact my decision?

Autocar India

•1d

From your requirements, we feel the Hyundai Venue HX5 diesel will suit you better than the Maruti Suzuki Victoris CNG. It fits because diesel pulls stronger at low speeds and on open roads, so overtakes are easier even with family and luggage, and you will not have to plan trips around CNG pumps, which can be fewer and have queues in smaller towns. The new Venue is also compact and easy to park on narrow streets. This Hyundai car feels steady on rough patches common around small towns in Rajasthan, and Hyundai’s service network is wide.It also looks modern inside and out, which is what you are after. Even in the HX5 trim, the quality levels are high and there are modern design flourishes inside and out that keep the Venue from looking too basic or cheap. For instance, you still get a dual screen layout which looks crisp and high tech, as well as projector headlamps and LED DRLs on the outside. The Victoris, in comparison, looks a lot more conservative in its design, even though it is a larger vehicle. What's more, even though the Victoris has a larger boot than the Venue, its rear seat space is quite similar.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•2d

Your current Maruti Suzuki Dzire has already adapted to E20 with only a slight impact on mileage, which shows how gradual these transitions are. The same approach will apply going forward. E27 may come as an incremental step, but cars that are E20 compliant today, like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, are already engineered to handle such small increases without major issues. Higher blends like E85 or E100 are a completely different case, as they need dedicated flex-fuel engines and separate fuel infrastructure, which will take time to develop and scale.Even when these higher ethanol fuels are introduced, they will not replace existing petrol overnight. They will be offered alongside current fuel types, and conventional petrol cars will continue to run on standard blends. So there is no real risk of your new car becoming unusable or outdated in the near future.Instead, focus on your upgrade. Moving from a Dzire to something like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris or the Grand Vitara will give you a clear improvement in comfort and efficiency, and both cars are already aligned with current fuel norms.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Autocar India

•1d

Vehicles designed to run on E20 fuel simply cannot run on E85. Fuel grades of E85 and above, require hardware changes and thus, whenever the government decides to introduce these fuels, it will have to ensure supply of lower ethanol blends too. From that point of view, it is safe to purchase a car today as the fuel to run it, will have to be supplied even after the introduction of E85 fuel. The Toyota Hyryder and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara are essentially the same vehicle, thus pick the one that offers you a better deal.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara