Latest questions answered by experts

Tauseef siddique

I am planning to buy the Kia Seltos diesel HTK model, but I am worried about DPF issues. I have also heard about some mechanical issues in the car. Please suggest if I should go ahead or consider the XUV 7XO instead. My usage is 70% highway.

Autocar India

•54m

Your usage is the key here. With 70% highway driving, you are actually in the ideal scenario for a modern diesel. DPF issues are not brand-specific; they are usage-specific. The filter needs regular high-speed runs to regenerate, and that typically happens when you drive for 20-30 minutes at steady speeds above 60kph. Since most of your driving is on highways, the car will naturally regenerate the DPF, and you are very unlikely to face issues.The fear around Kia Seltos diesel DPF problems is often overstated. Yes, some owners have reported issues, but these are largely seen in cars used mainly for short, stop-and-go city drives without proper regeneration cycles. In regular highway use, these engines generally run without problems.Coming to the car itself, the Seltos diesel is a refined, efficient and well-sorted package. It is smooth, easy to drive and very comfortable on highways, which suits your usage perfectly. It also offers better refinement and overall polish compared to the Mahindra XUV 7XO.The XUV 7XO, on the other hand, offers a stronger engine and more space, but it is less efficient. Being a larger car, it is also harder to drive and park in everyday conditions, and it comes at a higher price compared to the Seltos.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Srinivas

•1d

Hi, I am planning to buy a new, feature-rich SUV with a 360° camera, ADAS, a smooth automatic transmission, and good safety features. However, I do not want a panoramic sunroof. We are a family of three and only occasionally need seating for five. My budget is ₹14-16 lakh. About 85% of my driving is in Bangalore city, with a monthly usage of 800-1,000 km, plus the occasional long trip of around 900 km one way. Please suggest the best option for long-term ownership.

Autocar India

•1h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 L automatic, with the Kia Sonet GTX Plus as the more polished alternative. The Mahindra XUV 3XO suits your needs best as it combines ADAS, a smooth automatic and strong safety credentials while offering a comfortable ride and easy drivability for Bangalore traffic, which will matter more than outright performance in your usage. It also feels more robust for long-term ownership and has a wide, genuinely usable cabin that can accommodate five adults when needed, along with enough practicality for occasional highway runs.The Kia Sonet, in comparison, feels more premium inside with better feature execution, but its rear seat is not as accommodating over longer journeys, and a new generation is due soon. The only drawback with the XUV 3XO is that its boot is smaller than rivals', but overall it delivers the best balance of safety, comfort and everyday usability, making it the clear choice.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Sonet

Surendra Babu

•1d

Will using E20 blended petrol cause any damage to the engine of a pre-2023 model SUV?

Autocar India

•14h

Cars made before April 2023 were generally designed for lower ethanol blends, so while they will run on E20 without any immediate issues, they are not optimised for it. In real-world testing, older petrol cars have shown a noticeable drop in fuel efficiency of around 8-12 per cent, simply because ethanol has lower energy content.From a durability perspective, there is no evidence of sudden engine damage or failures. Industry testing and government-backed studies have shown that even older vehicles can run on E20 without abnormal wear or performance issues in the short to medium term.However, over the long term, there can be minor effects. Ethanol can be slightly more corrosive, so components like rubber seals, hoses or fuel system parts may wear a bit faster in some older cars. These are typically small, inexpensive replacements and not major engine issues.

Aniruddha

•1d

Hi Autocar India Team, I am planning to buy an EV in the ₹25 lakh range. It will mostly be used for a daily commute of around 40 km. My key considerations are: The car should comfortably seat five people. It should handle potholes and bad roads well. It should be reliable. Given that there are quite a few options that meet these criteria, I would appreciate your inputs to help narrow down the best choices.

Autocar India

•15h

For a daily 40 km commute with regular city use, the Kia Carens Clavis EV fits perfectly. It is a well-sorted, no-nonsense EV with a focus on comfort, space and ease of use. It seats five people comfortably, offers a compliant ride over bad roads and potholes, and feels simple and predictable to drive, which is exactly what you want from a daily-use electric car. It also has a more mature and practical approach compared to some newer EVs, which adds to long-term reliability and peace of mind.If you want something more futuristic and feature-rich, the Mahindra XEV 9e is worth considering. It delivers stronger performance, more technology and a more premium feel, along with a higher range. However, it is a larger and more expensive car, and not as easy to use in tight city conditions as the Clavis. The ride is also a bit bouncy, especially at the rear, and overall, it does not feel as polished as the Clavis EV.

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Mahindra XEV 9e

Viraj Sanghavi

•1d

I need a 6- or 7-seater because I have two child seats and two nannies. I have booked the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O) top variant for around ₹40 lakh on-road, but it doesn’t feel premium enough for the price. I am also considering alternatives like the Kia Carens Clavis EV and the BYD eMAX 7 (2025 model), which is available at a discounted on-road price of around ₹26 lakh. However, I am unsure about long-term resale value. Between the Kia and BYD, which would you recommend? Or should I stick with the Hycross considering better resale and ownership peace of mind?

Autocar India

•15h

Toyota Innova HyCross may not feel special for the price, but it delivers exactly what your usage needs with genuinely usable third row space, flexibility for two child seats plus nannies. Also, it offers excellent ride comfort for family duties and, importantly, strong resale and hassle-free ownership that Toyota MPVs are known for in India. The BYD EMax 7 is the more practical of your EV alternatives, with good space and a more relaxed drive. While the Kia Carens Clavis EV would lean more towards features and a slightly more premium cabin feel. Both come with one clear trade-off today, which is that resale values are still a question mark compared to an Innova.The only drawback with the Hycross is that it does not quite justify its price in terms of outright premiumness. But overall, it remains the most complete, dependable and financially sensible choice for your needs, making it the one to stick with.

Toyota Innova HyCross

BYD eMax 7

Kia Carens Clavis EV

NEEL S

•1d

I am planning to buy my first car. My net annual income is around ₹11 lakh. Could you please suggest which brand and model I should consider? My main criteria are fuel efficiency (petrol), ride comfort, good looks, suitability for a taller driver like me, reliability and safety for the next 8-10 years, and low hassle in terms of service and maintenance.

Autocar India

•16h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol. It is the most balanced and sensible first car for your income and requirements. With a net income of Rs 11 lakh, you should ideally look at cars in the Rs 10-12 lakh range, which gives you a comfortable EMI and low ownership stress. In this space, the Brezza stands out because it delivers exactly what you want. It has a reliable, naturally aspirated petrol engine, good real-world fuel efficiency and one of the lowest maintenance costs in the segment thanks to Maruti’s service network. It is also known for strong resale value, which matters over 8-10 years.For your height, the Brezza works very well. It offers a tall seating position, good headroom and easy ingress and egress, which makes daily use comfortable. Ride quality is well-tuned for Indian roads, so it remains comfortable in the city and stable on highways. Smaller options like Maruti Baleno or Hyundai i20 will give better mileage, but they will not offer the same seating comfort or ground clearance you are looking for.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai i20