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Latest questions answered by experts

Karthik Mani

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy an electric scooter that will be used by all members of my family. I am currently considering the Ather Rizta (2.9 kWh), Bajaj Chetak 3501, and TVS iQube S. Could you please suggest which of these options would be the best overall choice in terms of comfort, practicality, performance, and reliability?

Autocar India

•2m

All three options you have shortlisted are actually very well-rounded EVs and are frontrunners in the electric scooter market in terms of sales, long-term reliability and brand recall. Therefore, picking between them will boil down to personal preferences toward design, comfort, real-world range and features. The TVS iQube S and Bajaj Chetak 3501 are undoubtedly more VFM here because they come with larger battery packs, thus, longer distances before you need to charge them. You can easily expect a real-world range of over 100km, even when ridden quite aggressively, which the Ather Rizta 2.9 will not be able to match because it has a smaller battery pack. When it comes to boot space, it might seem like all three are evenly matched, but the real-world picture is slightly nuanced. To recap, the iQube S has 32 litres of underseat storage, whereas the Ather Rizta has 34 and the Bajaj Chetak has 35. Now, on paper, it's a negligible difference, but the TVS' boot is much shallower than the Bajaj and Ather scooters. It means you'll have to be smart with how you pack your belongings in it. Plus, an imported ECE-certified helmet will not fit inside the TVS, in case that is a consideration for you. When it comes to after-sales experience, all three are largely good to live with, although it will vary depending on where you're located.Take an exhaustive test ride of all three before you make a decision. All three are straightforward, practical, reliable EVs, so no matter which one you choose, it's likely you'll be happy with it.

Som

I currently use a Jawa 42 for my daily office commute of around 15 km (one way), which involves city traffic and bad roads. However, the suspension and seat feel quite stiff, and the shocks from potholes are directly transmitted to my spine. I have lower back pain, which worsens with continued riding. I am considering switching to a scooter for a more comfortable commute. Could you please advise on the best options for my usage? I am 178 cm tall.

Autocar India

•37m

Since you've said that your commute has bad roads, replacing your Jawa 42 with a scooter wouldn't be our recommendation. While they are innately more practical than motorcycles, scooters have their smaller wheels and shorter, thinner suspension units. It won't really enhance your comfort, at least not to a great extent. Instead, we would advise you to get a practical 160cc commuter like the Honda Unicorn / SP160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V or Bajaj Pulsar N160. These are comfortable, fuel-efficient and peppy machines perfectly suited to city use. To make an informed decision before you go ahead with your purchase, ensure to take a test ride of all three to see which one you gel with the best.If, however, you want to go with a scooter as your next purchase, consider the following options. In the family scooter space, the TVS Jupiter 110 / 125 and Suzuki Access would be our top picks. If you want something sportier feeling and looking yet comfortable enough for daily usage, then the TVS Ntorq 125 & 150 are what you should be looking at. Again, a test ride of all of these is imperative before you make your decision. Make sure you intentionally go over bad patches of road and make tight, lock-to-lock U-turns to see if the handlebars foul with your knees, since you are a taller rider.

Jawa 42

Honda Bikes Unicorn

Honda Bikes SP160

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

Prabhat Singh Rajput

I have been using a TVS Ronin for the past four months, and I am experiencing a heating issue. Would it be advisable to upgrade the engine oil grade from 10W-30 to 10W-40 to address this problem?

Autocar India

•1h

From a strictly technical standpoint, the higher grade 10W40 oil should theoretically help in hotter climates like ours because it will retain its viscosity at higher temperatures better than 10W30. Thereby being better suited to cooling the TVS Ronin's air/oil-cooled motor. However, this will likely void your warranty if it isn't recommended by TVS. We would advise you to stick to whatever the owner's manual and service advisors recommend, especially if your bike is still inside the warranty period. If your manual or service advisor strictly specifies 10W30 only, or you ride mostly in cooler weather, consider switching to a fully synthetic 10W30 oil from a different brand instead to keep cold‑flow performance optimal. But before you do all this, we'd first recommend a trip to the service centre to ensure that idle RPM is set as per the manufacturer's recommendation. Also, make sure to clean the engine’s as well as the oil cooler's fins and airflow path. Then, use the bike for a few weeks as you normally would to see if that has solved your problem.

TVS Ronin

Nishaj

•1w

I am looking to buy a vehicle for daily use. It should comfortably accommodate up to four people and be suitable for elderly passengers, with easy entry and exit. Could you please suggest the best options?

Autocar India

•1h

Consider getting the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. The Brezza is easy to get in and out of, and it has a comfy ride quality, so your parents should be comfortable travelling in this SUV. It also comes with a refined 103hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine that offers decent fuel economy and can be had with either a manual or a torque converter automatic gearbox. There's even a CNG option, should your daily running be high. Furthermore, it is a Maruti product so maintaining it will be an easy and stress-free affair.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Rajendra Chitara

•1w

I am planning to buy a compact SUV with a petrol automatic transmission and am considering the Kia Sonet 1.0 Turbo DCT. However, I have come across several reviews mentioning that turbo DCT gearboxes may not be suitable for long-term ownership, may offer lower mileage, and have a relatively stiff suspension setup. Could you please guide me on whether the Kia Sonet petrol turbo DCT would be a good choice for ownership of 10 years or more? Also, does the DCT gearbox tend to overheat in heavy traffic conditions? Is the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine suitable for highway drives and hill usage?

Autocar India

•2h

The ride quality on the Kia Sonet is a weak spot. With its relatively short wheelbase and firm suspension tuning, the Sonet’s ride can feel lumpy over uneven surfaces and sharper potholes. In our real-world test, the Sonet DCT managed 11.6kpl in the city and 16.5kpl on the highway, which is respectable for the segment.The DCT gearboxes in Hyundais and Kias have generally proven to be quite reliable and are a good choice in this segment. However, it is worth noting that they use a dry clutch pack, which will wear over time and eventually require replacement. Heavy use in stop-and-go traffic, slowly creeping up slopes, and letting the car sit in D while stationary can accelerate wear, and replacing the clutch pack can be expensive. For added peace of mind, you could opt for an extended warranty, but ensure that it covers the DCT and its internal components, such as the clutch pack.If you still have reservations, then consider the Skoda Kylaq, the Mahindra XUV 3XO, and the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, all of which can be had with torque-converter automatics.

Raghavendra

I currently own a 2016 Hyundai Elantra SX MT, along with a 2018 Toyota Fortuner and a 2023 Tata Nexon EV. I am planning to upgrade my Elantra to a luxury sedan within a budget of ₹90 lakh. My usage is primarily in the city, but I also frequently travel to rural Maharashtra, where road conditions can be quite poor. Due to chronic back pain, I need a car with exceptional ride comfort and suspension. I have considered the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but since I enjoy driving myself, I have also looked at BMW options. However, I am concerned that BMW may not offer the same level of comfort. Could you please advise which luxury sedan would be the best choice for my needs?

Autocar India

•2h

Both the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series are large, long-wheelbase sedans that are best enjoyed from the back seat. That being said, both are quite enjoyable from the driver's seat too and come with powerful engines, well-tuned chassis and nicely calibrated steering setups. There are subtle differences - the BMW is more powerful and has a comfier ride, while the Mercedes has sharper steering and gives you the option of a diesel engine. However, both cars are pushing Rs 90 lakh with their on-road prices, but another thing to keep in mind is their large size and long wheelbase, which need to be handled with care over speed bumps or over bad roads, such as the ones you will encounter. The E-Class is the better car of these two overall, but you should also check out the Audi A6, which not only has a more manageable wheelbase with better ground clearance, but it's also more affordable. Plus, it's incredibly comfortable as well as enjoyable to drive.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

BMW 5 Series LWB

Audi A6