Hi Autocar Team, I currently own a Maruti Alto K10 and am planning to upgrade to a new car with a budget of around ₹20 lakh. I live in a rural area with village roads and farm fields, but I am not interested in hardcore off-roading or a full-time 4x4 system. My driving pattern is approximately 30% on rural/mud roads and 70% on highways. I am currently confused between the Maruti Suzuki Victoris AWD, Renault Duster turbo petrol, and Tata Sierra diesel.

Autocar India

•8m

While a full-on 4x4 system is useful for off-roading, a part-time AWD system, as offered by the Maruti Victoris, is handy in low-traction environments like the loose mud you encounter during your 30 percent rural usage.

Yes, both the new Renault Duster and Tata Sierra have advanced electronics to deal with low-grip environments. But they can't quite compare to an AWD system that drives all four wheels, in case you get stuck in a tight spot. The Victoris AWD, then, proves to be the best compromise between utility and everyday usage.

While its engine is not super powerful, it is efficient and reliable, and the Victoris offers good high-speed comfort and stability. It should aid you on the highway, which is where you do most of your driving.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

Victoris

from ₹12.44 Lakh

Renault

Duster

from ₹12.43 Lakh

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.60 Lakh

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I want to buy an SUV that will mostly be used for city commuting and occasional long drives once a month. Can you suggest which is the best among the new Seltos, Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Victoris, and Creta?

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Hey Autocar team, I probably posted this question before, but could not find it, so I am asking again. I am a 26-year-old, 5'8" guy with a budget between ₹13-16 lakh looking for a new car. I have been driving for the last 8 years, multiple cars, including the Tata Vista 1.2L diesel, the i10 Nios 4-cylinder petrol AMT, and the Syros (recently) in the family, and I am now looking for my first car to own. I am inclined towards cars with good handling, a peppy engine, predictable steering, supportive seats, decent fuel efficiency, and a strong AC. Fancy features like a sunroof, cooled storage, and a 360-degree camera are not my requirements. I had shortlisted the Kylaq Signature manual and the XUV 3XO GDI MT, but with the new Duster and the updated Kushaq in the mix, I am confused again. I haven’t tested these new cars yet, but I wanted to know if the Duster is as good in handling and dynamics as the Kylaq and 3XO, and whether the Kushaq’s issues with the back seat and AC have been resolved, along with the new 8-speed Aisin AT. My monthly running is around 1,000 km, with 60% in the city. Any other suggestions are also appreciated. Could you please help?

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We'd trim the shortlist to the Skoda Kushaq and Renault Duster. The Skoda Kushaq remains fun to drive as before, but 2026's updates have enhanced the package. The 8-speed Aisin automatic transmission delivers power in a smoother manner without losing the sporty nature of the old 6-speed unit. Skoda has also upgraded the AC, and the cooling performance is significantly better than before. It's no longer a deal breaker. A rear seat massage function has been introduced on higher-spec versions, but aside from this, there haven't been any changes to seating at the back. Legroom and headroom are decent, but the cabin isn't the widest, so the rear seat continues to be best for two passengers. The new Renault Duster drives fantastically. Handling is neat, there's a great feel at the steering and body control is really good. We have yet to experience the 1.0-litre engine, but the 160hp, 1.3-litre unit is very enjoyable. It's punchy and great fun when paired with the manual gearbox. On our first drive experience, we were satisfied with the cooling performance, too. Rear seat comfort is decent but not class best.

Renault Duster

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Hi Autocar team, I am going to purchase my first new car. My daily driving is around 160 to 170km, mainly in the city. I need comfortable seating for my family of four, including one 5-year-old child. I am also looking for a highly safe car that can comfortably handle bad roads and is suitable for the rainy season. Which car should I consider? Please recommend 4 to 5 cars and the best among them. I am not looking for an electric car due to the unavailability of charging space in my society.

Autocar India

•1d

160-170km daily is a rather high usage, and as an EV is off the cards, your next best bet is a strong hybrid if you want to keep running costs in check. You should check out the Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid. In real-world usage, it gives upwards of 20kpl easily and in city usage, that could go up to 25kpl. This is because it will largely run on the electric motor at lower speeds, and the best part is you don't have to plug it in to recharge it. It has achieved a 5-star crash test rating from both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP, since safety is also a concern of yours.Alternatives come from the same family of SUVs - the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and later this year, Renault will also be launching a strong hybrid variant of the new Duster.

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