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•13w

Hi Autocar team, My name is Surya, and I am from Hyderabad. I am looking to buy a luxury EV (around 55-65 lakhs budget), and my choices are BMW iX1, Tesla YL and Mercedes CLA. Which car has a better driving experience on Indian roads? I am a little concerned about ground clearance issues with Tesla YL and CLA, while range issues with BMW ix1. I am unable to decide which car to finalise. Also, what's the battery degradation of these cars year over year? FYI, we are a family of 4 people (2 adults and children, 13 and 16 years old) and mostly used for city drives and to travel to our hometown, 350 kms away from Hyderabad. Thanks in advance!

•12w

Of your shortlisted options, the Tesla Model Y L seems like the best bet. The Mercedes CLA will require some care over speed bumps, especially on your long drives to your hometown, but the Model Y L is not as bad. The wheelbase of this Tesla car is long, but it has sufficient ground clearance and can clear most bumps. It also has the most practical cabin of the three, with a third row in case you have more passengers that can be folded away to reveal immense luggage space. It's also packed with tech that will keep the kids occupied, and once you get used to the lack of buttons, it makes for a great overall driving experience. The iX1's range is very good and should serve your needs just fine, but yes, it's not as good as the other two. Another car you should consider is the BYD Sealion 7, which is a great mix of style, functionality, range and luxury. However, overall, we feel the Tesla Model Y L suits you best.

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•12w•

@autocar.india Definitely I would consider Tesla Y L. Also does BYD has badge value to put 55 lakhs+ on the car? There are also rumors that BYD may close operations in India. Could it happen?

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•2d

Hello guys, I’m a 30 year old working professional and am looking to buy an EV mainly for city commute and occasional highway driving (20%). I appreciate build and ride quality, refinement and reliability. The EVs that I’m mainly looking at are the Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, BYD Sealion 7 and BMW iX1. Which do you think will be the right fit for my use case? I’m actually leaning towards the Korean cars and am not willing to spend for the iX1 just for its badge value. Thank you for the answer in advance. You guys are a great source of reliable and measured Automative content in this country. Really appreciate it!

•1d

The Kia EV6 is the most driver-focused option from the list with a sportier character and sharper handling, but it comes at a premium which might not make it justify the stretch. However, Kia dealers are offering significant discounts which could bring its price at par with the others, and only then is it a compelling buy.After its recent update, the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 no longer feels value for money, but it remains a comfortable, feature-loaded and practical option, now with more range and better DC fast charging capability. Hyundai’s service network and ownership experience are also strong, which matters for long-term peace of mind.The BYD Sealion 7 feels like a flagship offering, with a luxurious interior and a laundry list of features. Surprisingly, the two-wheel drive version is the most value-for-money option here, which makes it very compelling. However, it doesn't drive as well as the BMW, nor is its after-sales support as widespread as the others. The BMW iX1 is a fundamentally sorted car, and is relatively more compact for city usage. Its ride-handling balance are excellent and it also comes with the snob value of the BMW badge. As a 30-year old, the iX1 will speak of your success and achievements like no other. But it lacks several features, hence it might not seem value for money.In summary, get the Kia EV6 for the best drive experience provided you get a substantial discount that brings its price close to others. But if you're looking for the best bang for your buck, opt for the rear-wheel drive BYD Sealion 7.

I am planning to buy a car in the Rs 12-14 lakh price range. My usage will be around 70% in the city and 30% on the highway, with family comfort also being an important consideration. I am currently considering the Skoda Kylaq, Kia Sonet (petrol 7DCT HTK(O)) and Kia Seltos (base or second-base variant). Please suggest which of these would be the best pick for my usage, or recommend any other car that may suit my requirements better. Also, is it worth waiting for the new-generation Sonet?

•9h

For your 70 percent city and 30 percent highway usage, the Skoda Kylaq is the best fit of the cars you have shortlisted. Its 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 6-speed torque-converter automatic is smoother in city traffic than the Sonet's DCT, while also giving you stronger performance for highway trips. It also has a good balance of ride comfort, cabin space and driving dynamics.The Kia Seltos is the better choice if family space and a more premium cabin are your priorities, but at your budget you will be looking at the lower variants. The Sonet HTK(O) 1.0 DCT is feature-rich, but the DCT is not our first choice for predominantly city use. The Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO are also worth considering, but the Kylaq offers a particularly good combination of refinement, performance and highway ability.As for the Kia New Sonet, it is expected in 2027 and will move to the K1 platform, with improved rear-seat space and potentially more features. However, Kia has not given a precise launch date, so waiting only makes sense if you are not in a hurry.

Hello Autocar, I have shortlisted three cars: the Honda City 1.5 naturally aspirated, Honda Elevate and Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI. I am looking for a peaceful ownership experience and plan to keep the car for a long time, possibly around 10 years. I really like the Honda Elevate, especially the ADV Edition, but I keep hearing about its NVH levels. Is it still a good choice for long-term ownership? I also like the Skoda Slavia 1.5, but I am a little concerned about its long-term ownership and reliability. I have not yet driven the facelifted Honda City, although I particularly like its looks, especially in silver. Most of my driving will be in the city, in Bangalore, with a highway trip roughly once every two months. I do not drive every day and generally use the car for commuting to the office two or three days a week. Considering my usage and my priority of hassle-free long-term ownership, which of these three would be the right choice for me?

•11h

For your usage and a planned 10-year ownership, the Honda City is the most sensible choice. You don't drive every day, most of your usage is in Bangalore, and your priority is peaceful ownership, so the City's smooth naturally aspirated engine, comfortable cabin, proven reliability and relatively simple powertrain make it the safest fit. The 2026 facelift also gets useful improvements while retaining the same mechanical package.The Honda Elevate would be the choice if you specifically want an SUV. It has good ride comfort, excellent ground clearance and a spacious cabin, and the NVH isn't bad enough to rule it out. However, the engine can sound coarse when revved hard, so do take a proper test drive in Bangalore traffic before deciding.The Skoda Slavia 1.5 is the most enjoyable of the three and considerably quicker, but for a 10-year ownership, its turbo-petrol and DSG combination is more complex than the City's naturally aspirated engine and CVT. That doesn't make it unreliable, but it isn't the obvious choice when peace of mind is your primary requirement.

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Honda Elevate

Skoda Slavia

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•1w

I am confused between the Elevate and the Creta. I understand that the Creta is the more established one, but with Honda, the value it brings is amazing, while the price of the Creta is a bit higher than the value it offers. I am mostly a city driver, with around 95% of my driving in the city and occasional highway trips, covering around 10,000km per year. Can you help me get some perspective?

•5d

The Hyundai Creta is the more premium product with a richer feature list. Since your usage is mainly in the city, you are likely to appreciate the Creta's smoothness and refinement, as well as the additional features it offers. Sure, this Hyundai car might cost a bit more, but it is a proven product that commands strong brand equity, which is likely to translate to higher resale value. The Honda Elevate gives you most of what you need at a significantly lower cost, and Honda’s service network is strong enough to make ownership hassle-free. Go for the Elevate if you value its stronger engine performance, else for a refined drive experience, pick the Creta.

Hyundai Creta

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•6d

Help me choose the right car for my usage. Please be practical and challenge my assumptions. My situation: I am 31 and work as a software developer. I currently work from home in Balsane, Dhule, but I am moving to Mumbai around March. My wife and I are expecting a baby in February. My parents live in a village where local transport is poor. My Mumbai office is near Powai, but parking is difficult. I prefer a manual car. Usage: My current running is around 10,000 km per year, but it may increase. I travel between Mumbai and Balsane, which is around 400 km one way, around 5-7 times a year, along with Dhule/Sakri and local trips. I also drive around Mumbai on weekends. The AC is usually on, and on long trips, the car will have my wife, baby, and luggage. Budget: Rs. 6-9 lakh on-road. I am willing to spend more only if it is genuinely worth it. Shortlist: - Tiago XE Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart Petrol - Punch Pure+/Smart CNG - Brezza LXi turbo-petrol Please tell me: 1. Which one should I buy and why? 2. Petrol vs CNG for my usage? The CNG premium is around Rs. 1 lakh, and the nearby village pump may open around Diwali, but this is not guaranteed. 3. What real-world mileage can I expect with the AC on? 4. Please consider loan interest, fuel costs, maintenance, depreciation, and resale value. 5. Is the Brezza worth the extra money? 6. Give me one final choice and tell me what I should avoid.

•6d

The Brezza LXI Turbo is far superior to the Punch and Tiago as far as smoothness, performance, and cabin space are concerned. It is also backed by Maruti's widespread support network, and the ownership experience is likely to be fuss-free. The on-road cost of the Brezza LXI will fall within your Rs 9 lakh budget, and even though you might miss a few features, it still feels worth opting for. Alternatively, you could also consider the Maruti Dzire VXI MT for its large boot, comfy ride and strong fuel efficiency.

I currently drive a Hyundai i10 CNG, with daily running of around 6 km in Gurgaon city traffic and a monthly highway drive of around 200 km. I am now planning to upgrade my car, with an on-road budget of Rs. 12 lakh for a petrol sub-4-metre SUV, up to Rs. 14 lakh for a petrol midsize SUV, and Rs. 15 lakh for an EV. I live in a rented apartment on the second floor, so I am apprehensive about getting an EV. I prefer an EV, but installing a charger could be complicated due to the sanctioned load. My running could increase to nearly 800 km per month in the future. My key priorities are: - Good suspension and ride comfort, as I have a back problem - Decent fuel efficiency in heavy city traffic - Low to medium maintenance costs - Auto hold and ventilated seats would be good to have I sometimes consider buying a manual, but I mostly prefer an automatic. I am currently considering the Maruti Brezza, Baleno AMT, Fronx AMT/AT, Sonet iMT, Exter AMT, and even the upcoming Inster, VF3, and Bayon. I am open to other suggestions as well. Note: I had a bad driving experience with the Punch AMT, as it caused back fatigue.

•2d

Given your priorities of ride comfort, fuel efficiency and low maintenance, the Maruti Brezza automatic is the most sensible upgrade. It offers a comfortable ride, a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine and Maruti's strong service network, which keeps long-term ownership costs in check. The torque converter automatic is smooth in city traffic, and the Brezza's higher seating position will help with your back issues. The Sonet iMT is not the right choice here. While it is a good car, the iMT is not a true automatic and will not offer the same ease of use in Gurgaon traffic. The Baleno AMT and Exter AMT are also not ideal given your back issues and the fact that AMT gearboxes are not as smooth as torque converter automatics in stop-start conditions.On the EV front, your apprehension about charging is valid. Without a straightforward home charging solution, an EV will add unnecessary complexity to your ownership experience. The upcoming Bayon is interesting and if you can wait a few weeks you would have a better picture before making a decision. For now, the Brezza automatic strikes the best balance between comfort, efficiency and hassle-free ownership.

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