Sir, I currently own two cars, a 2022 XUV700 diesel manual and a 2024 BMW X1 diesel. We are a family of five, and I plan to keep only one car since maintaining two is becoming difficult. Which one should I keep, or should I sell both and opt for a new one? I’m confused. Please advise.

Autocar India

•8h

For a budget of Rs 14 lakh, it is admittedly difficult to find a mid-size SUV automatic that offers genuinely strong performance. The 1.5 petrol in the Kia Seltos HTE is smooth and refined, but it isn’t particularly punchy, which explains why it felt underpowered on your test drive.If you are primarily driving yourself and rear seat space isn’t a top priority, it would make sense to look at the compact SUV segment instead. This is where you’ll find turbo-petrol engines that feel noticeably more energetic.Since you liked the Seltos’ fit, finish and feature list, the Kia Sonet HTX is worth considering. It comes with the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol (118hp), which feels much more responsive in everyday driving. The Hyundai Venue (particularly the higher variants with the same 1.0 turbo engine) offers similar performance with a slightly different interior feel and feature mix.Another very strong option is the Mahindra XUV 3XO. Its 1.2 TGDi engine (up to 131hp) is the most powerful in this class, and it combines strong performance with a spacious cabin and generous features for the money.In short, if power is high on your priority list, moving to a turbo-petrol compact SUV will give you a much more satisfying driving experience within your budget.

Kia New Seltos

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Reply

Autocar India

•10h

We understand your concern, a new model, a new platform and a new plant can make anyone cautious. But in the case of the Tata Sierra, the Sanand plant is actually a positive, not a red flag.The Sanand facility (the former Ford plant) was one of Ford’s most advanced manufacturing setups in the region when it was established. The production systems, processes and workforce training standards were all very robust. Since Tata Motors took it over, there has already been a noticeable improvement in build consistency on models produced there. In fact, many buyers and dealers have observed better fit-finish levels on Nexons coming out of Sanand compared to older production lines elsewhere.So in this case, we don’t feel the “new plant” factor should worry you. Modern validation cycles are also far more rigorous than they were a decade ago. Yes, like any all-new car, there could be the odd early niggle, and social media tends to amplify isolated cases. But that doesn’t automatically mean widespread issues.If you are the cautious type, waiting 3-4 months after launch allows early user feedback to surface. But technically speaking, there’s no strong reason to hold off purely because it’s new.If the Sierra fits your needs and budget, go ahead. Just ensure you do a thorough pre-delivery inspection and buy from a reputed dealership.

Tata Sierra

1Reply

Autocar India

•1d

Your 2024 Hyundai Alcazar with just 17,000km is still very new and has plenty of life left. Also, the Alcazar isn’t the fastest-moving SUV in the used market, so resale values aren’t particularly strong. If the car is running well, it may make sense to hold on to it for another couple of years. The EV space is evolving rapidly, and you’ll likely see many more options with better range and tech as manufacturers push new models to meet upcoming CAFÉ norms.However, if you’re keen to switch right away, your budget becomes the key factor. Assuming you’d like something with similar flexibility, including a third row, options are limited today. In the Rs 25 lakh bracket, the Mahindra XEV 9S is among the more practical and well-rounded EVs to consider, offering strong range, space and performance.If you plan to sell your Alcazar, we’d recommend posting it on our partner channel, Spinny.com, to get a competitive, transparent price.

Hyundai Alcazar

Mahindra XEV 9S

Reply