Latest questions answered by experts

I am looking for a 7-seater family car in the budget of Rs. 25-27 lakh. I am already aware of the popular options in this segment including XUV 7XO, Safari, Scorpio-N, Kia Carens Clavis, etc. The challenge is that I keep getting tempted towards the top-end variants. Features like ADAS, panoramic sunroof, 360° camera, premium audio, ventilated seats, and all the latest tech make me question if I am getting everything after spending this much amount. At the same time, I am also struggling to differentiate what I genuinely need and what are nice-to-have features. I am in my late 20s and am a car enthusiast. I love driving and road trips. The car that I am looking for will be primarily used for family travel, city driving, and highway runs. My plan is to keep the car for around 5-7 years. I would like to know a few things from those who have owned or upgraded cars in this segment. Which features are genuinely useful in day-to-day ownership and which features feel exciting initially but, were rarely used later? Also, is it worth stretching my budget for top-end variants, or is the sweet spot usually the mid/high variant? If you were in my place and had the same budget today, which 7-seater would you buy and why? I am trying to make a rational decision rather than buying a car for features that I will rarely use.

•51m

In terms of price to features ratio, the sweet spot is almost always the mid variant rather than top variants. You’ll miss out on only a little but save a chunk as high-end features tend to be priced more based on their perceived value rather than their actual value. However, since you are enthusiastic about cars, choose a variant as high end as you can afford and enjoy the experience. Features that you will appreciate regularly are, all‑row AC vents, auto climate control, LED headlamps, TPMS, auto‑dimming inside mirror, wireless phone integration and plenty of USB‑C ports. In a big SUV, a 360° camera and front sensors are gold in tight city spots. Ventilated seats matter a whole lot in our summers. Adaptive cruise is handy on long expressways, but other ADAS nudges can feel fussy and many owners turn off parts of it in the city. However, what amazes at delivery but fades later, are things like panoramic sunroof that stays shut most of the time during the year and also adds heat. Another one is the connected app feature which most people typically use for a month and then forgot about it. Third such feature is the 'passenger' screen, which is also all the rage these days, but after a while, most owners do not use it. Watching a movie or playing games on the go aren't something you do often and not even pleasant over rough city roads while your are hunched forward in your seat. In your Rs. 25-27 lakh budget, we would suggest Tata Safari or the Mahindra XUV 7XO as they are great for highway comfort. The Mahindra car has an edge on performance but the Safari has the better third row. The Kia Carens Clavis is another good car if you are comfortable with its MPV image as it is the more sensible buy.

What is the right way to start driving a CVT automatic car after driving a manual gearbox?

•2h

Use only your right foot and keep it smooth. Your left foot now lives on the dead pedal, because the biggest mistake ex-manual drivers make is stabbing the brake with the old clutch foot. In fact, to avoid this, it's a good idea to tuck your left foot towards the seat. Start with your foot on the brake, fire up the engine, select D, then ease off the brake and let the car creep. Feed in throttle gently and hold a steady pedal. A CVT likes smooth inputs and will keep the engine in the sweet spot.At signals, stay in D with the brake held for short stops. For longer halts, pull the handbrake first, then shift to N or P so the drivetrain isn’t loaded. Come to a complete stop before selecting R or D. Never coast in N while moving.On hills, don’t balance throttle and brake. Use hill-hold if you have it, or handbrake, then drive off normally. For long descents, use L or the manual steps to add engine braking instead of riding the brakes.Expect a spike in revs under hard throttle and some drone. That’s normal, but if you mash it often, the engine feels noisy and wastes fuel. Smooth, progressive inputs make a CVT feel natural.

•1d

I'm a first-time car buyer looking for an automatic petrol car mainly for city use and occasional long trips. I want modern features like a 360 camera, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, etc. My budget is Rs. 10-12 lakh, but I can stretch it to Rs. 14 lakh if the car is worth it. I had shortlisted the Hyundai i20 Asta variant, but I heard there will be a facelift soon, and Hyundai may launch the Bayon as well. Is it a good time to buy the current i20, or should I wait for the facelift or even the Bayon? Are there any good alternatives like the Venue or Sonet? I am avoiding Maruti Suzuki because I feel the features offered and safety ratings are poor compared to the competition at the same price. Please advise.

•2h

You can go ahead and buy the Hyundai i20 Asta IVT now. There's no further facelift planned, and the Bayon-based crossover will be positioned much higher and closer to the Hyundai Creta in price. For mostly city use, the i20's smooth, automatic and light controls make traffic a breeze, and it fits your budget better than most compact SUVs would. You still get six airbags, a big screen, a sunroof and all the everyday comforts, and it’s fine for the odd highway run. However, the i20 doesn’t get a 360 camera, and Android Auto/CarPlay aren't wireless unless you buy a special adapter accessory.If a 360 camera is a must and you want the SUV look, the Hyundai Venue SX(O) DCT or Kia Sonet GTX+ have it, but they’ll sit well past Rs 14 lakh on-road in most cities, and their dual-clutch automatics aren’t as smooth as the i20’s CVT in bumper-to-bumper traffic.Another alternative you could consider is the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor Turbo Petrol V AT, which gets a punchy but efficient engine, a smooth automatic, and the features you want at around your Rs 14 lakh budget.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

•1d

My monthly drive averages 1400 km, and I have had an i10 car since March 2020. My height is 5 ft 11 inches, my back pain problem. Please advise on a 16 lac budget for a new car.

•3h

Buy the Honda Elevate, since you have back trouble, seat comfort would be a high priority, and in this regard, the Elevate does well. The seats set a benchmark for comfort and have a finely judged foam density, which is not too hard and not too soft, so they should provide your back with good support. Under-thigh support is also generous. However, we would recommend you sit in it and test drive it yourself to make sure it suits your body type. Within your budget, you would get the mid-range automatic version, and we would recommend you opt for an automatic as it would reduce your left leg strain in traffic, which would also help alleviate some of the back pain. Ride quality is also good; it is on the firmer side, but the long travel suspension with well-judged damping means it can soak up bumps and potholes well without jarring you too much. If you would like to stick to something small, you could consider the Tata Punch. The entry and exit height is just right, the ride is well-damped and comfortable, and the seats are well cushioned and supportive enough. The top-end version would also come in well under your budget, and you would enjoy some top-end features too.

Honda Elevate

Tata Punch

•1d

What maintenance should I do on my 2017 VW Ameo TDI DSG that has crossed 130,000km, and what are the things I need to be careful about?

•3h

Change the timing belt kit and water pump now if they are older than 5 years or 90-100k km. At 130k, this is the one job that saves the engine if the belt lets go. Replace the accessory belt and the tensioner.Get the DSG checked for clutch wear and mechatronics health, and ask the workshop to run clutch adaptation. If your garage offers a DSG oil and filter change for this unit, do it. Listen for shudders on take-off and rattly idle or switch-off thunks that point to a tired dual-mass flywheel. Even with care, this gearbox can still spring a big bill later, so keep a buffer.Fresh fluids and filters keep diesels happy. Use VW-spec engine oil every 10k km, fuel filter every 20k, air and cabin filters yearly, brake fluid every 2 years, and coolant replacement with the right VW coolant if it is over 4-5 years old. Check battery, alternator belt and tensioner.Inspect and likely renew front struts, lower arms and bushes, engine mounts, wheel bearings, tie-rods, and brake discs-pads. Clean the EGR and intake, check turbo hoses and intercooler for leaks, test injectors, and glow plugs.Drive gently from cold, let it idle 30 seconds after a hard run, avoid inching on the throttle in traffic, and use good fuel.

•1d

We have a budget of Rs. 60 lakh and require an SUV or sedan. We prioritise rear-seat comfort and a powerful engine. We do not want an electric vehicle and are not looking for entry-level luxury cars like the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLA. We are considering the Toyota Camry or waiting for the new Hyundai Santa Fe or Tucson. Our current vehicle is a Hyundai Tucson diesel 4x4, which we enjoyed for its soft suspension, rear-seat comfort, and 186bhp engine. We are looking for a new car, not a used one. Please help us out, Autocar. We live in Patna and recently bought a Hyundai Aura for our son to learn to drive. It does not seem to have a problem with the roads here, so we are considering buying a Camry or waiting. Is there any other car you would suggest?

•4h

Buy the Toyota Camry. Its rear seat is genuinely lounge-like with a power recline function, the ride is soft, and the cabin is quiet. The petrol strong hybrid powertrain is one of the best around, feels refined and effortless in the city, and has enough power on the highway. You get the smoothness and efficiency of an EV without the stress of having to charge it. And Toyota's low running costs and excellent service quality will give you peace of mind too.It does not feel particularly thrilling to drive, and it is a sedan, so speed breakers or steep ramps need more care than an SUV. If you do want an SUV stance and a punchier engine, the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron are good upgrades from your Tucson. The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is eager, and it cruises beautifully, and the ride is exceptional too. It's just that, being a turbo petrol in a large SUV, these two are not very fuel efficient.Sadly, there are no plans for Hyundai to bring in a new Tucson or Santa Fe. Kia, however, is looking at bringing in the Sorento, the Santa Fe's counterpart from its portfolio, later this year or early next year, possibly with hybrid power. If you aren't in a hurry, that might be worth waiting for.