Autocar India
•20h

I am currently using a 2015 Hyundai Elite i20 Asta (petrol). I use it daily for my office commute and on weekends with my family. My daily travel is around 6 km. I am planning to buy a new car with a budget of up to Rs. 20 lakh. Could you please advise whether I should wait a little longer or go ahead with the purchase? If I buy now, would you recommend a hybrid or an EV?

Verified
•3m

With a daily commute of just 6 km and a budget of up to Rs 20 lakh, you are in a very comfortable position. Your usage is low, so fuel savings from a hybrid or EV will take a very long time to justify the premium. A petrol car is the most sensible choice for your usage pattern, especially since you plan to use it as a family car. In cars under 20 Lakh, you will get a midsize petrol SUV, but only a compact EV - and only a few base-model hybrids.There is no major reason to wait. The current crop of cars offers a vast and varied choice, and there are no imminent launches in your budget that would fundamentally change your options. In terms of what to buy, we would recommend looking at the Kia Seltos or the Hyundai Creta. Both are excellent all-rounders with strong petrol engines, comfortable cabins and a good balance of features and value. The Seltos is larger and slightly more premium, and is the one we would lean towards. You can get a high-ish variant comfortably within your budget.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleHyundai Creta
Kia Seltos
Kia Seltos
•1d

I've been driving a Hyundai i10 for the last five years and now want to upgrade. My budget is around 10 lakh on-road, and the car will be used mostly in the city. I also want an automatic transmission. What would you recommend?

Verified
•33m

For mostly city driving with a budget of around Rs 10 lakh on-road, the Hyundai i20 1.2 IVT is the best upgrade from your current i10. It is easy to manoeuvre in traffic, the smooth CVT auto keeps running costs reasonable, and Hyundai’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. Though a mid-spec variant is what you'll get on your budget, the car is also decently equipped for the price, and the 1.2 petrol engine is smooth and reliable for daily city use.The other CVT available at this price is the Honda Amaze CVT, and here, too, you will get a mid-spec variant that is decently equipped. The sedan body style will feel like an upgrade from your i10, and offers more interior space and a bigger boot. The engine is more powerful and fun to drive than Hyundai's 1.2 petrol, and is also incredibly fuel-efficient.If you want an SUV body style, check out the Nissan Magnite, though, at your budget, you might have to settle for the naturally aspirated petrol with the AMT gearbox, and not the turbocharged engine with the CVT gearbox. Overall, however, we think the Hyundai car is the best upgrade for you.

VehicleHonda Amaze
VehicleHyundai i20
VehicleNissan Magnite
•1d

What's your opinion on the Honda Elevate? Is it a good choice for someone planning to keep a car for a long time?

Verified
•1h

Yes, the Honda Elevate is a very sensible long-term ownership choice. Honda’s biggest strength is its reputation for reliability and durability, and the Elevate follows that philosophy. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is simple, proven and free from the complexity of turbocharging or hybrid systems, which makes it a low-stress ownership proposition over 8-10 years. The CVT automatic is also a reliable and smooth unit, well-suited to city driving.The Elevate is not the most feature-rich or the most exciting car in the segment, but it is a genuinely well-rounded SUV. It has a comfortable ride, good ground clearance and a spacious cabin, and Honda’s service network is strong in most major cities. The only real drawback is that the engine of this Honda car is not as punchy as some turbocharged rivals, so highway overtakes require a bit more planning, and cabin refinement is not as good as rivals.Overall, if your priority is a dependable, fuss-free car that you can keep for a long time, the Elevate is one of the best choices in the segment. It may not grab headlines, but it is exactly the kind of car that keeps owners happy for years.

VehicleHonda Elevate
Honda Elevate
Honda Elevate
•1d

I'm planning to buy the Skoda Kylaq Prestige Plus AT. My partner wants a 360-degree camera, and I'd prefer to have it installed through the dealership. I have a few concerns. Will the camera be operated through the touchscreen? Will the left and right cameras automatically activate when the corresponding indicator is used? I've also heard that there are issues with the current 360-degree camera setup and that dealers are waiting for a software update. Could you clarify?

Verified
•1h

The Skoda Kylaq Prestige Plus AT is a strong choice, but your concerns about the 360-degree camera are valid. The Kylaq does not offer a factory-fitted 360-degree camera, so any installation will be an aftermarket solution, even if arranged through the dealer. This means the camera system will not be as seamlessly integrated as a factory setup. The feed will display on the touchscreen, but the level of integration can vary depending on the kit used. Some systems can trigger the side cameras with the indicators, but this is not always guaranteed and depends on the quality of the installation and the specific hardware chosen.Regarding the software update rumour, there is no official Skoda update pending specifically for 360-degree camera integration on the Kylaq. Dealers may be waiting for better aftermarket kits or improved integration solutions. There is a factory update on the horizon later this year, which could include the update.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
•1d

I'm planning to buy a Skoda Slavia. Is it worth waiting for the facelift that's expected later this year? Also, should the ongoing discussion around ethanol blending influence my purchase decision? I'm quite confused about whether I should wait for more clarity on the fuel policy or go ahead with the purchase.

Verified
•2h

The Skoda Slavia facelift is expected around mid-August, so it is worth waiting if your purchase isn’t urgent. The update is likely to bring mild styling tweaks, but more importantly, some meaningful feature upgrades. Improvements to the air conditioning are expected, along with additions like ventilated or massage functions for the seats and a revised automatic gearbox option. Even if changes aren’t dramatic, you’ll be getting a more up-to-date package for roughly the same money.On the ethanol blending question, there’s no real reason to hold back your purchase. The current Slavia is already E20 compliant, and modern turbo petrol engines are engineered to run reliably on this fuel. In fact, there is typically some engineering buffer built in, so handling slightly higher blends like E25 in practice is not an issue from a durability standpoint.At present, there is no clear or official roadmap beyond E20 in India. So waiting for further clarity on fuel policy is unlikely to materially affect your decision. The only noticeable downside with higher ethanol blends is a marginal drop in fuel efficiency, which is something manufacturers have already factored in.Overall, the Slavia continues to stand out as one of the best driver-focused sedans in its class. Strong turbo petrol engines, a well-judged ride-and-handling balance, and a solid build make this Skoda car a very appealing choice. Waiting for the facelift makes sense, but there’s no need to delay your decision over ethanol concerns.

VehicleSkoda Slavia