Latest questions answered by experts

Viraj Sanghavi

Hi, I am planning to buy a 7-seater, as I need space to install two child seats and also accommodate additional passengers (staff). I have shortlisted the Toyota Innova Hycross, which is costing me around ₹39.8 lakh on-road. Should I go ahead with this purchase, or is it better to wait for the facelift? Also, are there any better alternatives I should consider?

Autocar India

•3m

You're on the right track with the Toyota Innova Hycross. The good thing about it is that it offers not just space, but also flexibility. If you choose the bench-seat second row - the 8-seater in Toyota parlance - you get more seats overall, but at a small penalty to ease of access. With the captain seats in the middle row, you can fix a child seat on each and still have a clear walkway to the third row, so the staff can get in and out without disturbing the kids. It rides comfortably over bad roads, feels very smooth and quiet in city traffic, and the hybrid makes stop-and-go driving easy. It’s also easy to live with over the years, which matters when the car will be full most days. On the facelift, there is no firm date or detail in the market right now, but a future update is likely to bring small styling and feature tweaks, not a big change to space or the way it drives, and prices usually go up. Another alternative, if you don't mind an EV, is the BYD eMax 7. Its on-road price could actually work out cheaper than the Innova Hycross with subsidies. It's not quite as spacious, but it comes close; it's well equipped, and it also offers 6- and 7-seat options. It is also even lower on running costs, but then you'll have to tailor your usage to suit an EV. Overall, however, the Innova Hycross appears to be the best bet for you.

Toyota Innova HyCross

BYD eMax 7

Rohan

•23h

I am planning to buy a car that offers a CNG option with an automatic transmission. Are there any models currently available in the market that provide both CNG and automatic transmission?

Autocar India

•48m

There are a few cars that meet your criteria, like the Tata Punch iCNG, Tiago iCNG, Tigor iCNG and Nissan Magnite CNG. Among these, the Punch and Tiago are good choices with their dual-tank solution that lets you keep a large part of the boot. The Magnite CNG is a dealer-level fitment and does take up almost the entire boot.If it fits your budget, then the Punch iCNG is your best bet. It suits daily city use because the automatic takes the stress out of stop-and-go roads, and CNG keeps fuel costs in check. Since the CNG system is factory-fitted, you keep the full warranty and safety checks, which is safer than adding CNG later.A couple of trade-offs to know: an AMT can feel a bit slow between gear changes, so you may feel a small pause. On CNG, the car is not very quick, so fast highway overtakes need planning.As of today, most other CNG cars from Maruti and Hyundai are manual only. Overall, for your goal of CNG with an automatic, the Punch iCNG AMT is the simplest and most complete answer.

Shubham Raja

Hi, I am planning to buy my first car and have shortlisted two options - the Hyundai i20 N Line N8 DCT and the Hyundai Venue HX6 DCT. I test-drove both and instantly fell in love with the way the i20 N Line drives and handles. However, I could feel and hear every bump and pothole quite clearly in the N Line. On the other hand, the Venue’s suspension felt more compliant and better at absorbing bad roads. Cabin insulation and seating comfort also felt better in the Venue. I also came across your review. Is the Venue’s steering and suspension a deal-breaker? At triple-digit speeds, does it feel bouncy or unstable while changing lanes? I understand these cars belong to different segments, but could you please suggest which one I should choose? My primary usage will be weekend road trips, with occasional city driving, as my daily office commute is on a two-wheeler.

Autocar India

•1h

You have already picked up on the core difference. The Hyundai i20 N Line is tuned for sporty driving, so the suspension is firmer, and you will feel more of the road. That is not a flaw; it is a deliberate setup to improve control and handling.The Hyundai Venue, on the other hand, is tuned for comfort. It has a softer suspension, better bump absorption and a more relaxed driving character. You also sit higher and more upright, and the cabin insulation is better, which makes it feel more comfortable in everyday use. Being the newer car in this comparison, that difference you felt is expected. The choice really comes down to what you value more. The Venue is the easier and more comfortable car, while the i20 N Line is the more engaging one to drive.If you were to compare the standard i20 instead of the N Line, it would feel noticeably more comfortable, closer to the Venue. But then you lose the turbo petrol performance that you liked.

Hyundai i20

Hyundai Venue

Revanth S A

•1d

I have decided to go ahead with the Mahindra XUV 3XO, but I am confused between two automatic variants - AX5L and REVX A. The AX5L offers features like a 360-degree camera, auto-dimming IRVM, and ADAS, while the REVX A comes with a panoramic sunroof and leatherette seats. The price difference is not significant, so I am trying to decide based on real-world usability. My parents (in their 50s and relatively new to driving) will occasionally use the car, while I will be the primary driver. I am unsure whether ADAS will be useful for them or feel intrusive. The 360-degree camera could help them, but I am not sure how much difference it will make in day-to-day use. Personally, I have been driving for a few years and am fairly confident, so I feel I may not use ADAS or the 360-degree camera much. Because of this, I am slightly inclined towards the REVX A, mainly for the panoramic sunroof and overall cabin feel. Given this usage, which variant would you recommend for better long-term value?

Autocar India

•1h

The 360 camera, auto-dimming inside mirror, and ADAS are driver-assist features that can certainly help tangibly. For your parents, the 360 camera would be a big help in tight parking, narrow lanes and when judging the corners of the car. The auto-dimming mirror is a nice touch and helps with sustained good visibility, and even if you won’t use ADAS every day, it’s a nice safety net on highway runs, and you can turn most alerts down or off if they feel too intrusive in city traffic.As for the panoramic sunroof and leatherette of the Mahindra XUV 3XO REVX A, they do make the cabin feel special, but there are also practical trade-offs. The sunroof adds heat in summer and needs some care over the years, and leatherette seats can get hot and clammy to sit on.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Manish

•2d

Hi Autocar Team, My wife and I are planning to buy a new car with an AMT in the ₹10-12 lakh range. We are currently considering the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, Hyundai Exter, and Maruti Suzuki Baleno. We are not considering the Tata Punch, as my brother already owns one, and we do not want the same car in the family. My wife is very particular about safety ratings, but the Hyundai Exter has not received an official crash test rating yet. We will mostly be driving in the city, with occasional highway trips. We are not in a hurry and can wait until Diwali if needed. Could you please suggest the best option within our budget (preferably AMT)? Also, are there any upcoming cars in this segment that we should wait for, or should we go ahead with the current options in the market?

Autocar India

•2h

Mostly city use with the odd highway run and Rs 10-12 lakh to spend points me to the Hyundai Exter HX10 AMT. The AMT here makes your daily drive easy, and in this top trim, you get one of the strongest safety feature sets in this price range.It fits your brief because its small size and high driving position make tight city roads and parking simple for you and your wife. It also rides over speed breakers and bad patches without scraping, which helps on daily commutes. For your safety focus, the Exter gets important items like electronic stability control and six airbags, so even though the official crash test score is not out yet, you still have strong protection features on board.Two trade-offs to know: like most AMTs, there can be a slight jerk when moving slowly or during gear changes in traffic. And on highways, overtaking will need some planning. If you would rather have more rear seat space and a calmer highway feel, the Maruti Baleno Alpha AMT is the other good pick in your list.If a 5-star rating is a priority, though, the facelifted Tata Punch is your best bet. Otherwise, for your usage and budget, the Exter AMT lines up best.

Sachin Bhosle

Hi Autocar Team, I am looking for a powerful sedan for a daily commute of around 80 km, with most of the driving on highways, along with a 600 km long drive on most weekends. I am looking for a car with solid build quality, no sunroof, and one that feels planted at high speeds. It should also offer strong safety, including ADAS features. Additionally, I would prefer a sedan with good steering feel and engaging driving dynamics.

Autocar India

•2h

With 80 km a day, mostly on highways and a 600 km run most months, you need a safe, steady sedan that feels good at speed and does not force a sunroof. In that brief, the Honda City V CVT with Honda Sensing fits best because it gives you ADAS without a sunroof and stays calm and secure on fast roads.The City’s steering is light in town but feels natural and sure as speed builds, and the car remains composed over rough patches. The cabin is well-made, and you get core safety features like six airbags and stability control.Do note: the City is not the most powerful in this price band, so if you want very quick bursts for overtakes, you will need to press the engine harder, and the CVT can sound loud when you do.If you want stronger power and a more connected feel and can give up ADAS or the no-sunroof requirement, look at the Volkswagen Virtus 1.5 TSI DSG or Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG. They feel very strong on the highway, and their steering has more weight, but they miss ADAS, and top versions will add a sunroof. Overall, for your highway-heavy use, ADAS and no-sunroof requirement, the City V CVT lines up best.

Honda City

Volkswagen Virtus

Skoda Slavia