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I currently own a Hyundai i20 and am planning to upgrade to an SUV in the Rs 20-25 lakh range. My usage is around 40 percent city and 60 percent highway, so I’m looking for a good balance of family comfort and performance. I recently test-drove the Mahindra Thar Roxx Star Edition. I liked the vehicle overall and its performance, but felt its ride wasn’t comfortable enough for my family. Which SUVs would you recommend?
You are right about the Mahindra Thar Roxx. While it offers strong performance and road presence, its ride comfort may not be ideal for your family's requirements, particularly with 60 per cent highway usage. We would suggest looking at the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic instead. It offers a more comfortable ride, a spacious cabin, better rear seat comfort and strong highway performance. It will be a more suitable family SUV for your usage, without compromising too much on performance.

I own a 2013 Maruti Swift petrol, which still runs well in Bangalore traffic. I am planning to buy a second car that is spacious and comfortable for five people, or a fun-to-drive seven-seater. I am confused between electric, hybrid and diesel options, as the new car will mainly be used for road trips, with a monthly running of around 1,000-1,200 km. Good service connectivity and reasonable maintenance costs are also important to me. My budget is around Rs 30-35 lakh. Could you suggest some cars I should consider? Also, are there any upcoming models expected in 2026 that would be worth waiting for?
Considering your requirements, the Mahindra XUV 7XO would be a good choice. Given your running of around 12,000-14,000 a year, buying a petrol variant would be idea as the diesel would be too expensive to justify the premium over the petrol version.In your budget, you can get the top-spec AX7 L that comes loaded with all the bells and whistles and tech you miss even on cars a segment above. The 7XO's highlight, however, is how it drives and rides. The engine is powerful, the suspension is excellent, and handling is genuinely impressive for its size. Plus, its third row is also surprisingly spacious, offering more room than the more premium Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron. Mahindra also has a wider service network, which should meet your requirements for service connectivity.
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My monthly driving is around 500km, mostly in the city, and my budget is Rs 14 lakh. Which automatic car should I consider?
Considering your requirements and low monthly running costs, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza would be a good option. It gets a smooth powertrain comprising a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.The Brezza offers a spacious cabin and a good ride, and the ZXI trim fits your budget. Also, being a Maruti car, it should be affordable to maintain, with low service costs and a strong reliability record. The Brezza would be our top choice for you.
I am looking for a comfortable family SUV but am confused between the Tata Sierra and Kia Seltos. I want a petrol automatic, and my budget is up to Rs 17 lakh on-road. Which one would you suggest?
Both the mentioned SUVs are available in their base variants within your budget. A good option to consider will be the new Maruti Suzuki Brezza that gets a comfy ride, smooth petrol engine and a reliable and hassle-free automatic gearbox.In your budget, the top-spec ZXI Plus trim would be a good choice as you get a good amount of creature comforts in comparison to the Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra. The Brezza has a spacious rear seat, soft suspension and light steering that makes it easy to drive and maintain. Fuel economy will also be better than your choices, and while it is a tad small in size, the space inside is not a deal-breaker.

I am planning to buy the first car for our family, with a budget of Rs 20-25 lakh. After researching and test-driving several cars, including the Renault Duster 1.3 turbo manual, Nissan Tekton 1.3 manual and AMT, Volkswagen Taigun 1.5, Skoda Kushaq 1.5 and 1.0, Tata Sierra diesel manual and AMT, and Mahindra XUV 3XO, I have narrowed down my choices. I mostly prefer a top-end manual variant. I am now confused between the Nissan Tekton 1.3 manual, Renault Duster 1.3 manual, Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq 1.0 and 1.5. My priorities are performance, safety, rear passenger comfort and an engaging driving experience. Which car would you recommend from these options? If there are any other cars in this segment that I should consider, please let me know.
Out of the cars you have mentioned, the Renault Duster 1.3 with a manual gearbox would be our suggestion. The 163hp engine has good punch, and while the third gear is rather tall, other factors like ride and handling make it a much better car to drive. The Nissan Tekton features the same setup with a different design, so between the two it boils down to design preference and proximity of a dealership. Both Renault and Nissan cars offer limited touchpoints, so ensure there is a dealership near you. Within your budget, the Duster in its top-spec guise will fit right in, and it also offers a good amount of equipment. The suspension and ride comfort are segment best, and the steering has good consistency to make it fun around corners. The VW and Skoda cars mentioned above fall short in ride comfort compared to the Duster and Tekton.
Should I wait for the upcoming Kia Sonet facelift and Maruti Suzuki Fronx Hybrid, or go ahead with the Honda Amaze ZX CVT? I want a value-for-money car, and my maximum on-road budget is Rs 14 lakh.
The Honda Amaze ZX CVT would be our recommendation if value for money is your priority and you are happy with the way it drives. It will be considerably more affordable than the other two options, and its naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the CVT offers a smooth driving experience, particularly in city traffic.The Kia Sonet facelift will be a larger and more expensive car. Its automatic petrol version is expected to use a 1.0 litre turbo petrol engine with a DCT, which will offer stronger performance but won't be as smooth as the Amaze's CVT in bumper-to-bumper traffic. As for the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Hybrid, there is no definitive launch timeline or confirmation of its India launch yet, so it doesn't make much sense to delay your purchase for it.
I have a 2013 Volkswagen Polo petrol, and my parents are retired. I need an automatic car that’s easy for them to get in and out of, with a very comfortable ride, excellent NVH levels and more rear-seat space. My usage is very low, about 5,000-7,000 km a year, mainly in the city, and I plan to keep the car for more than eight years. My budget is Rs 20 lakh. My shortlist includes the Mahindra XUV 3XO turbo-petrol, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 AT and the Hyundai Creta IVT. I skipped the Kia Seltos because of its size. Which of these is the best, or are there any better options?
The Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol IVT would be our clear recommendation for your requirements. It has a comfortable seating position, wide-opening doors, a spacious rear seat and a plush ride. Its naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the IVT is also very smooth in city traffic.The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 AT is enjoyable to drive and has supportive seats, but its low-speed ride is firmer, and its engine and gearbox combination isn't as smooth as the Creta's IVT. The Mahindra XUV 3XO TGDi AT offers excellent performance and a comfortable rear seat, but its ride has a slightly firm edge and its boot is relatively small.

Hi, I’m planning to buy a new car, and it will be the first car in our family. I’m looking for safety, a strong and refined engine, and good comfort for rear-seat passengers, since my family members are about 5 ft 5 in tall on average. After multiple test drives, I’m confused between the Nissan Tekton 1.3 manual, the Renault Duster 1.3 manual, the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 and 1.0, and the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 and 1.0. I’m mainly looking at the top-end variants. Which one would you suggest? If none of these, which car should I consider?
If you prefer a manual gearbox and are looking for strong performance, we would suggest choosing between the Nissan Tekton 1.3 turbo manual and the Renault Duster 1.3 turbo manual. These more powerful engine options are available with a manual gearbox, unlike the 1.5 TSI versions of the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun, which are offered only with a DSG automatic. The 1.0 TSI manual versions of the Kushaq and Taigun are good enough for everyday use, but they won't offer the same performance as the 1.3 turbo engines.Both the Tekton and Duster are also enjoyable to drive and offer a comfortable ride. Given your family's average height of around 5.5ft, rear seat space in either car should be adequate. Between the two, the decision would largely come down to which brand, styling and overall cabin experience you prefer.
I currently drive a 2022 Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI Monte Carlo and am planning to upgrade to a new car sometime next year. I am particularly interested in hybrid vehicles, with the upcoming JSW Combat and the next-generation Kia Seltos Hybrid being the two options I am keeping an eye on. My primary requirements are excellent fuel efficiency, a spacious and comfortable cabin, and practicality. I need a car that can comfortably accommodate my family while also serving my work requirements, including carrying equipment and occasionally travelling to operational sites in hilly areas. Considering these requirements, which of these two vehicles would be the better upgrade from my current Kushaq? I would appreciate a comparison of their expected real-world mileage, cabin and boot space, comfort, performance on steep and hilly roads, reliability, maintenance and overall value for money. Since both options may not have confirmed specifications or launch details yet, I would also like to know what information is currently available and whether it would be worth waiting for these hybrids or considering other alternatives.
The JSW Combat (based on the Jetour T2) and the next-generation Kia Seltos Hybrid are unlikely to be direct competitors, with an expected price difference of around Rs 15 lakh. The Combat will be a much larger SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and considerably more performance, while the Seltos will be a conventional strong hybrid aimed at better fuel efficiency.As an upgrade from your Kushaq 1.5 TSI, the JSW Combat would be the more substantial step up, provided budget isn't a constraint. Its larger dimensions, more powerful plug-in hybrid powertrain and greater capability should make it better suited to carrying equipment and travelling to hilly operational sites. The Seltos, on the other hand, will be a more practical and affordable upgrade. It should offer a more premium and spacious cabin than your Kushaq, along with a significant improvement in fuel efficiency. However, in terms of outright performance and the sense of an upgrade, it may not feel like a major step up from your current 1.5 TSI.
I'm looking for a new car with an on-road budget of Rs 8-10 lakh in Mumbai. I want something that offers an enjoyable driving experience and has some character, along with no-nonsense reliability and ownership. Some important features for me are a decent infotainment and audio system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rear AC vents to deal with Mumbai's humid summers, and automatic climate control. The car should also feel stable on the highway during long drives. I prefer a petrol car with a manual transmission, ideally with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. A turbo-petrol is also fine if it offers a good power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratio. Features such as alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seat covers and ventilated seats would be good to have, but aren't essential.
The Hyundai i20 N Line will meet your requirements well. It will not meet every specification but will match what you are expecting from your car. The driving experience is very good, and it is a reliable car too. Being a Hyundai, it is very well equipped with features like alloy wheels, auto climate control, rear AC vents and a decent touchscreen with Android Auto.
Hello, I am searching for a sub-4-metre car under Rs 13 lakh. I am confused between a petrol automatic and a diesel manual, as a diesel automatic exceeds my budget. I liked the Brezza, but since we already own a Maruti and some interior parts have not changed in 10 years and resemble our older vehicle, I am not drawn to it. Our annual usage is about 8,000 kilometres. Because my parents will drive it mostly, I lean towards an automatic. Thank you.
Since your annual running is around 8,000km and your parents will be driving the car predominantly, we would suggest sticking to a petrol automatic rather than a diesel manual. The Hyundai Venue and Skoda Kylaq are both worth considering. If a premium looking cabin is important, the new Venue is one of the best in the segment. Its interiors feel modern, with good quality and fit and finish. However, the 1.0-litre turbo petrol paired with the DCT may not be the most natural choice for prolonged bumper to bumper traffic.The other option is the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ AT. Its six speed torque converter automatic is better suited to stop start city driving and makes it a smoother, more predictable car to drive. This Skoda car is also more engaging behind the wheel, although its interiors aren't quite as impressive as the Venue's. They will, however, feel more distinctive and premium compared to your existing Maruti Suzuki car.Our pick would be the Kylaq if gearbox smoothness and ease of driving for your parents are the priorities.
I have had a Hyundai i10 for the past 14 years, I want to replace it with an automatic vehicle for city driving. Could you please suggest options?
Since you're upgrading from a 14-year old Hyundai i10, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno is worth considering. The Baleno Zeta AMT variant fits in your budget and it would be a clear step up from your i10 in terms of space, features and convenience. It gets an efficient, three-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 5-speed AMT automatic gearbox which is well suited for city driving. The cabin is also spacious, the ride is comfortable and it will be stress-free to own in the long term. Alternatively, if you want a compact SUV consider the Hyundai Exter AMT or if you wish to have a sedan, go for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire AMT.
Hi, I’m looking for recommendations for an automatic car primarily suited to city driving, with an on-road budget of Rs 10–12 lakh in Hyderabad. I currently own a 2022 Maruti Suzuki Ignis manual and a Brezza, which I plan to retain for highway trips. I’m looking to replace the Ignis with an automatic that will primarily be used for daily city commutes. My monthly running is around 1,500km, with approximately 80% city driving and 20% on the ORR. My priorities include a comfortable driving position for my 5’10” height, good ride quality, real-world fuel efficiency and a smooth automatic gearbox. Senior-citizen-friendly entry and exit, along with comfortable rear seats, are also important as my father occasionally travels with me. I’m open to any body style or fuel type since the Brezza will continue to handle highway duties. Could you suggest your top 2–3 options that I should shortlist for back-to-back test drives with my father before making a decision? Real-world ownership experiences and feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Given your requirements, you should consider the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AMT. It falls within your budget of Rs 12 lakh, it has an efficient three-cylinder petrol engine, an AMT automatic gearbox and has a spacious cabin. The doors also open wide, and it isn't very low-set, so getting in and out should not be an issue for senior citizens. It will also be comfortable for your height, and the ride quality is also comfy and composed. Being a Maruti, it will also be stress-free to own and easy to maintain, as you would have experienced with your Brezza and Ignis. Alternatively, you could also consider the Hyundai i20 IVT. It comes with a larger, four cylinder engine, a smoother CVT automatic gearbox and feels more premium inside. But if won't be nearly as fuel efficient as the Baleno, the rear seat won't be as spacious and it will be more expensive to buy.

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