Autocar India
•1w

I m thinking of an upgrade while still continuing with the swift LDI 2009. I have few options in mind and need your suggestions. 1. Mahindra XUV7XO: Because of great engine, space and relatively lower cost of ownership and maintenance while keeping it for at least 10 years. 2. Volkswagen Tayron: I like the car because of driving performance, luxury quotient and space for family. Only thing I dont like is absence of physical buttons. 3. Kodiaq L&K: Same positives as Tayron. I also like its interiors and colour combination however I m leaning more towards Tayron for its sporty performance. But with both these, I m concerned about how will it behave in long run on our bad road and what will be the cost of owning it in long term of at least 10 years compared to xuv 7xO. Please help.

Verified
•2h

If you intend to keep your next car for at least 10 years, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more sensible choice financially, while the Volkswagen Tayron and Skoda Kodiaq L&K are more appealing if driving performance, cabin quality and a premium feel matter more to you.The Tayron and Kodiaq offer a more sophisticated driving experience, but their long term maintenance and repair costs are likely to be considerably higher than the Mahindra's, particularly once the warranty expires. On bad roads, all three can cope with normal use, but the European SUVs' larger wheels and lower profile tyres can make potholes more expensive to deal with.The XUV 7XO offers strong performance, good space and a wider service network, making it easier to justify over a decade of ownership.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleVolkswagen Tayron
VehicleSkoda Kodiaq
•22h

Hi! My annual running is around 9,000km in the city and 3,000km on highways. Should I buy the petrol Maruti Suzuki Dzire ZXi or the Brezza VXi with the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and manual transmission? The Brezza felt a bit too wide and large for city use, and making U-turns is likely to be more difficult than in the Dzire. I also found the Brezza's softer seats potentially tiring over a 500km highway drive. I'm concerned that the turbo-petrol engine will be more complicated to maintain because of GPF cleaning requirements and the need for RON 95 fuel. Carbon build-up could also be an issue, given that only 30% of my annual running is on highways. On hills, I wonder if the turbo engine will leave me wanting more. By contrast, the Dzire felt more nimble and easy to manoeuvre. Its 15-inch tyres should also be fine for highway use. At cruising speeds below 100kph with two or three people on board, wouldn't it be nearly as good as the Brezza? The popular Z12E engine should also get an upgrade if E27 becomes the baseline fuel. However, would the heavier Brezza be safer in a crash? I plan to sell the car after four or five years, by which time the EV market should have stabilised. Wouldn't the petrol Dzire also have better resale value than the Brezza? Given my usage, what are the reasons I should seriously consider the Brezza?

Verified
•3h

From what you have described, go for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire. You clearly prefer its compact dimensions, lighter feel and easy manoeuvrability, and with 9,000km of city driving annually, these advantages will matter far more often than the Brezza's higher ground clearance or SUV stance. The Dzire should also be perfectly capable of comfortable highway cruising at under 100kph with two or three occupants.The Brezza's main reasons for consideration are its higher ground clearance, more commanding driving position, more potent turbo petrol engine and greater flexibility on rough roads. However, if you already find it too wide for city use and have concerns about its engine and long term maintenance, there is little reason to stretch yourself into it.Both the new Dzire and Brezza have been crash-tested, so the comparison should use their actual ratings rather than assume the heavier SUV is safer. The new Dzire scored 5 stars for adult and child occupant protection under Bharat NCAP. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza has also received a five-star BNCAP rating for both adult and child protection. So, there is no reason to choose the Brezza solely because you assume it will be safer in a crash.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Dzire
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
Maruti Suzuki Dzire
Maruti Suzuki Dzire
•17h

I’m from Visakhapatnam and am planning to buy a new SUV. I have been using a Honda Amaze diesel since 2013. Before that, I owned a Maruti 800 for 10 years. I am 63 years old and retired, and my annual running will be around 9,000-10,000 km. My driving will mostly involve a mix of city and highway use, and I intend to keep the car for 10-12 years. Mileage is one of my biggest priorities, followed by looks, driving enjoyment and long-term ownership costs. My budget is around Rs 16-17 lakh, and I want an automatic transmission. I also have a home charging facility. Should I consider the Kia Syros EV? My main concern is its boxy styling, which I don't particularly like. I also don't want a panoramic sunroof. Could you suggest which variant would suit my requirements from the following options: Kia Syros EV, Hyundai Bayon, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Grand Vitara, Fronx facelift, Volkswagen Taigun, Honda Elevate and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder?

Verified
•3h

If you can get past the styling of the Kia Syros EV, it is a compelling option for your requirements. It is smooth and powerful; the regenerative braking is beautifully calibrated, and the real-world range is good. Despite being under four metres long, it is surprisingly spacious and has a large boot, making it practical for family use. With home charging available and your intention to keep the car for 10 to 12 years, it is worth serious consideration. Just make sure you are comfortable with the design before committing.If you prefer an ICE vehicle and fuel efficiency is your biggest priority, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid is worth looking at. With current offers, it could come close to your budget, and its biggest advantage is fuel economy, with over 20kpl possible even in city driving.

VehicleKia Syros EV
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Victoris
•1d

Dear Autocar team, I have just returned to India and am looking to purchase a compact SUV just for the two of us for 60-40% city and highway split. I want a car that feels lovely to drive and is engineered well. I am not into "features" for the sake of it. I almost bought the Sierra/Creta EVs, then realized that I don't want to spend so much, and haven't seriously thought about highway charging. I've tried the Kushaq/Taigun and really loved their built and handling. This is when I realized that I really care about the feel of driving. Only issues are firmer suspension and fuel economy. I've also booked the Duster hybrid which should solve these two problems, but I haven't test driven the petrol Duster long enough to know if I get a similar feeling on the drive. What I did feel was a cramped cabin on the duster as my left knee was on the center console and right knee was on the door. This was not a concern with the Kushaq and Taigun. I'll try the Duster petrol again, and then also the hybrid. But I wonder if I should just get the Skoda/Volkswagen since I love them. I should perhaps think about resale, maintenance etc.

Verified
•6h

If you loved driving the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun, go with one of them rather than settling for the Duster hybrid purely for its expected fuel efficiency and softer ride. You have already discovered that driving feel matters to you, and that is something you will notice every time you use the car. The Kushaq and Taigun feel solid, handle confidently and have well sorted turbo petrol engines. In our opinion, the ride is on the firmer side, but perfectly acceptable, and fuel economy for the 1.5 turbo petrol is not bad either, with around 9kpl possible in the city.Resale and maintenance costs matter, but they should not outweigh comfort and enjoyment in a car you intend to keep for years. Drive the Duster hybrid and the Kushaq or Taigun back to back, including a rough road stretch and some highway driving. If the Duster still feels cramped and the VW twins put a smile on your face, trust that feeling. You do not need to buy a more expensive EV or the newest hybrid simply because it promises better efficiency.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
VehicleRenault Duster