Mumbai

•5w

Hi Autocar team, I am looking for a premium EV. I am confused between the BYD Sealion, Model Y, and Model YL. We are a family of four with mostly city driving and take outstation trips twice a month of about 350-400 km. Which would be the best option in terms of value for money? I also like sporty looks. We plan to set up home charging. I currently drive a Skoda Superb and am looking to replace it.

•5w

Go for the BYD Sealion 7. For a family of four stepping out of a Superb, it’s the comfier daily - softer ride, quieter cabin and a roomier rear bench than the Model Y, so city runs and school-office duty feel easy. Your 350-400 km trips should not be an issue with the big battery and fast-charging capabilities. It also gives similar range and kit for less money, so it’s the stronger value. The design is sleek enough and performance is properly quick for India, and though both are limited, BYD car has the edge on dealer network and reach at the moment.

The Model Y is more playful to drive and its software and driver aids are slicker. It is the more tech forward choice, and if that's what you're after, it might be worth considering. The Model Y L definitely has the edge on space, although its real-world range and comfort is yet to be proven. It is a much larger vehicle, however, so driving in the city could be cumbersome compared to the others. The Y L is also quite a bit more expensive than the Sealion 7. Test drive both and see if you have a preference, as both the Tesla and BYD are good options, but we would pick the Sealion 7 for your requirement.

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•5w

@autocar.india tesla model y rwd is same price as sealion premium variant. That's what makes my decision very difficult

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•11h

Hi, I’m planning to upgrade my car. I currently drive an EcoSport diesel and am planning to buy a 7-seater. I’m confused between the XUV 7XO Diesel Automatic AX5 and the Toyota Hycross GX, as both fit into my budget at the moment. I usually drive around 200-300 km a month in city traffic for my office commute, and I also go on long trips of around 500-600 km one way once every three months. I want a car that is good on the highway, allows for good overtaking, and offers decent mileage. It should also be easy to maintain, as I don’t want to deal with frequent issues or headaches. Reliability is also important to me.

•1h

Based on your usage and priorities, the Toyota Innova Hycross GX is the better fit. Your monthly running is relatively low, but you do regular long highway trips with family, and you want a car that is reliable, easy to maintain and hassle-free over the long term. The Hycross is a proven Toyota product with a strong reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs, and the naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the e-CVT is smooth, refined and well-suited to both city traffic and highway cruising. It may not have the outright punch of a diesel for quick overtakes, but it is still a capable highway car, and the hybrid system helps with efficiency. The XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the better choice if you specifically want strong mid-range performance for overtakes, but if your daily running is very short trips, you could face DPF clogging issues. Given your priorities, the Hycross GX is the safer and more sensible long-term choice.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•17h

I am looking for a petrol car under Rs. 10 lakh. My requirements are rear AC vents, a good infotainment system, and safety features. My usage is around 50-60 km per week, with occasional highway driving. Is the Altroz Creative a good choice, or would you suggest any other options?

•3h

Yes, the Tata Altroz Creative is a good choice for your requirements. With a weekly running of 50-60km and only occasional highway use, a petrol hatchback is the right segment to be looking at. The Altroz Creative offers rear AC vents, a good infotainment system and a strong safety rating, which directly matches your priorities. It also has a comfortable ride and a solid, premium feel for the price.The only thing to be aware of is that the naturally aspirated petrol engine is adequate for city driving but can feel a bit underpowered on the highway, especially during overtakes. Given your usage pattern, this is unlikely to be a major issue.The Maruti Baleno/Toyota Glanza are other options, offering a spacious cabin, smoother petrol engines, stronger performance, and better fuel efficiency.

I've had a TUV 300 for 10 years and have driven around 1.5 lakh km in it, mostly on long trips in the hills and on treacherous roads. I now want to buy another car with a budget of approximately Rs. 16 lakh on-road. I live in Gurgaon and am confused about whether I should stick to a diesel car or switch to petrol, considering the current E20 situation. I am also wondering if I should move to an automatic. Is an EV a possibility? I do not want a sunroof. My city driving is minimal, at around 200 km a month. Please suggest a low-maintenance car.

•3h

Given your usage, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the most sensible recommendation. Your running is predominantly long highway and hill trips, and diesel still makes the most financial sense in this scenario. The XUV 7XO diesel is a proven engine, and the automatic gearbox will offer you ease of use on steep inclines. The car also offers a comfortable ride, good ground clearance and a robust build, which is important given your experience with treacherous hill roads.On the E20 front, there is no reason to switch to diesel purely because of ethanol. Modern petrol engines are unaffected by E20. The main impact is a drop in fuel efficiency, not reliability. However, in your case since your running is high opt for diesel. EVs are not the right fit for your usage. Your running is low in the city, but your long trips in the hills would make charging infrastructure and range planning a hassle. The XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a lower maintenance car than your TUV 300, and Mahindra's service network is strong in Gurgaon and across North India.If you want a petrol alternative, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is a good option. It is smooth, reliable and easy to drive, but it will not be as efficient as the diesel on long highway runs. Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the best fit for your usage and budget.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

I want to buy a new car for a family of five, and I am confused between the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Signature and the Kia New Seltos HTK naturally aspirated petrol.

•6d

Go for the Seltos HTK NA petrol. With a family of five, the Kia Seltos is the more sensible choice because it is simply the bigger and more comfortable car. The rear seat is wider, the cabin feels more spacious, and the boot is larger, which makes a difference on family trips. The naturally aspirated petrol engine of this Kia car is smooth and reliable, and the overall ownership experience is easy and stress-free.The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Signature is the better driver's car with a more engaging turbocharged engine, but it is a smaller SUV, and the rear seat is not as accommodating for three adults. For a family of five, comfort and space matter more than driving dynamics, and that is where the Seltos has a clear advantage.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

•1w

Hi, I have been using Honda City CVT for the past 10 years and now, I am looking for an SUV with similar comfort but with the latest technology. My monthly running is approximately between 700-800 km mostly within Delhi.

•6d

Given your usage of 700-800 km a month in Delhi and a 10-year ownership of a Honda City CVT, the Honda Elevate CVT is the most natural upgrade. It retains the same Honda ownership experience, offers a comfortable ride and the CVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving. The Elevate also sits at a sensible price point and is backed by Honda’s strong reliability record, making it a stress-free long-term ownership proposition.If you want a more premium experience with a richer feature set, the Kia Seltos IVT is a good option. The IVT gearbox is smoother in traffic, the cabin feels more upmarket and the Seltos offers a wider range of modern features. However, it does come at a higher price point. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is worth considering if you enjoy driving, as it offers a more engaging experience and the torque convertor gearbox is also the smoothest around. The ride is a bit firmer and the ownership experience is not as straightforward as Honda or Kia, so make sure the dealer in your area is well reputed.

I want to buy a car for 40% city use and 60% long trips. I own a 2015 model of Celerio AGS. Should I buy Baleno AGS considering E20 fuel in the future.

•6d

Given your usage pattern of 40% city and 60% long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS is actually a sensible upgrade from your 2015 Celerio AGS. The Baleno offers a more comfortable cabin, better highway stability and a more refined driving experience, which will make those long trips far more enjoyable. The AGS gearbox is also well suited to your occasional city use, keeping things simple and efficient.On the E20 front, there is no reason to worry. The Baleno is E20 compliant, and modern engines are engineered to handle this blend without any long-term reliability concerns. Maruti has also stated that their E20 engines are built for a material tolerance of slightly more than E20, so on the material front the car should be good for something like E22 for example. The main impact of a higher blend would be a reduction in fuel efficiency.The only thing to consider is whether you want to stick with AGS or move to a more conventional automatic. If you are happy with how AGS behaves, the Baleno is a solid choice. If you want a smoother and more premium automatic experience, you could look at something like the Hyundai i20 IVT or the Honda Amaze CVT instead. Both offer a more refined automatic gearbox, which can make a difference on long highway drives.Overall, the Baleno AGS is a good fit for your usage and there is no E20-related reason to avoid it. The decision really comes down to whether you are happy with AGS or want to move to a more conventional automatic.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

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