If you had ₹15,000 to spend on upgrading your current car, what would you choose?

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Has E20 fuel affected your mileage?

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•1d

Hi, I’ve been driving a 2011 Ford Fiesta Classic 1.4 turbo-diesel as my primary car in Northeast India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and elsewhere) through plains, hills, mud, snow and floods, often fully loaded with four people. I recently renewed its lapsed 15-year registration for another five years. The car is maintained in pristine condition, and I love its low-end torque and excellent fuel efficiency. However, it’s time to switch to a petrol car, and I need advice on a new car for the same driving conditions within a budget of Rs 17-18 lakh. Should I choose a turbo-petrol or a naturally aspirated engine to get similar driving dynamics, given that the terrain I drive on won’t change? I prefer a manual gearbox, especially for the hills, and I understand that petrol engines are thirstier. I’m nearly 48 and plan to keep the car for a long time, as I did with the Ford. Please leave out Hyundai, Kia and Maruti Suzuki, as I’ve had my fill of them. Thanks in advance. Dr

•1h

Given your experience with the 1.4-litre diesel Ford Fiesta, we would suggest looking at the Mahindra XUV 3XO T-GDi manual first, followed by the Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo manual. Both offer strong performance, which will be important when driving through the hills of the North East with four passengers and luggage.The XUV 3XO's 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 131hp with good low- and mid-range response. It is compact, easy to manoeuvre and offers a comfortable ride. The Duster has a comfortable ride and a more engaging chassis, while its 163hp, 280Nm 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine offers considerably stronger performance. However, the Duster's tendency to stall when moving off from a standstill can be frustrating, particularly on steep inclines, so we would place it second.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Renault Duster

•48m

Kia is planning to invest $1.5 billion to expand its manufacturing capacity in Andhra Pradesh. That's huge.

•1d

Hi Autocar Team, I am considering the Renault Duster E-Tech hybrid and have a few concerns: 1. How reliable is this hybrid powertrain internationally? Are there any known issues with the engine, transmission or battery? 2. What is the expected battery life and replacement cost? Is there enough real-world data to establish its 10-year reliability? 3. Can it handle challenging Himalayan routes like Leh-Ladakh, including high altitudes, steep climbs, long descents and extreme temperatures? Are there any performance or cooling limitations? 4. Is Renault India's service network equipped to handle hybrid repairs, especially during long-distance trips? 5. Given the Rs. 3.5 lakh premium over the DCT, would you recommend the hybrid for 10-year ownership and extensive road trips across India? Thanks

•2h

The Renault Duster E-Tech hybrid would be our recommendation, particularly if you enjoy driving and plan to undertake frequent highway trips. As our review found, the 160hp, 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain is both quick and refined, with instant electric motor response and a 0-100kph time of around 10 seconds. Unlike many hybrids, it doesn't have the typical rubber-band effect or engine drone, and feels more like a dual-clutch automatic, with distinct gear shifts. It is also an excellent highway cruiser, with strong in-gear performance for overtaking. The Duster's ride and handling are particular highlights, with precise steering, excellent high-speed stability and a suspension setup that deals impressively with broken roads. For Himalayan journeys, its performance and comfortable ride should make it a capable companion on regular mountain roads. It is front-wheel drive, though, so it isn't intended for serious off-roading. The hybrid also gets a seven-year vehicle warranty and an eight-year battery warranty, which is reassuring for long-term ownership. While 10-year reliability data and battery replacement costs are not yet established, the technology has been used internationally for several years. Renault's service network is a consideration when travelling to remote regions, so check workshop support along your regular routes.

Renault Duster

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•1w

I am planning to buy the top-end Hyundai Creta Turbo Petrol DCT variant. My daily running is around 50–100km, which adds up to approximately 25,000–30,000km annually. I am looking for a car that offers strong performance and quick acceleration, along with a comprehensive set of comfort and convenience features. Should I buy the current Creta Turbo Petrol DCT top variant or wait for the 2027 Creta? For context, I currently own a 2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire Hybrid and a Volkswagen Virtus GT 1.5 TSI.

•5d

The 2027 Hyundai New Creta will be thoroughly updated inside-out, and it'll have more tech and features. If you don't mind waiting, it makes sense to get the 2027 new-gen model. Do note, its powertrain options are likely to be carried forward from the current version. If you can't wait, but still want the performance as well as the latest in terms of tech and features, consider the Kia Seltos turbo-dct instead, which packs in more or less everything the next-gen Creta is likely to offer.

Kia Seltos

•6d

Which SUV would you pick for a family of 5?

•6d

I’m planning to buy a new car, and my annual running is around 40,000km, primarily involving highway drives and ghat sections. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX and the upcoming facelifted Toyota Innova Hycross ZX. I’m considering two approaches: either buy the Innova Hycross and keep it for the next 10 years, given its reputation for longevity and the expectation that its engine can last at least 4 lakh kilometres, or buy the Seltos, drive it for around 2 lakh kilometres over 4–5 years, sell it and upgrade to a brand-new Seltos or another car of a similar price and size. On paper, the Innova Hycross Hybrid seems like the better choice, considering its long-term reliability and features such as the Ottoman reclining seats. However, I’m concerned that I might get bored of it after four years or that it may start feeling outdated as newer technologies and features enter the market. This makes the second option appealing, as it would allow me to upgrade to a brand-new car every 4–5 years. Which approach would make more sense in the long run, considering my high annual running and ownership costs?

•6d

It seems like you're leaning towards the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX, and we think it is a good choice. The diesel engine feels adequately powered for highway usage and ghat driving, and it is likely to return respectable efficiency too. Moreover, despite being modern with all the latest tech and features, the Seltos will be substantially more affordable than the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid. So unless you need the Innova's extra space, or you frequently travel with six or seven passengers, the Kia Seltos diesel is your best bet.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Innova HyCross

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