Planning to buy the Tata Harrier A/T. Should I go for the Harrier or the Alcazar Diesel A/T?

Autocar India

•8h

MG Hector diesel has been on sale since the Hector’s launch in 2019, so it isn’t “coming up”, it’s already here! However, MG Motor India hasn’t really invested in it, and it still soldiered on with a diesel-manual-only option, with no automatic option even today. MG is also expected to transition the Hector range towards petrol and petrol‑hybrid powertrains over the next year or so, which makes the diesel feel like a bit of a dead end in the long term.Between these two variants, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX3 is the better all-around pick. Its 2.2‑litre mHawk diesel is stronger and more refined. Also, the chassis is more sophisticated, and the overall driving experience is a clear step up from the Hector. You also have the option to move to an automatic, which you simply don’t get with the Hector diesel line‑up.

MG Hector

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•8h

At Rs 10.5 lakh on-road, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder looks like a strong deal. You get Toyota’s reliability, strong resale confidence, good fuel efficiency and a comfortable family SUV package. The naturally aspirated petrol is smooth and easy to live with, though not exciting.The Kia Seltos HTE at ₹12.5 lakh gives you a more premium feeling cabin, a more substantial road presence and a more upmarket overall experience. But the HTE is still a lower variant, so you are paying a noticeable premium without getting the richer equipment that makes the Seltos really shine.Purely from a value perspective, the Hyryder makes much stronger sense here. The only reason to stretch to the Seltos would be if you specifically prefer its design, cabin ambience and larger car feel enough to justify the extra spend. Otherwise, at a Rs 2 lakh saving, the Toyota is the smarter buy.One thing though, do a proper pre-delivery inspection, check VIN, tyre manufacturing dates and battery health before signing, since it is stock clearance.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•10h

If your primary worry is whether buying a Rs. 30 lakh diesel today is a bad decision because of fuel prices, geopolitics or scrappage rules, the short answer is no, do not panic. Petrol and diesel cars are not going to suddenly become unusable or worthless because of short term crude price spikes or geopolitical tensions. Fuel prices may fluctuate, yes, but that affects both petrol and diesel ownership economics rather than making the vehicles obsolete overnight. India’s scrappage framework is also not a blanket “scrap your 10 or 15 year old private car no matter what” rule nationally. Private vehicles are tied to fitness and registration rules, while Delhi NCR has its own stricter age based restrictions.Now to your actual car choice. Since you have already booked the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic, the bigger question is whether your usage genuinely suits diesel. If you do regular highway runs or meaningful monthly mileage, the diesel still makes complete sense because the 7XO’s diesel is effortless, efficient and a great fit for a large SUV. If your use is mostly city and low running, then yes, an EV like the XEV 9e becomes more compelling, especially if you can charge at home.But do not switch to an EV purely out of fear. Buy an EV because your usage suits it. The XEV 9e is a fundamentally different ownership proposition, not just a “future proof” version of the 7XO. If you need frequent long distance flexibility without charging planning, the diesel remains easier to live with. If your use is mostly urban and predictable, the EV makes stronger sense.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra XEV 9e

Autocar India

•6d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•4d

With the kind of mileage you are already seeing from your 4th generation Honda City, I would not rush to fit a CNG kit. Around 16 kpl over 85,000 km is actually a healthy real world figure for a petrol sedan, and since the City is known for its smoothness and refinement, adding an aftermarket CNG kit will inevitably change the character of the car. Honda does not offer a factory CNG option for the City, so any retrofit will be third party, which means compromises in boot space, some loss in outright performance and the added variable of installation quality and long term reliability. Honda also recommends using fuel that meets the vehicle specifications, and aftermarket modifications can complicate warranty or support considerations on newer cars.A CNG conversion only starts making strong financial sense if your running is very high and you plan to keep the car for several more years to recover the kit cost. If your annual usage is moderate, the payback period can be longer than expected. The only real case for going CNG here is if fuel cost reduction is your absolute top priority. Otherwise, given how well your City is already performing, I would leave it as is and enjoy the refinement rather than fixing something that is not really broken.

Honda City

Autocar India

•6d

Both perform very well for your requirements, but overall, the Skoda Kylaq is the better choice. The Citroen C3 X has a slightly comfier ride quality, its AC performance is very strong, and its 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine is quite punchy. However, the Kylaq's 1.0 TSI engine is more powerful, and the 6-speed automatic gearbox has been tuned for even greater responses. As such, it will feel more eager on ghats and highways. It too has excellent suspension and absorbs bumps and broken roads well. Moreover, the Kylaq sits in a segment above and hence offers more space in the back seat and the boot, which will be useful for your passengers and luggage. Moreover, the build quality is stronger, the interior feels more upmarket, and though it may be more expensive, there are more features on offer than in the Citroen. Hence, we recommend that you go with the Skoda.

Skoda Kylaq

Citroen C3