Hi, I’m looking to buy a new car primarily for my dad, who will be chauffeur-driven to work, but on weekends and road trips, I will drive it. I’m torn between the Lexus LM and the Range Rover HSE or Autobiography. I realize these are completely different vehicles, but neither my family nor I have been able to finalize a choice. Also, please share your insight on whether the petrol Autobiography is worth the ₹30 lakh premium.

Autocar India

•1h

Given your low daily running and usage largely limited to long road trips, it makes a lot of sense to keep your Ford EcoSport diesel if it is running fine. It is a car you clearly enjoy, its performance still holds up well, and for highway use, the diesel remains efficient and relaxed. There is also no urgency to replace it purely due to age, so holding on till the next decade is perfectly sensible.If you decided to replace it, and are specifically looking at compact SUVs, two strong options to consider are the Skoda Kylaq and the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The Kylaq is great to drive, feels comfortable on long journeys and is spacious enough for four adults. It is also being very well priced for what it offers. Its main limitation is the narrow body, which makes it more of a strict four-seater rather than a true five-seater. The XUV 3XO, on the other hand, offers a wide cabin and a genuinely spacious interior, making it a better option if you often travel with five people. Its punchy 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine makes it enjoyable to drive, though fuel efficiency will be on the lower side. The boot is the smallest in the segment in terms of usable space.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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Autocar India

•2h

All your concerns are valid, and given your high usage, we would not recommend an EV. Especially for your occasional long highway runs, an EV will require one if not two charging stops, even in something with a battery as large as the Mahindra XEV 9S. Apart from that, if you do not have a home charging setup, it's not advisable either. Your office charging unit will suffice on most days, but in a pickle you will have to rely on public charging infra, which has its limitations and is an inconvenience. And after 10 years, an EV's battery will be as much of a concern as a diesel ban; battery replacement is very expensive, and EV resale value plummets like a rock after 5 years. As you mentioned, the mileage of the petrol XUV 7XO is very low, so given your usage, that's probably not worth it. The best choice, then, is the XUV 7XO diesel. Yes, while it will be banned after 10 years in some regions, it's still worthwhile to get a decade's worth of use out of the car, and sell it or scrap it for some return at the end. If your car is driven regularly, including some highway usage, DPF maintenance should not be an issue.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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Autocar India

•3h

The Kawasaki Eliminator 175cc is a very old model that was discontinued many years ago. Therefore, parts for it are unlikely to be available at authorised dealerships. Our bet would be to check with local mechanics in and around your area for this part or reach out to some big third-party garages as well. You could also check with some vintage bike mechanics, since these people usually have a large number of contacts that deal in rare parts for uncommon bikes.

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