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

•2h

Since comfort is a priority for you, we would recommend the Tata Sierra. The car has a very spacious cabin, and the seats are very comfy too. Against the Renault Duster, the rear seating space in the Sierra is significantly more. As for mileage, we have yet to put the Renault Duster through our instrumented test cycle. But in any case, if mileage is your top priority ahead of comfort, then you would consider waiting for the hybrid Duster. It is likely to launch this festive season or the diesel Sierra, though with a diesel, it's best for every two to three weeks, you have a long drive of around 20 mins with speeds above 50kph to keep the diesel particulate filter in good health. As an alternative, you can consider the strong hybrid versions of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder or the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, where the mileage would be significantly more. In our real-world tests, the Grand Vitara strong hybrid returned an impressive 23.77kpl in the city and 20.39kpl on the highway. In city traffic, the hybrid system mostly runs on the electric motor. One thing to be aware of: the hybrid’s boot is smaller than some rivals because of the battery, so check your luggage fit.

Tata Sierra

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Autocar India

•3h

Go for the Mahindra XEV 9S or Mahindra XEV 9E, both of which are more spacious than the Mahindra BE 6, which feels surprisingly cramped, especially for rear seat passengers. The 9E and 9S have front seats too, and they get a three-screen layout too, which your front passenger is likely to appreciate on long drives. The XEV 9E has an edge over the XEV 9S on account of its slightly firmer suspension setup, which results in a more settled highway ride.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra BE 6

Autocar India

•4h

Go for the Renault Duster 1.3 turbo DCT. For your usage and coming from a naturally aspirated petrol, it will feel like a clear step up in performance. The turbo engine delivers much stronger acceleration and effortless overtakes, which makes it more satisfying to drive both in the city and on the highway. While most dual-clutch automatics can feel jerky at low speeds, the Duster’s setup is relatively well-tuned and manageable in traffic, and once you are moving, it feels quick and responsive.The Kia Seltos IVT is a smoother and easier car to drive in stop-and-go conditions, and it will feel more refined at low speeds. However, its naturally aspirated engine is tuned for comfort and efficiency, so it can feel underpowered, especially when you need quick acceleration or are used to driving with more intent.On service and spares, Kia has the advantage with a wider and more consistent network. Renault’s support in cities like Chennai is generally adequate, but it may not feel as seamless. Opting for an extended warranty and service package will help improve peace of mind.

Renault Duster