I own a Citroën Basalt automatic. When I start the car and shift into reverse gear, I notice a sudden jerk. However, this does not happen once the engine has warmed up. Could you please explain the reason for this behaviour and let me know if it indicates any issue with the car?

Autocar India

•5h

Planning to keep it for 10 years and want hassle‑free ownership for that use, the Innova Crysta 2.4 diesel manual in the mid VX trim is a safe pick. It fits long family trips and daily duty, and Toyota’s track record on this model over many years is strong.On service and parts, you are on solid ground. The Crysta is used by many families and also by taxis and company cars across India, so Toyota keeps parts well stocked, and most jobs are straightforward at their workshops. Even outside shops can source common parts easily, which helps if you plan to keep it for a long time.Resale value is among the best in this class. If you sell at 5 to 7 years, you will likely get more than you would for most rivals because buyers trust the Innova for long life. If you keep it for the full 10 years, the value will still be decent in most states, though it will drop faster as it ages.On rules, the current Crysta on sale meets the latest BS6 Phase 2 norms. One key point: in Delhi‑NCR, diesel cars must come off the road after 10 years. So your 10‑year plan is fine there, but resale near the end will be weak. In most other states, private cars can run 15 years before fitness tests start.Trade-offs to note: it is manual‑only, so heavy traffic can get tiring. Also, if most of your drives are very short, the diesel may need an occasional longer run to keep its diesel particulate filter happy.Overall, yes, for long, worry‑free use, the Crysta is a safe choice.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Autocar India

•6h

On paper and in real-world ownership, these are very different cars, and the Mahindra XUV 7XO sits in a clear segment above. The XUV 700 is a bigger, more complete SUV. It offers more space, better road presence, stronger performance and a far richer overall experience, including the option of a third row and a more premium cabin. It is designed as a proper family SUV and feels more capable on highways and long drives.The Renault Duster, even in its new form, is a simpler, more driver-focused and lighter SUV. It will likely be easier to drive in the city and feel more rugged and straightforward, but it is still a step down in terms of overall size, features and cabin experience.So the decision really comes down to intent. If you are moving because you want something more compact, easier to use daily and less feature-heavy, then the Duster can make sense. But if you are expecting it to feel like an upgrade or even equal to the XUV700 in terms of space, comfort and overall experience, it will not.

Renault Duster

Autocar India

•2d

What you experienced is typical of how a DCT behaves, and it can catch you out on steep inclines. In your Kia Seltos DCT, there is no traditional torque converter to “creep” forward like a regular automatic, so on a steep U-turn when you come off the brake, the car can momentarily roll back before the gearbox engages and builds drive. If you then accelerate quickly, there can be a slight delay before power comes in, which is likely why the car rolled back and tapped the wall.To avoid this, the key is to control the car on inclines rather than relying on the throttle alone. Use the brake firmly, then ease onto the accelerator smoothly instead of stabbing it, giving the gearbox a moment to engage. If your car has hill hold, make sure it is active, as it will hold the car briefly when you release the brake. In tighter situations, such as steep U-turns, it is also safer to use the handbrake method by holding the car with the handbrake, then releasing it as you start moving forward. Keeping a slightly larger gap behind you in such situations also helps.The only drawback with DCTs is exactly this behaviour in stop-go or incline conditions, as they are not as intuitive as torque converter automatics.

Kia Seltos