Delhi

•49w

I want to buy a new car in Mumbai. My priority is ride quality on Mumbai roads, including comfort in the rear seat, along with driving pleasure for occasional long trips. I’ve shortlisted the Citroen C5 Aircross, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Range Rover Evoque, Tata Harrier and Tata Sierra, but I’m open to other options. Please suggest.

•48w

Your shortlisted cars vary widely in price and category, ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 75 lakh, including ICE as well as electric cars, so it's hard to pinpoint exactly what you are shopping for. If you plan to do long trips, avoid an EV, as it is just not worth the hassle, given the current state of charging infrastructure.

The Citroen C5 Aircross has astonishing ride quality, since that is your primary requirement, but bear in mind that dealerships are few and far between, and the model itself is now dated and due for a replacement.

If you move to the upper end of your budget, consider the Audi Q5, which, though also a bit long in the tooth, has excellent ride quality and is an excellent value for money.

Similarly, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a full-size SUV with excellent ride quality, with prices from a segment below, and is also definitely worth check out.

Explore cars mentioned

Citroen

C5 Aircross

from ₹44.42 Lakh

Jeep

Grand Cherokee

from ₹73.40 Lakh

Audi

from ₹76.37 Lakh

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•3d

Hi Autocar team, I really enjoy the strong torque of diesel engines and currently drive a 4.5-year-old Tata Altroz diesel that has covered 95,000km. I am considering the Jeep Meridian for its highway ability, but I have read that its nine-speed ZF automatic gearbox can sometimes shift awkwardly or jerk. I am also considering the Citroën C5 Aircross, if I can find one, because of its ride comfort and eight-speed Aisin automatic gearbox. I drive around 20,000-25,000 km annually and prefer to travel by car rather than fly whenever possible. Since automatic gearboxes are expensive to repair, which is likely to be more reliable in the long run, the ZF unit in the Meridian or the Aisin unit in the C5 Aircross?

•2d

For your 20,000-25,000 km annual running and frequent long-distance trips, the Citroen C5 Aircross is the more appealing choice for ride comfort and gearbox refinement, while the Jeep Meridian has a stronger long-term test record with Autocar India. The C5’s Aisin 8-speed automatic is smooth and well suited to relaxed touring, but there isn't enough comparable long-term evidence to confidently declare it more reliable than the Meridian’s ZF 9-speed. The country of origin alone doesn't determine durability.The Meridian’s gearbox can hesitate or hunt between gears at low speeds, as our long-term test noted, but the SUV completed more than 21,000km, including a demanding journey to Ladakh, without a mechanical fault. That is reassuring, though it cannot establish how either transmission will fare over 1-2 lakh kilometres.Since you're buying new, test the Meridian in slow traffic and during repeated overtaking manoeuvres, and drive the C5 over the same route.

Citroen C5 Aircross

Jeep Meridian

•1d

Dear Autocar team, I have just returned to India and am looking to purchase a compact SUV just for the two of us for 60-40% city and highway split. I want a car that feels lovely to drive and is engineered well. I am not into "features" for the sake of it. I almost bought the Sierra/Creta EVs, then realized that I don't want to spend so much, and haven't seriously thought about highway charging. I've tried the Kushaq/Taigun and really loved their built and handling. This is when I realized that I really care about the feel of driving. Only issues are firmer suspension and fuel economy. I've also booked the Duster hybrid which should solve these two problems, but I haven't test driven the petrol Duster long enough to know if I get a similar feeling on the drive. What I did feel was a cramped cabin on the duster as my left knee was on the center console and right knee was on the door. This was not a concern with the Kushaq and Taigun. I'll try the Duster petrol again, and then also the hybrid. But I wonder if I should just get the Skoda/Volkswagen since I love them. I should perhaps think about resale, maintenance etc.

•22h

If you loved driving the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun, go with one of them rather than settling for the Duster hybrid purely for its expected fuel efficiency and softer ride. You have already discovered that driving feel matters to you, and that is something you will notice every time you use the car. The Kushaq and Taigun feel solid, handle confidently and have well sorted turbo petrol engines. In our opinion, the ride is on the firmer side, but perfectly acceptable, and fuel economy for the 1.5 turbo petrol is not bad either, with around 9kpl possible in the city.Resale and maintenance costs matter, but they should not outweigh comfort and enjoyment in a car you intend to keep for years. Drive the Duster hybrid and the Kushaq or Taigun back to back, including a rough road stretch and some highway driving. If the Duster still feels cramped and the VW twins put a smile on your face, trust that feeling. You do not need to buy a more expensive EV or the newest hybrid simply because it promises better efficiency.

Hi, I am looking to buy an EV for around Rs 20 lakh and am planning to go with the new Kia Syros EV X Line. I love its ride quality, space, features and interiors. However, at Rs 23 lakh, it is a bit pricey. I've now been reading about the imminent launch of the Hyundai H1 EV sometime in early 2027. Is that car worth the hype and the wait, or would buying the Syros EV right away be a better choice?

•1d

If you have already driven the Kia Syros EV and like its space, ride quality and interiors, there is little reason to wait for Hyundai’s upcoming EV purely on the strength of the hype. The Hyundai is expected to be a smaller, more affordable electric SUV, positioned closer to the Tata Punch EV or Nexon EV rather than as a direct rival to the Syros EV.That said, Hyundai has confirmed a compact EV for India, expected to debut in early 2027, with standard range and long-range versions. Battery capacities and prices are not confirmed, so it is too early to assume it will be significantly cheaper or have a shorter range.Since you are stretching your budget for the Syros EV X Line, waiting a few months to see the Hyundai’s pricing and real-world range is sensible. But if the Syros already meets your needs and you are comfortable with the price, there is no compelling reason to delay your purchase for an unlaunched car.

Kia Syros EV

Tata Punch EV

Tata Nexon EV

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•1w

Dear Autocar Team, I currently own a Dzire diesel manual (2018) and now I am planning to buy a new car but I am very confused between Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kwh and the XEV 9S Pack Two Above 79kwh. Although, I love diesel cars but since I live in Faridabad, my biggest concern is about increasing bans and restrictions on diesel cars. My main usage is on highways and bit within the city. I have clocked 1.3 lakh km on my Dzire in 8-9 years. I am getting the exact Harrier EV model for Rs. 22 lakh (on-road) whereas the XEV 9S will cost around Rs. 27-28 lakh (on-road) and that is my biggest confusion. Should I spend this additional amount on the XEV 9S for Harrier ev because I don't want any hassles as an since I plan to keep the car for the next several years.

•6d

Since your choice is between these two exact models, go for the Tata Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kWh at Rs 22 lakh on-road. It is a much better value proposition given the Rs. 5-6 lakh savings over the Mahindra XEV 9S. The Harrier EV is a solidly-built, hardy SUV that's comfy for 5 adults and their luggage.Sure, the XEV 9S gives you the flexibility of three-rows of seating; a lighter steering with a tighter turning radius; and with a larger battery and a more efficient electric powertrain, real-world range will be better. But since you don't specifically need a three-row SUV, the Harrier EV's lower price makes it the more sensible buy.

Tata Harrier EV

Mahindra XEV 9S

•6d

I am looking for a petrol automatic car under Rs 12 lakh with good features. My first choice is the Honda Amaze, but I am concerned about its ground clearance and engine performance. Around 70% of my driving will be in the city. Would the Amaze be a good choice?

•5d

With 70% city driving, the Honda Amaze is actually a very sensible choice. The CVT automatic is smooth and easy to drive in traffic. The engine is reliable, and the car’s compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre and park.The only real drawback is that the engine is not particularly torquey, so it can feel a bit flat on highways or when fully loaded. However, for predominantly city use, that is not a major concern. The ground clearance at 172 mm is adequate for most urban conditions, but a fully loaded car can cause the rear suspension to compress significantly, requiring caution over large speed breakers. If you like the Honda Amaze petrol automatic for what it offers, go for it.

Honda Amaze

•3d

For my personal requirements, I have shortlisted two cars including Mahindra 3XO Edge automatic and Brezza VXI automatic. The only reason for which I have shortlisted Brezza is because of its simple engine. Otherwise, everyone in my family wants to go with 3XO for its space, unique looks and bigger width. I want to know about TCMPFi engine. Will it be reliable and at least better than Nexon's Revotron?

•2d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO Edge automatic. The Brezza VXi automatic is a safe, simple and reliable choice, but the 3XO is the better fit for your requirements. It offers a wider cabin, more space and a more premium feel, which your family clearly values. The TCMPFi engine is a turbocharged petrol unit and is fundamentally a sound engine. It is not a new or unproven powertrain, and Mahindra has had time to refine it. It is also paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is a proven and reliable gearbox type. Compared to the Nexon’s Revotron engine, the 3XO’s powertrain is more refined and the gearbox is smoother and more conventional in its operation. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simpler and will likely be marginally more reliable over a very long ownership period, but the 3XO’s engine is not something to worry about from a reliability perspective. Given your family’s preference for space and the more premium feel, the 3XO is the better choice.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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