Delhi

•44w

My parents (both 62) want to replace their old Spark with a new car. Requirements: automatic transmission, high ground clearance, good mileage, a refined engine, and reliable service. They’ve shortlisted the Tata Exter (4-cyl) and Tata Punch (3-cyl). Their concerns are the Punch’s 3-cylinder engine and service, and the Exter’s lack of body-safety ratings. They prefer a compact, easy-to-handle car (not bulky). Budget is under ₹10 lakh on-road. Any other recommendations?

•43w

As you've mentioned, the Hyundai Exter is the smoother and more refined car of the two, thanks to its four-cylinder petrol engine.

Its transmission is also relatively more seamless, and overall, Hyundai cars have a better reputation for their sales and support network too.

Other options you could shortlist are the Maruti Fronx or Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.2 petrol AMT.

Explore cars mentioned

Hyundai

Exter

from ₹6.31 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Fronx

from ₹7.64 Lakh

Toyota

Urban Cruiser Taisor

from ₹8.29 Lakh

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•1d

Didn't think much of the little storage spaces in my Exter when I bought it. After a few months, the door pockets and small trays have actually become some of my favourite practical bits.

•5h

I am 6 feet 3 inches tall and I’ve been struggling to fit in a car in which I can sit comfortably without the steering wheel hitting my knees. I drove a Tata Zest for 11 years and have recently sold it. With a tight budget of Rs. 18 - 20 lakh (on-road) , I need a good car for my everyday office drive with good fuel efficiency. I drive around 20 km up and down everyday mostly within the city. Please suggest a good car that I can try out.

•12s

At 6ft 3in, your first priority should be finding a car with a genuinely comfortable driving position, rather than choosing purely on features or fuel economy. The Honda Elevate is one of the cars worth trying first because it has excellent driver ergonomics, a spacious pedal box and a wide range of seat adjustment.The 1.5 petrol CVT is smooth and well suited to a short daily commute, while the Elevate has a comfortable ride and 220mm of ground clearance. The Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol IVT is another option, with a spacious cabin and comfortable ride, although taller drivers may find the front seat thigh support a little short.Given your specific problem with the steering wheel hitting your knees, do not buy any car without spending at least 15 to 20 minutes in the driver's seat. Set the seat properly, adjust the steering for reach and height, and check that you can fully depress the pedals without your knees coming close to the steering wheel.

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•4d

Hello, this is Dilip. I’m planning to buy my first car for myself and my parents. I’m 30 years old and am looking for a car under Rs. 20 lakh, preferably with a manual transmission, that offers excellent long-term reliability, low maintenance and ownership costs as well as good safety and build quality. I need a car comfortable for my parents and family with a good driving experience in both city traffic and highways. It should offer good mileage and overall practicality. Suggest me a car that I can confidently keep for 8-10 years. Please suggest the best options based on these requirements and explain both pros and cons of each car.

•19h

Go for the Honda Elevate manual. It is the most sensible choice for your requirements. Honda’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is proven, reliable and efficient, and the manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use in both city traffic and on highways. The Elevate is also comfortable for family use, with a spacious cabin and a well-balanced ride, and Honda’s ownership experience is among the best in the segment. It is a car you can confidently keep for 8-10 years without worrying about major reliability or maintenance issues.If you want a slightly more premium feel and a bit more space, the Kia Seltos petrol manual is a good alternative. It offers a more feature-rich cabin and a more premium overall experience, but it is also more expensive and does not offer a significant reliability advantage over the Elevate. Alternatively, consider the Maruti Suzuki Victoris petrol manual. Its powertrain is smooth and efficient and Maruti’s service network is unmatched. Overall, the Honda Elevate manual strikes the best balance between reliability, comfort, safety, driving experience and long-term ownership confidence.

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•2d

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual and automatic. My current ride is a Fluidic Verna diesel manual, which is nearing 15 years of ownership and has clocked nearly 2.5 lakh km. My usage consists of mixed city and highway driving, with around 40km daily and weekend highway runs of about 400km. For long-term ownership, which would be the better choice: the manual or automatic?

•2d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel automatic. The diesel engine is well suited to your high running, and the automatic gearbox is a proven torque converter unit that is reliable and well matched to the engine. This Mahindra car will make your daily city driving far less tiring, while still being smooth and efficient on the highway. Coming from a 15-year-old Hyundai Verna diesel manual, the automatic will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and ease of use, without compromising on long-term reliability. The manual is still a good option if you strongly prefer the engagement, but for your usage and ownership horizon, the automatic is the smarter choice.

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•4d

I am confused between Creta SX IVT and Elevate CVT for 8000 km of annual running with long trips of 1200 km 3-4 times in a year for a family of 4. Apart from this, day to day usage is less than 100km per month. I am looking for a car for long term ownership and travel comfort.

•4d

The Creta SX IVT is the better fit for your requirement. It offers a quieter, more refined cabin, comfortable rear seats and a smoother CVT, which are particularly valuable when spending several hours on the highway with four people and luggage. Autocar's long term experience with the Creta petrol IVT also found it refined, comfortable and particularly well suited to road trips.The Honda Elevate CVT has advantages of its own. Its 220mm ground clearance, long travel suspension and large 458-litre boot make it particularly good on poor roads, while its naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine and CVT make for a relatively simple powertrain. However, the cabin is noticeably noisier, particularly when accelerating hard, and the CVT can produce the typical rubber band effect.

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•5d

I have a budget of Rs. 16 lakh and I am getting Victoris ZXI AT and Creta S (O) iVT automatic in petrol. My monthly running is around 1000 km. Please suggest as this will be my first car.

•4d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXI automatic. It is a well-rounded SUV with a reliable naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth automatic gearbox and Maruti's extensive service network, which makes ownership stress free. The Creta S Optional IVT is a good car, but at this price point you are getting a lower variant with fewer features, whereas the Victoris ZXI is a higher trim with a better overall value proposition. The Victoris also offers a comfortable ride, good fuel efficiency and a hassle-free ownership experience, which is exactly what you want from your first car.

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