My daily travel is currently 150 km, and I own a Tata Nexon EV. I now need to buy a new car for office commuting. Should I go for a bigger battery pack or switch to petrol, considering EVs do not have good resale value? My Nexon EV has done 1,10,000 km, and I can get ₹5 lakh for it.

Autocar India

•20h

Go for a turbo petrol SUV, and shortlist the Tata Sierra and the new Kia Seltos mid variants which just about fit in your budget. Both suit your usage well, but the decision comes down to driving feel versus long-term peace of mind.The Tata Sierra turbo petrol automatic is the better choice if you prioritise comfort and smoothness. It feels more relaxed to drive, the engine is punchy without being aggressive, and the torque converter gearbox is smoother in daily city use as well as on highways. This Tata car is also larger and more comfortable, which makes a difference during longer drives.The new Kia Seltos turbo petrol DCT is the more proven and dependable option overall. The powertrain is well-established, refinement is strong, and importantly, Kia has built a wider and more consistent aftersales network across India, which gives better ownership peace of mind. While individual experiences can vary, Kia’s service consistency across cities are generally considered more reliable than Tata’s, where service quality can still differ from dealer to dealer. The DCT gearbox of the Kia car also feels quicker and can be efficient in steady traffic, though it is not as smooth as a torque converter in stop-go conditions.So the difference is clear. The Sierra feels smoother and more comfortable to drive. On the other hand, the Seltos feels more sorted as a long-term ownership package, especially because of its more established service ecosystem.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

•1d

Firstly, thanks for your appreciation. Coming to your query, for a mostly city office run of about 750-800 km a month and a Rs. 15-17 lakh cap, we would lean toward the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi AT. It fits your use because the 6-speed automatic is smooth in stop-and-go traffic, the tall driving position makes city driving less tiring, and ownership is easy with a wide service network. Coming from a two-year-old car with only 10,000 km, this will feel like a step up in comfort and ease without jumping to a much bigger, heavier car that you don’t really need for city duty.Two quick reasons it suits you: your monthly use is not high, so a simple petrol automatic makes sense and keeps costs predictable, and the Brezza’s calm, easy nature in traffic is exactly what reduces daily stress on a commute. It also holds value well among compact SUVs which helps when you do sell later.Trade-offs to note are that it isn’t the quickest when you want a fast overtake, and the cabin, while solid, doesn’t feel fancy like some rivals.If you prefer something a bit smaller and even lighter to drive, look at the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor 1.0 turbo with the automatic. It uses a smooth automatic gearbox, is easy to park, and should fit your budget in mid to high-trim models in most cities. If you want a sharper drive and more features, the Kia Sonet 1.0 DCT mid variant is worth a look, though its dual-clutch automatic transmission can feel a bit jerky at very low speeds.On the bigger question: with just 2 years and 10,000 km, you’re in the sweet spot to keep your current car. The biggest drop in value happens early, and you’ve already taken most of it. From here, the fall is slower. Unless you want a clear upgrade in comfort, safety features or size right now, holding on for another 2-3 years makes better money sense.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Kia Sonet

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

Autocar India

•2d

Given your requirements, you could shortlist Skoda Kushaq Classic+, Citroen Aircross X Max and Honda Elevate V MT. All of these are excellent options with powerful engines and manual transmission. The Kushaq has been updated recently, and its entry-level Classic+ variant covers the basics well, and is the most affordable of the bunch. The Citroen car that we have mentioned has an excellent turbo-petrol engine, and the nicest ride quality. It is also gives you the option of seven seats at this price. The Elevate is a no-nonsense SUV with a strong, high-revving naturally aspirated petrol engine and an excellent ride-handling balance. We'd recommend you drive all three and pick the one that meets all your requirements.

Citroen Aircross

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq