My monthly commute is 1,200 km in Bengaluru city, with occasional long trips. Which is better: a diesel automatic or a petrol automatic?

Autocar India

•4w

A diesel-automatic car will be more fuel efficient than a petrol-automatic, so your monthly fuel bills will be lower. However, diesel cars are much more expensive than a similar petrol car, hence, you have to factor the initial purchase premium too - you will need to drive more to break-even a higher premium, and only once you cross that point will you benefit from the diesel's lower fuel costs.

Some diesel engines need you to drive the car on highways at regular intervals to de-clog the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and clear the soot and carbon buildup due to low-speed city drives.

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Prashant

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Is the Renault Duster 1.3 Techno manual transmission a good choice, or should I consider other cars?

Autocar India

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Choose the Renault Duster 1.3 Techno MT if you specifically want a tough, manual SUV and like driving.The new Duster’s suspension is one of its big strengths: it rides beautifully over broken roads, has 212 mm of ground clearance, and feels robust, which really suits Indian conditions and frequent highway use. It has a very large boot and is well-equipped for the price, making it a solid family and touring car.The 1.3 turbo-petrol is among the most powerful engines in the segment, so performance is strong once the turbo is on boost. However, in the manual, you will feel some turbo lag at low revs, and you do need to downshift to keep it in the meat of the powerband, especially in slow city traffic or on inclines. The gearbox itself is light, with positive shifts, and the clutch effort is friendly enough for daily use.

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HARESH KAPADIYA

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My wife drives 120km daily on the highway. Will the Punch EV be the right choice? If yes, why? My priorities are automatic, economical, and safety.

Autocar India

•2h

For your daily 120 km highway run requirements, with priorities of automatic transmission, low running costs, and safety, the Tata Punch EV Long Range is a strong and sensible choice. It offers the ease of an automatic, very low running costs with home charging, and a solid safety package, which aligns well with your needs. The Long Range version can comfortably handle your daily commute on a single charge, making it practical for everyday use.On the highway, the Punch EV feels stable and composed at typical cruising speeds, so it won’t feel out of its depth for your kind of usage. However, being a smaller car, it will not feel as effortless or as relaxed as a larger vehicle over long distances, especially when it comes to space and overall comfort.So yes, it is a good fit if your focus is on economy, ease of driving and safety. However, if you prefer a more relaxed and spacious experience for daily long highway runs, you may also consider upgrading to something like the Tata Nexon EV Long Range.

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Ankit

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Hi, I am planning to buy a new Kia Seltos IVT petrol model. Can you please tell me what the mileage will be in the city and on the highway? Also, if there is any good automatic car with better mileage, please suggest one. My budget is approximately ₹18 lakhs.

Autocar India

•3h

Considering your requirements, choose the Kia Seltos HTK(O) Petrol CVT.The Seltos' refined 115hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with the smooth and seamless CVT auto gearbox makes it well-suited to city as well as highway duties. Although Kia is yet to reveal official figures, in our real-world fuel efficiency tests, the Seltos IVT returned 10.31kpl in the city and 14.22kpl out on the highway.However, the one thing you give up is class‑leading fuel efficiency as some strong hybrids in the segment manage 20-26 kpl. So if mileage is paramount, go for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid, but you'll have to stretch your budget a bit.

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