Autocar India
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Venkat Karthik Mukidichetti

•23h

I am reposting my question regarding the government’s plan to introduce new rules for E85 and E100 fuels. What impact will this have on vehicles that are currently E20 compliant? Given the uncertainty around government policy, it’s difficult to predict when these higher ethanol fuel variants might become the only options, potentially affecting millions of consumers. Facing this dilemma, does it still make sense to purchase an ICE car, or should one consider an EV instead? If the government mandates E85 or E100 within the next year or two, what would be the implications for those who own diesel, petrol, or CNG vehicles? Considering my situation, I am deciding between the Amaze and 3XO diesel models, with an annual mileage of 15,000 km and 60% of my travel on highways, what would be the safest choice?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•15m

First, on the policy concern. E20 is the current standard, and cars sold today are fully compatible with it. The move to E85 or E100 is still at an early stage and depends on multiple things like flex-fuel engines, fuel availability and nationwide infrastructure. Even if announced, it will take years to become mainstream. It will not suddenly replace E20 across the country in the next one or two years.

For existing vehicles, there is no risk of becoming unusable. Petrol cars will continue to run on available blends, diesel cars are unaffected by ethanol policies, and CNG vehicles are entirely separate from this transition. So there is no scenario where millions of current owners are suddenly stranded.

Now, coming to your dilemma of ICE vs EV. With your usage of around 15,000 km a year and 60% highway driving, an EV is not the ideal fit yet unless you have very reliable charging access on highways. For your pattern, a diesel or efficient petrol still makes more sense in terms of range, flexibility and ease of long-distance travel.

Between your shortlist, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel is the better choice. Your usage is high enough to justify diesel, and your highway running will naturally keep the engine and emissions system healthy. It will also give you better efficiency and stronger performance on highways compared to the Amaze petrol. The Amaze is smoother and easier in the city, but it does not match the diesel’s efficiency and torque for your kind of usage.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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Mahindra XUV 3XO

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Rajan Khurana

•3d

I have booked the Hyundai Venue HX10 DCT, but I am confused about the transmission. At lower speeds, it feels like there is a noticeable gear shift, which can feel jerky. On the other hand, I really like the interior. I am unsure whether I should go ahead with the Venue or consider the 3XO. My only concern with the 3XO is that the interior feels very traditional and not as premium. I am quite confused. Please advise, as the car delivery is planned within the next 15 days and I want to make the right decision.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•1d

From what you’ve said, most of your worry is low-speed city use and how smooth the automatic feels, with cabin look a close second. For that use, I would lean to the XUV 3XO petrol automatic, because its regular automatic gearbox is smoother when you are moving slowly in traffic. The Venue DCT (a dual-clutch automatic that changes gears very quickly) can feel like a small pause or a light jerk at 10-20 kph as it shifts, which is exactly what you noticed. The 3XO’s automatic does not do that, and it also handles long, crawling jams without any worry about clutch heat.The catch is what you already feel: the 3XO’s cabin design looks more simple and not as flashy as the Venue. If the cabin look matters to you every single day, the Venue still makes sense. You can also drive the DCT more gently in the first two gears and let the car roll on its own to smoothen that low-speed feel. Once above 20-25 kph, the Venue DCT feels quick and easy.So the call is this: pick the XUV 3XO petrol automatic if your priority is a smooth, calm drive in heavy city traffic. Stick with your Venue DCT booking if the premium cabin is what you love and you can live with a little shift feel at very low speeds. For your brief, I’d pick the 3XO for the smoother city drive.

VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleHyundai Venue
VI

VIJAY

•2d

Hi Autocar, I am planning to buy a car that offers good comfort and strong road presence with an on-road budget of ₹14 lakh. I have shortlisted the following options: Skoda Kushaq base variant, Kia Seltos base variant, Kia Carens Clavis base variant, Mahindra XUV 3XO base variant, and Citroen Aircross 7-seater. We travel long distances once a month, and I already own a 2017 Swift ZDi diesel variant. Kindly suggest which car I should choose from the above options and also recommend the most suitable variant. Since I have provided multiple options to the Autocar team, I would really appreciate your advice as a car enthusiast.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•18h

For one long highway trip a month, a ₹14 lakh on-road cap, and a step up in comfort from your Swift diesel, the Kia Seltos HTE 1.5 petrol manual suits you best. As far as base variants go, the Seltos is very well equipped, with features like cruise control, keyless entry, and an HD infotainment screen with wireless phone connectivity. The new generation also rides better than the last one, has a roomier cabin, and better road presence. Compared with your Swift, it will feel far more spacious and calmer at speed, and the big boot makes luggage easy.The Skoda Kushaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO base variants are good choices, but will feel a bit smaller on the inside. If you need 7 seats, the Kia Carens Clavis offers a similar experience to the Seltos, but its base trim is not as well equipped. The Citroen Aircross 7-seater offers superb ride comfort, but the service reach is still limited in many cities.Overall, for your use, the Seltos base lines up best.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleKia Carens Clavis
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Swift
NI

Nitesh

•3d

I’m planning to buy a new car, and I’m currently confused between the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 (Petrol Manual), Hyundai Venue HX5 Turbo Petrol, and Kia Seltos 2026 base petrol variant. My usage: 60% city, 25% highway, 15% mountains (3 trips every year). Other requirements: annual running: ~8,000–10,000 km, primary use: family car, but I do enjoy driving occasionally, good ground clearance is important (roads in my hometown in the mountains are quite bad). I am planning to keep the car for 10+ years. Budget: ₹12 lakh (can stretch to ₹13 lakh if it’s truly worth it). My question is: Which of these would be the best fit for my usage? Is it worth stretching for the Seltos base model over the other two? Are there better alternatives in this budget that I should consider? Would really appreciate your suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•3d

With mostly city use, a few highway runs, and some mountain trips on broken roads, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 petrol manual fits your brief best. It rides tough over bad patches, has good ground clearance, and its turbo petrol pulls well at low speeds, which helps on steep hill sections and in slow city traffic. It is also one of the nicer cars to drive in this price range, so when you want to enjoy a winding road, it will put a smile on your face, and the AX5 gives you a good mix of safety and comfort features without blowing the budget.Two trade-offs to note. If you often carry a full load of luggage, the boot is not very large, and at low speeds, the steering is not as light as most other SUVs in the class. Is it worth stretching to the base Seltos? Only if you really need the extra space. The base Kia Seltos skimps on features, and its non-turbo petrol will feel weaker on mountain climbs with a full family. Also check on-road pricing in your city, as it may push past Rs 13 lakh.The Hyundai Venue HX5 Turbo Petrol is also a good option and a great all-rounder, with a bigger boot, but given your needs, the better-riding, more enjoyable to drive XUV will suit you better. If you want another option to check out, look at the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, which is unexciting but offers hassle-free long-term ownership.

VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza

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Posted on: 28 Apr 2026