I have not yet purchased the Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus 9-seater P10. Is it good for long road trips across India?

Autocar India

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The Hyundai Exter you’ve booked is E20 fuel compatible from the factory, so it is designed to run on the new petrol without any issues. Hyundai has updated its entire recent petrol lineup to support E20, so you are not buying into any risk or uncertainty.Now, what actually changes with E20 in real life? The fuel itself is just petrol with 20% ethanol, and India has already moved towards making this the standard across pumps. For cars like yours that are built for it, there is no mechanical downside. The engine, fuel lines and seals are all designed to handle it.What you might notice is minor and not something to stress about. There can be a small drop in mileage because ethanol has slightly lower energy content. Performance and drivability remain largely the same in daily city driving, especially in a car like the Exter, which is tuned for ease, not outright performance.The concerns you’re hearing mostly apply to older cars that were not designed for E20.

Hyundai Exter

Autocar India

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Kia has already launched the GTX trim on the Seltos, so you don’t have to wait for it to arrive. Originally, GTX was positioned as a sporty, higher-spec trim available with the 1.5 turbo-petrol DCT and 1.5 diesel AT powertrains. However, Kia has now extended the GTX line-up to the 1.5 petrol with the iVT automatic as well, precisely to cater to buyers like you who want the fully loaded, sportier-looking trim without opting for the turbo-petrol.In other words, if your booking is for the 1.5 iVT in GTX trim, that configuration is now part of the range, and dealers should be able to give you a clear timeline based on their current allocation. It’s worth checking with your dealership whether your existing booking has been tagged correctly to the new GTX iVT variant so that you’re in the right queue.

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

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The Kia Carnival is already being locally assembled in India, so current pricing reflects duties applicable to semi-knocked down (SKD) kits that are assembled at Kia’s Anantapur plant. At present, the Carnival is offered with a 2.2-litre diesel engine, priced at around Rs 59.4 lakh ex-showroom (Limousine Plus variant).Looking ahead, Kia is also preparing to introduce a hybrid version of the Carnival later this year. This variant is expected to be priced under Rs 50 lakh and, importantly, will also be locally assembled. The addition of a hybrid powertrain should broaden the Carnival’s appeal, especially in a market that is gradually shifting towards electrified options while still valuing efficiency and long-distance usability.

Kia Carnival

Autocar India

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On paper and in real-world ownership, these are very different cars, and the Mahindra XUV 7XO sits in a clear segment above. The XUV 700 is a bigger, more complete SUV. It offers more space, better road presence, stronger performance and a far richer overall experience, including the option of a third row and a more premium cabin. It is designed as a proper family SUV and feels more capable on highways and long drives.The Renault Duster, even in its new form, is a simpler, more driver-focused and lighter SUV. It will likely be easier to drive in the city and feel more rugged and straightforward, but it is still a step down in terms of overall size, features and cabin experience.So the decision really comes down to intent. If you are moving because you want something more compact, easier to use daily and less feature-heavy, then the Duster can make sense. But if you are expecting it to feel like an upgrade or even equal to the XUV700 in terms of space, comfort and overall experience, it will not.

Renault Duster

Autocar India

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Between the three, the Skoda Kylaq is the best automatic for the money. It doesn’t use an AMT but a proper 6‑speed torque-converter with the 1.0 TSI, which is smooth, robust and easily the nicest for your occasional highway runs.The Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.0 turbo also gets the same 6‑speed torque-converter auto, and while it is refined and efficient, it doesn’t have the same solid, European feel or driving dynamics as the Kylaq. However, from an overall cost-of-ownership point of view - price, fuel efficiency and service, the Fronx is likely to work out cheaper.The Tata Nexon in your budget doesn’t get a torque-converter. You mainly have a 6‑speed AMT, which is convenient but nowhere near as smooth or quick as a proper automatic. There is also a 7‑speed DCA dual‑clutch option, which is noticeably better than the AMT, but still not as seamless as the autos in the Kylaq and Fronx, and it can push the price higher.For 11-13 lakh, 1,000km a month in the city and the odd long drive, we would pick the Kylaq auto. If budget discipline and running costs are top priority, go for the Fronx 1.0 turbo automatic.

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

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The Tata Sierra is a big, heavy car, and the petrol engine, being a naturally aspirated unit, feels just about adequate, especially once you load it up or hit the highway. The diesel, on the other hand, suits the car far better with its stronger low-end pull, making overtakes easier and long-distance driving far more relaxed.That said, with your low annual running of under 6000 km, the petrol still makes sense if your usage is mostly in the city. It will feel smoother, easier to live with and perfectly adequate for everyday driving, even if it lacks that effortless punch on highways.If you are open to alternatives for a better petrol manual experience, the Renault Duster with its turbo petrol engine is a strong option. It feels far more effortless to drive, while naturally aspirated options like the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta offer a more refined and effortless experience than the Sierra petrol.

Tata Sierra

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta