I am looking to upgrade to an entry-level luxury SUV, and I am confused between the GLA 220d 4Matic, the BMW X1, and the old Audi Q3 Sportback. My usage is mainly city driving with occasional highway use, so mileage is important, but so are plush interiors, comfort, and driving experience with good value for money. Should I also wait for the new generation Q3 to be launched in India? I am not entirely sold on its exterior cosmetic changes of the global variant. Should I also wait for any other launches?

•44w

The Mercedes-Benz GLA220d will be your best bet, for its punchy yet efficient diesel engine, and its plush interiors, which add to the overall feel-good factor. It is also nice to drive, and even though it is a touch pricey, it delivers a luxurious experience which you expect at this price.

Mercedes-Benz GLA

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•2w

How does the Nissan Tekton N-Connecta turbo compare with the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi Plus turbo?

•1d

The Nissan Tekton N-Connecta turbo and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi Plus turbo are both strong contenders in the compact SUV segment, but they appeal to slightly different priorities.The Nissan Tekton turbo is the more engaging car to drive, with a punchy turbo petrol engine and a well-sorted chassis that makes it genuinely enjoyable on the road. The N-Connecta trim also offers a good balance of features without pushing the price too high. Nissan's service network is not as extensive as Maruti's, but the Tekton is a well-engineered product and should not pose major ownership concerns.The Brezza VXi Plus turbo, on the other hand, is the safer ownership bet. Maruti's service reach and low maintenance costs are its biggest strengths, and the Brezza is a proven, reliable product. The turbo petrol engine is also strong, but the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is not as engaging to drive as the Tekton.If you prioritise driving enjoyment and a more dynamic experience, go for the Tekton N-Connecta turbo. If you prioritise hassle-free ownership and long-term peace of mind, the Brezza VXi Plus turbo is the better choice.

•2d

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

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•2d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

•2d

I want to buy an EV, but I’m confused between the Mahindra XEV 9e and the MG Hector Tomahawk EV. Please suggest which one would be the better choice.

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•2d

The MG Hector Tomahawk EV is the one to go for if you need a third row, comfortable seats and a spacious boot. Just check how much luggage space remains with all three rows in use.Otherwise, we’d recommend the Mahindra XEV 9e. It’s the stronger overall product, with better performance, better ride and handling, and a more impressive spread of features. Its cabin is comfortable too, but feels more refined and far more plush than the Tomahawk’s.The MG, in comparison, feels rather ordinary, with exterior and interior designs that don’t particularly stand out. On the road, its front-wheel-drive layout doesn’t deliver the same balanced, satisfying driving experience as the rear-wheel-drive 9e. That’s a comparison between these two cars, rather than a blanket judgement on front-wheel drive.If you don’t need seven seats, this Mahindra car would be our pick. And if a third row is essential, we’d recommend considering the Mahindra XEV 9S as well. We think it’s an even better option and worth a back-to-back test drive with the Tomahawk before you decide.

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

1.5k

•5d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

•4d

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

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•1d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

•6d

I recently bought a Tata Safari Stealth Black Accomplished+ and am very happy with its performance. It returns around 13kpl in the city and 14-15kpl on the highway. I also own a Maruti Suzuki Ritz diesel VDi, which I have used for 10 years and driven 2.3 lakh km with regular servicing and genuine synthetic oil. Is it time to replace the Ritz? If so, what would be a good diesel or petrol car around Rs 15 lakh? My usage is a mix of city and highway driving, around 75-100 km a day. I also have three older family members above 60 who will use the car occasionally. I am considering the 1.0-litre Skoda, the new Thar 1.5-litre and other options. I am not interested in a sunroof or other fancy features. I do track racing, so strong performance, suspension, stability and an engaging driving experience are important to me.

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•4d

Yes, it's time to retire the Ritz. Of the two cars you're considering, the Skoda 1.0 TSI is the right one. Both the Kylaq and the Kushaq use it, and either suits an enthusiast far better than the Thar. The engine is eager, the steering is sharp, and the chassis feels planted when you push it. Those are the things you'll value as someone who drives on track.The catch is your mileage. At 75-100 km a day, you'll cover close to 30,000km a year, and the petrol Skoda will cost noticeably more to run than a diesel. If that bothers you, test-drive the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel. Its 1.5 diesel is one of the punchiest in its class; it has a roomy rear seat for your parents, and it'll be much cheaper to run, though it isn't as sharp to drive as the Skoda.The new Mahindra Thar isn't a good fit. It's tall to climb into for older passengers, the rear is cramped, and it isn't as settled as a regular SUV over 100km a day.Your Ritz has done well. Its 1.3 diesel runs a timing chain rather than a belt, which is why it's lasted. Drive the Skoda car and the 3XO back to back, and decide how much the extra fun is worth to you.

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