Latest questions answered by experts

I am currently driving a Honda Amaze (2022 model), and I really like its engine and CVT automatic transmission. However, I have been disappointed by its low ground clearance, which once resulted in the oil sump getting damaged. Another concern has been shock absorbers, as I had to replace it twice in four years. I also feel that the ride quality is not very smooth on pothole-ridden and rough roads. I am now looking to buy a new sedan or SUV that offers the strengths of Amaze, but with better ground clearance, a more comfortable ride on rough roads, and a 4 or 5-star safety rating. My budget is between Rs. 15 lakh and Rs. 18 lakh. Which models would you recommend?

•7m

The Kia Seltos 1.5 Petrol IVT would be the recommendation here. Since you've enjoyed the refinement and smoothness of the Amaze's petrol engine and CVT, the Seltos feels like a natural upgrade. The IVT automatic is smooth in city traffic, the cabin feels significantly more premium and the higher ground clearance means you won't have to worry about scraping the underbody or damaging the oil sump on rough roads. It also offers a comfortable ride and a much more feature-rich cabin than your current car.If you'd prefer to stay within the Honda family, the Honda Elevate CVT is also worth considering. It offers excellent ground clearance, a comfortable ride and Honda's reputation for reliability. However, compared to the Kia car, the engine and transmission combination doesn't feel quite as refined, and the cabin lacks the premium feel and feature-rich experience of the Seltos.

I am a first-time car buyer. My regular commute will be around 20 days a month, primarily on highways, with a round-trip distance of approximately 130 km per day. I have shortlisted the Renault Duster Techno 1.3 Turbo and would like to know whether it would be a good choice for my requirements. I am also open to other recommendations. Additionally, could you please suggest some good diesel cars within a similar budget?

•37m

The Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo is a good choice, especially if you enjoy driving. The turbo-petrol engine offers strong performance, effortless overtaking ability and makes long highway commutes far more enjoyable than most naturally aspirated rivals.However, your usage pattern is quite demanding. A daily round trip of around 130km for 20 days a month works out to nearly 3,000km every month. In our real-world fuel efficiency tests, the Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT returned 7.47kpl in the city and 13.47kpl on the highway. While those figures are acceptable for a performance-oriented turbo-petrol SUV, your monthly fuel bills will be fairly substantial given the distances you cover.For that reason, it may be worth waiting for the Duster Hybrid, which should offer significantly lower running costs while retaining much of the Duster's practicality and appeal.You should also consider the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid. They may not be as engaging to drive as the Duster, but they are exceptionally efficient and are likely to save you a considerable amount in fuel costs over the years.If you'd prefer a diesel, the Kia Seltos Diesel Automatic and upcoming Tata Sierra Diesel Automatic are worth looking at. Both should be considerably more fuel efficient than the Duster petrol and are well suited to high-mileage highway use.

Renault Duster

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Tata Sierra

•3h

I own a BS4 Ford Endeavour Diesel, registered in Gurgaon in 2017. I recently came across the supreme court's revised ruling regarding the end-of-life policy for BS4 diesel vehicles. As I understand it, BS4 diesel vehicles in the NCR can continue to be used beyond 10 years, subject to passing the required fitness tests. However, my understanding is that during GRAP Stage 4 restrictions, such vehicles would not be allowed to operate. In short, am I correct in understanding that I can continue using my vehicle beyond 10 years, provided it has a valid fitness certificate and no restrictions such as GRAP Stage 4 are in force?

•1h

Your understanding is mostly right, but it has two major real-world catches. First, the Supreme Court explicitly protected BS-IV and newer vehicles from automatic age-based seizures, meaning your 2017 Endeavour is legally safe to run past its 10th birthday in 2027, subject to passing routine fitness and emission tests. This provides great relief, but it only applies on regular days. The bigger immediate hurdle is that you cannot wait until GRAP Stage 4 to park your car. Under current regulations, BS-IV diesel private cars are banned from plying starting right from GRAP Stage 3. Because Delhi-NCR regularly hits Stage 3 during the winter months, your SUV will be legally grounded for long stretches of the season, and if caught driving, it will face a hefty Rs. 20,000 fine. In short, you can absolutely enjoy your Endeavour past 10 years on clear days, but you will definitely need a backup vehicle for the winter smog.

•6d

I'm seeing a couple of mid-SUV drag races on the autocar India YouTube channel, and I have a very confusing question that needs answering. Every single auto-journo in this country lauded the VWAG's 1.5TSI + 7-speed DSG combination, raving about its snappy responses and performance-oriented calibration. Yet, after watching the latest drag race between the Tata Sierra and Skoda Kushaq, it's clear that the Kushaq lags, owing to the slow off-the-line response of the 7-speed DSG. If it is lagging behind a homegrown torque converter automatic, why is it still considered the best twin clutch gearbox out there?

•2h

It’s still the quickest, most engaging auto in this class once the car is moving, but the 1.5 TSI DSG is deliberately soft off the line. The twin clutches hate heat and abuse, so VW-Skoda programs a gentle first bite to protect them. In a drag, that pause plus a hint of turbo lag can bog the launch. A torque converter can “brake‑torque” and multiply torque at zero speed, so it leaps ahead even if it shifts slower later.Reviewers praise the DSG for what you feel 95 percent of the time - razor‑quick upshifts, near‑instant downshifts, and strong in‑gear pull for overtakes. From 20-120kph, it keeps the engine on boost and swaps ratios faster than any torque converter here. That’s why it feels eager and “snappy” on the road, even if a standing start looks lazy.Two honest catches. The 1.5’s DQ200 doesn’t have an aggressive launch like bigger Euro DSGs, and in heavy crawl, it can feel hesitant compared with a smooth torque converter. So if you care about hard launches and bumper‑to‑bumper smoothness, a torque converter suits you. If you want the fastest shifts and mid‑range shove, the DSG remains the benchmark.

•4d

Having spent seven years with my Honda City, I am now looking to upgrade. My budget is around Rs. 45-50 lakh, and while I am inclined towards sedans, I am open to considering SUVs as well. My priorities are strong build quality, engaging driving dynamics, a high level of safety, and excellent interior comfort. I would appreciate your suggestions for a value-for-money vehicle that meets these requirements.

•3h

There aren't too many sedans left in the Rs 45-50 lakh price bracket, but the one that does remain represents superb value for money and fits most of your criteria. This is, of course, the Toyota Camry and will feel like an ideal upgrade from your Honda City. It's built around the same Japanese sensibilities of reliability, functionality, build quality and efficiency. It's incredibly well built, has a luxurious and comfortable interior with a spacious back seat, and being a strong hybrid, it's way more efficient than any other car of its size. Plus, with Toyota's famously reliable reputation, it will go on flawlessly for ages with minimal maintenance required. Its only shortcoming is that it isn't particularly fun to drive or tidy in its dynamics. For that, you'll have to stretch your budget by a few lakhs and get an Audi A4. If you want an SUV instead, there are plenty of great options like the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tayron, or again, for a small stretch of the budget, the Audi Q3.

Hello Autocar. Thank you for continuing to solve our doubts in such a genuine way. I have a small query. We currently own a 2022 Tata Altroz XZ+ diesel. Since I have to travel about 100km daily, we are planning to upgrade to an EV. However, everyone at home, including me, is attached to the Altroz and is looking for a similar experience. I wanted to ask if an Altroz EV is in the works or if there has been any development on that front. Otherwise, could you suggest whether the Punch EV or the Nexon EV would be better for a family of four?

•3h

Pick the Tata Nexon EV. It will feel closest to your Altroz while giving you more range cushion and more room for four. With 100 km daily, that larger battery and stronger AC performance mean less charging stress and easier weekend runs, and the Nexon’s wider rear seat and bigger boot make family life comfier. The Nexon's larger footprint also translates to greater confidence, especially at higher speeds.The Punch EV is a great value and very easy to drive in traffic. If your use is almost all city and parking is tight, the Punch EV can be considered as an option. However, for an Altroz owner used to that solid, grown-up feel, the Nexon EV will feel more familiar.About an Altroz EV, there’s nothing on sale or officially announced for the near term. Tata showed a concept years ago, but the current focus is Punch EV, Curvv EV, Harrier EV and Sierra. If you want an EV now, do not wait.