Latest questions answered by experts

Shiv Sagar Mathpati

I am planning to buy the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual, but I am concerned about DPF issues. Some of my friends say that modern engines are more advanced now, and there is no need to worry. What is your view?

Autocar India

•2h

For mixed city and some highway use, you can go ahead with the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual. Don’t drop it only because of DPF worry. The DPF is a filter in the exhaust that catches soot, and it needs a bit of heat and steady running now and then to clean itself. On the latest XUV 7XO, Mahindra has improved the software and the system over the past few years, so your friends are right that things are better now, but it is not completely worry-free in every case.If your daily use is mostly short trips in slow traffic, the filter may not get hot enough to clean. That’s when you may see a warning. The fix is simple: take the car for a longer drive on a clear road for 15-20 minutes, keep the engine revs a little higher than usual, and don’t switch off if you see a “drive to clean” message. Do this once in a while, even before any light shows, if your routine drive consists of only short hops. Also, fill diesel from a trusted pump, avoid driving at very low speeds in a high gear, and at delivery, ask the service advisor to confirm the car has the latest software.If you do some highway runs every week or two, DPF issues are rare. Where it can be a pain is if you mostly do many 2-3 km trips and almost never leave the city. So, if your usage is mixed, you’re fine to buy it. If it’s almost all tiny trips, think twice about diesel. Overall, with a bit of these simple habits, the AX7t diesel manual will serve you well.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Abhijeet sinha

•2d

Hi, Abhijeet this side. I am looking for a car with good mileage, as my daily run is around 100 km from Bhiwadi to Gurgaon and back. My usage is roughly 60% highway and 40% city traffic, although highways can get heavily congested during peak hours. I have a family of five, including my parents, and I prefer using my car for long trips rather than public transport. EVs are not an option for me due to infrastructure concerns. Currently, I own a Nissan Magnite XV Red Edition (manual, NA engine), but its mileage has dropped to around 11.5 kpl. I am not sure if this is due to E20 fuel. I plan to sell this car and do not want to keep two vehicles. Please advise whether I should opt for a hybrid or a diesel car. My budget is up to 20 lakh, but I would prefer to stay closer to 15 lakh if possible. It all depends on your guidance.

Autocar India

•2h

Opt for a strong hybrid, specifically the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong hybrid. It is the best fit for your usage and long-term ownership. Your daily running is very high, with a mix of highway and heavy traffic. In this kind of use, the stop-and-go sections hurt fuel efficiency the most, and this is where a strong hybrid makes a clear difference. It can run on battery at low speeds, cuts fuel use in traffic and makes the drive smoother and less tiring compared to a diesel or petrol car. Over time, this will reflect in significantly lower running costs.A diesel car, such as the Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos, will still do well on open highways and feel stronger during quick overtakes. But your route is not purely highway, and the traffic component reduces that advantage. Also, being in the NCR region, diesel ownership comes with long-term limitations, which the hybrid avoids completely.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Santhosh

•1d

Spoiled by the ride and handling, and the torque characteristics of the Punto MJD for the past 13 years, I am now looking to buy a new automatic car, as the Punto spends most of its time at the FNG. My usage is 70% city driving and approximately 5,000-6,000 km per year. My city drives are mostly office commutes of 15–20 km a day in light traffic (not bumper-to-bumper). Among the Kylaq AT, Kushaq 1.0 AT, and Kushaq 1.5 DSG (MY25 with discount), which one can match the solid, dynamic, and abuse-friendly nature of my Punto? I also need a reliable service network, so I am avoiding Citroën.

Autocar India

•3h

They don't make them like they used to, and few new cars today can replicate the feel of your Punto. That said, you're on the right track with Skoda car, and the Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT is probably the best of the lot. It's more spacious than the Kylaq while not being large enough to be cumbersome, and unlike the MY25 1.5 TSI option, you're getting the latest facelifted Kushaq here, with all the benefits, including the updated AC with a variable-geometry compressor. Plus, since your usage is 70% in the city, you'll appreciate the smoother 8-speed torque converter, compared to the 7-speed DSG of the 1.5.You will like the way the Kushaq feels tough over bad patches and speed breakers. The body control is tight and the steering has some weight, so it gives you confidence in a way few new cars do. There's no diesel here, but coming from the Punto’s MJD, the 1.0 TSI will feel sufficiently strong. Skoda service has improved but still, ask around about the nearest workshop that you would be using, and take the longest warranty you can.

Skoda Kushaq

Skoda Kylaq

Chirag

•8h

I’m planning to buy my first car in Bengaluru next month. My budget is a maximum of ₹13 lakh on-road. My usage will be 60% city and 40% highway. I am considering the Kia Seltos and Honda Elevate base models, along with the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi (should I wait for the facelift?) and the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5. Which would be the best overall option in terms of good mileage, reliability, and low service cost? I am planning to keep the car for 10 years and am also open to other options.

Autocar India

•3h

With a hard cap of ₹13 lakh on-road in Bengaluru and a 60-40 city-highway mix for the next 10 years, the Maruti Brezza VXi (manual) fits your brief best. It stays within budget in Bengaluru in most cases, uses less fuel in city traffic than the cars you’ve named, and Maruti’s service is the cheapest and easiest to find. The Brezza’s high seat and simple 1.5 petrol make it easy in Bengaluru traffic. If you’re coming from no car, you’ll also like how smooth and quiet it feels in daily use.Two things to note for you. It won’t feel as quick when you want a fast overtake as the XUV 3XO, and its cabin won’t wow you like the Kia trims. On your facelift question, if you can wait for a few months then yes, its always better getting a newer car, but you would likely pay a bit more.

Siddharth

I am confused between the Range Rover Velar and the Audi Q8. I am aware of the price difference and engine options. I would like an opinion on which one would be better for long-term ownership.

Autocar India

•4h

The two luxury SUVs belong to slightly different segments, with a roughly Rs 30 lakh price difference. That said, of the two, we would lean towards the Audi Q8 for long-run peace of mind in India. The Q8 tends to have fewer small issues as the years add up, its electronics feel better sorted, and the engine-gearbox feels very smooth even in slow traffic and in our heat. Audi also has a wider service reach in most cities, and parts supply is usually quicker, which matters when you want the car back on the road fast after a service or repair. Besides, you get a more powerful 6-cylinder engine and far more interior space.There are trade-offs. The Q8 costs a fair bit more and it is a large car to park in tight spaces. Running costs will be higher than the Velar, especially if most of your use is in the city. The Range Rover Velar is more of a style statement, inside and out, and while you miss out on a six-cylinder engine, what you do get is a diesel engine option.

Audi Q8

Land Rover Range Rover Velar

Saurabh Misra

•8h

I live in Himachal Pradesh and am looking for a dependable SUV for long-distance drives in the mountains as well as highways in the plains. This vehicle will replace my 18-year-old Mitsubishi Pajero. I would appreciate your suggestions for a reliable and capable replacement suited to my usage.

Autocar India

•4h

For that requirement, the Toyota Fortuner is the safest bet. It feels built for bad roads, can be had with proper low-range four-wheel drive for steep, loose climbs and snow, and Toyota’s service reach is strong even in smaller hill towns. On highways, it sits steady at speed, the seats are supportive, and you can load it up with family and bags without worry. Coming from a Pajero, you will feel the same go-anywhere confidence but with a far more modern cabin and easier ownership.Two things to keep in mind. It is very expensive for what it is, and in slow, broken patches, the ride can feel firm. It is also a big SUV, so narrow village lanes and tight hotel parking will require patience.If you want most of that ability for a lot less money, look at the Mahindra Thar Roxx. It too can be had with low-range four-wheel drive, strong pull at low speed for hairpins, and Mahindra support is widespread in the North. You give up some highway polish, and it may not be as rock-solid reliable as a Toyota, but it is a serious mountain tool. Overall, the Fortuner fits your brief best; the Thar Roxx is the strong value alternative.

Toyota Fortuner

Mahindra Thar Roxx