Latest questions answered by experts

Rohit P

I am planning to upgrade from my 2017 Honda City diesel, which is now over nine years old. I am looking for a 7-seater, although it will mostly be used as a 5-seater, with occasional requirements to carry 6-7 passengers. The car will primarily be used in Gurgaon for city driving, along with highway trips on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway for going to Kota, Rajasthan. My key requirements include good comfort for five passengers, a usable third row when needed, and a preference for an automatic transmission. My budget is around ₹26 lakh. At present, I am inclined towards the Tata Safari Petrol AT (Accomplished X). However, my main concern is the drop in mileage and the resulting increase in running costs. My current Honda City delivers around 23 kpl on highways and about 15 kpl in the city, whereas I expect the Safari petrol automatic to return roughly 12 kpl on highways and about 9 kpl in city conditions. This translates to a significant 40-50% drop in fuel efficiency, leading to noticeably higher fuel expenses. My monthly usage is approximately 800 km, split evenly between city and highway driving. While fuel efficiency is an important factor, it is not the only deciding criterion. I have considered diesel options but ruled them out due to my usage pattern, as the car may remain unused for weeks at a time and may not see highway runs for two to three months, which could lead to DPF-related issues. I have also evaluated the Mahindra XUV700 AX7 AT in both petrol and diesel forms. The petrol variant still has relatively low mileage, while the diesel brings back the same DPF concerns. Additionally, the third row in the XUV700 is not very practical due to tight headroom and limited knee room. The second row does not slide, which makes access more difficult. I briefly considered the Carens Clavis as well, but it appears to offer lower safety compared to the other options.

Autocar India

•9h

Pick the Tata Safari petrol. It meets most of your requirements, though fuel consumption will be high, particularly in the city. As a daily car, it is easy to drive, has light steering and a smooth automatic transmission, and runs well on bad roads. The second row slides, so you can share space with the third row when you have 6 or 7 on board, and getting in and out is easier than in the Mahindra XUV 7XO. On the highway, it feels steady and quiet.If fuel efficiency is a big concern, consider the Kia Carens Clavis with turbo petrol DCT combo. It will be slightly more efficient than Safari, and the third row is even more comfortable. In terms of safety, it has a comprehensive safety suite but it hasn't yet been tested by BNCAP.On the test drive, take the Safari on the highway and check the stability and overtaking performance.

Kapil Sharma

I am planning to buy a car with a budget of around ₹10-12lakh. My primary usage will be highway driving for personal use. I am looking for a car that is easy to drive, safe, and offers a smooth driving experience.

Autocar India

•10h

Since your usage is primarily on the highway, we'd suggest you shortlist the Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO. Both of these cars are solid, safe options, and both deliver strong performance. Between the two, the XUV 3XO feels more spacious at the rear, while the Kylaq has a slightly larger boot.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Suraj Nayak

•1d

My budget is around ₹15 lakh. We already own a 2017 Kwid top model AMT. My current running is around 100km per day. I want a reliable engine along with good mileage so that running costs remain low.

Autocar India

•10h

If you're open to diesel options, you could consider the Hyundai Venue or Kia Sonet. Both share their engine and gearbox options. Opt for the manual version of either for maximum efficiency.An excellent electric option is the Punch EV. If you can arrange for home charging, your running costs will be very low - something you will surely appreciate given your usage.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris CNG can also be considered. Its engine is reliable, and the CNG will keep per km costs in check.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Tata Punch EV

Jigar Vaidya

•1d

I am planning to buy a car within a budget of ₹12 lakh and am currently considering the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI and the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5. However, I am confused between the 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine and the 1.2-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine. My driving usage will be approximately 60% on highways and 40% in the city, with a monthly travel of around 1,000 km. I would like to know which engine option would be better suited for my usage in terms of performance, fuel efficiency (mileage), and overall value for money.

Autocar India

•11h

With your 60% highway use and Rs 12 lakh budget, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 turbo petrol gives you stronger performance and better value. The 1.2 turbo pulls harder from low speeds, so overtakes feel easy even with family and luggage, and you won’t need to change gears as often. It also feels steady at speed, which suits your frequent highway runs.A few things to know about this engine: being a 3‑cylinder, you may feel a bit more vibration at idle, and the engine sounds a touch louder than the Maruti's. If you drive fast and press the accelerator hard, the turbo will use more fuel. If you cruise calmly, highway mileage will be similar to the Maruti Brezza.Pick the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI if you value a smoother, quieter engine and slightly better real‑world mileage more than outright punch. Its 1.5 petrol is very easy in the city and feels relaxed, but on the highway, you will need to downshift for quick overtakes with a full load. Maruti’s service reach is also wider, which helps long‑term peace of mind.Given your usage, the XUV 3XO AX5 fits better.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Ankit Dwivedi

•1d

I am planning to buy a full-size SUV. My yearly running is around 40,000+ km. I need it mainly for office commuting and highway driving. My budget is around ₹25 lakh. Which car should I opt for? Please help.

Autocar India

•11h

The Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 diesel AT is a solid choice for your budget. The engine pulls strongly even with a full family and bags, the automatic changes gears smoothly, and the tall seating and wide glass make daily city driving easier. On long trips, it feels steady at speed, the seats are supportive, and it is feature-loaded.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Dinesh Kanojia

•5d

Hello, I’m in the market for my first, and likely only, luxury car. I’m currently considering SUVs. I’ve test-driven the GLC, the new X3 30, Q5, and the XC60. At this point, I’m leaning strongly toward the X3, although I was quite impressed with the Volvo as well. For some context, I currently drive a 2016 Creta, which is now in its 11th year. My usage is primarily city commuting, averaging around 500 km per month. My main question is whether the X3 is a good daily driver, given its size. I’m planning to make the purchase later this year or early next year, ideally with minimal financing. From a timing perspective, what level of discounts could I expect if I target early next year?

Autocar India

•12h

Go for the BMW X3 30i. For your mostly city usage and as a one-time luxury buy, it fits best and will keep you happy. Coming from the Hyundai Creta, the X3 will not feel unwieldy in town. The steering is light at low speeds, the view out is clear, and the 360-degree cameras and parking sensors make navigating tight spots easy. The petrol engine and smooth automatic respond keenly in traffic, and the size feels manageable once you get used to it. Ride comfort is on the firmer side at low speeds, but it stays very steady at higher speeds.One thing to be aware of: the X3’s ride can feel a bit busy on broken city roads at crawl speeds, and the rear seat is not the widest in this class.If you want a calmer SUV, with great seats and more active safety features, the Volvo XC60 is a fine alternative, though Volvo’s dealer network is smaller. If rear-seat comfort matters most, the Mercedes GLC is the one to go for.On timing, the best deals typically come at calendar year-end and around March. A fresh, in-demand X3 usually gets small cash benefits or freebies, while the XC60 and Q5 see bigger cuts more often. Since you’ll use minimal finance, ask dealers to convert low-interest schemes into a straight cash discount or add a long service pack and extended warranty.