Latest questions answered by experts

DEEPAK KUMAR MARLUR PAYANNA

I am planning to buy the Skoda Kushaq Monte Carlo 1.5 DSG. My usage will be around 40% city and 60% highway, with an annual running of approximately 8,000 to 10,000 km. I intend to keep the car for the next 7-8 years. Am I making the right choice?

Autocar India

•1m

Go for the Skoda Kushaq Monte Carlo 1.5 DSG. For your usage, it is a strong and well-judged choice. The biggest strength of this car is its engine and driving experience. The 1.5 turbo petrol paired with the DSG is one of the most engaging setups in this segment. It feels quick, responsive and effortless both in the city and on highways. With your mix of usage, you will enjoy the flexibility it offers, whether it is overtaking on highways or dealing with traffic. The car itself also feels stable and planted at speed, which makes long drives more confidence-inspiring.From an ownership perspective, your running of around 8,000-10,000 km a year is actually ideal for a petrol DSG. You are not overusing it in heavy daily traffic, which is where dual-clutch gearboxes tend to get stressed. With sensible driving and regular servicing, it should hold up well over your planned 7-8 year ownership.There are a couple of things to be clear about. Fuel efficiency will not be its strongest point, especially in city conditions, though it is reasonable on highways.

Skoda Kushaq

Kiran

•12h

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy my first car and am new to driving. I live in Chennai and will primarily use the car in city traffic on weekends (around 80% city and 20% highway). I have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Automatic (top model). My maximum budget is ₹7 lakh (on-road). We are a family of four, all under 5'6" in height. My key requirements are: Easy drivability Decent driving dynamics Peppy performance Hassle-free ownership experience I was advised to consider a used car within this budget, but I am unsure due to the uncertainty involved, especially as I am new to car buying and have not found a satisfactory used option yet. Could you please suggest suitable alternatives to the Alto K10 within my budget? Also, should I go ahead with a new car like the Alto K10 or wait and look for a good used car instead?

Autocar India

•30m

You are new to driving, you want hassle-free ownership, and you are unsure about evaluating used cars. In this case, a new car gives you peace of mind, a warranty and zero uncertainty, which is far more important than getting a bigger used car. A used car can be a good value, but only if you know what to check or have a trusted source, which you currently don’t.The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 AMT is actually a very good starting point. It is compact, extremely easy to drive, has light controls and is very forgiving in traffic, which is exactly what a beginner needs. It is also very efficient and cheap to maintain, which is why it is often recommended as a first car.However, since you are a family of four and will use it on weekends too, you can do slightly better within your budget. The Maruti Suzuki Celerio AMT is the stronger recommendation. It gives you more space, a more comfortable rear seat and a slightly more stable feel on highways compared to the Alto. It is still very easy to drive, has light controls and excellent fuel efficiency, and Maruti’s service network keeps ownership stress low.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Ankit

•11h

Hi, I am planning to buy a new, feature-rich car with ventilated seats, a 360° camera, and ADAS. However, I am facing a dilemma—most variants above the base now come with a panoramic sunroof. I am not a fan of sunroofs, especially considering NCR’s hot weather and the potential additional maintenance costs. I am unsure whether this should be a deal-breaker or if I should still go ahead with an otherwise well-equipped car. We are a family of three and only occasionally require seating for five. My budget is ₹16–18 lakh, and I am currently considering the Kia Seltos IVT, as about 85% of my driving is in the city, with a monthly usage of 1,000–1,200 km. Could you please advise whether I should compromise on the sunroof, and if there are better alternatives I should consider? Also, should I wait for a new Hyundai Creta or a potential Seltos hybrid?

Autocar India

•1h

Mostly city use, family of three, Rs. 16-18 lakh in your place, I would pick the Kia Seltos petrol IVT in the HTX+ (or the closest trim that bundles ADAS and the 360 camera). It fits your routine better than most because the IVT, which is an automatic that varies ratios smoothly, feels calm and easy in slow NCR traffic, and the Seltos gives you the features you want without feeling bulky to park.On the sunroof worry, I wouldn’t make it a deal-breaker. In this price band, the trims that add ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera, and ADAS almost always include a panoramic sunroof. With the sunshade kept shut, heat gain is small in real use, and you can simply never open it. Upkeep is basic - ask the service to clear the drain channels once a year, and you’re done. A bigger trade-off to note is a little less headroom if you are very tall.

Kia Seltos

Sajjad Haider

•11h

Hi, I am confused between the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi Plus Automatic, Kia Seltos Base Variant, and Hyundai Creta Base Variant. My budget is around ₹14.5 lakh. My monthly running will be approximately 1,000–1,100 km, with occasional highway trips twice a year. My priorities are safety, peace of mind, comfort, and decent mileage. I am based in Lucknow.

Autocar India

•1h

Your usage is moderate, mostly city with occasional highway trips, and you want a stress-free ownership experience. The Maruti Suzuki Brezza fits this perfectly. It has a smooth and reliable torque converter automatic, a comfortable ride for daily use and Maruti’s strong service network, which ensures low maintenance and hassle-free ownership over time. It also delivers decent real-world mileage for a petrol SUV, which matters for your running.Now, comparing your other options. The Kia Seltos base and Hyundai Creta base are from a higher segment and are bigger, more spacious cars. The Seltos especially offers better rear seat space and a larger boot, which is useful for family trips. However, within your budget, you are getting only the base variants, which means you miss out on key features and, more importantly,So the choice comes down to this. The Brezza gives you a complete, well-equipped and easy-to-own package. The Creta and Seltos give you a bigger car, but in a stripped-down form.

Sriram

Hello, I am from Coimbatore, and I have a budget of Rs. 17-20 lakh. I have a family of 5 and am looking to buy an SUV. My usage is mostly family trips (highways), and occasionally I drive a car to the office (city use). Suggest a good, comfortable car.

Autocar India

•3h

For mostly highway trips with a family of five and a budget of Rs. 17-20 lakh, the Kia Seltos petrol with the IVT automatic is the one we would pick. It rides comfortably on long roads, the back seat is wide enough for three, and the boot takes family luggage without a fuss. The IVT, which is an automatic that does not shift gears in steps, feels very smooth in the city and keeps the engine calm on the highway. Kia’s service reach in Coimbatore is strong, which makes ownership easy.Two things to note. The top automatic trims can stretch the budget in some cities, so check local on-road prices. And while performance is adequate, highway overtakes with 5 onboard may require some planning. If you find that the performance is not enough, then consider the turbo petrol instead.Overall, for your family trips and mixed use, the Seltos IVT lines up best for comfort and ease.

Kia Seltos

Krishnanunni

•2d

I am currently using a Maruti Suzuki Alto LXI (2012 model) and am planning to upgrade to a 5‑seater SUV. I live in Bangalore, and my usage is primarily city driving, along with occasional highway trips. Around twice a year, I undertake a long drive from Bangalore to Kollam, Kerala (approximately 662 km one way). Given Bangalore traffic conditions, I am specifically looking for an automatic transmission for convenience. I prefer an SUV‑type vehicle with good ride comfort, ease of use in the city, and stability on highways. My budget is 15 lakh, which I can stretch up to 17 lakh if the vehicle offers better comfort, reliability, safety, and long‑term ownership value. Could you please suggest the best automatic SUVs that would suit my requirements, considering city usability, highway comfort, service support, and overall reliability?

Autocar India

•4h

City-heavy use in Bangalore with a few long Kochi-Kerala runs each year, and a Rs. 15-17 lakh cap, in that mix, the Kia Seltos 1.5 NA IVT is the strongest fit for you. The IVT is a smooth automatic that suits stop-and-go traffic very well. The tall seat and light steering make it easy to handle tight lanes and ramps, and it stays steady at highway speeds, so the 662 km run feels calm. Coming from an Alto, you will notice the big jump in ride comfort over bad roads, a far more solid feel on the highway, and far better cabin space for five plus luggage. Kia’s service reach in both Karnataka and Kerala is wide, and long-term reliability is a strong point.Trade-offs to note: the CVT is built for smoothness, not quick bursts, so hard acceleration makes the engine sound loud. If you want a bit more performance, then the Honda Elevate is a better bet.Overall, for your traffic-first use with yearly long drives, the Kia Seltos lines up best in terms of comfort, ease, and peace of mind.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate