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Latest questions answered by experts

Rohit Nair

Kia Sonet HTX Diesel AT vs Skoda Kyalq AT - which one should I go for? We are a family of 4-5 people and often go on outings with luggage. Also, for an enthusiast, which one would be better for long drives when comparing both at the same price point?

Autocar India

•29m

Between the Kia Sonet and the Skoda Kylaq, the Kylaq is the better choice for you, especially if driving enjoyment and long-distance comfort matter. It is the nicer car to drive, has a more comfortable ride on highways and feels excellent value for money. The Sonet is still a good all-round compact SUV, but it is not as engaging to drive as the Skoda Kylaq, particularly in terms of handling. Another factor to keep in mind is that the Sonet is expected to be replaced in about a year. It means there is a chance it could start feeling dated sooner than you would like. The rear seat on the Sonet is also on the tighter side.Since you have mentioned that there will be occasions when five people travel together with luggage. It is important to note that both the Kylaq and the Kia Sonet are relatively narrow cars and are most comfortable as four-seaters on long trips. If proper five-seat comfort is a priority, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a strong alternative. Its wider body allows it to accommodate five adults in better comfort. It is also a fun car to drive thanks to its punchy 1.2 turbo petrol engine and well-sorted suspension.

Arnav

Hello sir, I currently own a 2019 Ford EcoSport Thunder Edition diesel (BS4). I want to ask whether I should keep it until the next decade or replace it sooner. My daily running is very low and it will mainly be used for long road trips. If I should replace it, what cars should I consider in the compact SUV segment? Please help. I like its quirks and performance.

Autocar India

•57m

Given your low daily running and usage largely limited to long road trips, it makes a lot of sense to keep your Ford EcoSport diesel if it is running fine. It is a car you clearly enjoy, its performance still holds up well, and for highway use, the diesel remains efficient and relaxed. There is also no urgency to replace it purely due to age, so holding on till the next decade is perfectly sensible.If you decided to replace it, and are specifically looking at compact SUVs, two strong options to consider are the Skoda Kylaq and the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The Kylaq is great to drive, feels comfortable on long journeys and is spacious enough for four adults. It is also being very well priced for what it offers. Its main limitation is the narrow body, which makes it more of a strict four-seater rather than a true five-seater. The XUV 3XO, on the other hand, offers a wide cabin and a genuinely spacious interior, making it a better option if you often travel with five people. Its punchy 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine makes it enjoyable to drive, though fuel efficiency will be on the lower side. The boot is the smallest in the segment in terms of usable space.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Raj kumar

•7h

I’m confused between the XUV 7XO AX7L petrol AT, the XUV 7XO diesel AT, and the XEV 9s Pack 3. I use the car mostly in Hyderabad city for about 1,000 km monthly - daily office commuting and occasional long highway trips (like Hyderabad to Bangalore or Hyderabad to Tirupati). Currently, I don’t have a home charger setup, and office charging is not available, but I plan to buy a home and install charging in about three years. I am worried about petrol mileage, the potential diesel ban/Dpf issues, and EV charging infrastructure and reliability since it’s not proven yet. My family is discouraging me from choosing an EV because of battery concerns. Please suggest the best option.

Autocar India

•2h

All your concerns are valid, and given your high usage, we would not recommend an EV. Especially for your occasional long highway runs, an EV will require one if not two charging stops, even in something with a battery as large as the Mahindra XEV 9S. Apart from that, if you do not have a home charging setup, it's not advisable either. Your office charging unit will suffice on most days, but in a pickle you will have to rely on public charging infra, which has its limitations and is an inconvenience. And after 10 years, an EV's battery will be as much of a concern as a diesel ban; battery replacement is very expensive, and EV resale value plummets like a rock after 5 years. As you mentioned, the mileage of the petrol XUV 7XO is very low, so given your usage, that's probably not worth it. The best choice, then, is the XUV 7XO diesel. Yes, while it will be banned after 10 years in some regions, it's still worthwhile to get a decade's worth of use out of the car, and sell it or scrap it for some return at the end. If your car is driven regularly, including some highway usage, DPF maintenance should not be an issue.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Antonio

•1w

I am using a Kawasaki Eliminator 175 cc, and the CDI unit has failed. Could you please let me know where I can get the CDI unit for this model? I will really appreciate it - I am not able to find it anywhere.

Autocar India

•2h

The Kawasaki Eliminator 175cc is a very old model that was discontinued many years ago. Therefore, parts for it are unlikely to be available at authorised dealerships. Our bet would be to check with local mechanics in and around your area for this part or reach out to some big third-party garages as well. You could also check with some vintage bike mechanics, since these people usually have a large number of contacts that deal in rare parts for uncommon bikes.

Kawasaki Eliminator

Hari

•17h

I want to buy an SUV with an automatic transmission, and I am unable to choose between the Grand Vitara Zeta and the Seltos. My budget is ₹15-16 lakh. I need only the basic required features and prefer low maintenance. My average usage is about 4,000-5,000 km per year. Please suggest a suitable car.

Autocar India

•3h

Considering your priorities are low maintenance, and you don't have a need for high-tech features, then the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is the better choice for you. Do note, however, that with the automatic gearbox, the Grand Vitara Zeta costs closer to Rs 18 lakh on road; in your budget, you will have to choose the lower Delta AT variant. The Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT is available in your budget too, and for that price, you get a larger, more spacious SUV with higher-quality interiors. It evenly matches the Grand Vitara Delta AT on basic features, though each has a few advantages over the other. And while the Seltos is smoother and more powerful, the Grand Vitara has much better mileage. Overall, considering what you are looking for, the Maruti seems like the better pick.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Kia New Seltos

Vijay

•1w

I want to sell my 12-year-old Vespa 125 cc scooter used by my father, and buy a new one that is user-friendly and easy to handle for senior citizens and ladies. I have shortlisted the Vespa 125/150, Chetak, TVS Ntorq, and Suzuki Access. My budget is ₹1.3-1.4 lakh.

Autocar India

•3h

Since you have specified that senior citizens and ladies will be riding the scooter, our recommendations will be the Suzuki Access and TVS Jupiter models. These are lightweight, manageable and trouble-free machines which are very easy and friendly to ride. These attributes mean that they will serve your use case quite well. Another plus point is that both the Access and Jupiter are easy to maintain and return good fuel economy, too. Take a test ride of both before making a decision to see which one suits you best.

Suzuki Access

TVS Jupiter