Autocar India
•15h

I am confused between the Kia Seltos NA Petrol HTK manual and the MG Windsor EV Exclusive Pro. The rising cost of petrol and ethanol blending are my concerns regarding the Seltos, while the year-on-year reduction in battery state of health (SOH) is my concern regarding the Windsor (what if the range drops by 20% in 4-5 years?).

Verified
•27m

Pick the MG Windsor EV Exclusive Pro, because your main worry is fuel price and ethanol - an EV sidesteps both and makes daily running far cheaper if you can charge at home. In city use, an EV is happier in traffic and with the AC on, and even if the battery loses 15-20% range in 4-5 years, most owners still have more than enough for a normal weekday. MG usually backs the battery for many years, so you are covered if degradation is abnormal.The Seltos 1.5 NA is solid and E20-ready, so ethanol itself is not a deal-breaker. But mileage does dip a bit with higher ethanol, and if your monthly running is high, fuel bills will sting. Also, a manual Seltos in heavy traffic will tire you sooner than the EV’s one-pedal ease.The point to consider with the Windsor is highway convenience and charging access. If you do frequent long trips or cannot install a home charger, the Seltos will be simpler to live with today. But if your life is mostly city with occasional trips and you can plug in at home, the Windsor EV suits your concerns better and will cost less to run over time.

VehicleMG Windsor
VehicleKia Seltos
MG Windsor
MG Windsor
•10h

My daily running is 150 km, with a monthly running of 3,500-4,000 km. Around 75% of my driving is on highways and 25% is in rural areas. Every year, I take 2-3 family trips of 3,000-4,000 km. We are usually three to four members travelling daily. Please suggest the best car for me.

Verified
•1h

Go for the Kia Seltos diesel. Your daily 150 km and 75% highway use suit a diesel perfectly, and the Seltos' motor is efficient on long runs - expect an efficiency on highways in the high teens so your 3,500-4,000 km months won’t bleed your wallet. The Seltos also rides comfortably over broken rural stretches, has enough space for 3-4 people every day, and a boot sufficient for those 3,000-4,000 km family tours. Pick the automatic if you’re often stuck in traffic or drive long hours; the manual will squeeze out a bit more mileage. Safety kit and highway stability are solid, and the cabin keeps fatigue low on all-day drives.One caution: it’s not a hardcore rough-road SUV. If your “rural” is truly bad roads or light off-road trails every day, you’ll need to slow down, and tyre upgrades may help, or consider something like the diesel Mahindra XUV 7XO with AWD, though this would be a pricier option.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
•7h

Hi Autocar team, I am looking for a premium EV. I am confused between the BYD Sealion, Model Y, and Model YL. We are a family of four with mostly city driving and take outstation trips twice a month of about 350-400 km. Which would be the best option in terms of value for money? I also like sporty looks. We plan to set up home charging. I currently drive a Skoda Superb and am looking to replace it.

Verified
•1h

Go for the BYD Sealion 7. For a family of four stepping out of a Superb, it’s the comfier daily - softer ride, quieter cabin and a roomier rear bench than the Model Y, so city runs and school-office duty feel easy. Your 350-400 km trips should not be an issue with the big battery and fast-charging capabilities. It also gives similar range and kit for less money, so it’s the stronger value. The design is sleek enough and performance is properly quick for India, and though both are limited, BYD has the edge on dealer network and reach at the moment.The Model Y is more playful to drive and its software and driver aids are slicker. It is the more tech forward choice, and if that's what you're after, it might be worth considering. The Model Y L definitely has the edge on space, although its real-world range and comfort is yet to be proven. It is a much larger vehicle, however, so driving in the city could be cumbersome compared to the others. The Y L is also quite a bit more expensive than the Sealion 7. Test drive both and see if you have a preference, as both the Tesla and BYD are good options, but we would pick the Sealion 7 for your requirement.

VehicleBYD Sealion 7
VehicleTesla Model Y
VehicleSkoda Superb
•7h

Sir, my driving is mainly on highways. I take outstation trips of approximately 1,000 km every 2-3 months. I am planning to buy the XUV 7XO automatic. Considering the 10-year validity for diesel vehicles and the DPF clogging issue due to low running, should I go for the diesel or petrol variant? Your opinion will be very helpful.

Verified
•2h

Pick the XUV 7XO diesel automatic for your use. Your driving is mostly highway and those 1000 km runs every 2-3 months give the exhaust enough steady heat to keep the DPF happy. The diesel also suits long trips better - it pulls stronger with a full family and luggage, and it will use less fuel than the petrol at cruising speeds, so your trip costs stay sensible.If you live in Delhi-NCR, the 10-year cap on diesels is the real spoiler. In that one case, go petrol automatic to avoid resale and usage headaches later. Elsewhere in India, diesels are fine to keep beyond 10 years. The petrol is smoother in town but will feel thirstier on the highway and when pushed. With your pattern, the diesel’s torque and economy make the drive easier and cheaper, and your occasional long runs are exactly what prevent DPF trouble.

VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
Mahindra XUV 7XO
Mahindra XUV 7XO
•4d

I’m planning to buy a motorcycle. I’m 5 feet 11 inches tall and weigh 95 kg. My daily commute is around 40-45 km. Initially, I was considering the Honda H'ness CB350, but it’s quite expensive. Then I thought about the Honda Unicorn, but it feels too basic and lacks excitement. The Yamaha FZ series seems a bit over-styled to me. I also rode the TVS Apache RTR 180 2V, but considering my height, it felt too small. Now I’m confused between the Bajaj Pulsar 180 (OG) and the Bajaj Pulsar N160. The Pulsar 180 offers excellent value for money, while the N160 comes with many modern features. However, since I’ll also be riding with my family, I’m leaning towards the Pulsar 180 because of its long, single-piece seat, which is more comfortable for both the rider and the pillion. I’d really appreciate your suggestions and guidance on which one would be the better choice. @autocar.india

Verified
•3h

Between the two Pulsar models you have shortlisted, the N160 would be our pick. Not only does it have the more modern mechanical fundamentals, the better feature-set and will be more fuel efficient, but also it comes in multiple variants, which have a single-piece seat, which should address your concerns about travelling with a pillion. Since you mentioned you like the Honda CB350 but it wasn't fitting in your budget, take a look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. The Hunter is much more affordable than the CB350 but will give you similar comfort, performance and form factor. It is also a proven commodity, which means realistically, in the long-term, your ownership should be free of any unwelcome surprises. Take test rides of both the N160 and Hunter, and depending on your budget and preference, make your decision.

Bajaj Pulsar N160
Honda Bikes CB350
Royal Enfield Hunter 350
•6d

I own a 2017 Corolla Altis. I am considering to buy skoda kushaq as it fits my requirements in terms of size and dimensions. I find the Seltos and Duster too bulky. My running will be 80% in the city and occasionally on highways. I like 1.5 but am concerned about its performance in city traffic. I want to know if Kushaq 1.0 will address my requirements. Also want to know if the AC in the facelift is good enough.

Verified
•3h

Pick the Kushaq 1.0, ideally the automatic, for your 80% city use. It’s smaller to place than the cars you find bulky, the motor wakes up early in the revs so it pulls cleanly from low speeds, and the automatic is smoother in crawl-stop traffic than the bigger engine’s DSG. You won’t miss performance in town; gaps are easy, and it cruises at 100-110 without stress. The 1.5 is lovely on open roads, but in heavy traffic, it can feel a touch fidgety at very low speeds, and you’ll pay more for performance you’ll rarely use.One honest trade-off with the 1.0 is that you will hear and feel a bit more thrum at idle, and with five on board on a steep flyover, it may need a downshift. If you do frequent long highway runs with a full load, the 1.5 is a worthwhile upgrade.About the AC: early Kushaqs were iffy, but the updated car’s system is now up to the job. It cools the cabin quickly, rear vents help, and in our AC torture test, it was no longer a worry.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq