Wish to buy Scorpio N. How is the resale, and is diesel best?

Autocar India

•2d

I have shortlisted the Tata Harrier Petrol Adventure X Plus. The reason for selection is the comfort, features, stability and fits by budget, but somehow I' am worried about the after-sales service from Tata. Please advise how the servicing problem can be dealt with, or else an alternative vehicle which covers similar features as Adventure X plus and within the same budget.Tata’s aftersales service can indeed be inconsistent in some places, though the company is working to improve this and raise standards across its network. This doesn’t mean you will definitely face problems, but it does mean you should go in with your eyes open and be prepared to stay on top of the service experience.The new Harrier petrol itself is a well-rounded SUV, with very good comfort, features and stability, and it fits your brief and budget quite well. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol is still relatively new, so long-term reliability data is limited. But there haven’t been any serious red flags so far, and you can consider it if you like the way it drives and the overall package.To minimise service-related hassles, be proactive with the dealer right from the booking stage. Clearly tell them you expect timely and high-quality service, and try to stick to one authorised workshop so you can build a rapport with a specific service advisor. Communicate all service issues and commitments via email or WhatsApp.So, there is a clear record, and don’t hesitate to escalate politely to the service manager, dealer principal or Tata customer care if problems are not resolved to your satisfaction.

Tata Harrier

Autocar India

•11h

The Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic is easily your best bet, especially since you're planning an 800km highway drive every month. The engine-gearbox performance is much better than the others, its seats are very comfortable, and the Kylaq's driving manners and high-speed stability are very impressive.

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•11h

In your case, we’d pick the Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXi 1.5 petrol manual. It is a clear step up from your Kiger in space and back-seat comfort, feels easy and smooth in traffic, and Maruti’s wide service network will keep long-term ownership simple. Moreover, Marutis tend to have great resale values, so it won't pinch as much if you have to sell it after 15 years, and the brand's after-sales and service reputation is exemplary.For your running, opting for CNG isn't worth the additional hassles. CNG saves money only when you drive a lot each month. It also feels slower as it saps a lot of power, and often requires waiting in long queues to fill up, as it's not as commonly available as petrol.As for E85, there is concern around it, but currently there is no clear rollout. Just as manufacturers adapted to E20, they are likely to provide solutions if higher ethanol blends are introduced. In the short term, it should not be an issue, and as you have pointed out, a CNG car will require you to have some petrol in the tank, which, if your car is not ethanol ready, is potentially more dangerous.Another option is to try a diesel car, such as the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet or Kia Syros, which, though not as spacious as the Victoris, do pack in a lot for the money. They are reasonably reliable too and should hold up well over 15 years, with mileage better than a petrol car. The trade-off, however, is that you will have to maintain the DPF by doing occasional highway runs and topping it up with AdBlue, which adds slightly to the running costs.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Sonet

Kia Syros

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•5d

You want a car that is comfortable in the city, easy to drive and capable of doing long trips for the next 10 years. The Toyota Innova Hycross fits this very well. The hybrid system makes it very smooth and quiet in city driving, and the automatic gearbox is effortless, which becomes more important with age. On highways, it is stable, comfortable and built for long-distance travel, which is what the Innova name has always stood for.What really works in your favour is long-term ownership. Toyota’s reliability, strong service network and resale value make it one of the safest bets if you plan to keep the car for many years. The Hycross also offers excellent space, easy ingress and egress and a comfortable ride, which are important for everyday use and for passengers as you grow older.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•5d

For your usage, a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT or IVT is the best fit. These setups are smoother, easier to drive in traffic and more predictable, which matters far more in city conditions than outright performance. So yes, in your case, NA engines are better suited than turbo petrol.The Hyundai Verna IVT stands out as the most well-rounded option for city driving. The engine is smooth, the IVT gearbox is very intuitive in stop-and-go traffic, and the overall driving experience is effortless. It feels refined and easy to live with daily.The Honda City Hybrid is worth considering if your running is high. It offers excellent fuel efficiency, strong performance and is very easy to drive in the city thanks to its hybrid system. However, it comes with a higher upfront cost, and the battery placement results in a higher boot floor, which slightly affects practicality.Compared to the Verna, the standard Honda City CVT is also an option, but the engine feels a bit noisier, and the gearbox is not as intuitive as the Verna’s IVT in everyday use.

Hyundai Verna

Honda City

Autocar India

•4d

With your income and priorities, you should focus on low cost, high fuel efficiency and ease of driving. The Alto K10 fits this perfectly. It is one of the most affordable cars in India, delivers excellent mileage and is extremely easy to drive in the city, which is ideal for your parents. It is also inexpensive to maintain and backed by Maruti’s wide service network, which keeps ownership stress very low. Over time, this matters more than anything else.If you want more space and a slightly more premium feel, then the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is the next step. It offers better cabin space, a more comfortable ride and still maintains strong fuel efficiency and low running costs. It feels like a more complete car, especially if your parents value comfort.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Maruti Suzuki Celerio