Latest questions answered by experts

Autocar India

•2h

There’s a lot of noise around bans on petrol and diesel cars and the impact of ethanol blending, so it’s worth separating fact from speculation. Statements about moving away from petrol and diesel, often linked to Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari’s comments, are more directional views, largely aimed at commercial vehicles like buses and trucks. There is no confirmed plan to ban private diesel or petrol cars at all.On ethanol, India is already moving towards E20 petrol, and higher blends like E30 will come quite quickly in the coming years. This could affect older petrol cars, such as your 2018 Baleno, in two ways: slightly faster wear of components like fuel hoses and seals, and reduced fuel efficiency due to ethanol’s lower energy content. That said, any wear will be gradual and relatively inexpensive to address, especially with Maruti’s low parts costs. The efficiency drop of around 8-10% is something you’ll simply have to factor in.There is currently no widespread ethanol blending in diesel, though there is a plan to introduce a biofuel mix in diesel as well.As for your cars, both are perfectly fine to continue using. Your 2023 Innova Crysta diesel is robust, long-lasting, and highly regarded for reliability and resale. The Baleno, too, remains easy and economical to maintain. There’s no urgent need to switch to an electric car. Continue using your current cars confidently and reassess when clearer policies or stronger EV infrastructure emerge.

Autocar India

•3h

Having a diesel in Delhi is always a challenge because of the 10-year rule, which deregisters cars after that period. However, since your Mahindra Thar and Mahindra Thar Roxx are quite new and still have a long life ahead of them, we don’t think you need to panic and jump to replacing them because you can happily continue using both well into the next decade. And, since you are a hardcore Jeep and Mahindra fan, you may want to wait for the next-generation Thar, which could come out around the end of 2027 or in 2028. It won’t be a body-on-frame like your existing Thar and Thar Roxx, but could have a hybrid powertrain, which will be future-proofed against any regulations.For now, hang on to your existing Thar and Thar Roxx because, as you said, these body-on-frame diesels will be the last of a breed. Also, Hormazd Sorabjee will be happy to know you met him over 30 years ago!

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Mahindra Thar

Autocar India

•3h

The Jeep Compass 4x4 is still a very desirable SUV. It feels solid, premium and is one of the best to drive in this segment, with excellent ride and handling balance and genuine off-road ability. That is exactly why it appeals emotionally. However, when you look at your usage and long-term ownership, the Mahindra XUV 7XO makes more sense. It is more powerful, more spacious and far more practical for everyday use. The cabin is wider, rear seat comfort is better, and the overall feature set is much stronger, which adds to day-to-day convenience and value.Coming to the deal itself, a 2024 Compass with 25,000 km at that price is reasonable, especially with an extended warranty. But, you will still be the second owner of a premium brand, which means higher maintenance costs, slightly lower resale later and a bit more risk compared to buying new. The Compass is also a smaller SUV, and over time, the tighter rear space can start to feel like a compromise.The difference is simple. The Compass is a heart-driven choice with strong driving appeal, while the XUV 7XO is the more practical, feature-rich and better value option.

Jeep Compass

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•4h

The Mahindra XUV 3XO is the newer car. It offers a more refined and punchy diesel engine with strong torque, which makes both city and highway driving effortless. It is also the widest car in the segment, which makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater, especially for three people in the rear. The ride quality is comfortable and well-suited for daily use, and it is also very well priced for what it offers.The Tata Nexon is also a solid alternative. It feels sturdy, has good road presence and offers a bigger boot, which makes it more practical for luggage. However, the diesel engine and AMT combination is not as refined or smooth as the 3XO, and overall, the car now feels a step behind in terms of drivetrain and freshness.The one clear drawback with the 3XO is the smaller boot, which is where the Nexon has a clear advantage.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•4h

Go for the Tata Punch EV Long Range. For school runs, pick-ups and short daily trips, the Punch EV works very well. It is compact, easy to park and effortless to drive in traffic, with smooth and silent performance that suits stop-and-go conditions. The long-range version gives you enough real-world range to cover multiple days of city use without needing to charge frequently. It also offers good ground clearance, so you will not have to worry about bad roads or speed breakers. Coming from an S-Cross, you will find it much easier to manoeuvre in tight lanes and parking spots, though you will notice the smaller rear seat and boot.If you want more space and stronger performance, you can consider the Tata Nexon EV. It feels quicker and more substantial, but it is more expensive and not as easy to park in tight areas. At the other end, if your usage is strictly short trips in very tight urban conditions, the MG Comet is the easiest to drive and park, but its two-door layout makes rear seat access less convenient for daily use.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Nexon EV

MG Comet