I am experiencing a lag in gear shifting with my Kia manual petrol. How can this issue be resolved?

Autocar India

•1h

Go for the Maruti Victoris VXi manual as it fits your Rs 14 lakh budget and represents a step up from your i20. You will sit higher, see the road better, and it deals with bad roads and speed breakers better than the i20, yet it is still relatively easy to park and thread through traffic. The controls are light, the petrol engine feels smooth and calm in the city, and Maruti’s wide service network makes ownership simple almost anywhere. One thing to be aware of: the engine is more about smoothness than speed, so if you're on a highway with four people and luggage, you may need to plan your overtakes. While the Victoris VXi MT will be ideal, if you want to benefit from lower running costs, consider the Victoris LXi CNG. If a big part of your 1,500 km is highway and you want lower fuel bills and stronger pull at low speeds, look at the Kia Sonet diesel manual mid variant. It suits long runs well, though the ride can feel a bit firm on sharp bumps. If you want to stay with Hyundai, check the Venue diesel manual, which is mechanically identical to the Sonet.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•1d

Generally speaking yes, bigger, or more accurately more powerful engines can end up with a heavier clutch however it varies between models as manufacturers work on the system to lower clutch pedal effort. As for your particular car we would recommend asking the workshop to compare your clutch pedal effort with a new Carens manual, side by side. Drive them both and this will help your pinpoint if there is a problem with your particular car. If that is the case ask them to change the clutch fluid, check the pedal bush and spring, and inspect the pressure plate and release bearing. If any of these are worn or damaged, the pedal can feel much harder than normal.

Kia Carens

Autocar India

•2d

What you’re experiencing is not unusual with EVs like the Mahindra XEV 9e. The standard Goodyear tyres are tuned more for efficiency and low rolling resistance, which helps maximise range, but that does come at the cost of outright grip, especially on wet roads and loose surfaces like sand. This is further amplified by the nature of the car itself — it is a relatively powerful, rear-wheel-drive EV, and the instant torque delivery means it is quite easy to overwhelm the rear tyres if you are not very progressive with the throttle in slippery conditions.The good news is that you can upgrade tyres without affecting your warranty, as long as you stick to the same size, load index and speed rating recommended by the manufacturer. Moving to a more grip-focused tyre will make a noticeable difference in wet braking, traction and overall confidence.Do keep in mind that while better tyres will improve grip, they will not completely eliminate the characteristics of a powerful rear-wheel-drive EV. Smooth throttle inputs and careful driving in low-grip conditions will still be important. That said, upgrading from the stock tyres is a worthwhile step if you are looking for more confidence and safety in challenging conditions.

Mahindra XEV 9e