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•1d

JLR has announced that it will discontinue the Range Rover Evoque and Velar in the near future, as it plans to focus on the more premium end of the international market. The Evoque, in particular, is a beautiful and desirable vehicle, although it is out of reach for the average Indian buyer. Is there a possibility of Tata Motors' passenger vehicle division bringing a similar form factor with a powerful engine to India, suitably adapted for the local market to make it more affordable?

•8h

That is a very interesting thought. Something on similar lines is happening. Tata Motors will launch their Avinya range of electric cars, which will feature rakish, coupe-SUV styling similar to the Evoque. As for taking the same vehicle and rebranding it as a Tata, that would be very unlikely given brand and marketing considerations. If you are looking for a more affordable coupe like SUV from Tata, your best bet would be the Avinya range, or you could even pick up a used Evoque from trusted used car platforms.

Tata Avinya

•22h

I own a 2024 Tata Punch Adventure Rhythm with manual AC and showroom-fitted PU seat covers. I am facing a sweating problem around my thighs and back, even though I have Garware film on all the windows. I live in Mumbai, where the climate is humid. What would you suggest to address this problem?

•9h

PU seat covers do not offer good breathability, which is why you feel sweaty. Ideally, you should use the car's original fabric seat covers. Protecting the original seats only benefits the second owner, so you might as well enjoy their comfort and appearance. If they get soiled, you can always fit seat covers later.If you feel however you must have seat covers then switch to cloth covers which have much better breathability. You also get aftermarket cooled seat cushions that plug into the car's 12V socket. However, these can shift under braking or in an impact, which could make them unsafe in an accident. So, fabric seat covers would be our recommendation.

•16h

I am looking to buy an automatic midsize SUV for my parents. They drive about 30km a day in the city, with occasional highway trips. I am considering the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Skoda Kylaq and Tata Nexon. Which of these would be the right choice in terms of comfort, safety, reliability, driving experience and value for money?

•10h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. The 1.5 engine comes with a torque converter automatic, which is the smoothest type of gearbox to have, especially in city traffic. The low-speed ride on the Brezza is also very plush, and the comfy seats will keep your parents comfortable during their commute. The Brezza also meets your requirements of reliability and safety.The Skoda Kylaq is also a good option. It also comes with a torque convertor gearbox and would be better in terms of driving pleasure on the few highway trips you'll do. However in the city the Brezza's naturally aspirated engine is easier to manage compared to the turbocharged Kylaq engine which does have some amount of lag.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Skoda Kylaq

•1d

I am looking for a diesel car between the range of Rs. 12-15 lakh that delivers a mileage of around 20-25 kpl.

•11h

Given your budget and requirements, you should consider between the Tata Altroz, Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet. The Altroz should be the most efficient here and close to the 20kpl mark on the highway and the top-spec Accomplished S comfortably fits in your budget and comes feature loaded. However, if you want an SUV instead the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue are both good options. Both are mechanically identical, but the Venue has a slightly more spacious cabin and is the newer of the two. But both will be slightly less efficient than the Altroz.

My budget is Rs. 10 lakh that I can extend upto Rs. 12 lakh. I have Punch and Nexon in mind but I am unable to decide between these two. We are a family of 4. I believe that Punch would be suitable and within my budget, but I also feel that we may regret later if we choose Punch due to its lag and space issues that most people have reported. I am new to driving, so I want to choose an AMT car. Please advise.

•11h

Between the Tata Punch and Nexon, go for the Nexon as it is a larger car with more cabin space and a larger boot which will be ideal for your family. The Nexon also comes with a more powerful, turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine than the Punch and you also get the option of a 6-speed AMT. Within your budget of Rs. 12 lakh, you'll get the Nexon Pure+ S AMT which is decently equipped and has all the basics covered.

Tata Nexon

•20h

My daily commute is around 120 km primarily on highway. I want to buy a car under Rs. 12-14 lakh. I don't have a charging facility at home but it is available in office. Which car should I buy?

•12h

Since your daily running is high and mostly on highways, a diesel will be a good option to consider. The Hyundai Venue HX5 diesel will be a good option for you, as it's got a refined and efficient 1.5-litre diesel engine, good highway manners and a premium and comfy cabin. You can even opt for a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, but you may have to stretch your budget a little for that. The Venue HX5 also comes well equipped and being a Hyundai, it will be relatively stress free to maintain as well. However, if you want an EV, consider the Tata Punch Empowered+ S with the larger 40kWh battery. The Punch EV is one of the nicest compact electrics on sale today and is feature-rich as well.

Hyundai Venue

•12h

VinFast has reduced the price of its VF MPV 7 by over ₹4 lakh, bringing it closer to the price range of popular family MPVs. Do you guys think, this will improve the sales?

•2d

Hi, I am getting Hyundai i20 Magna Executive Starry Night for Rs. 6 Lakh in Kolkata with 5 free accessories. I am confused about its mileage and the compromise that you had mentioned. I am getting free accessories in Hyundai Exter H3X for Rs. 5.9 lakh as well. Please suggest.

•12h

The i20 feels far more premium and its cabin is more spacious than the Exter's. Both cars share their 1.2-litre petrol engine and 5-speed manual gearbox. And the difference between their fuel efficiency numbers (if any) will be negligible given that the i20 is slightly heavier than the Exter. Hence, if you like the i20 Magna and are getting a good deal, go for it, it is the better option.

Hyundai i20

Hyundai Exter

Verna owner · 35,000 km

With E20 petrol becoming increasingly common, are you checking whether your car is E20-compatible before filling up?

Which two-wheeler would you choose for daily city commuting?

Hey folks! I'm planning to buy my first car, and my maximum budget is Rs. 11 lakh (on-road price). After exploring a few options, I've shortlisted the Hyundai Venue 1.0L Turbo Manual and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.0L Turbo Manual. However, I'm a bit confused about which one to choose. My driving will be split roughly 50% in the city and 50% on highways. I've already driven the Brezza 1.0L Turbo, and I noticed that it doesn't stall even when the RPM drops below 1,000. I'm not sure how the Venue performs in similar conditions. I'd love to hear from car enthusiasts and owners who have experience with either of these cars. Which one would you recommend considering drivability, engine performance, city traffic, highway comfort, and overall ownership experience? Any suggestions or real-world experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

The Brezza's 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine might not have the outright punch similar to the Venue's 1.0-litre unit, however the Maruti's drivability is noticeably better. Turbo-lag is far less pronounced and it'll require fewer gearshifts while cruising, compared to the Venue. What's more, the Brezza feels a tougher while driving over bad roads, and space inside too is more than the Venue. The Hyundai Venue's cabin on the other hand feels brighter, more premium and more modern in comparison. Between the two, our pick would be the Brezza turbo for its drivability and solid feel.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Venue

Virtus facelift should be Fuel efficient. Also should have Hybrid option

•14h

If you had ₹15,000 to spend on upgrading your current car, what would you choose?

•3w

I am planning to buy an automatic car in Bangalore. I have shortlisted the Skoda Kylaq AT (torque-converter automatic) and Tata Punch AMT. My usage involves 80% running on highway and 20% within the city. I take one long distance trip of around 800 km (up and down) every quarter. I prefer petrol cars with automatic transmission. Please compare both cars in terms of real-world highway and city mileage, highway comfort, ride quality and driver fatigue during long trips. It should have good safety ratings and safety features. I am also concerned about engine performance and highway overtaking capability. Please guide me about a car and its on-road price in Bangalore. It should be a value for money car which has affordable service costs, maintenance and long-term reliability. Expected monthly and annual fuel expenses are based on my driving pattern. Finally, recommend the single best car for my needs, explaining which model and variant offer the best balance of mileage, safety, comfort and ownership costs.

Go for the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic. Your usage is 80% highway with regular 800 km round trips, so you need a car that is comfortable at speed, stable on the highway and easy to live with over long distances. The Kylaq’s 1.0 TSI turbo petrol engine is punchy and overtaking is effortless, while the new 8-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and reliable. The Punch, with its compact dimensions, is a good city car, but won't feel as stable and planted on the highway. Moreover, the AMT gearbox is not as smooth and the naturally aspirated engine lacks the punch you need for quick overtakes.Service costs for Skoda have improved in recent years and are broadly comparable to Tata, but neither brand is up to the high water mark set by the likes of Maruti or Toyota when it comes to overall service experience. As for fuel efficiency, the less powerful and naturally aspirated Tata has the advantage overall, and the TSI engine of the Skoda is highly sensitive to your driving style. However, given your use is largely on the highway, the gap in numbers shortens considerably, and you'll appreciate the added punch of the Skoda.Overall, the Punch, which sits in a lower segment compared to the Kylaq, also feels that way, and if you're prepared to stretch for a Kylaq AT, we recommend doing so, as it is the superior vehicle overall.

Skoda Kylaq

EcoSport owner · 105,000 km

Kia is planning to invest $1.5 billion to expand its manufacturing capacity in Andhra Pradesh. That's huge.

•2d

I am confused between choosing MG Tomahawk Excite/Exclusive variants and Mahindra XEV 9S 79 kWh variant. Does the price premium really justify the upgrade? There is a price difference of approximately Rs. 3.66 lakh between MG Excite and XEV 9S, and around Rs. 1.5-2 lakh between the MG Exclusive and XEV 9S. Technically, the XEV 9S appears to have an advantage with its additional 10 kWh battery capacity, more powerful motor, higher torque and significantly better DC fast-charging capability. However, the MG offers better value in terms of pricing and, in the exclusive variant features such as ventilated seats. Does the XEV 9S's additional battery capacity, motor performance and faster charging justify paying an additional Rs. 1.5-3.66 lakh? I would like to get a few things evaluated. How noticeable is the difference in power and torque during regular city driving and highway cruising? Does the additional motor power translate into a meaningful everyday advantage? Although the XEV 9S supports much faster DC charging, how often can owners realistically access 180 kW chargers on Indian highways? Considering charger availability, infrastructure limitations and actual charging speeds, does this advantage make a significant difference to overall travel time? Does the additional 10 kWh battery translate into a substantial improvement in usable highway range, especially at 100-120 km/h? Is it worth sacrificing comfort features such as ventilated seats in the MG Exclusive to get the XEV 9S's additional battery capacity, performance and charging technology? If warranty coverage and routine service costs are broadly comparable, which vehicle offers better overall value over 5-8 years? I would appreciate a genuine, practical comparison rather than just comparing specification sheets. Ultimately, if you were spending your own money, would you choose MG Tomahawk Exclusive and save Rs. 1.5-2 lakh, or stretch the budget for Mahindra XEV 9S 79 kWh? More importantly, what tangible benefits would justify that additional investment in real-world Indian driving conditions?

We would recommend the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh over the MG Hector Tomahawk EV Exclusive, provided you are comfortable paying the additional Rs 1.5-2 lakh. The Mahindra offers a meaningful advantage in highway range, performance and charging speeds. In Autocar India's real-world range test, it returned 477km on the highway against 397km for the MG. Interestingly, the MG delivered better city range, at 495km against the Mahindra's 478km.The XEV 9S also gets a more powerful 286hp, 380Nm rear-wheel-drive motor, compared to the MG's 204hp, 310Nm front-wheel-drive setup. This translates into stronger acceleration, better high-speed performance and a more engaging driving experience. Its 180kW DC charging capability is another advantage over the MG's 90kW, although access to compatible high-powered chargers will determine how much time you actually save.The MG, however, makes a strong case with its lower price, spacious cabin and comfort features such as ventilated front seats in the Exclusive variant. If most of your driving is within the city, it offers better value and there is little reason to spend extra on the Mahindra.Our pick would be the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh if you regularly undertake highway journeys and want the additional range and performance. If your usage is predominantly urban, save the Rs 1.5–2 lakh and go for the MG Hector Tomahawk EV Exclusive.

Mahindra XEV 9S

MG Hector Tomahawk EV