Latest questions answered by experts

I am planning to buy an EV. I am 55 years old, and I will be driving about 150km outside the city on ECR, Chennai, every other day. I am looking for a comfortable drive, particularly considering my age and the distance involved. Please suggest some options.

•1h

In the Rs 20-30 lakh price range, the Hyundai Creta Electric 51.4kWh is the best fit for your needs. For 150km, ECR runs every other day, it rides comfortably, has soft, supportive seats, and delivers 400-plus km of real-world range. That gives you enough charge to get to your destination and back with a healthy buffer. The steering is light in town but steady on the highway, and the driver aids take the strain out of longer stints.If you want something a bit larger, then the Mahindra XEV 9e 79kWh is worth considering. It brings a real-world range of around 480km, a larger cabin and more tech. However, if you don't see the benefit of the extra range, space and features, it would be worth sticking with the smaller and more manageable Creta Electric.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Mahindra XEV 9e

•4d

I want to purchase an SUV with a budget of Rs. 30 lakh and the best possible mileage.

•1h

Get the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid, because nothing under Rs. 30 lakh will save more fuel in real city traffic. The hybrid runs on electric power at low speeds, so you’ll often see the engine off in jams and still average 20-plus kpl in town. It is easy to drive, has a smooth automatic transmission, good ground clearance and enough space for a small family.Be aware the hybrid’s boot is smaller than the pure petrol, and high-speed performance is calm rather than exciting.If your usage is mostly long highway runs, a diesel will make more sense on the open road. In that case, the Kia Seltos diesel is the efficient highway pick, with strong cruising and good efficiency if you keep steady speeds.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Kia Seltos

•4d

I (a 39-year-old man) am planning to buy a new car for the first time. I don’t know how to drive yet. I work 12 hours a day and won’t need the car for commuting to the office. I will drive an average of 200km per month. Also, I may plan 400 km-long trips every 2-3 months after learning to drive. I want good mileage as well. My budget is Rs 15 lakh on-road, with approximately Rs 5 lakh as a down payment. Should I buy a diesel, petrol, CNG, or EV? Should I opt for a naturally aspirated engine or a turbo one? I plan to keep the car for around 8-10 years. I am looking for recommendations for May 2026. Should I buy a compact SUV, hatchback, or sedan?

•2h

Buy a simple petrol automatic hatchback or compact sedan with a naturally aspirated engine. It suits your 200 km a month, occasional 400 km trips, and makes learning easy. Diesel won’t pay back for your usage and can hate short runs. CNG saves only with high km and is a pain on highway trips with long queues and a small boot. Budget electric cars under Rs. 15 lakh can work only if you have home charging and don’t mind planning stops on those 400 km runs.Stick to a naturally aspirated petrol. It’s smoother at low speeds, simpler for 8-10 year ownership, and real-world mileage is steadier than small turbos that tempt you to drive harder and are sensitive to driving style. Get the automatic to reduce stress; you’ll drive more often because it’s easy.Models that fit your plan and budget now and should still be around in 2027 (if that is what you mean): Maruti Suzuki Baleno or Toyota Glanza automatic for top mileage and easy city manners, Honda Amaze automatic if you want a comfy sedan with a big boot for trips, or Tata Punch automatic if you like a higher seat and extra ground clearance. You’ll give up a little mileage with an automatic, but the ease is worth it.

I'm living in Delhi. My Spark is 14 years old, and I want to replace it. I have a sales job that requires travelling 70-80km at least 4-5 days a week. I also want a 7-seater to accommodate my family. I'm thinking about the Kia Carens diesel. Is diesel still relevant in Delhi today? I personally don't want to go for the Ertiga CNG. Please suggest.

•3h

Go for the Kia Carens diesel if you plan to keep the car 7-8 years. For your 70-80 km runs most days, its fuel cost will be much lower than petrol, and it is a true 7-seater with a usable third row and plenty of space when you fold it for luggage.In Delhi, diesel is still relevant, but remember the 10-year cap on private diesel registration. If you’re okay replacing or selling before that, the maths works. A new BS6 diesel is allowed on smog days that restrict older diesels, and your regular longer runs will keep the diesel particulate filter happy. If you want to keep the car 10+ years or you worry about policy swings, the Carens petrol is the safer bet, just expect higher monthly fuel bills.Pick the automatic if you often crawl in traffic. The manual is fine if you drive more on open roads. One honest catch with diesel in Delhi is that resale weakens after 7-8 years because buyers know the 10-year limit. If that’s fine, the Carens diesel fits your use very well.

Kia Carens

•6d

I was planning to buy a Maruti Ignis, but it’s been discontinued. I prefer small cars for city driving and office commutes, but I also need something highway-capable for an occasional 900 km trip to my hometown. It will mostly carry three of us (my spouse, child, and me), but needs to fit five people when my parents join. With a 12-lakh budget, what are the best compact cars that balance city manoeuvrability, highway stability, and occasional 5-seater comfort?

•4h

Pick the Maruti Fronx turbo within your Rs. 12 lakh budget, because it stays easy to park in the city yet feels secure on a 900 km run with enough room for five. The 1.0 turbo has decent mid-range for quick overtakes, and the suspension is absorbent and yet keeps the car steady at highway speeds. If you are opting for the automatic, then the Fronx torque converter auto is a very smooth unit and will make life much easier in the city.If you want an even smaller, lighter car with lower running costs, go for the Maruti Swift. It is smooth in the city, easy on fuel, has a usable boot for three, and will cruise comfortably at 100. It can take five in a pinch, but it will feel tight on shoulder room and lack the highway punch of the turbo Fronx.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Swift

•3d

I want to buy a 125 cc scooter for daily commute, sometimes I also travel with a female member of my family as a pillion. Mileage is also of some importance to me. Further, I also want a good ride quality as I have some issues with back pain. I like Ntorq Race XP the most, but the problem with it is that it does not have ample space for 2 and lacks mileage. New Access, I have heard that it has 10-inch rear wheels and a very stiff suspension, which hampers the ride quality in the city. The new burgeman also has the same problem. Jupiter 125 has less mileage but good suspension, but most of the users are reporting rattling of the body after just 1 or 2 years of use. Please suggest the best 125 cc scooter I can buy as per my needs Good ride quality Decent mileage Decent space for 2 people to commute

•14h

We're not sure where you're getting your information from, but the Access and Burgman definitely don't have 'stiff' suspension that will hamper ride quality inside the city. On the contrary, especially so with a pillion, the Access and Burgman have some of the best seating and suspension comfort in the 125cc space. The Suzuki scooters also have rather frugal engines, and when ridden sensibly, you should see 45-50kpl, if not more.The TVS Jupiter 125 is another great option to look at with its spacious seat and plush suspension, and one unique feature it has is that its monoshock comes with a handy winged preload adjuster, which makes it easy to tune the suspension based on the load you're carrying on the vehicle. Coming to the matter of rattling body panels, this may be the case on some isolated units, which may not have been maintained properly and doesn't seem like a widespread, routinely reported one. We'd advise you to disregard whatever misconceptions you may have about these scooters and instead take test rides of all three before you make your decision.

Suzuki Access

TVS Jupiter 125