I am looking for a small automatic car for my wife’s office use. 95% usage is within the city. I am looking between Hyundai i10 and New gen Tiago. What do you guys advice?

autocar.india

•1h

For a daily run of 80km with a mix of city and highway driving and a 10-year ownership horizon, the decision between a luxury ICE car and a BYD EV comes down to your priorities rather than a simple ICE vs EV debate.If you are considering German luxury cars, you are looking at a very different ownership proposition to a BYD EV. The German cars will offer a more premium experience, better driving dynamics and a more emotional ownership experience, but they will also come with higher maintenance costs and greater complexity over 10 years.The BYD EV, on the other hand, is a more rational choice. It will be significantly cheaper to run, has fewer moving parts and is likely to be more reliable over the long term. Your 80km daily run is well within the comfort zone of modern electric cars, and if you have access to home charging, the ownership experience becomes very straightforward.The key question is whether you value the premium experience of a German luxury car enough to justify the higher running costs over 10 years. If your priority is long-term reliability, low running costs and a hassle-free ownership experience, the BYD EV is the better choice.If you are buying with your heart and want the premium experience, the German ICE car still makes sense, but go in with your eyes open about the long-term costs. Ground clearance is less of a differentiator at this level, as most luxury SUVs and EVs are broadly comparable. Ultimately, this is a head vs heart decision rather than an ICE vs EV decision.

autocar.india

•17h

Go for the Mahindra BE 6 Pack 2 59kWh. Your usage pattern is ideal for an EV, with a mix of expressway and city traffic, and you already have affordable home charging. At Rs 10/kWh, your running costs will be significantly lower than a diesel, and the BE 6’s 59kWh battery is more than adequate for your daily needs and occasional longer trips. The current discount makes it a strong value proposition, and waiting for the next version is unlikely to yield dramatically better deals given how quickly EV technology and pricing are evolving.The Seltos is a good car, but at 7,000-8,000 km a year, buying a diesel car is harder to justify because of the higher upfront premium. You would also be looking at a replacement in 4-5 years. The BE 6, on the other hand, can be handed over to your parents after that period, making it a more sensible long-term purchase. As for E20/E25 concerns, modern petrol engines are engineered for these blends, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20, so it should not be a reason to avoid petrol cars altogether.Overall, the BE 6 fits your usage, budget and long-term plans best.

Mahindra BE 6

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•19h

Go for the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI Sport. Coming from a Polo and Vento automatic, you already appreciate Volkswagen’s driving DNA, and the Taigun 1.5 TSI is a natural progression. The engine is punchy, the DSG gearbox is quick and engaging, and the overall driving experience is far more involving than the Seltos. The Taigun also feels more compact and agile in the city, while still being comfortable on the highway.The Kia Seltos diesel X-Line is a strong all-rounder with better space, a more premium cabin and a more relaxed long-distance character, but it does not offer the same level of driver engagement. The diesel engine is efficient and torquey, but it lacks the excitement of the 1.5 TSI. Given your history with Volkswagen cars, the Taigun will simply feel more familiar and more enjoyable to drive every day.

Volkswagen Taigun

Kia Seltos