Latest questions answered by experts

autocar.india

•1h

The Honda Elevate is the one to go for a car under Rs. 15 lakh in India. This car is a simple, reliable and easy-to-drive SUV that is likely to serve you well for many years. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and proven, and the car is well suited to both city driving and highway runs. Honda’s ownership experience is likely to be trouble-free, with good reliability and reasonable maintenance costs. This Honda car also offers a comfortable ride, decent space and a straightforward ownership proposition, which is exactly what you want as a first-time buyer.

Honda Elevate

autocar.india

•2h

With a daily running of 70km in the city and only 1-2 highway runs a month, you could consider a Kia Carens Clavis diesel or Hyundai Alcazar diesel; their manual and automatic versions will fall within your budget of Rs 18-25 lakh.If you need a proper 7-seater, the Kia Carens is the better option. This Kia car is one of the most spacious and practical 7-seaters in the segment, with a genuinely usable third row and a comfortable ride. The diesel engine is smooth and very efficient, and the Clavis won't feel much larger than a Honda City to drive around town.

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Carens

Hyundai Alcazar

autocar.india

•3h

If your 2021 Kia Sonet 1.0 iMT is serving you well without any issues, we'd suggest you retain it. On the E20 issue, ethanol blends can reduce fuel economy slightly, but the drop is not likely to be significant enough to justify selling a good car. Keep in mind that you will lose a fair chunk of money as far as residual value goes, which won't justify the additional outlay your next new car will command.The bigger question is whether the Baleno AGS is the right upgrade. At under Rs 10 lakh on-road, you are looking at the Zeta AGS, which is a well-equipped car. This Maruti Suzuki car is comfortable, reliable and very easy to drive in the city. The AGS gearbox is an automated manual, which will be more convenient than the iMT. And the Baleno's 1.2 NA petrol will certainly be more efficient than the Sonet's 1.0 Turbo. That said, as far as quality and performance go, the Baleno will feel like a step backwards compared to your outgoing Sonet.If your father is looking for a smoother city driving experience and better fuel efficiency, the Baleno AGS is a good choice. If the Sonet is otherwise running well, there is no urgent need to sell it purely because of E20 concerns.

Kia Sonet

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

autocar.india

•3h

With a daily running of 60-70km in the city and a couple of highway runs a month, fuel efficiency, ease of driving, space and comfort are important. In your budget of Rs 18-25 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXI Plus (O) Strong Hybrid is the most sensible recommendation. The strong hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city traffic, where the car can run on electric power at low speeds, and the petrol engine is smooth and reliable for highway runs. It is also a genuinely spacious cabin with a comfortable rear seat and a fairly large boot.However, if you need a proper 7-seater, the Kia Carens Clavis is the better option. It offers a genuinely usable third row, good comfort and a wide range of engine options, including an EV or a diesel. The only drawback is that the hybrid system in the Victoris gives it a clear advantage in city fuel efficiency.Overall, the Maruti Suzuki car mentioned above is the best fit for your usage pattern, balancing efficiency, comfort and long-term reliability. The Carens is the right choice if you genuinely need seven seats.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Carens Clavis

autocar.india

•4h

We would strongly advise against using a car inflatable bed for a 4-month-old baby during a 400km drive. It is not a safe solution. At this age, the safest way for your daughter to travel is in a properly installed rear-facing child seat. These seats are specifically designed to protect infants in the event of sudden braking or an accident, and they provide the correct support for a baby's head, neck and spine. Some seats also slide over their base mount and can be put in a more vertical seating position or a more horizontal sleeping position. Your baby might make a fuss initially, but someone close to her needs to sit alongside and then they get used to this very soon as the seat shape makes them feel nice and cradled. The best approach for a long journey like this is to plan regular stops every 1-2 hours. During these breaks, you can take your daughter out of the seat, allow her to feed and rest comfortably, and then continue the journey. It may make the trip longer, but it is the safest option by far.If you do not already have a rear-facing child seat, invest in a good quality one that is compatible with your Seltos. Brands like Joie, Chicco, Graco and Britax are all reliable options. Safety should always take priority over convenience, especially with a baby this young.

autocar.india

•4h

With a daily running of just 20km, your annual usage is relatively low, so the financial case for an aftermarket CNG kit is weak. The Grand i10 is a reliable car, but a 2013 model is now over a decade old, and investing in a CNG kit on an ageing car is not the best long-term decision. If the Hyundai car is otherwise in good condition and you are happy with it, you can continue using it, but if the low fuel efficiency is bothering you, it may be time to consider a replacement. A newer petrol car like the Maruti Suzuku Celerio will be more efficient, more reliable and safer, and will give you a better ownership experience over the next few years. At your running, a petrol car remains the most sensible choice.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

autocar.india

•5h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel automatic. It is the best fit for your requirement. The 3XO diesel automatic is a tough enough option from the compact SUVs in this price range. The diesel engine has good low-end torque, which makes a big difference on broken roads and steep inclines, and the automatic gearbox is smooth and well suited to everyday use. The suspension is robust and the car feels solid over rough terrain, which is exactly what you need for your weekly drives. It is also compact enough to be easy to live with in the city, while still offering enough ground clearance and durability for challenging conditions. The only thing to keep in mind is that the boot is on the smaller side, so if you regularly carry a lot of luggage, you may need to plan accordingly. At your Rs. 17 lakh budget you will also get a very well equipped variant. If however your tough terrain is really very bad, consisting of off-road trails then you would be better off in a Mahindra Scorpio N or the Thar Roxx, but these would be well over your budget and would come in just above the Rs. 20 lakh mark.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Mahindra Scorpio N

Mahindra Thar Roxx

autocar.india

•5h

Given your usage pattern of occasional family outings and long rides, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza hybrid is a sensible choice. It is a reliable, low-maintenance SUV with a comfortable ride and a proven ownership track record, which makes it a good upgrade from your Xylo. The mild hybrid system helps a bit with fuel efficiency, especially on highways, and Maruti’s service network adds peace of mind for long-term ownership.However, coming from a Xylo, you will notice a significant difference in space. The Brezza is a compact SUV, so rear seat space and overall cabin room are not as generous as what you are used to. If space is a priority for family outings, you may want to consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO instead. It offers a wider cabin, better rear seat comfort and a more spacious feel overall, while still being within your budget range.If you are open to a sedan, the Honda Amaze is also worth considering. It offers a comfortable ride, good boot space and Honda’s reputation for reliability, making it a strong option for occasional long drives.Overall, the Brezza hybrid is a solid choice.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Honda Amaze

autocar.india

•7h

Go for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder mild hybrid S MT. The Hyryder is the more complete and well-rounded car here. The mild hybrid system gives you a efficiency advantage in city driving, and the car itself is larger, more spacious and more comfortable for family use. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is also reliable and smoother in everyday driving, which makes it easier to live with over the long term. The Taisor G Turbo MT is the more fun-to-drive option with its 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, but it is a smaller car overall and does not offer the same level of space or comfort. Overall, the Hyryder mild hybrid S MT is the better all-rounder and the car that will make you happier over the long term.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

autocar.india

•8h

A 2021 Tata Nexon EV with 55,000km on the clock can be a sensible used buy, but only if the price is right and the battery health is verified. The 30kWh Nexon EV was Tata’s first mainstream electric SUV and has proven to be a robust package, but it is important to go in with realistic expectations. The claimed range was around 312km, but real-world range is closer to 180-200km depending on driving style and conditions. At 55,000km, battery degradation is unlikely to be severe if the car has been well cared for, but it is essential to get a battery health report from Tata Motors before committing. Also check the service history and ensure the car has not been involved in any major accidents. The Nexon EV is a solid city car with low running costs and a decent ownership experience, but it is not a long-distance cruiser. If the price is attractive and the battery health is good, it can be a smart buy. If not, it is better to walk away.

Tata Nexon EV