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•10w

Hi, I'm planning to buy a new petrol car. I recently learned to drive and have never owned or regularly driven a car before. My budget is around Rs. 12.5 lakh. I've shortlisted the Hyundai Venue HX5 Petrol DCT, but I also checked out the Kia Seltos HTE Petrol Manual and really liked its interior. Now I'm really confused about which one to buy, especially since I've heard that DCT gearboxes can have issues in heavy traffic. At the moment, my driving will mostly be on highways, with a 70:30 highway-to-city split. However, my city usage could increase in the future. One more thing I noticed during the test drives is that the Venue's manual clutch felt extremely light. The Seltos also has a light clutch, but it isn't as effortless as the Venue's. Please help me decide which one would be the better choice.

•10w

Go for the Hyundai Venue HX5 Turbo Petrol DCT. It's the best choice among your shortlisted options. Since you're a new driver, its compact dimensions will be easier to get used to, and as you mentioned, the lighter controls are a big advantage.

With 70% of your driving on highways, the manual gearbox is a straightforward and dependable choice. At the same time, the clutch is light enough to remain comfortable in city traffic. Sticking with the manual also allows you to move up to the better-equipped Hyundai Venue N Line N6 Petrol MT variant within your budget.

It's not that the Venue's DCT has inherent issues in traffic. Rather, it can feel jerky at crawling speeds, and it requires slightly more careful use, such as shifting to Neutral or Park when stopped for longer at traffic lights, to minimise premature wear.

The Kia Seltos HTE Petrol MT gives you a larger car and a bigger engine, but being the base-spec variant, it misses out on several features. As a first-time buyer, the size may be more of a hindrance than a benefit.

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Hyundai

Venue

from ₹8.92 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.76 Lakh

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•23h

If both were similarly priced, would you pick the newer Bayon or stick with the familiar Venue?

•20h

Please suggest a suitable automatic car for monthly running of 2000km which includes 20% city and 80% highway use in and around Shimla Hills. I am looking for a car within a budget of Rs. 9-14 lakh which should be driver friendly, convenient, reliable and comfortable with a 2nd row and ample boot space. I plan to retain it for at least 10-12 years.

•18h

With 2,000 km a month, 80% highway and hilly terrain, diesel is the clear recommendation. The torque and efficiency of a diesel engine make a big difference on long climbs and overtakes, and at your running, the cost savings over petrol add up quickly. Additionally, keeping your requirements of back seat comfort, as well as a 10-12 year ownership plan, a Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel-AMT seems like the right fit.It is powered by a refined, strong and punchy diesel engine that's mated to a 6-speed automated manual transmission (AMT). Now, the AMT is not as smooth as a torque converter available in the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue diesel at the same price, but with a light foot, the Mahindra's unit works reasonably well and doesn't feel jerky or confused at low speeds. And compared to the Hyundai and Kia offerings, the 3XO feels more spacious, particularly for rear seat occupants. On paper, its boot is small, but actual usable space is similar to other compact SUVs on sale.If you want a proper diesel-automatic, with a large boot and spacious second row, consider the Kia Syros HTK+. It has an excellent diesel engine, a seamless torque converter (automatic transmission) and for its size, it is extremely spacious. Also, with an adjustable second row, it gives you the flexibility of increasing boot space or legroom for rear occupants. The on-road price might be a little over your Rs 14 lakh budget, but with substantial discounts going on, you could just end up getting one within your budget.

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the Hyundai Venue HX5 Turbo MT and the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFi. I am getting a good offer on the Venue. We have owned a Hyundai Grand i10 Nios for the last seven years without any issues. I like the XUV 3XO for its engine and the additional features it offers over the Venue. However, I also like the Venue because I am familiar with its driving experience and refinement. I plan to keep the new car for at least seven years, so I am looking for trouble-free ownership and a good service centre experience. My spouse prefers the rear-seat comfort of the 3XO, especially its under-thigh support and legroom, but dislikes its boot space. We also expect our family to grow in the coming years, so practicality is important. In terms of performance, I am not expecting a race car at this budget. I want a car with decent power that does not feel sluggish or make highway overtaking difficult. It should also offer reasonable mileage in city traffic and a comfortable ride for both front and rear passengers on city roads and highways. My usage will be around 60% city driving, along with a long drive of approximately 500 km every month. We have already considered other cars, and these two are our final choices. Could you please compare them in terms of ownership costs, maintenance, performance, comfort and reliability? It would also help if you could highlight any notable issues I might face with either car that could affect the driving experience or passenger comfort.

•2d

It seems like you're leaning towards the Mahindra XUV 3XO for its stronger engine performance, better feature set, and a nicer back seat experience. It is a genuinely well-rounded car, and its ride comfort and drive experience make it feel like a much larger, more expensive car. Also, between the two, the XUV 3XO is the much better car for the highway. As you've rightly pointed out, its boot space is lower on paper; however, the actual usable space is quite similar to the Venue's. So, if you like the XUV 3XO, go for it; it is a good buy.The Hyundai Venue HX5 Turbo MT might seem a bit more user-friendly with lighter controls, which make it easier to drive in the city. Moreover, you already have a positive ownership experience with Hyundai, and the Venue continues that formula with a refined turbo petrol engine and a well-built, more modern interior. It has enough performance for confident overtakes on the highway and remains reasonably efficient in city traffic. Between the two, though, the XUV 3XO gives you a big car feel, while the Venue is easier to drive in the city. For similar money, we'd pick the XUV 3XO; however, if you're getting the Venue at a substantially lower discounted price, it is a car you can't go wrong with.

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•1w

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a seven-seater car. I have test-driven the Renault Triber Turbo and Citroen Aircross X and was impressed by what both offer at their price points. However, the Aircross put a wide smile on my face. As a current Maruti Suzuki user, I did not consider the Ertiga because it feels similar to our Swift. I liked the Aircross X but am sceptical about Citroen's service network and spare parts availability. However, there are three Citroen showrooms within 45 km of my place. Please suggest which car I should choose. My budget: Rs. 15 lakh Current vehicle: Second-generation Maruti Suzuki Swift petrol (2017) Annual usage: Around 10,000 km, with a 50:30:20 split between town, highway and city driving Requirement: A seven-seater car

•6d

The Citroen's interiors feel more special, its engine is more powerful, and its ride-handling balance is outstanding; however, for seven adults, it won't be as comfortable as the Triber.In fact, the Triber's superb packaging makes it genuinely comfortable for passengers in all three rows, despite its compact sub-4-meter dimensions. The new turbo-petrol engine makes it an effortless performer, and its ride quality feels very mature too. Moreover, the Triber Turbo is also much more affordable in comparison, making it outstanding value for money. Yes, the Aircross X will appeal to your heart, but given Citroen's limited service network and cramped third row, the Triber Turbo is the more sensible choice.

Renault Triber

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•3d

Please advise which car would be the best choice for long-term ownership: the Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Volkswagen SUV, or any other suitable option. My priority is reliability, long-term durability, and hassle-free ownership over the next 10 years or more. I would appreciate suggestions based on real-world ownership experience, maintenance costs, spare parts availability, and after-sales support.

•3d

For long-term ownership, the Mahindra Scorpio N is the safest recommendation from your shortlist. It has a proven track record, robust mechanicals and a strong service network, making it a dependable choice for 5-10 years of ownership. The Tata Harrier and Tata Safari have improved significantly, but the Scorpio N still has the edge on long-term reliability and ownership confidence. The Jeep Compass is a good product, but it is now an ageing model and does not offer the same value proposition as the Scorpio N. If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It is a more modern product with a better balance of comfort, features and refinement, and it is a strong long-term ownership proposition as well. The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are excellent driver's cars, but they are smaller and do not offer the same level of space or road presence as the Scorpio N or XUV 7XO.

I am planning to buy my first car. I want to have a 7-seater and need it for long term ownership. I liked the Citroen Aircross X design for 5+2. I am planning to choose a car with automatic transmission. I have couple of major concerns for which I would like your advice. First one is Mileage, I heard Aircross has a mileage issue and its real-world city mileage is 8 kpl while on highway it is 14 kpl. Is it the same for X version also? Second advice is for its service network. I have heard from the people that its service is slow. Regular servicing also takes around 2 days of time. I have a service center within 10 km from my home. My budget is Rs. 20 Lakh and I need an automatic transmission with rear and front parking camera or 360-degree camera since I am a new driver. Are there any 7-seater alternatives within this budget?

•2d

The Citroen Aircross X is a good-looking car, now with a premium interior. It is the only SUV in its category which offers a 5+2 seating configuration, and even though the third row is not particularly spacious, it works for occasional use. The real-world fuel efficiency figures as per our tests are 9.5kpl and 13.62kpl in city and highway conditions, respectively, which is quite decent given the strong and smooth performance this 1.2-turbo-petrol-AT delivers. What's more is that ride comfort is outstanding, perhaps the best among all midsize SUVs. So as far as comfort and practicality goes, the Aircross X is a good car.Citroen's service centre network is limited, but since you have a touchpoint close to your home, your vehicle's regular servicing and maintenance is likely to be taken care of smoothly. If you love the Aircross X for what it is, go for it - as far as value goes, it is an outstanding proposition. If you're looking for proper seven-seater alternatives, we'd strongly recommend the Kia Carens Clavis HTK+ turbo-petrol automatic version. All three rows are properly spacious, well-suited for adults. This variant will be within your Rs 20 lakh on-road budget, and it has front and rear parking sensors, as well as rear-view camera to make parking easy for you. Sure, it isn't an SUV, but it is a very sensible car, if you need a proper seven-seater.

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