Latest questions answered by experts

Autocar India

•1h

Low running, long-term keep, and you care about mileage and a steady feel at speed - in that brief, the Kia Sonet HTK Plus 1.2 manual fits you better. With the same 1.2 petrol engine, mileage will be much the same as the Venue's in daily use, but the Sonet feels a touch more stable on the highway. Its steering has a bit more weight, and the suspension feels firmer, so it holds a straight line well and gives you more confidence on flyovers and open roads. Cabin quality also feels a notch nicer, which matters when you plan to keep it for many years.Know the trade-offs. This 1.2 engine is fine in the city, but with four or five people and luggage, it will feel slow to overtake so you will plan your moves. The Sonet’s ride is a little firm at low speeds, so sharp bumps are felt more than in the Hyundai Venue. If you often travel with rear passengers, then the Sonet's back seat can feel cramped compared to the Venue, but it makes up for it with a larger boot. If most of your use is inside the city and you want a softer, easier drive, the Hyundai Venue 1.2 in a similar mid variant will suit you. Overall, for your needs, pick the Sonet HTK Plus.

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•1h

With 100 km a day, 26 days a month, and a Rs 15-20 lakh budget, consider the Kia Seltos diesel manual. The diesel will keep your running costs in check and feel a lot smoother than the old Scorpio. For someone used to bigger cars, the Seltos cabin will still feel comfortable and airy. The tall seats and large windows give a clear view out, and the air conditioning works very well, which you will appreciate.If the Seltos is stretching your budget, then consider the Sonet diesel instead. Its cabin isn’t as roomy, but the large vents mean that the AC cools the cabin very well.Overall, for your commute and budget, the Seltos lines up best.

Kia Seltos

Kia Sonet

Autocar India

•2h

The Kia Carens Clavis is the best 7-seat MPV within Rs 18 lakh. It's a very practical model with highlights being easy access to its third row (thanks to a one-touch tumble fold seat) and multi-way adjustable middle row. This option to slide the middle row back and forth helps balance space for passengers across the cabin. The Carens Clavis' third row is usable even for adults, which makes the Kia well-suited for anyone with genuine use for seven seats.Your budget is sufficient for all three engine options, namely a 1.5-litre petrol, a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. The standard 1.5 petrol offers fair performance and is a good pick if you'll be spending the bulk of your time in town. If you want more performance, opt for the 1.5 turbo-petrol. It feels strongest and is best if you drive on the highway often with a full load of passengers. On the flipside, fuel economy is least. The diesel is pleasant and scores well for fuel efficiency. However, it's fine for gentle cruising but isn't punchy. Opt for the right engine for your needs and then close on the variant that fits within your budget.

Kia Carens Clavis

Autocar India

•3h

Hyundai hasn’t announced a date for the updated Creta yet, but we expect a late 2026-early 2027 launch. Camouflaged test car sightings on public roads mean the vehicle is in final testing. A reveal around late this year is possible, and November-December is a fair estimate. Do keep a small buffer in mind, though: big launches sometimes slip to early next year to align production and dealer stock, so January could also happen.Do stay tuned to Autocar India for the latest on the next-gen Hyundai Creta!

Autocar India

•3h

With 2,500 km a month and most of it on the expressway, a diesel compact SUV fits you best for Rs 13 lakh. The Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Tata Nexon are models to consider.The new Hyundai Venue is a great all-rounder with a refined diesel engine, a fairly spacious cabin and an upmarket interior. However, the Venue is on the pricey side by segment standard, so you'll have to look at a mid-spec diesel-manual within your budget. If you can extend your budget, go for the diesel-automatic. The torque converter automatic transmission delivers a very premium drive experience.If rear space is not a high priority, the Kia Sonet is also a strong option. The model is due to be replaced in the coming months, so there's scope to haggle hard and get a great deal on the outgoing model. Despite being among the older models in the segment, it impresses with its high-quality interior, feature set and smooth diesel engine. Again, it's the diesel-automatic combo that we'd recommend you go for.The Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel suits long highway runs because of its strong diesel engine and confidence-inspiring high-speed manners. It's also a roomy car and packs in plenty of feel-good features for the money.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Autocar India

•4h

We'd recommend you stick with the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 over the Super Meteor 650 for your mixed-use case spanning both city and highway runs. The Shotgun's riding position is more neutral and will be comfortable over longer durations - especially considering the stiff rear suspension will keep sending bumps from the road to your spine.Since you're not comfortable reaching the handlebars in stock trim, experiment with a set of small handlebar risers to see if it alleviates your issue.You should also look at the Interceptor 650 while you're at it, because it delivers a similar riding experience to the Shotgun and has pliant suspension for Indian roads. Take a test ride of these two before making your decision.