South Tripura

•38w

Hello team. I am looking to buy a new luxury car and am unable to decide between a sedan and an SUV. Within each category, I am confused between the Mercedes GLE, BMW X5, Mercedes E-Class, and BMW 5 Series. The car will be both chauffeur-driven and self-driven. My monthly usage is around 1,300 km. My budget is approximately Rs 1.3 crore, but I can stretch to Rs 1.4 crore if truly necessary. Thank you.

•37w

While the SUVs are good options, unless you value the tall seating position and road presence they bring by virtue of their height and boxy shape, there's no need to go there. Ultimately, a sedan will almost always deliver a better driving experience than an equivalent SUV owing to its lower centre of gravity and relatively lighter weight, and factor in the aerodynamic advantage, and it's likely to be more fuel efficient too.

While the difference isn't as great in the rear seat these days, in this particular class of cars, it's the sedans that win, with their long-wheelbase designs and luxurious rear seats.

We'd recommend the Mercedes-Benz E 450 4Matic, which is as much of a treat from the driver's seat as this Mercedes-Benz car is from the rear. Its 381hp 3.0-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine is powerful and silky smooth, channelling torque to all four wheels for strong power delivery, which is assisted by sharp and precise steering, making for a thrilling driving experience, even for such a long car. The rear seat experience is best in class, with huge amounts of legroom, reclining seats, ambient lighting and powered sunshades all around.

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•4h

Kushaq vs Taigun, same platform and drivetrain options, but they somehow feel like completely different cars to drive. Curious which one people think actually justifies its badge here?

•21h

I am looking for a mid-size SUV in the Rs 15-16 lakh range. I have narrowed my list down to the new Duster 1.3 Turbo Techno+ and the Hyundai Creta 1.5 NA S(O). I really like the Creta's interior, but I am concerned that since Kia has already launched the new-generation Seltos, the new-generation Creta may not be far away. My daily running is approximately 80km, mostly on the highway, with some city driving. Please suggest which would be the better buy.

•6h

With an 80km daily run, mostly on the highway, the priority should be a car that is comfortable over long distances, stable at speed and easy to live with. The Duster 1.3 Turbo Techno+ is the better fit here. The Renault Duster’s ride quality is genuinely excellent, soaking up bad roads and undulations in a way few cars in this price range can. It also feels planted and confidence-inspiring at highway speeds, which makes long daily commutes far less tiring. The 1.3 turbo petrol engine is punchy and well-suited to highway driving, giving you strong overtaking performance when you need it. Moreover, the Techno+ variant represents excellent value in this price range, especially for your needs.The Hyundai Creta 1.5 NA S(O) is a very good car, but the naturally aspirated engine is not as strong on the highway, especially when fully loaded. You're right about the new generation; Kia has already launched the new Seltos, and Hyundai is expected to bring the next-generation Creta to India in early 2027. That said, the current Creta is still a very competent product, and Hyundai’s ownership experience and service network are strong.Given your usage, the Duster’s ride comfort, highway stability and stronger engine make it the better buy.

Hi, at present, I am using Tata Altroz DCT and want to replace with some compact SUV. My running is mostly in city area with bumper-to-bumper traffic around 450 km per month. I have chosen Skoda Kylaq Signature Plus and Tata Punch Adventure, both in AT, petrol mode. My budget is around 10-12 lakhs. Which one out of these, would you suggest or any other car is best for me?

•34m

With your usage of around 450 km a month, predominantly in city traffic, the priority should be a compact SUV with a smooth automatic gearbox, good fuel efficiency and easy manoeuvrability. The Skoda Kylaq Signature Plus automatic is the better choice here. It uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is smoother and more reliable in stop-start traffic than the AMT gearbox in the Tata Punch. The Kylaq also offers a more refined driving experience, better performance and a more premium feel overall.

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Popular discussions right now

•2d

I have a Tata Nexon Creative AMT that is only a year old, but I have already had to replace the spark plugs four times and the ignition coil once. I am still facing engine misfires and vibrations inside the car. I am honestly fed up with Tata's service, as they have been unable to resolve the issue. I am therefore planning to sell the Nexon and buy a Kia Seltos with a manual transmission this time. My priority was safety earlier, and it remains my top priority. However, I now also want peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience. Would selling the Nexon and switching to the Seltos be a good decision?

•1d

Yes, it is a good decisionYes, it is a good decision to sell the Tata Nexon and move to the Seltos manual. The Nexon is generally a safe and well-engineered car, but if you are facing repeated engine issues and the service centre is unable to resolve them, it is understandable to lose confidence in the ownership experience. The Kia Seltos is a very well-rounded SUV with a strong safety package, a more refined ownership experience and a good service network. The manual transmission is also a good choice if you want to avoid any potential automatic gearbox-related issues. Overall, if peace of mind and a hassle-free ownership experience are your top priorities, the Seltos is a sensible upgrade.

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•5d

I currently drive a Grand i10 Manual petrol and am now planning to buy a new compact SUV that is comfortable, fuel efficient and has low maintenance. My usage is 35km of daily office commute in Delhi-NCR traffic. Please advice which option is best fit amongst Hyundai Venue HX 6T, SONET HTK+O and XUV 3XO.

•5d

Go for the Hyundai Venue. With your daily 35km commute in Delhi NCR traffic, comfort and low maintenance are key, and the Venue delivers on both. The 1.2 NA petrol is smooth, refined and easy to drive in stop-start conditions, while Hyundai’s service network and ownership experience are among the best in the segment. The HX6T variant also gives you a good balance of features without pushing the budget too far.The Sonet HTK+O is mechanically very similar, but the Venue is a newer model and offers a more spacious cabin. The XUV 3XO is also a good option, but its turbo petrol engine won't be as efficient as the Hyundai’s.Overall, the Venue is the most sensible upgrade from your Grand i10 for daily city use.

I am planning to buy a sub-compact SUV. My budget is Rs. 13-14 lakh, and my priorities are a smooth automatic transmission and good mileage. I am considering the Brezza ZXi AT, Sonet HXT DCT, and Venue HX6 DCT. I am very confused because the Brezza’s torque-converter automatic offers good fuel efficiency but lacks some features, while the Sonet and Venue offer all the features I need. However, I am concerned that the DCT may be less fuel-efficient and could involve higher maintenance costs. My daily commute is around 30 km, mostly in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. Please suggest which one would be the best choice for my requirements.

•4d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI AT. Your priorities are a smooth automatic, good fuel efficiency and a daily 30km commute in heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic. The Brezza’s 6-speed torque converter automatic is the best fit for this usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to stop-start conditions, and the naturally aspirated petrol engine is efficient and easy to live with. Maruti’s service reach and low maintenance costs add to the ownership peace of mind.The Sonet and Venue DCTs are good cars, but the DCT gearbox is not ideal for heavy traffic. It can feel jerky at low speeds.Alternatively, if you can arrange for home charging, the Tata Punch EV is an excellent option.

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