I find my i10 suspension too soft. I can feel even the slightest bump on the road. Is there any way to ask the service centre to tune it?

Autocar India

•2d

You have already been using the car in the right way. Regular highway driving should prevent DPF problems, so repeated issues along with multiple turbo replacements point to something beyond normal wear and tear. While it may get resolved with further intervention, the frequency of visits and downtime understandably affects ownership confidence.A practical approach is to give the service centre one final, structured attempt to fix the issue properly, ideally with escalation to the manufacturer. If the problem repeats after that, it is sensible to move on rather than continue with uncertainty.If you do decide to change, a petrol automatic SUV like the Kia Seltos IVT or Hyundai Creta petrol CVT will feel familiar but far easier to live with, especially in mixed usage. They are smoother in daily driving and avoid diesel-related complications. If your running remains high and fuel cost is a concern, a strong hybrid is worth considering. Options like the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder offer excellent efficiency with petrol-like smoothness, making them a good middle ground between petrol and diesel.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•3d

From what you’ve described, this is not a simple tyre issue. You now have two different tyre sizes at the front and rear, you have replaced a wheel bearing and a brake disc, and the noise comes in with heat and under braking. You should go to Tata service first and get the brakes and hubs checked properly, because this is a safety item.Two things stand out for your case. First, the kat-kat noise under braking after a few kilometres points to a brake fitment or disc issue on the front. If the hub face was not cleaned before fitting the new disc, or if the disc is a little bent, you get a knock and a whistle once things heat up. If the pad clips or guide pins were not fitted or greased correctly, the pads can rattle and squeal. Also, discs and pads should be replaced on both front wheels at the same time. If only one side is done, it can cause an uneven feel and noise. Second, you now have 195/60 R16 in front and 215/60 R16 at the back. The rear tyres are about 3 to 4 per cent larger in rolling size. The ABS, which prevents wheel lock, reads wheel speeds. A big front-rear difference can confuse it, and you can feel a buzz or kick through the pedal, more so on hills.What I’d do next: ask Tata to check both front discs and pads as a pair, clean the hub surfaces, check wheel nut torque, and check front wheel bearing play again. Ask them to scan the ABS for errors and inspect the wheel speed sensors and rings. Also have them check all four wheels for bends from the long flat-tyre drive earlier.About the spare: a 2023 spare used now is fine if the rubber has no cracks and the date code is 2023. The tyre-burst story, just because it was unused, is overblown.For long term, run the same size and brand on all four wheels. Either go all 195/60 R16 or all 215/60 R16, but don’t mix. Overall, get the brake and hub diagnosis at Tata first. Once that is right, align all four tyres to same specifications and your Nexon should feel normal again.

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•4d

Given a 2018 Hexa XTA with 71,000 km and repeated turbo and so‑called DPF trouble, plus the hassles you’ve had getting parts, I would not plan to keep it for the long run. The Hexa is lovely to travel in, but Tata no longer sells it, and parts for items like the turbo, differential bits, and some trim are already in short supply. As the car crosses 80,000-100,000 km, more components wear out on a big diesel and an older automatic, which can mean longer downtime and higher bills if parts are not readily available.Before you decide, please note that a 2018 Hexa is BS4 and therefore does not normally have a DPF. If someone has called it a DPF issue, get a second opinion at a strong Tata workshop or a trusted diesel specialist. Many owners see similar symptoms from a clogged EGR, faulty sensors, or exhaust parts, not a DPF. A proper scan with the right tool can save you from chasing the wrong fix.If you still love the car and can live with waits, you can hold on, but set it up for fewer surprises. Get the turbo and intercooler pipes pressure-checked, clean the EGR and intake, refresh the automatic gearbox oil if not already done, and note exact part numbers so you can pre-order likely items. Even then, delays will remain.

Autocar India

•6d

Between the two, the Tata Safari does a great job of projecting toughness. It feels solid, has that reassuring heft, and its suspension setup really shines on broken roads and you can carry speed with confidence and it just shrugs off rough patches.That said, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more rounded package overall. Its 2.2-litre diesel is not just more modern, but also noticeably smoother and stronger than the older Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre unit in the Safari. It delivers better drivability in everyday conditions, which makes a difference in city use as well as on the highway.Mahindra car has also worked well on the suspension, and the improvements show. The 7XO feels more composed, offers better ride comfort over a wider range of surfaces, and is simply easier to drive. It has lighter controls, better balance, and a more user-friendly nature overall.Where the Safari still holds an edge is in the third row. It’s more usable and accommodating, whereas the 7XO’s last row is quite tight and best reserved for occasional use.So unless third-row space is a priority, the 7XO stands out as the better all-rounder. It’s more refined, easier to live with, and ultimately the more modern SUV.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•4d

If you're comparing ride comfort, the Skoda Kylaq is easily the better pick, particularly variants with 16-inch wheels. Skoda has got its suspension tune spot on, its relatively softer setup makes it more suited to our road conditions. It rounds off speed breakers and rough patches better at slow speeds. Furthermore, the Kylaq feels stable at speeds and is surprisingly nimble and fun-to-drive around corners, too.In contrast, the Kushaq’s suspension feels a little firm at low speeds, so sharp bumps and small potholes do come through more in the cabin.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•5d

With around 1,000 km a month, two young kids and a cap of ₹14 lakh on-road, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 is the one that fits your brief best. It rides comfortably over broken city roads and speed breakers, and the rear seat is more than spacious enough for your kids. Safety is a strong point too, with a solid feel, good driver aids for this price, and mounts to fix child seats in the back. It also fits your budget in a well-equipped trim, so you are not forced into a bare-bones version. A trade-off to note: The boot is not the biggest in this price range, so if you often carry a full-size stroller plus luggage, do a quick fit check. If you prefer a more contemporary looking cabin, the Tata Nexon Creative Plus is your alternative from your list. It offers a slightly roomier boot and a very nice interior, and is easy to drive in the city, but the petrol engine feels a bit less smooth at low speeds and Tata service quality can vary by city. The Skoda Kushaq facelift would be a good pick, but only if you can stretch your budget, as within ₹14 lakh you’ll only get the base manual model, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller. Overall, for your family use and budget, the XUV 3XO AX5 lines up best.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon

Skoda Kushaq