Autocar India Facebook Page Autocar India Twitter Handle Autocar India Instagram Page Autocar India Youtube Channel
Autocar India Facebook Page Autocar India Twitter Handle Autocar India Instagram Page Autocar India Youtube Channel
Profile

    I want to buy my first car. My preference is an SUV or compact SUV suitable for five adults including the driver, with an automatic gearbox and a 5-star safety rating. My annual driving will be 25,000 to 30,000 km, with 80 percent of the driving on highways or off-road. My budget is Rs 16.5 lakh on-road in Hyderabad. Please suggest a car.

    Asked by: Sailesh
    The car best suited to your needs is the Mahindra Thar Roxx. It's spacious for five and has a 5-star Bharat NCAP crash test rating, and includes ADAS with Level 2 Autonomous driving, which could come in handy on your highway drives.
    Most importantly, it is a tough, ladder-frame SUV with robust suspension that is very well suited to rough roads and off-road driving, even if you choose the 4x2 version.
    However, an automatic version will stretch the limits of your Rs 16.5 lakh on road budget, and you might have to spend a bit more to get more features.
    Additionally, if you can wait a bit, the new Renault Duster is going to be launched in India on January 26, 2026, which promises to have the same tough construction as the previous version, and is likely to have a price tag lower than the Thar Roxx. It might be worth the wait.
    Answered by img img Autocar India Team img Dec 06, 2025
    Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts
    Help and Support

    Latest questions

    Asked by: Prince Suthar I am planning to buy the base model of either the XUV700 or the Scorpio N. I need a seven-seater. I am more inclined towards the XUV700 because of the last-row AC blowers and the split seats that allow it to be a six-seater with luggage space. However, the resale value of the Scorpio N is higher. I plan to use this vehicle for 5 to 7 years. My monthly running is over 2,000 km, including both highway and city use. Maneuverability is important, as well as ground clearance for bi-yearly trips to rough terrain like Leh and Spiti. Please suggest what I should purchase. If you look at them purely as 7-seaters, the Mahindra XUV700 is the better choice. Its third row is more comfortable than the Scorpio N’s and, as you noted, it also offers added convenience features such as third-row AC vents. The XUV700 is far more comfortable for daily use thanks to its monocoque chassis, which delivers better ride quality and is easier to drive. Where it cannot match the Mahindra Scorpio N is in ruggedness. The Scorpio N’s ladder-frame chassis makes it better suited to rough terrain, and its rear-wheel-drive setup gives it an advantage when things get tough in places like Leh and Spiti. The XUV700 has enough clearance for mild off-roading, but it will not feel as effortless as the Scorpio N.
    img Autocar India Team
    Dec 06, 2025
    Asked by: S Venkatraman I purchased a Verna Turbo SX(O) DCT automatic in December 2024. Will the cost of ownership be higher in the years to come, considering spare parts and service costs? What would be its resale value now? The car has done 5,600 km to date. It is too soon to worry about the maintenance and upkeep costs - you have just bought the Hyundai Verna in December 2024, and have barely driven it for parts to wear and warrant a replacement. So to answer your question, to keep any car in top shape, you will need to spend on its regular service and replacement parts (as required), which will drive up the costs over time.However, it might not make much sense to sell your barely used vehicle for fear of (future) upkeep costs. If you insist on selling, keep in mind that demand for sedans isn't healthy in the new car market to begin with, which will certainly affect its residual value in the used car market, so be prepared to take a huge depreciation hit. Try getting it evaluated by some reputed used car platforms, such as Spinny, to get a good idea of what value you can expect.
    img Autocar India Team
    Dec 06, 2025
    Asked by: Roshan Hi Autocar, I have booked the Creta King Edition 1.5 Turbo DCT. Now, as the new Kia Seltos is in line for launch, should I wait for it or go ahead with my booked car? When can we expect the delivery of the new-gen Kia Seltos? I am quite impressed by the co-passenger electric seat in the Creta King. Will we get that in the next-gen Kia Seltos? While we don't have the features list for the new Kia Seltos yet, it is likely that it will get a powered front passenger seat with a boss mode for operation from the rear as well. We will know more when the new Kia Seltos makes its world debut on December 10.This new-gen Kia car is expected to grow in size, with the price announcement not before January 2026, and deliveries only later in Q1 2026.Therefore, if you'd prefer to get your car sooner, you might be better off going ahead with your booking of the Hyundai Creta King. It remains the midsize SUV segment benchmark for now and is a well-rounded and fully loaded package.
    img Autocar India Team
    Dec 06, 2025
    Asked by: Jayant Parihar Hello team, I read your blogs regularly and value your reviews. Please guide me on which car I should buy from my shortlisted options. This will be my first car, and I enjoy driving. My requirements are a minimalist design (not too many gadgets), a manual transmission, good comfort and space, and a roomy boot. I’ve shortlisted the Volkswagen Virtus, Honda Amaze, and Hyundai Basalt. My budget is ₹12–14 lakh. Please advise. Thank you for your support. We're happy to help! Coming to your question, the Honda Amaze, while practical and comfy, does not have the driving thrill you would want. The Volkswagen Virtus, while impressive, will not fit in your budget apart from the base variant, which isn't too impressive. The Citroen Basalt X will be a good pick out of this lot. It has a punchy turbo-petrol engine that is lovely to drive, the ride comfort is excellent, and it has a large boot as well. Also, while it is feature-packed, it isn't unnecessarily complicated, and the functions are easy to use. The Basalt X would be our recommendation. 
    img Autocar India Team
    Dec 05, 2025
    View all questions
    Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts
    Help and Support