I want to buy a seven-seater, and my annual running is around 20,000 km, mostly on CNG. I am confused between the Kia Carens and the Ertiga. I am concerned about the Carens’ fuel efficiency, especially in city usage. Is the Kia Carens CNG expected anytime soon?

autocar.india

•2h

With a daily commute of around 40km in Mumbai traffic and only occasional highway trips, an automatic would be much better to have. Between the two, the Fronx would thus be the one to go for as the Brezza Turbo comes with a manual only. The Fronx AMT also keeps costs down while still giving you the convenience of an automatic, though the shifts will not be as smooth as a torque convertor (TC) automatic which is what the Fronx Turbo comes with. Thus if your traffic conditions are constant start stop, you would be better off with the TC auto. Besides the two options you could also consider the Brezza with the 1.5 litre engine as this comes with a TC auto and being naturally aspirated makes for a straightforward drive experience in the city.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•3h

With 3,000km a month and regular 5-6 hour highway runs, the Skoda Kylaq automatic is the better fit for you. The Kylaq’s 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven and reliable combination that delivers strong mid-range performance, making overtaking effortless on highways. The Kylaq also has a more planted and stable feel at speed, and the ride quality is well judged for Indian highways.The Sonet DCT is a good car, but the 1.0 turbo petrol paired with a dual-clutch transmission is not the ideal setup for high-mileage highway use. The DCT can feel a bit jerky at low speeds and is not as stress-free as a torque converter over long distances. The Kylaq’s automatic is smoother, more robust and better suited to sustained highway driving.The Kylaq also offers good value for money and is one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. It may not have the same feature count as the Sonet, but it delivers where it matters most for your usage. Go for the Kylaq automatic, and you will have a more comfortable and enjoyable ownership experience over the long term.

Skoda Kylaq

Kia Sonet

autocar.india

•4h

The Renault Kiger Turbo CVT is the better choice given your priorities of a smooth automatic for Bangalore traffic, good ground clearance, rear-seat comfort and occasional ghat/highway trips. The Tata Nexon DCA is a more premium car with a lengthier features list; however, the Rs 2.8 lakh price difference is significant, making the Renault car feel far better value for money.Alternatively, you could consider the entry-level automatic variants of the Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO, both of which feel better built, are more refined, and deliver stronger performance than the Kiger Turbo CVT.

Renault Kiger

Tata Nexon

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO