I currently own a Ritz VDi and am considering the Ertiga CNG. My daily running is around 25 km, with an annual usage of about 10,000 km. I have a family of five and am not considering diesel due to DPF-related issues. Is the Ertiga CNG a good option in terms of running costs and comfort?

autocar.india

•3h

With your Maruti Suzuki Dzire K12N and 50km a week, stick with E20 petrol. The K12N is E20-compliant, so the car is engineered to run on it without any long-term reliability concerns. The only real downside is a slight drop in fuel efficiency compared to lower ethanol blends, but that is expected and not a cause for worry.Switching to XP100 will not give you any meaningful benefit. The K12N is not a high-compression performance engine, so it will not extract any extra power or efficiency from 100-octane fuel. In fact, you will simply be paying a much higher price per litre with no real-world gain. The only time XP100 makes sense is in high-performance turbocharged or high-compression engines that are tuned to take advantage of higher octane.The only scenario where premium fuel is worth considering is if you are experiencing persistent knocking or pinging under load, which is extremely unlikely in a healthy K12N running E20. In that case, a tank or two of premium fuel can help clean up deposits, but it is not a long-term solution.Overall, E20 is the right fuel for your Maruti Suzuki car, and XP100 is simply unnecessary for your engine.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

autocar.india

•13m

The Honda Elevate is still a very good choice for your requirements. It is a simple, reliable and easy-to-own car with a comfortable ride and a proven naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a smooth CVT automatic. For your father's usage pattern - rural town commuting, occasional city drives and airport runs - the Elevate's fuss-free ownership experience, good ground clearance and comfortable seating make it a strong contender. It is, however, a bit on the noisy side.That said, the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder mild hybrid is also worth serious consideration. This Toyota car offers better fuel efficiency, a comfortable ride and Toyota's strong reputation for reliability and low maintenance. The mild hybrid system provides a noticeable efficiency advantage in mixed driving conditions, and the car is well-suited to long-term ownership. However, its back seat and boot space aren't as good as the Honda's.Between the two, the decision comes down to priorities. If you value hassle-free simplicity and a proven ownership experience, the Elevate is the safer bet. If fuel efficiency and Toyota's ownership reputation are more important, the Hyryder mild hybrid is the better choice. Both cars are well-suited to your father's needs, and you cannot go wrong with either.

Honda Elevate

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

autocar.india

•43m

With a daily commute of just 6 km and a budget of up to Rs 20 lakh, you are in a very comfortable position. Your usage is low, so fuel savings from a hybrid or EV will take a very long time to justify the premium. A petrol car is the most sensible choice for your usage pattern, especially since you plan to use it as a family car. In cars under 20 Lakh, you will get a midsize petrol SUV, but only a compact EV - and only a few base-model hybrids.There is no major reason to wait. The current crop of cars offers a vast and varied choice, and there are no imminent launches in your budget that would fundamentally change your options. In terms of what to buy, we would recommend looking at the Kia Seltos or the Hyundai Creta. Both are excellent all-rounders with strong petrol engines, comfortable cabins and a good balance of features and value. The Seltos is larger and slightly more premium, and is the one we would lean towards. You can get a high-ish variant comfortably within your budget.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta