Latest questions answered by experts
Which is the best car under Rs. 10 lakh for 90% city driving and 10% highway driving? I am confused between the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Tata Altroz Diesel.
Go for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire petrol AMT. With 90% city driving, diesel is not the right choice. Modern diesels with DPFs are not happy with short city runs, and the cost savings wont add up with limited running. The Dzire is light, easy to drive, reliable, the AMT makes city traffic far less tiring and the 1.2-litre engine is very fuel efficient. It is also backed by Maruti’s massive service network and low running costs, which is exactly what you want as a long-term city car under 10 lakh. The Altroz diesel is a good car, but diesel simply does not make sense for your usage pattern. The Dzire is the safer, more sensible and more hassle-free choice for your needs.
I am looking to purchase my first vehicle for a family of five. My expected monthly usage is approximately 500-700 km, and my budget is Rs. 8 lakh. Could you recommend options that align with these requirements?
With a budget of Rs. 8 lakh and a family of five, the priority should be space, comfort and low running costs. At 500-700 km a month, petrol car is the sensible choice. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is the most practical option here. It offers genuine seating for five, a decent size boot, a comfortable ride and low running costs. If you want more flexibility and are open to a slightly smaller car, the Renault Triber is worth considering. It is more affordable, has a surprisingly spacious cabin with a third row for occasional use and is easy to drive in the city. However, it is not as refined as the Baleno. Overall, the Baleno is the best fit for your requirements. It is spacious, comfortable, reliable and well within your budget.
Dear Autocar India Team, I need your advice on choosing a new car for my father, who is 65 years old. Our current car is a 2013 Maruti Dzire. The new car will be used mostly in a rural town in Kerala, with occasional city driving and 2-3 airport trips each year. Our requirements include a reliable, fuel efficient and spacious 5-seator petrol automatic car with good boot space that is comfortable for senior citizens under 18 lakhs (I can stretch it up to 20 lakh). The car should be easy to maintain for long-term ownership. I am looking for a car of major brand that has service centres within 15km. I am considering Honda Elevate, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Toyota Hyryder, Škoda Kushaq, Tata Sierra and Volkswagen Tiguan. Which one would you recommend, and are there any other better options in this budget? Thank you for your advice.
For your father, the Kia Seltos IVT is a solid choice. The naturally aspirated engine and IVT auto combo deliver a smooth, calm driving experience, the cabin is spacious and the large boot will accommodate your airport runs. It is a sensible and stress-free choice for long-term ownership.Alternatively, look at the Honda Elevate. The naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the CVT is smooth, reliable and easy to drive. The car is also spacious enough for five adults and has a decent boot for airport runs. Honda's reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs makes it a safe bet for ownership beyond five years.If fuel efficiency is a priority, then the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is worth considering, though the cabin will feel tighter than the above two.Overall, choose between the Seltos and the Elevate for the most stress-free ownership experience for your father.

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