Delhi

•2w

I’m 46, based in Noida, with a family of three. I’m considering a car in the Rs 15-20 lakh range and have shortlisted the Volkswagen Virtus and the Skoda Slavia. Would you suggest buying a 2026 model now, since these are being offered with discounts of Rs 1-1.5 lakh, or waiting for the facelift? I’m especially worried about whether the 2026 Virtus still has the AC issue mentioned in some reviews. Would you also recommend spending an extra Rs 2.5-3.5 lakh for the 1.5-litre engine? My driving is about 80 percent within the NCR and 20 percent outstation.

•3m

To answer your question about the AC performance first, the pre-facelift Slavia does not get the variable-geometry AC compressor, so its cooling isn’t as good as the updated car. The same will be the case with the pre-facelift Virtus and its upcoming update. Since the discounts being offered on the existing stock are quite tempting, you will need to decide if you are willing to compromise on AC performance for a sweeter deal.

For your usage, the 1.0-litre engine will be the better choice. The added performance of the 1.5-litre engine will only really be felt on the highway, which makes up a small portion of your overall driving. The 1.0-litre engine also comes with a torque converter automatic (a 6-speed on the pre-facelift and an 8-speed on the post-facelift), which is smoother in city traffic than the 7-speed DSG paired with the 1.5-litre engine.

Overall, a post-facelift Slavia 1.0 automatic is your best bet. It will give you better AC performance alongside a few new features, while the 1.0 offers a good balance of highway performance and city usability.

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•2d

Slavia seems loaded with features...

•1w

I planning to buy Defender CKD. I feel that P300 is slightly underpowered for my requirements which include long touring with two hitch rack for 2-3 bicycles and for photography and camping equipment. I need your help for deciding between a D350 or P400. While the D350 is a very capable engine, I am not sure about the long term viability of diesel engines in India. What is your take?

•11h

Land Rover's move to locally assemble the Defender has made an enticing product more compelling still. Given your usage, it's the D350 with the six-cylinder diesel engine that we'd recommend.The engine is strong and punchy while also being refined. The D350 feels really good to drive, particularly on long highway runs. As a plus, it would deliver significantly better fuel economy than the P400's six-cylinder petrol.While there is a lot of noise about the future of diesel engines in India, the latest engines comply with all regulations and are designed to be future-proof. We don't expect any new rules to come into place to penalise diesel engines in the future. The Defender D350 is the right choice for you.

Land Rover Defender

•1d

I’ve owned a Toyota Etios Liva diesel and a Honda City diesel, and I now drive a Hyundai Creta petrol. I drive about 100 km a day, and my fuel bill is currently around Rs 18,000 a month. Should my next car be a diesel SUV to cut fuel costs? The City diesel was an excellent car, but I had to switch because of its low ground clearance. The Creta is a good car, but I need better fuel efficiency. Would buying a diesel SUV help? I’d also like your advice on the Mahindra Scorpio N and XUV700: are they worth buying? Overall, which is the best SUV under Rs 25 lakh?

•17h

With a daily running of around 100km, switching to a diesel SUV makes sense, and we would suggest looking at the Kia Seltos diesel and Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. However, don't assume that a larger diesel SUV will automatically reduce your monthly fuel bill significantly.The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a great upgrade if you want more space, performance and comfort. Its 2.2-litre diesel engine produces 185hp and 450Nm, and returned 13.1kpl in Autocar India's real-world tests. However, given its size and weight, your monthly fuel expenditure may not reduce dramatically compared to your Creta petrol. The Kia Seltos diesel, on the other hand, will be more economical to run and is also a refined SUV with a premium cabin. It will feel more spacious than your Creta, although it cannot match the XUV 7XO for outright cabin space and performance.

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

I am planning to buy the top-end Hyundai Creta Turbo Petrol DCT variant. My daily running is around 50–100km, which adds up to approximately 25,000–30,000km annually. I am looking for a car that offers strong performance and quick acceleration, along with a comprehensive set of comfort and convenience features. Should I buy the current Creta Turbo Petrol DCT top variant or wait for the 2027 Creta? For context, I currently own a 2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire Hybrid and a Volkswagen Virtus GT 1.5 TSI.

•5d

The 2027 Hyundai New Creta will be thoroughly updated inside-out, and it'll have more tech and features. If you don't mind waiting, it makes sense to get the 2027 new-gen model. Do note, its powertrain options are likely to be carried forward from the current version. If you can't wait, but still want the performance as well as the latest in terms of tech and features, consider the Kia Seltos turbo-dct instead, which packs in more or less everything the next-gen Creta is likely to offer.

Kia Seltos

•6d

Which SUV would you pick for a family of 5?

•6d

I’m planning to buy a new car, and my annual running is around 40,000km, primarily involving highway drives and ghat sections. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX and the upcoming facelifted Toyota Innova Hycross ZX. I’m considering two approaches: either buy the Innova Hycross and keep it for the next 10 years, given its reputation for longevity and the expectation that its engine can last at least 4 lakh kilometres, or buy the Seltos, drive it for around 2 lakh kilometres over 4–5 years, sell it and upgrade to a brand-new Seltos or another car of a similar price and size. On paper, the Innova Hycross Hybrid seems like the better choice, considering its long-term reliability and features such as the Ottoman reclining seats. However, I’m concerned that I might get bored of it after four years or that it may start feeling outdated as newer technologies and features enter the market. This makes the second option appealing, as it would allow me to upgrade to a brand-new car every 4–5 years. Which approach would make more sense in the long run, considering my high annual running and ownership costs?

•5d

It seems like you're leaning towards the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX, and we think it is a good choice. The diesel engine feels adequately powered for highway usage and ghat driving, and it is likely to return respectable efficiency too. Moreover, despite being modern with all the latest tech and features, the Seltos will be substantially more affordable than the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid. So unless you need the Innova's extra space, or you frequently travel with six or seven passengers, the Kia Seltos diesel is your best bet.

Kia Seltos

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