Latest questions answered by experts

Autocar India

•51m

The Kia Carnival is already being locally assembled in India, so current pricing reflects duties applicable to semi-knocked down (SKD) kits that are assembled at Kia’s Anantapur plant. At present, the Carnival is offered with a 2.2-litre diesel engine, priced at around Rs 59.4 lakh ex-showroom (Limousine Plus variant).Looking ahead, Kia is also preparing to introduce a hybrid version of the Carnival later this year. This variant is expected to be priced under Rs 50 lakh and, importantly, will also be locally assembled. The addition of a hybrid powertrain should broaden the Carnival’s appeal, especially in a market that is gradually shifting towards electrified options while still valuing efficiency and long-distance usability.

Kia Carnival

Autocar India

•1h

For mixed city use and some weekend trips, a clean 2019 Audi A4 30 TFSI from a known owner with full records is a buy we would back, as long as the price sits well below current market listings in your city. It suits this use because the Audi A4 is very quiet and comfortable, so daily traffic feels easy, and the 1.4 turbo petrol with the 7‑speed automatic is smooth and quick enough for gaps in traffic and steady highway runs.A few things to weigh up for your situation. Service and parts will cost more than a mass‑market car, so plan for that each year. Low mileage on a 2019 car can mean the tyres and battery are old, even if they look fine, so check the tyre manufacturing week/year and battery health and budget to replace them soon if they are original. In very slow traffic, these gearboxes can feel a bit hesitant off the line, so make sure it feels smooth in stop-and-go driving.If the deal is tempting, do one final check at an Audi workshop in your city. Scan the car, confirm there are no pending issues, get the approximate price for the next service, and ask what it would cost to bring wear parts up to date. If all this clears up and the price is right, this A4 is a safe, enjoyable step up.

Audi A4

Autocar India

•1h

2,30,000km in 10 years is a huge amount, and the Ciaz diesel must have served you well to rack up that kind of mileage. Considering that usage, which amounts to around 1,900km per month, mostly on highways, we have to caution against getting an EV just yet. Public charging infrastructure is still developing, with chargers being few and far between, with varying degrees of functionality. Plus, if your planned charger is occupied, you could be waiting hours for access to a plug. Moreover, while there are electric cars today with large batteries and long ranges, such usage will still require frequent charging, which in the long run will take a toll on the battery's health, performance and overall lifespan. This could be offset by the relatively low maintenance costs of an EV versus an ICE vehicle, but when it is time for battery replacement, the cost will be high.With that in mind, of your two shortlisted EVs, we would recommend the Mahindra XEV 9e. While it shares its platform and powertrain with the smaller BE6, it is more spacious, more comfortable for long journeys, and feels like a more mature product overall. With the larger 79kWh battery, it offers an MIDC range of around 656km and a real-world highway range of about 488km, which amounts to an efficiency of 6.18km/kWh, which is quite impressive for an SUV.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Autocar India

•2h

Yes, but it depends on how deep the scratch is. Your car’s paint has a clear top layer. If the scratch is only in this clear layer, buffing and polishing can remove it or make it hard to see. A quick check: run your fingernail across the mark. If your nail does not catch, and the scratch almost disappears when the area is wet, polishing should sort it. These are the usual light swirls, light scuffs from bags, or colour transfer from another car which you accidentally nudge.If your nail catches or you can see a different colour under the paint (grey/white base, black plastic, or bare metal), polishing will not fix it. That needs touch-up paint or a repaint.Painted bumpers follow the same rule, but be extra gentle. The paint on plastic parts is thinner and heats up fast, so it’s easy to burn the edges with a machine. If the bumper is unpainted black plastic, polishing will not help much. Use a plastic trim restorer, and some light scuffs can be eased with gentle heat.If you want to try at home: wash and dry the area, use a mild rubbing compound or polish on a soft microfibre cloth, work a small patch, and finish with a finer polish. Wipe clean and apply a wax or sealant so the area stays protected. Do not overdo it, as you are removing a tiny layer each time. If you have PPF, do not polish it. Many films self-heal with warm water or sunlight. With a ceramic coat, ask the detailer for the right method.So yes, light scratches can be polished out. Deep ones will need paint.

Autocar India

•2h

Since your usage includes both city riding and highway runs, we would strongly recommend you go with the TVS Ntorq 150. The bigger Ntorq's engine can sustain 70-90kph easily on the highway, it is a stable and comfortable machine even at higher speeds, and most importantly, comes with the safety net of single-channel ABS, which will protect you in case you encounter a situation where you need to jam on the brakes.Be aware that since the Ntorq 150 has a large engine, its fuel economy is likely to be much lower than the 110-125cc options in the mainstream market. Although in isolation, when ridden sensibly, it does return good fuel efficiency.If budget is a constraint and you still want a scooter with ABS and one that returns good fuel economy, look no further than the top 2 variants of the latest-gen Suzuki Access 125. The Access remains the only 125cc scooter to offer you single-channel ABS from a reputed and established brand in India. It is also a well-sorted, comfortable and fuel-efficient scooter which has carved out its reputation for being reliable, so realistically over a longer ownership period, you shouldn't face many surprises.Decide how much you need to spend on your next purchase and take a test ride of the Access and Ntorq before you make a decision.