Is there any possibility that Citroen will introduce diesel in Aircross X and Basalt, or launch the Berlingo van in India, which was spied testing many years ago?

Autocar India

•40s

Given your requirements, you could shortlist Skoda Kushaq Classic+, Citroen Aircross X Max and Honda Elevate V MT. All of these are excellent options with powerful engines and manual transmission. The Kushaq has been updated recently, and its entry-level Classic+ variant covers the basics well, and is the most affordable of the bunch. The Citroen car that we have mentioned has an excellent turbo-petrol engine, and the nicest ride quality. It is also gives you the option of seven seats at this price. The Elevate is a no-nonsense SUV with a strong, high-revving naturally aspirated petrol engine and an excellent ride-handling balance. We'd recommend you drive all three and pick the one that meets all your requirements.

Citroen Aircross

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•3d

For mostly highway driving in a Skoda Rapid diesel automatic, 205/55 R16 tyres suit your use better than 195/55 R16.You get more grip and a steadier feel at high speed because the tyre is wider, so the car tracks straight with less fuss on the highway and has stronger braking in dry conditions. The sidewall is a touch taller, too, so it takes small bumps and joints a bit better and gives your alloys a little more protection on rough patches. With the diesel’s strong pull, the wider tyre also puts power down more cleanly when you speed up to overtake.There are a few trade-offs. Steering will feel a bit heavier at low speeds and when parking. You may see a small drop in mileage. Tyre noise can vary slightly by brand. The overall diameter increases by about 2%, so there is that much error in the speedo reading. Both sizes fit the stock 16-inch Rapid alloy (usually 6.5J), but do a quick check with full lock and a full load after fitment to ensure there is no fouling. If you care more about light steering and slightly better mileage, the 195/55 R16 is the safer, lighter-feel choice. But for mostly highway use, the 205/55 R16 will make your Rapid feel more confident and comfortable at speed.

Autocar India

•1h

With around 1,000 km a month, two young kids and a cap of ₹14 lakh on-road, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 is the one that fits your brief best. It rides comfortably over broken city roads and speed breakers, and the rear seat is more than spacious enough for your kids. Safety is a strong point too, with a solid feel, good driver aids for this price, and mounts to fix child seats in the back. It also fits your budget in a well-equipped trim, so you are not forced into a bare-bones version. A trade-off to note: The boot is not the biggest in this price range, so if you often carry a full-size stroller plus luggage, do a quick fit check. If you prefer a more contemporary looking cabin, the Tata Nexon Creative Plus is your alternative from your list. It offers a slightly roomier boot and a very nice interior, and is easy to drive in the city, but the petrol engine feels a bit less smooth at low speeds and Tata service quality can vary by city. The Skoda Kushaq facelift would be a good pick, but only if you can stretch your budget, as within ₹14 lakh you’ll only get the base manual model, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller. Overall, for your family use and budget, the XUV 3XO AX5 lines up best.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon

Skoda Kushaq