Mumbai

•6w

Dear Autocar, firstly, thank you for your detailed and honest car reviews. They genuinely help enthusiasts and buyers make informed decisions. I am considering the Jeep Meridian base model, as it fits my budget and requirements for a spacious, comfortable 5-seater with a large boot. My primary use will be highway touring with my parents, and since I enjoy driving myself, good driving dynamics are also important. Currently, I drive a Renault Duster for daily use, while my brother owns a Volkswagen Tiguan. We are now looking for a comfortable long-distance tourer for trips of 1,500 km or more with ample luggage space. My main concern is the Jeep Meridian’s long-term presence in India, especially considering future CAFE norms. Do you think the Meridian is a sensible choice, and is it likely to remain on sale in the Indian market for the next 3-5 years? Thanks again!

•5w

For long highway trips with your parents, lots of luggage, and a driver who enjoys doing the distance, the Jeep Meridian base variant used as a 5-seater fits well. With the last row folded, the boot is huge, and the ride is calm at speed, so your parents stay comfortable. It feels steady and quiet on expressways, and the diesel’s easy pull makes cruising and quick passes simple. Coming from a Duster, you’ll notice a nicer cabin and better noise insulation. The Meridian isn’t as sharp to drive as the VW Tiguan, but the Jeep rides softer, which suits long tours.

Know the trade-offs. The third row is only for short hops and eats boot space when up, so keep it folded. The base trim will miss a few nice-to-haves; if the budget stretches, the next trim up adds useful highway bits.

On long-term presence, there’s no signal of Jeep pulling the plug on the Meridian. It’s built here alongside the Compass, meets current emission rules, and CAFE is managed at brand level. A 3-5 year sale window looks safe. Even if plans change, parts and support normally continue for many years.

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•5w

Between base model Kodiaq and Jeep meridian, which is a better pick? Please suggest.

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•1d

Hi all, I’m planning to upgrade my 2013 Hyundai i10 to a stronger and safer vehicle. I live in Pune and plan to take monthly long-distance trips. My initial choices were the Kia Seltos and Renault Duster, but concerns about E20 or higher petrol blends have made me reconsider buying a pure petrol car. As a result, I’m now considering EVs. The Tata Punch.ev top model seems like an excellent value proposition, but is it a sensible choice for long-distance highway trips, such as Pune to Hyderabad or Goa? I would appreciate your insights and recommendations. I usually travel with my wife and occasionally with a full load.

•5h

For long drives from Pune to Goa or Hyderabad in any EV, you will be required to quickly charge once along the way, to reach your destination comfortably, without any range anxiety. The Punch EV is an excellent choice - it is compact, value-for-money, and its real-world range of over 300km is rather good. Kia will be launching the Syros EV in the coming weeks. The Syros is surprisingly spacious, interior quality is top-notch, and going by the Clavis EV's efficient and smooth powertrain, the EV version of the Syros will certainly be worth considering. Go for the EVs only if you can arrange for home charging. If not, then the Kia Seltos will be our pick. It is comfortable, spacious, feature-rich, and the petrol is smooth, refined and more efficient than the Renault Duster. The Duster's ride-handling balance is outstanding and its boot is larger than the Seltos too, however the Kia comes across as the more rounded option.

I am planning to buy a proper three-row diesel SUV, with a 6-seat configuration. I have shortlisted the top models of safari (ultra) and 7xo ax7L. Both have some advantages over the other in terms of features. I need expert feedback on driveability, driver comfort and overall comfort across all rows. I am thoroughly confused as to this decision. To add: This will be my second car. I have booked a Tiago EV for everyday office commute, and these will replace my Duster top-end diesel automatic. 7 seater I will use mainly with family on weekend trips and long trips Thanks in advance

•2d

Pick the Tata Safari 6-seat. It keeps the family happiest on long trips thanks to the comfiest ride and the most adult-friendly third row in this class. The suspension soaks bad roads, it stays settled at highway speeds, and the captain seats are wider with better thigh support. The third row sits a touch higher, has better recline and vents, so even two adults can manage a few hours without grumbling. Luggage space with all rows up is tight on both.Behind the wheel, the Safari is a relaxed mile muncher. The driving position is upright, visibility is great, seats are supportive, and the automatic is smooth. It is not the quickest to kick down, the engine is gruff and not as refined as the Mahindra, and there is some lag at low speeds, but on open roads, it cruises quietly. Coming from a Duster automatic, the ride upgrade is big.The Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7L is the sharper drive with a stronger diesel and snappier responses, and its ADAS feels better tuned. If you often climb hills fully loaded or love brisk overtakes, it makes life easier. For all-row comfort, choose the Safari.

If I am going for the new Seltos turbo petrol DCT this year, will I be fine for the next 12-15 years if higher ethanol blended fuel introductions happen, or will the e20 be available till 15 years at least as an option for the customer? Also, what about the case where if I am to sell my Seltos in the next 10 years, will I get similar resale value for the car like the current used car market rates?

•20m

We wouldn't let concerns around future ethanol blends stop you from buying the Kia Seltos Turbo Petrol DCT. The car is E20 compliant, and while there has been plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and even E30, there is currently no official roadmap for moving beyond E20. Even if higher blends are introduced gradually in the future, manufacturers engineer a degree of tolerance into E20-compatible engines. The most likely impact would be a slight reduction in fuel efficiency and marginally faster wear of some fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.It's also highly unlikely that E20 fuel would simply disappear overnight. Any future transition to higher ethanol blends would almost certainly be gradual, giving both manufacturers and owners time to adapt. If you plan to keep the car for 12-15 years, we don't see ethanol compatibility as a compelling reason to avoid it today.As for resale, we wouldn't expect an E20-compliant Seltos to be at any disadvantage compared to its rivals. Resale values are influenced far more by factors such as the brand's reputation, service history, condition, mileage and overall demand in the used car market than by concerns over ethanol compatibility. If you maintain the car well, there's no reason to expect it to depreciate disproportionately because of E20.

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•1w

I am planning to buy an SUV and prefer the German twins Škoda and Volkswagen. Which one is better? Also, how significant is the DSG issue in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NCR region? This will be my fourth car, so I want to try a German brand.

•6d

Between the German twins, the choice largely comes down to personal preference, as they share the same engines, gearboxes and underpinnings. We slightly prefer the Kushaq for its cleaner design, excellent ride and handling balance and overall value proposition.As for the DSG, it isn't as big a concern as it once was. The current DSGs are far more robust than the earlier units, but if your driving is predominantly in bumper-to-bumper NCR traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the smoother and more relaxed option over the long term. If you want to stay with a German SUV but avoid the DSG altogether, the 1.0 TSI automatic in the Kushaq and Taigun now comes with an 8-speed Aisin torque-converter, which is smooth, refined and better suited to heavy city traffic.Coming from the S-Cross Petrol, you'll notice a significant step up in performance, cabin quality, safety and driving dynamics with either car.

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•6d

Hi, I own a Wagon R 1.0 liter engine. I bought it in November 2025. I had done 2 free services of it. My car gives me about 13-15 kmpl in city driving when the AC is on. I drive at a speed of about 60 km in the city. Is this average ok? If not, then what should I do? My daily ride is about 20 km.

•4d

A city fuel efficiency of 13-15kpl with the air conditioning on is slightly on the lower side for a Wagon R 1.0, but it isn't necessarily a cause for concern, especially if you're driving in Lucknow's city traffic with frequent stops and the AC running throughout your journey.Your 20km daily commute should be enough for the engine to reach its normal operating temperature, but fuel efficiency can still vary depending on traffic conditions, idling time and driving style. We'd recommend checking that your tyre pressures are maintained at the manufacturer's recommended levels, avoiding hard acceleration and excessive idling, and using good-quality fuel from reputed fuel stations.

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•2w

I am planning to buy a family car. Should I choose the Toyota HyCross or the Hyundai Alcazar? Please suggest.

•4d

Go for the Toyota Innova HyCross. For a family, it simply works better as the cabin is roomier, the third row is actually usable for adults, the ride is smoother, and the hybrid saves a lot of fuel in city traffic where most family cars spend their time. Long trips feel easier too, and Toyota’s hassle-free ownership and resale help over years.Pick the Hyundai Alcazar only if you’re on a tighter budget or you want a slightly smaller, easier-to-park 3-row. It’s great for four or five with the third row used occasionally, and the diesel suits heavy highway use. But the last row and boot are tighter, and it doesn’t feel as plush or relaxed on bad roads.One honest trade-off with the Innova HyCross is the higher price and possible waiting period, and the boot with all three rows up isn’t huge. If that stretch and wait are okay, it’s the better family car overall.

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