Latest questions answered by experts

autocar.india

•30m

For your usage, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX5 diesel manual is the best fit. Your running is high, the route is highway-heavy, and you are doing this regularly. The 7XO diesel is built for exactly this kind of use. The 2.2-litre diesel engine is strong, efficient and relaxed at highway speeds, and the car feels stable and planted on long runs. This Mahindra car is also spacious and comfortable, which matters when you are doing this distance five times a month. The petrol version is also good, but at this kind of running, diesel makes more sense financially and in terms of driving experience. The only thing to keep in mind is that the 7XO is a big car, so if your city driving is genuinely very limited, that is not a problem. If you want something smaller, the Kia Seltos 1.5 diesel is the alternative. It is more compact and still very good on the highway, but when you're running, the diesel 7XO is the more sensible choice.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•10h

Given your experience with the E250 CDI and your clear priority for reliability and lower servicing costs, the Lexus RX is the recommendation. The RX has a strong reputation for long-term reliability, lower maintenance costs and a very refined ownership experience. Lexus’ hybrid powertrain is proven, efficient and well-suited to Indian conditions, and the brand’s focus on durability and customer service is a key advantage over the German rivals.The Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5 are both excellent SUVs, but they are more complex vehicles with higher long-term maintenance costs and a greater reliance on electronics and software. The Lexus car may not have the same outright performance or brand cachet as the German options, but it is the most sensible choice for an owner looking for a premium SUV that will deliver a hassle-free ownership experience over the long term.

Lexus RX

Mercedes-Benz GLE

BMW X5

autocar.india

•12h

The MG Comet would be our first recommendation. It is genuinely compact, extremely easy to manoeuvre in tight city spaces and has a very low running cost. The only drawback is its limited range, but since your usage is city-focused and you have the Crysta for longer trips, this should not be a major concern.If you want something with a bit more range and a more conventional car feel, the recently updated Tata Tiago EV is a good alternative. The Tata car is still compact and easy to drive, but offers a more traditional hatchback experience and a longer range.Overall, the MG Comet is the better fit for your brief, but the Tiago EV is worth considering if you want a bit more versatility. If your budget is under Rs. 5 lakh, you won't get a brand new EV. However, if you avail of MG's or Tata's BaaS (Battery as a service) subscription system, the upfront cost of both cars' base models does fall under Rs. 5 lakh.

MG Comet

Tata Tiago EV

Toyota Innova Crysta

autocar.india

•13h

The MG Windsor Pro is the best EV to buy under Rs. 20 lakh if you want a genuinely usable family car. It is the only EV in this price range that offers a proper five-seat cabin with good rear-seat space, a large boot and a comfortable ride. That makes it far more practical than smaller EVs like the Tata Nexon EV or Mahindra XUV 3XO EV, which are good cars but do not offer the same level of space or comfort. The Windsor also has a proven track record in India, and MG’s service network is now well established, so reliability and ownership experience are not concerns. The MG car also comes loaded with features like a large touchscreen, leatherette upholstery, panoramic sunroof and much more. As for safety, the Windsor Pro also gets Level 2 ADAS features like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and much more. The only real drawback is that the Windsor is not the most exciting car to drive, but as a family EV it is the most complete package in this price bracket. If you are looking for something more compact and city-friendly, the Nexon EV is still a strong alternative, but for overall practicality the Windsor is the clear recommendation.

MG Windsor

Tata Nexon EV

Mahindra XUV 3XO EV

autocar.india

•14h

The width of your parking space is 8ft, which is about 2.44 metres. That is quite tight for most modern cars, especially with the mirrors open. For example, a typical midsize SUV like the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta is around 1.8 metres wide without mirrors, and with mirrors open, the width can go up to around 2.1 metres. With an 8ft width, you'll have very little clearance on either side, especially if you need to open the doors, so you'll need to park close to the passenger-side wall to have enough space for the driver to open the door and enter/exit. The good news is that most modern cars have electrically folding mirrors, so you can fold them in before entering the parking space. With mirrors folded, the width drops back to the body width, which is usually around 1.8 metres for most SUVs and 1.7 metres for smaller hatchbacks and sedans. If you want a car that is genuinely easy to park in an 8ft space, you should look at smaller hatchbacks like the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios or Tata Tiago. These are around 1.7 metres wide with mirrors folded and will give you more breathing room. The key is to make sure the car you choose has electrically folding mirrors and to get into the habit of folding them before entering the parking space.

Kia Seltos

Tata Tiago

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Maruti Suzuki Swift