Latest questions answered by experts

Autocar India

•52m

For a 2018 EcoSport used on mixed city roads with the odd rough patch, the safer and more balanced choice is to stick with 16-inch wheels. If you want a fuller look and better grip, shift to a 215/60 R16 tyre on a nice 16-inch alloy. This works well because the taller sidewall cushions bad roads better, you are less likely to bend a rim or cut a tyre in a pothole, and tyre choice and prices are friendlier. Steering will also feel a touch lighter in traffic compared to heavier 17-inch wheels.If you really want the Ford 17-inch alloys, it is doable, but you should be aware of the trade-offs. Ride will feel firmer and sharper over rough roads, the chance of tyre or rim damage increases on big potholes. Tyres will cost more with fewer brands to pick from. To keep the overall size close to stock, go for 215/50 R17 (this matches the original rolling size better than 205/50 R17, so your speedometer error stays small). Make sure there is no fouling with the wheel arch at full steering lock or with a full load. Pick tyres with the correct load and speed rating. If your spare remains a 16-inch, use it only to reach a tyre shop.Between the two, we would stick with 16-inch for everyday Indian conditions. It keeps the EcoSport comfortable and tough, which suits daily use best. If the look matters most, the 17-inch Ford alloys with 215/50 R17 tyres are the best way to upgrade.

Autocar India

•1h

Your usage involves low monthly running, mostly city, and heavy traffic. In this scenario, the Seltos IVT works in your favour. This is smooth, creep-friendly and very easy to drive in stop-go conditions. There are no jerks, no clutch fatigue and very light controls, which makes daily driving stress-free. In real-world use, this engine-gearbox combo is known to be refined and well-tuned for everyday driving rather than outright performance.Now about the “lag” you’ve heard. It’s not exactly lag, it’s typical CVT behaviour. When you accelerate hard, the engine revs rise first and speed builds gradually, which can feel like a delay. But in city driving, where inputs are gentle and speeds are low, this is barely noticeable. This Kia car only feels weak if you expect quick overtakes or sporty response. The upside is that Kia has tuned it well, so the rubber-band effect is limited compared to older CVTs.Compared to alternatives, the turbo petrol DCT version is quicker and more fun, but in Mumbai traffic it can feel jerky and less reliable in long term. The IVT is the safer, smoother and more relaxed choice. Compared to something like a Creta CVT, the experience is very similar, but the Seltos feels a bit more premium inside.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Autocar India

•1h

In the used car market, you will find a wide variety of cars at every price point belonging to various segments. We'd recommend you to get the newest possible vehicle you can find, that has been well maintained, with a clean ownership history and complete service records. Since you need a car for Mumbai's monsoons, a high-riding vehicle would be better than a low-riding sedan. Also, since automatic as well as mileage are priority, you can consider the petrol-automatic versions of the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder (badge-engineered version of Brezza) or even a Maruti S-Cross, all of which were available with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 4-speed torque converter (automatic). 4-5 year-old, less-driven examples are likely to fall within your budget.For maximum peace of mind, you could consider finding cars on Spinny, wherein you're assured of a certified vehicle, that's backed by warranty.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Autocar India

•2h

Do keep in mind that none of the models that you've shortlisted are particularly fuel efficient. Among these, the Kia Seltos IVT is likely to be the most fuel efficient, delivering approximately 10.3kpl in the city and 14.22kpl on the highway, while the petrol-automatic versions of XUV 7XO and MG Hector are likely to return fuel efficiency in single digits.Additionally, the interior of Seltos feels upmarket. This Kia car is spacious and for a family of three, it feels the right size. Sure, performance isn't as strong as the XUV 7XO, however for leisurely drives with the family its 1.5-petrol IVT combination works well.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

MG Hector

Autocar India

•2h

If you don't mind the look of the Harley-Davidson X440 S, then you should go ahead and buy that bike. Conventional mirrors are easier to use and during lane filtering, they don't protrude as much as bar-end ones. The ride-by-wire throttle on the X440 T does not offer any significant real-world advantage over the S variant's cable throttle, nor does it bring in significant improvements in performance in this application. The only reason to consider the T variant would be its improved fit and finish, a more cohesive tail section design and slightly better controlled suspension damping.