Kia is planning to invest $1.5 billion to expand its manufacturing capacity in Andhra Pradesh. That's huge.

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Has E20 fuel affected your mileage?

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•1d

Hi Autocar Team, I am considering the Renault Duster E-Tech hybrid and have a few concerns: 1. How reliable is this hybrid powertrain internationally? Are there any known issues with the engine, transmission or battery? 2. What is the expected battery life and replacement cost? Is there enough real-world data to establish its 10-year reliability? 3. Can it handle challenging Himalayan routes like Leh-Ladakh, including high altitudes, steep climbs, long descents and extreme temperatures? Are there any performance or cooling limitations? 4. Is Renault India's service network equipped to handle hybrid repairs, especially during long-distance trips? 5. Given the Rs. 3.5 lakh premium over the DCT, would you recommend the hybrid for 10-year ownership and extensive road trips across India? Thanks

•1h

The Renault Duster E-Tech hybrid would be our recommendation, particularly if you enjoy driving and plan to undertake frequent highway trips. As our review found, the 160hp, 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain is both quick and refined, with instant electric motor response and a 0-100kph time of around 10 seconds. Unlike many hybrids, it doesn't have the typical rubber-band effect or engine drone, and feels more like a dual-clutch automatic, with distinct gear shifts. It is also an excellent highway cruiser, with strong in-gear performance for overtaking. The Duster's ride and handling are particular highlights, with precise steering, excellent high-speed stability and a suspension setup that deals impressively with broken roads. For Himalayan journeys, its performance and comfortable ride should make it a capable companion on regular mountain roads. It is front-wheel drive, though, so it isn't intended for serious off-roading. The hybrid also gets a seven-year vehicle warranty and an eight-year battery warranty, which is reassuring for long-term ownership. While 10-year reliability data and battery replacement costs are not yet established, the technology has been used internationally for several years. Renault's service network is a consideration when travelling to remote regions, so check workshop support along your regular routes.

Renault Duster

•2w

I’m planning to buy a car that can comfortably seat five people. Two of us are 6 ft tall, and the other three are well built. I’ll drive mostly in the city, in Mumbai and Goa, with occasional trips between the two. I’m open to buying the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, but I’ve heard it can’t fit five people along with their luggage. Could you suggest a car with a five-star safety rating, good fuel efficiency and low maintenance? Given the bad roads, good ground clearance is also important.

•3h

Given your requirements, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire is a sensible and reliable choice, but it does have limitations when it comes to accommodating five adults and their luggage comfortably, especially on longer trips between Mumbai and Goa. The rear seat is adequate for three, but with two 6ft passengers and three healthy adults, shoulder room will be tight, and the boot may struggle with all the luggage.A better fit would be the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. It offers a more spacious cabin, better shoulder room and significantly better ground clearance, which will help on bad roads. The boot is also larger and more practical than the Dzire, making it easier to accommodate luggage for five.If you are open to stretching your budget slightly, consider a 7-seater like the Kia Carens. It will give you much more flexibility to fit 5 adults and their luggage on long trips.Overall, the Brezza is a worthwhile upgrade over the Dzire you were considering, but a Kia Carens will make for a much more comfortable vehicle for your needs.

Hi team, I’m planning to buy my first car. I’m 6 ft tall and will use the car mainly for weekend trips and highway runs. My maximum budget is Rs 12 lakh on-road. I’ll drive about 600 km a month on average and plan to keep the car for at least ten years. Which car would suit me best for spirited driving, reliability and low, stress-free maintenance?

•4h

The Maruti Suzuki Brezza Turbo petrol would be worth considering for your requirements. It combines the practicality of a compact SUV with the stronger performance you are looking for, making it better suited to spirited driving and weekend highway runs than the regular naturally aspirated petrol version. Its service network and relatively straightforward ownership proposition should also work in its favour if you plan to keep the car for at least 10 years.The 1.0-litre Boosterjet produces 110hp and 170Nm, and is smooth, tractable and paired with a slick six-speed manual gearbox. The Brezza also has a spacious cabin, accommodating seats and a well-established Maruti service network. At 6ft, you should find the cabin reasonably accommodating, but do check the driving position in person.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

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Brand wars

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•1w

I am planning to buy the top-end Hyundai Creta Turbo Petrol DCT variant. My daily running is around 50–100km, which adds up to approximately 25,000–30,000km annually. I am looking for a car that offers strong performance and quick acceleration, along with a comprehensive set of comfort and convenience features. Should I buy the current Creta Turbo Petrol DCT top variant or wait for the 2027 Creta? For context, I currently own a 2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire Hybrid and a Volkswagen Virtus GT 1.5 TSI.

•5d

The 2027 Hyundai New Creta will be thoroughly updated inside-out, and it'll have more tech and features. If you don't mind waiting, it makes sense to get the 2027 new-gen model. Do note, its powertrain options are likely to be carried forward from the current version. If you can't wait, but still want the performance as well as the latest in terms of tech and features, consider the Kia Seltos turbo-dct instead, which packs in more or less everything the next-gen Creta is likely to offer.

Kia Seltos

•6d

Which SUV would you pick for a family of 5?

•6d

I’m planning to buy a new car, and my annual running is around 40,000km, primarily involving highway drives and ghat sections. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX and the upcoming facelifted Toyota Innova Hycross ZX. I’m considering two approaches: either buy the Innova Hycross and keep it for the next 10 years, given its reputation for longevity and the expectation that its engine can last at least 4 lakh kilometres, or buy the Seltos, drive it for around 2 lakh kilometres over 4–5 years, sell it and upgrade to a brand-new Seltos or another car of a similar price and size. On paper, the Innova Hycross Hybrid seems like the better choice, considering its long-term reliability and features such as the Ottoman reclining seats. However, I’m concerned that I might get bored of it after four years or that it may start feeling outdated as newer technologies and features enter the market. This makes the second option appealing, as it would allow me to upgrade to a brand-new car every 4–5 years. Which approach would make more sense in the long run, considering my high annual running and ownership costs?

•6d

It seems like you're leaning towards the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX, and we think it is a good choice. The diesel engine feels adequately powered for highway usage and ghat driving, and it is likely to return respectable efficiency too. Moreover, despite being modern with all the latest tech and features, the Seltos will be substantially more affordable than the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid. So unless you need the Innova's extra space, or you frequently travel with six or seven passengers, the Kia Seltos diesel is your best bet.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Innova HyCross

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Is ADAS worth paying extra for in a car?