•3w

I own a Hyundai Venue Turbo Petrol, which is driven around 4,000 km per year and is occasionally used by my parents. I have been considering to upgrade it, as I am tired of spending money on maintenance. The car has been problematic since its second year of ownership. I am currently considering the Kia Syros HTK (EX) manual and HTK+ (DCT). However, some automobile enthusiasts have advised me against buying a DCT if I am looking for a hassle-free ownership experience, especially since the car will mostly be driven in Delhi’s office-hour traffic and the overall running is quite low. Could you please suggest whether I should opt for the DCT, stick with a manual, or consider a diesel automatic instead? Alternatively, if there are better options within a budget of Rs. 15 lakh, I would be open to considering them. I can also wait if there are any promising new launches expected this year within my budget. I am not interested in an EV at the moment. Thanks in advance.

•3w

Given your low annual running and predominantly city use in Delhi, a diesel does not make sense. Modern diesels are happiest when regularly driven on longer runs, and with just 4,000km a year, the higher purchase cost and potential emission system issues are difficult to justify.

As for DCTs, they have become far more reliable than early examples, but if the priority is a smooth, stress-free ownership experience in heavy urban traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the safer bet. It is generally smoother at low speeds and better suited to constant stop-start driving.

Rather than moving to a Syros DCT, it would be worth considering the Skoda Kylaq automatic or the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic. Both use torque-converter gearboxes and offer a more relaxed driving experience in city conditions. The Kylaq feels particularly polished to drive, while the 3XO counters with a richer feature list and a more spacious cabin.

If you like the Syros, the manual remains a sensible choice given your limited annual usage, but if an automatic is preferred, a torque-converter-equipped rival would be a better fit than a DCT.

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•3w

I strongly recommend you go for Brezza AT, The Torque converter AT, Bigger Non-Turbo engine & SHVS Tech are the perfect combination for your requirement.

•3w

Maruti’s after sales is a complete No No.

•3w

Go for Maruti brezza AT.or go for electric

•3w

Any time skoda is the best

•3w

Skoda kylaq AT is best option for your given requirement

•3w

Prathik • 2s if you are looking for a hassle-free ownership experience, then i would suggest you to go with Honda Amaze CVT (best for Delhi traffic and your annual run KM) you and your parents will be mind free with for long years.

•3w

if you are looking for a hassle-free ownership experience, then i would suggest you to go with Honda Amaze CVT (best for Delhi traffic and your annual run KM) you and your parents will be mind free with for long years.

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More questions on similar cars

•3d

I want to buy a 5-star safety-rated car with a panoramic sunroof that I can use for the next 10 years, with a budget of under Rs. 14 lakh. Which car would you recommend for me?

•2d

Three cars come to mind that meet your requirements of a 5-star crash test rating and panoramic sunroof in a budget of Rs 14 lakh - the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Kia Syros. However, within your budget, you will have to settle for mid-range variants of all three. In terms of long-term ownership, Kia has been known to offer a better after-sales and service experience than Tata or Mahindra, which is worth keeping in mind as you're keeping the car for 10 years. The Syros is also the most spacious for both passengers and luggage, has the highest-quality interior and the most modern tech of the three. That being said, its firm suspension gives it the bumpiest ride and its engine, though refined, doesn't feel as punchy as the others. Between the Nexon and the XUV 3XO, the Mahindra is the better all-rounder, with more cabin space, a smoother, more powerful engine and better refinement. Overall, however, we think the Syros will be the better option for you.

Dear Team, I want to buy an SUV. As of now, my current driving is around 3100 Km, but there are chances it can be reduced to 800-900 Km per month or max 1000 km. Kindly suggest which SUV best suits me. My last driven car is the Hyundai Grand i10 Asta (O).

•45m

This is a tricky one because your monthly running is expected to reduce significantly, and that changes the ideal choice of fuel.If you continue to cover around 3,100km a month, we'd recommend the Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG. It will offer the lowest running costs, and with the facelift expected to launch in July, it may be worth waiting for the updated model. If you don't want the inconvenience of refuelling at CNG stations, the Hyundai Venue Diesel Manual would be our alternative. Your current running is high enough to justify a diesel, and it should prove to be efficient and economical over the long term.However, if your running settles at around 800-1,000km a month, we'd move away from diesel or CNG and recommend a petrol SUV instead. In that case, the Skoda Kylaq Petrol Automatic would be an excellent choice. It offers a refined turbo-petrol engine, a smooth torque-converter automatic, excellent driving manners and is well suited to lower annual running.

I want to buy a new automatic car in the price range of the top-end Kia Sonet or the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The car will be driven around 7,000 km per year and will be used as a second vehicle. So, an EV may also be worth considering, as I have a solar plant at home. I like premium interiors and prefer a relatively maintenance-free vehicle. I also want good ground clearance to handle potholes. What would you suggest? Should I stick to sub-4-metre SUVs, or should I also consider larger options?

•1d

Your annual running of just 7,000km, the fact that this will be a second car, and having a solar plant at home make an EV a very compelling proposition. You'll enjoy extremely low running costs, quiet performance and the convenience of charging at home.Our top recommendation would be the MG Windsor EV. It is priced similarly to the top variants of the Sonet and 3XO, but offers a much more spacious cabin and a greater sense of space inside. It also feels more premium than its price suggests and is an excellent family car.The Tata Nexon EV is another excellent option. It offers good ground clearance, strong performance, a proven electric powertrain and a wide service network. If you prefer the more traditional SUV stance and slightly better rough-road ability, it remains a very sensible choice.If you decide to stay with a petrol automatic, we'd lean towards the Mahindra 3XO over the Kia Sonet. The 3XO offers a more spacious cabin, stronger safety credentials and a more comfortable ride, while the Sonet counters with a richer feature list and a more premium-looking interior.

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Popular discussions right now

•3d

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.

•2d

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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•1w

Hi, I have a budget of Rs. 40 lakh and am confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O), and the Toyota Fortuner Petrol. I am 28 years old and want a car that is fun to drive but also comfortable for my family. My driving will be split 80:20 between on-road and off-road use.

•4d

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

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•4d

I have a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, and I am extremely satisfied with its mileage (900-1000 km from 45 liters). However, I am losing the joy of driving. I migrated to this car after owning a Swift Dzire Diesel and an XL6. The mismatch between engine revs and acceleration is becoming unpleasant. Overtaking feels riskier, and even the brakes feel spongy. I have experienced a few unpleasant situations because of this. As a result, I have reduced my overall speed, making the safety of my family a bigger priority. But the driver in me is unhappy. Should I upgrade to the Duster Hybrid, the Hycross Hybrid, or the newly launched Sierra EV? Also, do diesel engines still make sense today?

•3d

From what you've described, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has impressed you with its efficiency but left you wanting more from behind the wheel. If driving enjoyment is back on your priority list, the Duster Hybrid looks like the most natural upgrade. It is expected to offer a much more engaging driving experience while retaining the fuel efficiency benefits of a strong hybrid.The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid will certainly improve on comfort, refinement and performance, but it won't fundamentally change the character you're looking for. It is still geared towards relaxed family motoring rather than enthusiastic driving.The Tata Sierra EV is an interesting option and has now been launched. It promises strong performance, a premium cabin and a spacious interior. However, if the "driver in you" misses the involvement and confidence of your earlier diesel cars, we'd still wait to experience how the Duster Hybrid drives before making a decision.As for diesels, we don't think they should be ruled out altogether. With the right usage, they continue to make sense. However, given your appreciation for the fuel economy of your Grand Vitara and the direction the market is heading, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid rather than going back to diesel.

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