Latest questions answered by experts

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•1h

The Kylaq AT would be our first recommendation if you prefer a petrol automatic. Its 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 115hp and 178Nm, offering good performance for both city driving and occasional highway trips. The six-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and well suited to stop-start traffic. It also has a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. The drawback is that fuel efficiency in heavy traffic is not particularly impressive.If you are open to an EV, consider the Tata Punch EV 40kWh. It is quick, easy to drive in traffic and significantly cheaper to run. It is also worth addressing your concern about electromagnetic fields. EVs do generate electromagnetic fields from their motors, batteries and power electronics, but measurements inside EV cabins have generally been well below international public exposure limits. There is currently no established scientific evidence that these fields cause headaches or other health problems. The World Health Organization also states that evidence linking low-level EMF exposure to headaches is weak. So, there is no specific health reason to avoid the Punch EV on this account. The Punch EV also offers a comfortable city driving experience and low running costs. However, you should ideally have home charging, and occasional highway journeys will require some charging-stop planning.

Skoda Kylaq

Tata Punch EV

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•1h

For a first-time buyer and new driver, the updated Maruti Brezza is a safe choice. Maruti has a stellar reputation for after-sales service, and the Brezza is a simple, easy-to-live-with car. The slick automatic comes paired with the 1.5-litre engine, which is reliable and fuel-efficient. It rides superbly and has decent performance on the highway. It also has a strong safety rating, getting 5 stars from Bharat NCAP.Alternatively, you could consider the Hyundai Venue turbo-petrol DCT. Hyundai also has a good reputation for after-sales service, and upkeep should be reasonable. It has a very modern interior, and the back seat is also quite comfortable. It uses a dual-clutch automatic, which can feel a bit hesitant at low speeds, but since most of your driving will be on the highway on longer trips, this shouldn't be a deal-breaker.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

•2h

Leaving a turbo-petrol engine idle for a couple of weeks at a time is no problem at all. Both the Mahindra XUV 3XO and Maruti Brezza turbo are good choices. The Brezza turbo is the easier recommendation, thanks to Maruti's stellar reputation for reliability and low running costs. The Brezza also has a larger boot than the 3XO, and its front seats are more comfortable. One drawback is that the Brezza turbo is currently only offered with a manual, so if you want an automatic, go for the 3XO instead.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•3h

Yes, the Mahindra Thar Roxx will get the DaVinci suspension, but the exact timeline is unclear at the moment. If you can wait though, the DaVinci dampers should make a noticeable improvement to the ride quality.

autocar.india

•4h

For mostly highway use, the Maruti Brezza would be our pick. The Venue's light steering doesn't weight up sufficiently as speeds rise, which doesn't inspire confidence. The Brezza also has a more absorbent and composed ride than the Venue. Performance from both cars is good, but the Brezza feels a bit more tractable, with less turbo lag around town.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

•5h

The 17-inch wheels from the Hycross VX, or even the 18-inchers from the ZX, are a straight swap on the GX(O). However, the larger wheels will have a negative impact on ride quality. The 16-inch wheels have taller sidewalls, which help absorb sharp bumps before they reach the cabin. The larger wheels have shorter sidewalls, so you'll feel more of the road surface. If that isn't a deal-breaker, go ahead with the larger wheels. However, inspect them thoroughly for any damage, such as cracks or curb rash, before buying.

Toyota Innova HyCross

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•5h

The facelift Maruti Suzuki Wagon R has been spotted testing and is expected to get a dual-cylinder CNG tank setup. The 1.0-litre engine will likely be retained, while the larger 1.2-litre K-series engine could be replaced by the Z-series unit, as seen in the Baleno. A CNG-AMT combination is also possible, although this hasn't been confirmed yet.An EV could be the perfect fit for your needs, given your long city commute and the fact that you can charge at home. Even an entry-level electric car offers a much better automatic driving experience than an AMT, which can be slow to shift and hesitant at times.The Hyundai Ioniq P is expected to launch early next year and will compete with the Tata Nexon EV and Kia Syros EV. It is likely to be priced in a similar ballpark, at around Rs. 13-18 lakh. If you can't wait, the Syros EV is also a solid fit for your needs, with one of the roomiest interiors in the segment. If both these options stretch your budget, the Tata Punch EV is an excellent alternative. It offers enough space for your tall frame, while its wide-opening doors make getting in and out very easy.Overall, an EV like the Syros EV or Punch EV would be a great fit for your needs.

Tata Punch EV

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Kia Syros EV

Hyundai Ioniq P

Tata Nexon EV

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

autocar.india

•6h

The Harley-Davidson X440 seems like the bike most well-suited to your requirements, amongst all the options you have shortlisted. It has an approachable seat height, comfortable ergonomics, good suspension comfort, a torquey and smooth motor as well as a super light clutch to make life easy in the city. It isn't much lighter than the Scram but owing to its roadster form factor and smaller front wheel, it definitely feels easier to manage. Some things to bear in mind before you plunge into X440 ownership are that its front fork can bottom out over larger bumps (a very unpleasant sensation) and Hero's aftersales experience - particularly for Premia products like the X440 - is still far from ideal. The Scram 440 is a machine that could be slightly more physically demanding to ride but overall it offers a similiar experience with a torque-rich motor, good suspension and comfy ergos. If you don't want to deal with a hit-or-miss ownership experience, Royal Enfield's aftersales and service reputation is far better than Hero's.

autocar.india

•6h

It would be unfair to directly compare a Royal Enfield Meteor 350 to a TVS Ntorq 125 so we'll list out what each vehicle is good at and where it will struggle. The Meteor 350 is a textbook small-capacity cruiser which will be easy to use thanks to its chaming and torquey engine, light clutch action and pretty comfortable rear suspension. If you are of short stature, then its 765mm perch will prove welcoming too. The downsides here are that thanks to its seating position, all big road imperfections will filter through to your spine and it is also a rather heavy bike with what can be best described as unhurried performance. At almost the polar opposite of the spectrum is the Ntorq 125 which balances practicality and rider engagement rather well. It is quite comfy for a scooter, has an extensive feature set and its underseat storage is pretty decent too. It will struggle over big road undulations and by virtue of its form factor, stability at higher speeds isn't its strong point. You should also factor in that the Meteor's price is well over Rs. 2 lakh on-road, whereas the Ntorq will cost you just above one lakh rupees. According to your usage and budget, we'd recommend you choose your next vehicle.

autocar.india

•7h

Given your requirements, you should take a look at the Tata Altroz CNG AMT. The Altroz CNG AMT comes with a 1.2-litre engine paired with a 5-speed AMT automatic gearbox which makes it ideal for city commutes. It also has a spacious, feature-rich cabin and a comfy ride quality. Moreover, since the tanks are placed under the boot floor, you also retain properly usable boot space and an underbody-mounted spare tyre as well. The Altroz has also received a full, 5-star crash safety rating.

Tata Altroz

autocar.india

•7h

Without knowing your budget or the type of car that you prefer, it would be hard to suggest the right one for you. However, you could consider the Honda Amaze CVT. It's a compact sedan with a spacious and comfy cabin that is easy to drive and maneuver in tight spaces within the city and it has a smooth CVT automatic gearbox. It's a Honda car, so it will be reliable and stress-free to own and will also have some familiarity to the Brio you currently drive.

Honda Amaze