For Bangalore, I am considering the Lexus ES 350h, Mercedes-Benz E 200, or GLC 300. The car will mostly be chauffeur-driven. Which one would be the better choice?

autocar.india

•1d

If your Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI is running well and you only do occasional long highway drives, there is no strong financial or practical reason to change it right now. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a superb long-distance car with excellent comfort, refinement and a proven diesel engine that is well suited to highway cruising. At 80,000km, there is still life left in it as a well-maintained Mercedes diesel, and the cost of upgrading to a new car is unlikely to be justified by your current usage pattern.The Kia Sorento Hybrid is a very different proposition. It is a large, comfortable and well-equipped SUV, but the hybrid system is designed to deliver its biggest benefits in mixed city and highway driving. On long highway runs, the fuel economy advantage over a diesel is less pronounced, and this Kia car does not offer the same driving experience as the E-Class.If you are looking for a change, the Sorento Hybrid is a sensible and practical family SUV, but it is not a direct replacement for an E-Class in terms of driving experience or long-distance comfort. If your usage remains occasional long highway drives, it makes more sense to keep the E-Class and enjoy it for a few more years. If you want a change for the sake of something new, the Sorento Hybrid is a great option.

autocar.india

•2h

Go for the Tata Altroz diesel. Your running is high enough to justify a diesel, and the Altroz diesel is one of the few genuinely efficient and enjoyable small diesels left on the market. This Tata car delivers strong fuel economy on the highway, has a punchy mid-range for overtaking, and is genuinely enjoyable to drive on open roads. Diesel availability is not a concern, and with your kind of running, the fuel savings will add up quickly.CNG makes sense only if you have reliable access to filling stations along your regular routes. If you are already worried about availability, it is not worth the compromise. The Nexon and Punch CNG are both good cars, but the inconvenience of planning refuelling stops will quickly outweigh the savings.The Altroz diesel is also a well-rounded car with a comfortable ride, good safety credentials and a solid ownership experience. It is the most sensible and enjoyable choice for your usage pattern.

autocar.india

•18m

Go for the Creta diesel. Your usage pattern is actually well suited to a modern diesel. At 15,000-18,000 km a year with 70% highway driving, the diesel will deliver strong fuel savings over time, and the engine is well suited to long runs. The concern around DPF issues is often overstated. The Creta diesel uses a passive DPF system that regenerates naturally at highway speeds, and your usage pattern already includes the kind of driving that keeps the system healthy. The idea that a diesel needs to be driven daily is a myth; what matters is that the car gets regular runs at steady speeds, which your highway usage already provides. Diesel maintenance is not inherently difficult, but it is slightly more expensive than petrol. The key is to follow the service schedule and use good quality fuel. The petrol turbo is a good engine, but for your running and usage pattern, the diesel makes more sense. The only reason to avoid diesel would be if your usage was predominantly short city runs, which is not the case here. The Creta diesel is a solid upgrade from the Aura and will serve you well on Bangalore highways.