Delhi

•13w

Hi, I am a 27-year-old first-time car buyer from Delhi NCR. My daily commute is around 25 km, including a mix of expressway and city traffic. My monthly running will be around 600 km, with an expected annual running of 7,000-8,000 km. I have access to EV charging at my apartment (Rs. 10/kWh) and at my workplace through a Statiq charger (Rs. 22/kWh). I was considering the Mahindra BE 6 Pack Two 59 kWh, as the car will mostly be used by my wife and me. I may send it to my parents in my hometown after 4-5 years, but not before that. My budget is around Rs. 21-22 lakh. The BE 6 is currently available with a Rs. 1.5 lakh discount, and a new version is expected to be announced soon. Would you recommend buying the BE 6 now, waiting for the updated version in the hope of better discounts, or opting for a Kia Seltos Diesel (Rs. 17-19 lakh) and upgrading to an EV after 4-5 years? I am not considering petrol cars because of concerns regarding E20 and future E25 fuel compatibility.

•13w

Go for the Mahindra BE 6 Pack 2 59kWh. Your usage pattern is ideal for an EV, with a mix of expressway and city traffic, and you already have affordable home charging. At Rs 10/kWh, your running costs will be significantly lower than a diesel, and the BE 6’s 59kWh battery is more than adequate for your daily needs and occasional longer trips. The current discount makes it a strong value proposition, and waiting for the next version is unlikely to yield dramatically better deals given how quickly EV technology and pricing are evolving.

The Seltos is a good car, but at 7,000-8,000 km a year, buying a diesel car is harder to justify because of the higher upfront premium. You would also be looking at a replacement in 4-5 years. The BE 6, on the other hand, can be handed over to your parents after that period, making it a more sensible long-term purchase. As for E20/E25 concerns, modern petrol engines are engineered for these blends, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20, so it should not be a reason to avoid petrol cars altogether.

Overall, the BE 6 fits your usage, budget and long-term plans best.

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•13w•

thankyou @autocar.india . I had booked skoda kushaq 1.0 TSI but cancelled now because of E20 and the new provision of cheap EV charging. Is the BE6 the more reliable and VFM car or Creta LR version should be preferred?

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•1d

I am looking for a comfortable family SUV but am confused between the Tata Sierra and Kia Seltos. I want a petrol automatic, and my budget is up to Rs 17 lakh on-road. Which one would you suggest?

•1d

Both the mentioned SUVs are available in their base variants within your budget. A good option to consider will be the new Maruti Suzuki Brezza that gets a comfy ride, smooth petrol engine and a reliable and hassle-free automatic gearbox.In your budget, the top-spec ZXI Plus trim would be a good choice as you get a good amount of creature comforts in comparison to the Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra. The Brezza has a spacious rear seat, soft suspension and light steering that makes it easy to drive and maintain. Fuel economy will also be better than your choices, and while it is a tad small in size, the space inside is not a deal-breaker.

I currently own a 2018 Maruti Suzuki Baleno petrol and am planning to buy a new car. After a lot of research, I’ve narrowed it down to the Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXi(O), which comes under Rs 15 lakh with Bharat Series (BH) registration. The dealer is offering a big discount: Rs 2.30 lakh for my Baleno, an exchange bonus of Rs 50,000 and an additional discount of up to Rs 2.50 lakh. I drive about 7,000-8,000 km a year. I’m a smooth, relaxed driver who values long-term reliability and takes occasional trips to the hills. Should I go ahead with the Victoris, or should I consider other options?

•1d

The Victoris is a good fit for your needs and will feel like a substantial upgrade over your Baleno. Since your running is fairly minimal, the mild-hybrid version you are considering makes more sense than the strong hybrid. It will offer decent fuel efficiency around town and enough power for occasional hill trips.If you are looking for alternatives, consider the Honda Elevate. It also offers a smooth 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine, but has a bit more performance on tap than the Victoris. The Kia Seltos is another strong contender, with a premium, roomy cabin, although it may exceed your budget.Overall, the Victoris is a good choice and offers good value for money.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

I currently drive a 2022 Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI Monte Carlo and am planning to upgrade to a new car sometime next year. I am particularly interested in hybrid vehicles, with the upcoming JSW Combat and the next-generation Kia Seltos Hybrid being the two options I am keeping an eye on. My primary requirements are excellent fuel efficiency, a spacious and comfortable cabin, and practicality. I need a car that can comfortably accommodate my family while also serving my work requirements, including carrying equipment and occasionally travelling to operational sites in hilly areas. Considering these requirements, which of these two vehicles would be the better upgrade from my current Kushaq? I would appreciate a comparison of their expected real-world mileage, cabin and boot space, comfort, performance on steep and hilly roads, reliability, maintenance and overall value for money. Since both options may not have confirmed specifications or launch details yet, I would also like to know what information is currently available and whether it would be worth waiting for these hybrids or considering other alternatives.

•1d

The JSW Combat (based on the Jetour T2) and the next-generation Kia Seltos Hybrid are unlikely to be direct competitors, with an expected price difference of around Rs 15 lakh. The Combat will be a much larger SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and considerably more performance, while the Seltos will be a conventional strong hybrid aimed at better fuel efficiency.As an upgrade from your Kushaq 1.5 TSI, the JSW Combat would be the more substantial step up, provided budget isn't a constraint. Its larger dimensions, more powerful plug-in hybrid powertrain and greater capability should make it better suited to carrying equipment and travelling to hilly operational sites. The Seltos, on the other hand, will be a more practical and affordable upgrade. It should offer a more premium and spacious cabin than your Kushaq, along with a significant improvement in fuel efficiency. However, in terms of outright performance and the sense of an upgrade, it may not feel like a major step up from your current 1.5 TSI.

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•6d

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.

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•6d

Which SUV would you pick for a family of 5?

•5d

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?

•5d

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.

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