Latest questions answered by experts

I am having a Volkswagen Vento diesel automatic 1.5 TDI high line plus from 2016, and now I am planning to change the car, mostly driving in the city with 2-3 long highway trips in the desert and hills with some adventure. And my annual running is approx 10000 km. And my budget is approx 35 lakhs. Pls suggest a suitable car.

•4h

Get the Jeep Compass diesel automatic, ideally the 4x4, because it stays easy in the city yet feels rock solid on highways and can handle desert sand, and hill climbs without stress. You are coming from a Vento, so you will like the Compass’s tight body control, strong mid-range pull, and the calm way it cruises. The 4x4 brings real traction for soft sand and steep trails, plus good ground clearance, but it still parks like a midsize SUV, not a barge.With 10,000 km a year, diesel is fine if you do a decent weekly run to keep the system happy. If your budget is strict at Rs. 35 lakh on-road, the 4x2 automatic will fit and is still great for bad roads and long trips, just not deep sand.As an alternative, you can also look at the AWD Mahindra XUV 7XO, off-road it will not be as accomplished as the Compass, but it will be more than enough for basic trails and light off-roading.

Jeep Compass

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•15h

I have shortlisted the Victoris CNG by swapping my current Swift. Is it a good decision? Preferences include SUV, low maintenance and mileage.

•5h

Yes, the Victoris CNG is a sensible swap from your Swift if your daily running is high and you have easy CNG access. You get the SUV stance and higher seating, which makes city bumps and bad roads easier than in the Swift, and running costs will drop sharply with CNG. Maintenance should stay low too, since it is a simple Maruti setup and the service network is everywhere.Two checks before you sign. Make sure you are getting the factory CNG and not a dealer kit, and that there are enough CNG pumps on your routes. CNG brings a few compromises. Performance is softer than petrol, so with the AC on and four people, quick overtakes need planning, and climbs will feel slow. With the Victoris, however, this is quite minimal and driven in an everyday fashion; it will feel just fine.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Swift

•1d

Suggest the best car around 10L for an average monthly city commute of around 200km and occasional long-distance commute.

•5h

Consider the Maruti Suzuki Dzire. Your running is only about 200km a month, so a simple, efficient car makes the most sense at around Rs. 10 lakh. It is easy to drive in the city thanks to its light controls and good visibility, yet it settles well on the highway and sips fuel. In our real-world testing, we recorded a combined fuel efficiency of 15.41kpl with the AMT and 17.25kpl with the manual. Speaking of which, the manual has a slick shift, a light clutch and excellent drivability, making it easy to use in the city. However, the AMT will reduce stress even further.The cabin is comfortable for four, the boot easily accommodates weekend luggage, and Maruti’s extensive service network makes ownership painless for a first-time buyer. Safety is also well covered, with the Dzire earning a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating.If you need a bit more rear-seat space, consider the Baleno. If you want a taller seating position and better rough-road ability, look at the Tata Punch, though it is noisier and not as fuel-efficient as the Dzire.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

•14h

I want to buy an SUV; my usage is 70:30, mostly within cities like Bangalore, and a few times off-road. I’m ok to stretch the budget up to 60 lakhs around I’m confused between Kodiaq, Hycross, Fortuner, BMW X1, or wait for the new Fortuner if it is released by this year's end. Can anyone give me suggestions?

•6h

Pick the Skoda Kodiaq. Your usage is mostly in Bengaluru city, and the Kodiaq is the best all-rounder of this lot. It's spacious, comfortable, refined and well equipped, but also comes with AWD and enough ground clearance to handle bad roads and the odd trail without fuss. It rides and handles far better than ladder-frame SUVs like the Fortuner, feels properly premium inside, and is far less tiring in traffic.The Fortuner is unstoppable off-road, but in the city, it is big, bouncy and heavy to drive, and you will pay more for less comfort. The next-gen Fortuner is unlikely to go on sale this year. The BMW X1 is great for city use, but it is not very powerful, and FWD, which isn't great for off-road use; also, the space is tighter than the others. The Innova Hycross hybrid is the most spacious and practical, with the best mileage of the lot, but it lacks that SUV road presence and status.Overall, the Kodiaq is the best choice, but bear in mind petrol costs in heavy traffic will be higher than the HyCross, and the third row is best for kids only.

Skoda Kodiaq

BMW X1

Toyota Innova HyCross

•17h

Now, this time I am planning to buy an EV. Please suggest the best option up to the 12 Lakh range.

•7h

Go for the Tata Punch EV; at Rs 12 lakh, it is the most complete first EV you can buy. It fits your budget even with the larger battery, so you get a real 300-plus km range in normal city use and the comfort of fast charging for the odd long day. It is a proper 5‑door subcompact SUV with space for a family and a decent boot, so it feels like a normal car, just quieter and far cheaper to run.If you want something cheaper, there's also the Tata Tiago EV, but your money goes a lot further with the Punch as you get better ground clearance, more features, and crucially a larger battery. Do note, with all EVs, long highway trips still need planning and patience at chargers, and it's best to make sure you can install a charger at home. But for a first EV on a Rs 12 lakh budget, nothing else balances range, practicality and ease of ownership this well.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Tiago EV

•3d

Hi, I want to upgrade from my Nissan Sunny Diesel to an SUV. My budget is around Rs. 16 lakh. My daily running is around 75 km on the highway, which may reduce next year due to my transfer. I want an automatic. I am confused between a diesel and a petrol SUV.

•8h

Pick the Kia Sonet diesel automatic. Your 75 km daily highway run suits diesel, and this one does effortless cruising with strong mid-range pull, so overtakes feel easy. It will also save money on fuel, typically returning around 16-18 kpl on highways. It fits your Rs. 16 lakh budget in the mid trims and will be easier to live with in the city after your transfer because it is compact yet feels like a proper SUV.One honest catch is the extra upfront cost over petrol and the usual diesel particulate filter upkeep if your usage turns into only short, stop-start city runs. If you usage pattern is dramatically changing next year and you want to keep things simple, consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx turbo petrol automatic. It is smooth, easy in traffic, and its running costs stay reasonable even if your mileage drops, though highway efficiency will be lower than the Sonet diesel.Given today’s usage and your diesel habit, the Sonet diesel automatic is the right upgrade. If your transfer makes it a mostly-city life, the Fronx petrol automatic is the safer pick.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Kia Sonet