Latest questions answered by experts

Autocar India

•1h

The latest situation is that Hyundai's Ni1i 7-seater SUV appears to have gone quiet. We had originally reported in 2024 that Hyundai was evaluating a three-row SUV positioned above the Alcazar, but since then there has been very little concrete information from Hyundai. As things stand today, even if the project is still alive, it is unlikely to arrive before late 2027 or beyond.As for positioning, the Ni1i was never expected to be a direct replacement for the Tucson. The idea was for it to be a more India-focused three-row SUV, targeting buyers of the XUV700, Safari and similar vehicles, whereas the Tucson sits in a different segment as a premium five-seat global SUV.Regarding the next-generation Tucson, Hyundai has not confirmed plans for India yet. Given the relatively modest sales of the outgoing Tucson, we would not assume its successor is a certainty for our market. If Hyundai does decide to bring it here, it is still likely to be well over a year away.So if you are planning a purchase in the near future, we would not recommend waiting specifically for either the Ni1i or the next-generation Tucson. Both remain uncertain, and even in the most optimistic scenario, they appear to be some distance away from launch.

Hyundai Tucson

Autocar India

•1h

Pick the Hyundai Venue DCT. For mostly city use, it is simply the easiest to live with: compact dimensions for easy parking, a high seating position for better view in traffic, and enough ground clearance to glide over bad patches and tall speed breakers without worrying. Its turbo engine with the automatic feels quick enough to exploit gaps in traffic, and the steering is light, so long commutes will be less tiring. Do note, though, the Venue DCT's can feel a touch hesitant at low speeds, and the city mileage is just okay, as is the case with the others, because it's a small capacity turbo engine.The Hyundai i20 N Line DCT is more fun to drive, but its firmer suspension and lower stance make it less friendly on rough roads and speed bumps, and you're sitting lower, so you won't get as good a view out.The Skoda Kylaq AT has the smoothest gearbox for bumper-to-bumper and feels more at home on the highway, but it isn't as premium or spacious on the inside as the Venue.

Hyundai Venue

Hyundai i20

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•2h

Pick the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor S+ Petrol MT. It sits under your Rs. 12 lakh budget, is fuel efficient, and its easy, no-fuss nature suits low usage and first-time ownership. The simple 1.2 engine is reliable, cheap to maintain and efficient in the city, and the higher seating with good ground clearance makes it family-friendly without feeling big or heavy to drive. It is also easier on the wallet and comes backed by Toyota's widespread service network.The only catch is that it is not as powerful or as solid-feeling as a Skoda Kylaq, which is the alternative you should consider. The Kylaq is more enjoyable to drive, and it comes with a 5-star crash safety rating, but it won't be as fuel efficient or as affordable to maintain as the Toyota Taisor. For your budget and light running, though, the Taisor is the smart pick.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•3h

Your 2020 Baleno Alpha BS6 has covered 90,000 km, but it has also been maintained well. The major wear items, such as the tyres, battery, clutch and brake discs, have already been replaced, so many of the expensive maintenance jobs are behind you.We would also not replace the car because of concerns around E20, E25 or E30 fuels. Any move to higher ethanol blends will be gradual, and there will need to be a transition path for the millions of existing BS6 vehicles already on the road. Your Baleno is still a relatively modern car.Since you enjoy long road trips, the Baleno continues to be a comfortable, efficient and dependable companion. Unless you specifically want more space, ground clearance or performance, there is no strong reason to upgrade right now.Our advice would be simple: keep the Baleno, continue maintaining it well and enjoy it. It should still have plenty of life left in it.

Autocar India

•4h

Yes, we would say you made a very sensible choice, especially considering the priorities you had laid out. The XUV500 W10 was a large SUV with strong performance and road presence, but by today's standards, it was beginning to show its age in terms of refinement, fuel efficiency and overall ownership experience. Since your priorities were brand reputation, reliability, fuel efficiency, and a practical 5-seater under Rs 16 lakh on-road through CSD, the Toyoat Urban Cruiser Hyryder V MT fits the brief extremely well.The biggest gain is in running costs and peace of mind. The Toyota badge, proven naturally aspirated petrol engine and excellent fuel efficiency make it the kind of car you can own for a decade without losing sleep. It is also easier to drive, more refined in everyday use and should prove significantly cheaper to run than the old XUV500.The only area where you may feel you have taken a step back is performance and the outright SUV feel. The XUV500's diesel engine had effortless performance and a sense of occasion that the Hyryder's naturally aspirated petrol cannot match. If you enjoy spirited driving, you will notice that difference.However, judging the purchase against the priorities you listed rather than against nostalgia for the XUV500, you absolutely made the right decision.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder