Autocar India

Upcoming launch buzz

Community discussions on upcoming launches

•1d

I am a bit confused between the BMW i5 and the Lexus ES 500e. The Lexus ES 500e costs Rs 91.2 lakh (ex-showroom), which is Rs 11 lakh more than the BMW i5 at Rs 79.6 lakh. For the additional amount, the Lexus offers the following features: Manual rear window sunblinds Soft-close doors Head-up display (HUD) Front-seat heating and ventilation, along with a heated steering wheel. The i5 gets ventilated seats. Transparent bonnet mode Higher performance from its dual-motor AWD setup, producing 343hp compared with the i5's 268 hp Longer standard vehicle warranty of 8 years/2 lakh km, compared with BMW's 2-year standard warranty Dedicated spare wheel space I have driven both cars and liked them. Does the Lexus justify the additional Rs 11 lakh for these differences? Is there a significant difference in interior quality between the i5 and ES 500e?

Verified
•5h

The Lexus ES 500e has its merits, but it does come at a considerable premium over the BMW i5. Sure, if you want to stand out, prefer its stronger performance, and want the peace of mind of a longer standard warranty, go for the Lexus ES. In comparison, the BMW i5 is a well-rounded electric car which is very comfortable to drive and be driven in. And given the fact that it is more affordable, as a luxury EV, the BMW i5 seems like the more sensible option. Alternatively, you could consider the new GLC 400 (EV), which packs in stronger performance, promises healthier range, and is more affordable than both the BMW i5 and Lexus ES.

VehicleLexus ES Electric
VehicleBMW i5
VehicleMercedes-Benz GLC Electric
•2d

Hi Autocar India team, I would appreciate your advice on choosing a used automatic car for around Rs 12 lakh. I currently own a 2009 Maruti Alto LPG, which has covered 1.1 lakh km. My annual running is around 7,000km. My village is about 350km away, so I make two to three highway trips there every year. I have a family of four and want to keep my fuel expenses within Rs 5-6 lakh over the next 10 years. My priorities, in order, are an automatic gearbox, good road presence and reliability, followed by maintenance costs, as I have a close friend who is a mechanic. I want to avoid diesel cars, DCT gearboxes and gimmicky features. The Nexon, Venue and Punch feel a little too small for my needs. I would also prefer to avoid 1.2-litre three- or four-cylinder engines, as I don't want too much vibration at highway speeds. My shortlist, with all these cars test-driven and available for around Rs 12 lakh, includes the Hyundai Alcazar 2.0, Maruti Grand Vitara mild-hybrid, Hyundai Creta/Kia Seltos IVT and Honda Elevate CVT. I am also open to MPVs and sedans as a last resort. I have a few questions: 1. Which of these would you pick, and why? 2. If E30, E85 or E100 petrol is introduced, would retrofitting the Alcazar with a CNG kit make sense? I do not need the third row. 3. Are there any other used cars I should consider? 4. Would a 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid be worth considering at around Rs 6-9 lakh? 5. What about a Toyota Innova Crysta for around Rs 9 lakh? 6. Should I consider EVs? I would love to hear your opinion.

Verified
•6h

Since you don't need the Alcazar's extra third row, why not consider a Hyundai Creta 1.5 IVT instead? It is a smooth, spacious, comfortable and sensible choice. You should get a 2022-23 manufactured, well-maintained example in your Rs 12 lakh budget.Alternatively, in case you're looking for road presence, you could also consider a used Jeep Compass diesel-automatic. It is an excellent highway car, and the 2.0-litre diesel and 9-speed torque converter automatic combination will ensure that your fuel costs are in check compared to its petrol-automatic version.

VehicleHyundai Alcazar
VehicleHyundai Creta
VehicleHonda Elevate