Hello Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a new automatic car and have heard that the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift and the Honda Elevate are expected to launch soon. Could you please advise on the expected launch timelines for both these vehicles?

Autocar India

•13m

We understand that the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift is due very soon, likely in the next month or two. It will mainly bring cosmetic changes and additional features rather than any major mechanical overhaul. So if you are keen on the Brezza, it is worth waiting, because you’ll get the updated styling, a bit more equipment and potentially better value without having to wait too long.

The Honda Elevate facelift, on the other hand, is still some time away. The current Elevate was launched in India in September 2023, and reliable estimates put its first facelift only in mid‑ to late‑2026. Given this timeline, we don’t expect it before the second half of this year at the earliest, and even then, the changes are likely to be mild. It will mainly include bumpers, grille and features with no major change to the 1.5‑litre petrol engine and CVT.

Both cars are proven, reliable and easy‑to‑drive automatics, with smooth petrol engines and user‑friendly automatic gearboxes that work well in city traffic. The Elevate is, of course, a size bigger than the Brezza; it’s a proper midsize SUV (Creta class). So you get more cabin and boot space, but you also pay more for it, both in upfront price and running costs. So if you want an automatic soon and are leaning towards the Brezza, wait for the imminent facelift. If you prefer the larger Elevate, it makes sense to buy the current model rather than hold off for many months for a relatively minor update.

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•4d

Hello Autocar Team, we are a family of four, and all of us are around 6 feet tall. We have been loyal Honda owners for over 15 years, having driven the Honda City and Jazz extensively. While those cars suited us earlier, we now require a more spacious SUV due to our height and growing needs. We have shortlisted the Jeep Meridian, Toyota Innova Hycross, Mahindra XUV700, and Skoda Kodiaq. However, we have concerns about space in the Meridian, size and safety ratings of the Hycross, interior quality of the XUV700, and maintenance costs of the Kodiaq. Our top priorities are safety, sturdiness, dependability, comfort, and a premium feel. We are not considering Kia, Tata, or MG models. The car will be used for Mumbai city driving as well as long highway trips, and we prefer a petrol automatic. Resale value is not a priority-we value driving pleasure as we will be self-driving. Our maximum budget is ₹50 lakh. Could you please advise which of these options would be the best choice for our requirements?

Autocar India

•2h

For your requirement of a spacious, premium, driver-focused SUV for a tall family of four, the Skoda Kodiaq is the best fit among your shortlisted options.It offers a solid build, premium cabin quality and a genuinely engaging driving experience, which aligns well with your priority of driving pleasure. For 6-footers, the front and second rows are comfortable with good headroom and support. Also, with the third row folded, you get excellent luggage space for long trips. The petrol automatic is refined and smooth in the city, while also feeling very stable and confidence-inspiring on highways.The Jeep Meridian, while rugged and solid, does feel tight on space, especially for taller passengers, which you have already noticed. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a strong all-rounder, but as you pointed out, the interior quality does not feel premium enough for your budget. The Toyota Innova Hycross is extremely comfortable and reliable. But it is more comfort-oriented than driver-focused, and the interior look, feel, and quality may not meet your expectations of a premium experience.You can also consider the Volkswagen Tayron, which is essentially Volkswagen’s version of the Kodiaq. Both cars share the same platform, engine and core mechanicals, with the Tayron offering a slightly different design and more features. However, it is slightly more expensive, and the overall ownership experience will be very similar to the Skoda.

Rohit

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy my first car with a budget of around ₹20 lakh. I am confused between choosing an electric vehicle (EV) and a petrol automatic car. My monthly running would be around 500-700 km, with approximately 80% city driving and 20% highway usage. I am based in Hyderabad. Considering my usage pattern, could you please suggest whether an EV or a petrol automatic would be the better choice?

Autocar India

•3h

With your monthly running of 500-700 km and 80% city usage in Hyderabad, both EV and petrol automatic can work. But we would suggest leaning towards a petrol automatic as the safer and more practical choice.Your running is relatively low, so the cost advantage of an EV will not be very significant. While EVs are easier to drive and very smooth in the city, the initial cost is higher, and with your usage, it will take a long time to recover that premium.A petrol automatic like the Kia Seltos IVT or the Skoda Kushaq torque converter automatic will be more flexible and hassle-free, especially if you plan to keep the car for a long time. You won’t have to worry about charging infrastructure, planning trips, or battery-related concerns, and it will also handle occasional highway drives effortlessly.If you are specifically inclined towards EVs and have reliable home charging, then something like the MG Windsor EV can still work well for your city usage. But purely from a practical and value standpoint, it is not a necessity in your case.

Shyam

Hello Experts, I’m looking for an automatic car up to ₹12 lakh for a newly licensed driver. 80% of the driving will be in the city. Will an electric car make sense? There is a charging facility available. Long drives will be 350 km, one way. Please suggest a petrol automatic, or electric. Brand is not an issue.

Autocar India

•17h

Since your usage is 80% city driving and you have access to charging, an EV like the Tata Punch EV 40 kWh does make a lot of sense. Electric cars are very easy to drive, especially for a new driver. There are no gear shifts, power delivery is smooth and instant, and driving in traffic is extremely stress-free.Although we haven’t tested it yet, we expect the Punch EV facelift to deliver over 300 km per charge, which is more than enough for your daily usage. Charging at home or office will easily cover your routine driving, and running costs will be significantly lower than a petrol car. For your occasional 350 km highway trip, you will need to stop once for a quick charge, so some planning will be required.If you prefer to avoid the hassle of charging, you can also consider the Skoda Kylaq automatic. It comes with a smooth torque converter transmission, is easy to drive in the city, and will be more convenient for your longer highway trips.

Tata Punch EV

Skoda Kylaq

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