Latest questions answered by experts

I own a 2012 Toyota Etios diesel. While the car is still running perfectly, I intend to upgrade to a larger car with good rear-seat space for a 6-foot-tall passenger. I need a safe, reliable and low-maintenance car that is easy for both me and my wife to drive. Most of our driving is in the city, with an occasional outstation trip once every quarter. I liked the Taigun, but it lacks rear-seat space and does not offer ventilated seats or a 360-degree camera. The Duster and Seltos seem promising, but I am not sure how future E85 fuel adoption will affect them. Could you suggest my options?

•19m

Pick the Kia Seltos. It fixes your two big issues at once: rear-seat space is noticeably better than the Taigun's for a 6-foot passenger, and higher variants offer both ventilated front seats and a 360-degree camera. It is also easy to drive in the city thanks to light controls and smooth automatics, and it keeps life simple with wide service reach and reasonable upkeep. Safety kit is solid too, with 6 airbags and ESC standard, and it achieved a 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP (BNCAP) crash tests.Go for the 1.5 petrol with the automatic if your use is mostly city with a quarterly trip. About E85, do not worry, as this fuel is for flex fuel vehicles only, there will be a parallel supply of E20 or a slightly higher blend like E25, which will cause a drop in mileage, but the Seltos should be ok for material compliance.

Kia Seltos

•3d

I am planning to buy the Hyundai Venue 1.0L DCT. I have received mixed feedback regarding the DCT transmission. Some people say that DCT gearboxes are prone to overheating in heavy traffic. Is this issue a deal-breaker, or can I continue with my purchase assuming Hyundai has made it sufficiently robust over time?

•44m

Not a deal-breaker for most buyers, so you can go ahead with the Venue 1.0 DCT if your driving is a mix of city runs and some highway. Hyundai’s current DCT in the Venue has been updated over the years with better software and cooling, and in normal Indian traffic, it works smoothly and shifts quickly, which makes the 1.0 turbo feel lively and easy to drive.The worry is only in very slow, stop-start crawls for long stretches, especially in hot weather or on steep ramps. This dry-clutch automatic does generate heat if it’s slipping the clutch for ages, and you may see a temperature warning asking you to pause. It’s rare, but possible. If your daily grind is 60-90 minutes of bumper-to-bumper crawling every day, this could be problematic. However, if it involves flowing traffic with only minor jams, the DCT will cope just fine.If you are looking for alternatives, both the Skoda Kylaq and the Maruti Suzuki Fronx turbo come with torque converter autos that cope better while crawling in traffic.

I am 67 years old. I want to buy a car under 6-7 lakh. Kindly suggest!

•1h

Consider the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R. A Maruti gives you the most peace of mind for the money, and the Wagon R is light and easy to drive, easy to get in and out of, and economical to run. A mid-spec VXi with the 1.0-litre engine and AMT would be the ideal combination. The VXi has all the basic features covered, and the AMT takes away the stress of shifting gears. If you do not like the Wagon R’s tall-boy stance, then the Celerio is a strong alternative, though getting in and out is not quite as easy.Some honest caveats with the Wagon R are that it is not particularly settled on the highway, and the interior can feel a bit basic. If you do a lot of highway driving or want a more premium-looking interior, then the Tata Tiago is the better bet.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Tata Tiago

•4d

I am selling my Ford Figo diesel and planning to buy a new car. I drive around 400-500km in the city every month and do an occasional 1,200km highway trip once every three months. Should I buy the new Kushaq 1.5 or the Slavia 1.5? Are there any other recommendations?

•1h

Both are good choices, but if you don't often carry tall items in the boot, the Skoda Slavia is the better fit for your needs. Your quarterly 1200 km highway runs will feel easier in the sedan - it is more stable at speed, quieter, and its big boot still swallows a lot of luggage. With your 400-500 km a month in the city, the 1.5 TSI’s strong mid-range and light controls keep it easy, and the sedan’s lower shape gives slightly better mileage than the Kushaq on the open road.The downside is that you sit lower. The Kushaq’s extra height gives you a better view out, and it is easier to get in and out of. Ground clearance is slightly better, too, but the Slavia isn't exactly lacking. If you want the same mechanics with Volkswagen flavour, look at the Virtus 1.5 or the Taigun1.5.It's worth noting that the Slavia and Virtus are due for a facelift, which will arrive sometime this year. It will bring a revised front and rear design and a few new features, similar to what the Kushaq/Taigun got recently. If that doesn't matter to you, there may be better deals to be had on the current Slavia.

Hi, I am planning to buy a long, low-slung sedan with strong build quality, low maintenance, a good service network, and, most importantly, a premium look with a unique, classy colour. My budget is 15-17 lakh. Please suggest the best engine option.

•2h

The updated 2026 Honda City is a good pick for your needs, with a sharper exterior design, a comfortable interior, and Honda’s service network and upkeep costs remaining affordable in this segment. It also comes in some classy, deep shades, and the paint finish is excellent. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine is smooth, efficient and proven, and it fits comfortably within your Rs. 15-17 lakh budget.Two things to know before you decide. Even with the update, the City’s cabin can feel a bit dated compared to some rivals. It also does not have the outright punch of a turbo-petrol engine, so quick overtakes will not be as effortless.If those are deal-breakers for you, then the Skoda Slavia or Volkswagen Virtus are stronger picks, though upkeep can be slightly more expensive. Overall, the City is a solid choice.

Hi Autocar India Team, Thanks a lot for your videos and efforts towards the Automotive industry. I am looking to purchase my first luxury car entry level with a max budget of 60 lakhs. My choices are Audi Q3/A4//GLA200/X1. My main commute is home to office & vice versa, and may be weekend family drives in the city. max of 100kms per week. I am looking for petrol and want to keep the vehicle long-term.

•13h

From your picks, the Audi A4 petrol is a solid choice. For mostly city office runs and weekend family drives, it is the quietest and most comfortable of your four, with a smoother ride and a nicer back seat than the small SUVs. Its 2.0 turbo petrol is a proven motor and feels more relaxed in the city and highway than the GLA 200’s smaller 1.3 and the X1’s 3‑cylinder 1.5.Value also lines up. The A4 Premium Plus typically fits within Rs. 60 lakh on-road in many cities, and it still feels properly luxurious inside. If you are frequently travelling on rougher roads where extra ground clearance is needed, the Q3 is a solid choice and uses the same 2.0, but adds weight and all-wheel drive.

Audi A4

Audi Q3