Which one should I buy between Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series? I am confused between the E 220d, E 200 petrol, and BMW 5 Series. I drive around 1,500-2000 km per month and I’m planning to keep the car for the long term. I’m considering the E 220d mainly because it’s a diesel and seems to offer a great combination of performance, comfort, and mileage. It keeps coming back to my mind because I feel it could give me the best of all three. But at the same time, I have a concern about DPF issues with diesel cars, especially because a significant part of my driving is in the city. Is DPF clogging or regeneration really something I should worry about with my usage, or would my monthly running be enough to consider E 220d? I live in the NCR, where the 10-year diesel rule is also a major concern. So, is the E 220d actually useful for me, or would the E 200 petrol or BMW 5 Series make more sense? I drive the car myself but also spend a lot of time sitting in the rear, so I want something that is extremely comfortable, luxurious, and relaxing in the back, while its still being fun and enjoyable to drive when I’m behind the wheel. I want a proper luxury experience but also good performance and driving pleasure. If you were in my position, which one would you choose amongst E 220d, E 200, or BMW 5 Series considering my 1,500 km monthly usage, city driving, occasional highway driving, DPF concerns, comfort, performance, mileage, maintenance, long-term ownership, and overall value for money? If I choose the E 220d, how many kilometres should I ideally drive over 10 years for the diesel to actually make financial sense and be paisa vasool? And after 10 years, what resale value can I realistically expect, especially considering the 10-year diesel restriction in NCR?

autocar.india

•1h

When it comes to outright value for money, the BYD Sealion 7 makes a very strong case for itself. It is substantially more affordable than the Tesla Model Y L, while offering a plush, well-equipped cabin, strong performance and a more conventional premium-SUV feel. It also has more road presence, thanks to its lower, wider stance and more dramatic styling.The Model Y L justifies some of its premium with a more spacious three-row 2+2+2 layout, so it is the better choice if you genuinely need to carry six people. Its cabin is also more seamless in the way the software, controls and features work together. Tesla’s charging ecosystem is still a big advantage too, especially for frequent long-distance travel, and the Model Y L’s 681km WLTP range gives it an edge on paper. That said, the third row will be useful mainly for children or occasional use, rather than as a full-time adult seating solution. The Sealion 7 is a five-seater, but it feels more premium in terms of cabin ambience and equipment, and its warranty cover is reassuring: BYD offers an 8-year/1.6 lakh km warranty on the high-voltage powertrain and a 6-year/1.5 lakh km comprehensive vehicle warranty. Reliability is harder to call conclusively at this stage because Tesla is still relatively new to India, while BYD has built a more established local presence. Both are mature EV makers globally, but BYD’s longer warranty and local dealer support give it a slight advantage for peace of mind.Unless you specifically need the extra seats, the Sealion 7 is the one to go for. It delivers better value, stronger road presence, more cabin comfort and enough performance without the sizeable price jump to the Model Y L.

BYD Sealion 7

Tesla Model Y

autocar.india

•3h

Audi is offering some very tempting deals on the A6 and Q5, and for obvious reasons. Both models are now well into their lifecycles and feel dated next to newer rivals, so the only way Audi can move them out of showrooms is with substantial discounts. That said, if you're getting a good deal, both are well worth considering.Yes, the cabins have aged and the tech is no longer cutting edge. The infotainment systems are a couple of generations behind what you'll find in the latest BMWs and Mercedes, and the overall cabin ambience doesn't feel as fresh or as richly appointed. But if you can live with that, these Audis remain superbly engineered cars. The 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engines are smooth, refined and genuinely fantastic, and both cars drive beautifully. Ride quality, in particular, is excellent, and better than what the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW 3 Series offer.Within your Rs 65 lakh budget, our pick would be the A6. It's a segment above the 3 Series, and with current discounts it slips comfortably into your price range, which makes it exceptional value. It rides with a suppleness the Germans rarely match at this price, is impressively quiet and relaxed, and drives very well indeed. The GLC and 3 Series are better equipped and have plusher, more modern cabins, but they don't drive with the same polish or offer the same space and comfort. As a first luxury car, the A6 at a discount is hard to beat.

Audi A6

Audi Q5

BMW 3 Series

Mercedes-Benz GLC

autocar.india

•5h

For your usage pattern, mainly city driving with occasional highway and mountain trips, the Brezza 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol with the 6-speed automatic is the better fit.The 1.0-litre turbo makes more power and has stronger mid-range punch, so it will feel quicker on the highway and more effortless on steep mountain roads. However, it is manual-only, and that can become tiresome in daily stop-start city traffic. Turbo engines can also feel a little less responsive right at low revs before the boost builds.The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine is not as punchy, particularly at altitude or when climbing with a full load. You will need to work it harder and downshift more often on mountain roads. But it is a proven, reliable, and refined engine with smoother, more predictable power delivery that suits everyday driving well. Paired with the automatic, it makes the Maruti Suzuki Brezza far easier and more relaxing to live with in the city.It will still manage highway and hill duties without a problem, as long as you are not expecting the same effortless overtaking performance as the turbo. Given that your long-distance and mountain trips are only twice a year, the convenience of the 1.5-litre automatic should matter more on a day-to-day basis.This Maruti Suzuki car is a comfortable, practical and easy-to-own SUV. In this case, the 1.5-litre NA automatic is the engine and gearbox combination that best matches its character and your requirements.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza