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•8w

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?

•6w

With 1,500-2,000 km a month, the E 220d is financially justified, but in NCR the 10-year diesel rule is a deal-breaker. Even if you drive enough to make diesel “paisa vasool”, the car is effectively worthless after 10 years, and that wipes out any savings. DPF is less of a concern at your running, but the NCR rule is the bigger problem.

The E 200 petrol is the safer choice. It gives you the same luxury experience, is extremely comfortable in the rear, and is still enjoyable to drive. The BMW 5 Series is the driver’s car of the three, but the E-Class is the better all-round luxury car, especially if you spend time in the back.

If you were outside NCR, the E 220d would make sense. In NCR, go for the E 200 petrol. It is the best balance of comfort, performance and long-term ownership. The 5 Series is the better driver’s car, but the E-Class is the better luxury car.

Explore cars mentioned

Mercedes-Benz

E-Class

from ₹94.95 Lakh

BMW

5 Series LWB

from ₹89.25 Lakh

•5w•

@abhishek_08 Go with BMW 5 Series LWB 👍

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•1d

Hello, With the new Honda Elevate now launched, how would you suggest choosing between the Kia Seltos and the new Elevate? I had finalised the Seltos HTK(O) six months ago, but I was not able to purchase it for some reason. Now, I am keen to book a new car next month, around Diwali. My primary usage will be commuting to and from the office, which is around 20km daily. There will also be occasional highway trips of around 200km from Mumbai to small hill stations. Which car would you recommend for a 6ft-tall person? I will definitely go for a petrol automatic, but I’m confused between the two.

•1h

Go for the Honda Elevate VX CVT. At 6ft, the driving position matters most to you, and that's where this Honda car wins. Its seat is upright, and there's plenty of headroom. The new Seltos's front seats, by comparison, feel a bit snug, and the seat base is short for taller drivers. For 20km a day in Mumbai traffic, get the CVT. It's smooth in stop-go conditions, and you won't miss working a clutch.The VX is the sweet spot in the range, and it costs about the same as the Kia Seltos HTK(O) CVT. The Honda Elevate facelift launched this week and fills many of the old car's equipment gaps. It also has a bigger boot than the Seltos.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

•1d

Hi, which would you recommend between the new Honda Elevate and the Kia Seltos HTK(O)? Which Elevate variant should I consider? I am 6ft tall and live in Mumbai. My daily usage will be around 20km of city driving between home and work.

•1h

Go for the Honda Elevate VX CVT. At 6ft, the driving position matters most to you, and that's where the Elevate wins. Its seat is upright, and there's plenty of headroom. The new Kia Seltos's front seats, by comparison, feel a bit snug, and the seat base is short for taller drivers. For 20km a day in Mumbai traffic, get the CVT. It's smooth in stop-go conditions, and you won't miss working a clutch.The VX is the sweet spot in the range, and it costs about the same as the Seltos HTK(O) CVT. The Elevate facelift launched this week and fills many of the old car's equipment gaps. It also has a bigger boot than the Kia car mentioned above.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

•2d

I am buying a new seven-seater EV and have shortlisted the MG Hector Tomahawk Exclusive and Kia Clavis SR HTX. I am confused about which one to choose. The Clavis has better build and ride quality, but it uses a smaller NMC battery and does not come with a 7.5kW charger. The MG Tomahawk is slightly larger and offers better range, although I have some concerns about its build and ride quality. I expect to drive around 2,000km a month, mainly in semi-urban Goa, with a mix of short highway and city driving. I am not planning many outstation trips. Which one would suit my usage better?

•2h

Goa, 2,000 km a month, semi-urban mix, mostly short highway and city runs, not many outstation trips, that’s a very clear brief. The MG Hector Tomahawk EV Exclusive is the better fit here. The bigger battery and better range are exactly what you want at this usage level, and the fact that you’re not doing long outstation runs means you’re not going to be pushing the car into situations where charging infrastructure becomes a headache. The Clavis SR HTX is the more polished product, but the smaller NMC battery and the lack of a 7.5kW charger are real drawbacks at 2,000 km a month.The MG’s size is also an advantage, but the Kia Carens Clavis EV actually has a better third row. The Tomahawk's ride and build quality are not as tight as the Clavis, but they’re not deal-breakers either. Overall, the MG Hector Tomahawk Exclusive offers better value for money for your usage.

MG Hector Tomahawk EV

Kia Carens Clavis EV

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•5d

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual and automatic. My current ride is a Fluidic Verna diesel manual, which is nearing 15 years of ownership and has clocked nearly 2.5 lakh km. My usage consists of mixed city and highway driving, with around 40km daily and weekend highway runs of about 400km. For long-term ownership, which would be the better choice: the manual or automatic?

•5d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel automatic. The diesel engine is well suited to your high running, and the automatic gearbox is a proven torque converter unit that is reliable and well matched to the engine. This Mahindra car will make your daily city driving far less tiring, while still being smooth and efficient on the highway. Coming from a 15-year-old Hyundai Verna diesel manual, the automatic will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and ease of use, without compromising on long-term reliability. The manual is still a good option if you strongly prefer the engagement, but for your usage and ownership horizon, the automatic is the smarter choice.

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•1d

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

•6h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

I test-drove both the Kia Seltos GTX(A) IVT and the Hyundai Creta N10 Turbo DCT. For some reason, the Creta felt more balanced over rough roads and was also quieter. I initially wanted to purchase the HTX(A) Turbo DCT, but it wasn't available for a test drive. Now, I'm confused about two things: Seltos vs Creta and manual vs DCT. Around 60-70% of my driving will be in the city, but I still want a punchy engine. Having driven manual cars for years, I've always enjoyed them and am comfortable with them. However, considering the advancements in automatic transmissions in 2026 and the fact that I plan to keep the car for 7-8 years, a DCT seems like a convenient option. I'm now unsure which combination would be the right choice for my needs. What would you recommend?

•6d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) Turbo DCT as it strikes the best balance for your needs. The turbo petrol engine is punchy and enjoyable, while the DCT makes city driving far less tiring than a manual. You enjoy manuals, but with 60-70% city usage and a 7-8 year ownership horizon, the convenience of an automatic becomes hard to ignore. The Seltos also feels slightly more premium inside than the Hyundai Creta, and the HTX(A) is a well-equipped variant without pushing the budget too far. The Creta is also the older model, and the next-gen version is right around the corner. The difference in terms of stability and ride comfort between both is marginal, and the Seltos counters that with a more premium cabin and a slightly wider rear seat. The IVT is smooth but lacks the punch you are looking for, while the DCT delivers the performance you want without the fatigue of a manual. Overall, the Seltos HTX(A) Turbo DCT is the most complete package for your usage pattern and long-term ownership plans.

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