Autocar India
1w

I currently own a 2016 Mercedes E250 CDI Edition E. The car is soon to complete 10 years, and we are looking for an upgrade. We are interested in buying the GLS. The car will run in a city and on a highway mix. We are not interested in the petrol engine, considering the low mileage. So the 450D becomes the natural option for us. But does it make sense to spend 1.6 crore on a diesel engine car in 2026, considering future conditions and also the possibility of a significant decrease in resale value if govt brings out some stringent policies on diesel cars?

Verified
1w

The Mercedes-Benz GLS 450d is a superb upgrade from your E250 CDI, offering a significant step up in space, comfort and luxury. Given your city and highway mix, the diesel engine is actually the right choice – it delivers strong torque, effortless cruising and better efficiency than the petrol, especially in a large SUV like the GLS.

The bigger question is the long-term outlook for diesel. The 10-year rule applies only to Delhi-NCR, and there is currently no nationwide policy restricting diesel ownership or resale. The GLS 450d uses Mercedes’ latest diesel technology, which is Euro 6 compliant and among the cleanest diesel engines available. It is unlikely that the government will suddenly ban or heavily penalise such modern, clean diesels.

That said, diesel is not completely risk-free. Policy direction can change, and diesel cars generally depreciate faster than petrol or hybrid equivalents. At Rs 1.6 crore, that is a significant consideration.

If you are planning to keep the car for 7-10 years, the GLS 450d still makes sense. You will get the full benefit of the car’s capabilities, and depreciation becomes less of a concern over a longer ownership period. If you typically change cars every 3-5 years, the potential for faster depreciation is a bigger factor.

The GLS 450d is the right car for your usage, but be realistic about depreciation and ownership period. 

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Help Srikrishna with similar question

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19h

I drive around 6-8 km daily in heavy traffic in Gurgaon, with a monthly running of around 220-400 km. I am looking to upgrade from an i10 CNG. I want an automatic car with Auto Hold, good suspension, and stable handling. Features such as a defogger, cruise control, and ventilated seats would be good to have. My on-road budget is around Rs. 15 lakh. I am considering the Syros EV HTK, Nexon EV Creative 45, MG Windsor Exclusive, and Victoris VXi AT. I am also considering waiting for the upcoming Bayon AT, XL6 AT, Hyundai Inster, and updated Fronx. Kindly suggest which would be the best option for my requirements.

Verified
1h

For your usage pattern of 6-8 km daily in heavy Gurgaon traffic and a monthly running of 220-400 km, an EV is the most sensible choice. Your running is too low for a diesel or CNG to make financial sense, and the stop-start nature of your commute is where EVs really shine with their smooth, silent operation and negligible running costs. The Kia Syros EV HTK would be our top recommendation from your shortlist. This Kia car offers a well-rounded package with a comfortable ride, a good feature set and a mature ownership experience. The MG Windsor Exclusive is also worth considering if rear seat space is a priority, but the Syros EV feels like the more complete product overall. The Nexon EV Creative 45 is a good value proposition, but the Syros EV feels like the more polished and premium offering. The Victoris VXI AT is a solid petrol alternative, but given your usage and budget, the EV route makes far more sense. As for the upcoming launches, the Bayon AT and Inster are all interesting options, but none are likely to fundamentally change the equation for your specific usage pattern. The Syros EV HTK is the car that will make you happiest after five years of ownership.

VehicleKia Syros EV
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VehicleMaruti Suzuki Victoris
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