Latest questions answered by experts

Autocar India

•3h

You do not need to worry too much about E20 or future ethanol blends while buying a new petrol car today, especially if you are planning to keep it for 10 to 12 years. All modern petrol cars from major manufacturers, including the Kia Seltos, Citroen Basalt and Honda Elevate, are already designed to run on E20 fuel. More importantly, cars that are only E20 compatible cannot run on E85 or higher ethanol blends, because those require dedicated flex fuel engines with significant changes to the fuel system and engine calibration. This means fuel companies and the government will still have to continue supplying E20 compatible fuel alongside any future higher ethanol blends for flex fuel vehicles.For your usage, the Kia Seltos IVT is the best all round choice. Since most of your driving is in the city, the naturally aspirated petrol with the IVT automatic will feel extremely smooth and effortless in traffic, while the cabin feels genuinely premium and well insulated for long term ownership. It also strikes a very good balance between comfort, features and ease of driving, which is exactly what matters in a car you plan to keep for over a decade.The Citroen Basalt is the alternative if you are more budget conscious and want maximum practicality. It offers massive boot space, excellent rear seat room and a very comfortable ride, making it a superb family car for the money. However, it does not feel as polished, premium or as refined overall as the Seltos, especially inside the cabin and in terms of overall ownership experience. The Honda Elevate CVT sits somewhere in the middle with Honda’s strong reliability reputation and easygoing nature, but it feels less feature rich and not as plush inside as the Kia.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Citroen Basalt

Autocar India

•3h

Bajaj has no intentions of selling the single-cylinder Triumph bikes with 398cc engines in India, and all of the six models come with downsized 349cc motors. However, in two of them (Tracker and Thruxton), the engine makes more peak output, and if you want the maximum performance from an affordable Bajaj-made Triumph. So, we'd recommend choosing between these two. Since you've mentioned you like the Scrambler 400 XC, the Tracker will be a similar machine in terms of ergonomics and comfort. Although, you will lose some off-road capability as a trade-off for better street manners. Your only option if you want to buy a 398cc Triumph Scrambler 400 XC today is to ask your nearby dealers if they have some leftover stock or scour the used market for one.

Autocar India

•4h

The Honda Shine 125 is one of those bikes you simply can’t go wrong with, especially if you value reliability and fuel economy above everything else. The Shine has built a strong reputation over many years in the market, and if you want a simple, no-nonsense commuting partner, it is likely to suit you well.However, if you want something flashier, more feature-rich, and sportier-looking, we’d advise you to consider the TVS Raider. It is a 125cc commuter that is also fun to ride, and if that sounds appealing, the Raider is worth a look. The top variants also come with the added safety of single-channel ABS, which we would strongly recommend stretching for, especially on unpredictable roads.Make a list of what you want from your next purchase and choose accordingly. A test ride of both bikes should help you make a clearer decision.

Autocar India

•4h

If you're only commuting in Bengaluru traffic with no highway use, the Maruti Victoris ZXI+ (O) Strong Hybrid fits your brief best. It is built for city use, is very fuel-efficient in stop-go traffic, and comes from a brand known for easy, low-stress ownership.In your kind of traffic, the strong-hybrid system spends a lot of time running on its electric motor. As a result, the car feels very smooth and quiet at low speeds and uses less fuel than a regular petrol automatic. The e-CVT removes the usual shift shocks, so crawling through traffic feels far less jerky. Moving from a Nexon, you will also appreciate the easy step-in height, good ground clearance for speed breakers, and the clear outward visibility. Maruti’s service network in Bengaluru is excellent, and the car also covers the essential safety basics with stability control and multiple airbags.There are a few trade-offs to keep in mind. The hybrid battery takes up a significant amount of boot space, so it is less spacious than some other cars of this size. It is also not particularly exciting to drive, if that matters to you.Alternatively, if you're open to the idea of an EV, you can also consider the Hyundai Creta Electric. The top-spec Excellence LR variant should fit within your budget. It is more spacious than the Victoris, arguably more comfortable, reliable, and uses no fuel. It is also exceptionally efficient among EVs in its class. The main drawback, of course, is charging, so you will need to ensure that you can install a charger at home.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Creta Electric

Autocar India

•18h

The Kia Seltos is offered in 10 paint shades, so choosing the right one can get confusing. The Glacier White Pearl shade with the black roof is a great option to consider. It suits the GT Line’s sporty styling and highlights the gloss black exterior elements well. The contrasting grille and body cladding also stand out more with the white paint finish. Another advantage is that white colours usually stay cooler under direct sunlight. It is also comparatively easier to touch up minor scratches and paint imperfections.However, the white shade will show dirt and road grime more easily during the monsoon season. As a result, you may need to wash the car more frequently to keep it clean. If you prefer lower maintenance, the Gravity Grey single-tone shade is a better option. It hides dust well, especially if the car is regularly parked outdoors. Small scratches and marks are also less noticeable in the Gravity Grey paint finish. At the same time, it still looks sporty and premium in the GT Line trim.If you want something more distinctive, you could also consider Pewter Olive or Frost Blue. Both shades stand out nicely and give the Seltos a more unique road presence.

Kia Seltos