Latest questions answered by experts

Hi, I have owned a Hyundai Grand i10 Petrol Manual for the last 10 years. My car is still running smoothly and has not given me many problems. I have a daily city commute of 60-70 km. Please suggest which automatic car I should buy within a budget of Rs. 10-12 lakh. I am looking for a value-for-money car with good legroom. I have the Hyundai Venue, Hyundai Creta, Honda Amaze, and Skoda Kushaq in mind.

•6m

Go for the Honda Amaze automatic. It is the only one from your list that cleanly fits Rs. 10-12 lakh with a true automatic, and it makes daily 60-70 km city runs easy and stress free.In traffic, its automatic is smooth and predictable, so your right foot and left knee get a break compared to your Grand i10. Real-world city mileage is sensible, so your fuel bills stay in check even with that long commute. Space is a strong point too - the back seat has generous legroom, actually better than the Venue, and the boot is big for weekend trips. Ride is comfy, steering is light, and Honda’s simple, fuss-free ownership suits a 10-year keeper.Only catch is the feel. It is not SUV-tall, and the engine won’t thrill on fast highway overtakes. Venue automatic stretches past your budget, and Creta or Kushaq automatics are well over. If you must have the higher seating, you will need to spend more. Otherwise, the Amaze gives you the best value now.

Hi, I live in Bengaluru. I will be superannuating in a few months. I want to buy an automatic car or SUV for local use. My average daily running will be around 20 km. I want to buy a car with a 1.5-litre engine. Should I choose a petrol or a diesel? I am considering the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, and Honda Elevate, but I am unable to decide. Please suggest.

•1h

Pick petrol, and from your shortlist buy the Seltos 1.5 petrol automatic. With 20 km a day in Bengaluru traffic, diesel won’t pay back its higher price and short city runs can mess with modern diesels’ particulate filters. The Seltos 1.5 with the IVT automatic is smooth and quiet at low speeds, and its roomier than the Creta. For daily errands, the Seltos’ light steering, easy ingress and calm cabin make life simpler. The Elevate CVT is also fuss free and very dependable, but it feels a touch firmer and it’s not as relaxed. The catch is mileage will be in the low double digits in town, and fast highway passes need a firmer press.

I am currently using a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXi+, and my monthly running is around 1,500 km in the city. Should I opt for an EV or a hybrid, such as the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara?

•2h

Pick the Grand Vitara strong-hybrid. With 1,500 km a month in city traffic, it will slash your fuel spend because it runs on electric power at low speeds, yet you never worry about charging. The drive is quiet and smooth like an automatic, perfect for stop-go commutes, and the switch from your Ertiga will be easy in terms of running and service support. At the same time, highway trips wont require planning around charging that can be a hassle with EVs.Be honest with yourself about space though. You’ll lose the third row and some boot room, since the Grand Vitara is a 5-seater and the hybrid battery eats a bit of luggage space. It also costs more upfront than a regular petrol.If you have a dedicated parking spot with a reliable socket at home, an EV can be even cheaper per km and calmer in traffic, and for mostly city use you won’t miss petrol pumps. But if charging at home is not possible, the hybrid is the cleaner, simpler answer today. For your usage and current Ertiga lifestyle, the Grand Vitara strong-hybrid is the safer upgrade.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

•1d

I own a Mahindra XUV 3XO MPFi Petrol, and I mainly use it for city driving. However, I'm getting only around 7-8 kmpl in the city. Should I consider installing a CNG kit in the car?

•3h

We wouldn't recommend installing an aftermarket CNG kit on your Mahindra XUV 3XO MPFi Petrol. While it may significantly reduce your running costs, there are a few important compromises to consider. An aftermarket CNG conversion can affect your manufacturer's warranty, reduce boot space and may also impact long-term reliability and refinement if the installation isn't carried out to a very high standard. We'd be even more cautious when it comes to turbo-petrol engines. Unless the CNG system has been developed and validated by the OEM, we generally don't recommend fitting one. Turbo-petrol engines are more complex to calibrate for CNG, and an aftermarket installation may not deliver the same levels of drivability, performance and reliability as a factory-engineered solution. Tata is one of the few manufacturers currently offering a factory-fitted CNG option with a turbo-petrol engine on the Nexon, and that has been engineered from the outset to work with CNG.A city's fuel efficiency of 7-8kpl is on the lower side, but if your driving is predominantly in heavy stop-start traffic, it isn't entirely unexpected. Before considering a CNG conversion, we'd recommend getting the car inspected at the service centre to ensure there are no underlying issues. Also check that the tyre pressures are correct and review your driving style, as these can have a noticeable impact on fuel economy.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

•1d

Hi. I commute around 15 km every day. Please suggest a bike for me. My budget is below Rs. 1 lakh.

•3h

Since your budget is under Rs 1 lakh, pick a 100-110cc commuter from the likes of the Hero HF / Passion Plus, Honda Shine 100, Bajaj Platina 110 and TVS Sport / Star City Plus / Radeon models. The 100cc models will, of course, return more fuel efficiency than the 110s, and if you must have the lowest running costs possible, then opting for the smaller machines makes sense. All of these bikes have been around for a very long time and are hardy, reliable and time-tested products, so no matter which one you choose, you can't really go wrong. Take test rides to help make your decision process a little easier.

Honda Bikes Shine 100

•1d

Hi Team, I am looking to upgrade from my 2018 Maruti Celerio X AMT to a bigger car under 4 metres. My budget is between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 14 lakh on-road. My usage is primarily city driving of around 20 km per day, along with an occasional 2,000 km round trip every four months. My priorities, in order, are: (1) excellent suspension and ride comfort, (2) spacious and comfortable front and rear seats, (3) strong build quality and safety, (4) a punchy engine with an automatic transmission, (5) reliable mechanicals for long-term ownership. I always buy the top variant, so please recommend the best options within my budget, irrespective of body style.

•4h

Pick the Nissan Magnite turbo petrol automatic in XV Premium (O). It rides comfortably over bad city roads, has a roomy back seat and supportive fronts, and the turbo gives easy surge for gaps in traffic and relaxed cruising on your 2000 km runs. It’s 5-star rated with a solid-feeling body, gets the key safety kit, and the top trim stays within Rs 10-14 lakh on-road in most cities. Running costs are sensible, and Nissan backs it with long warranty packs. The one compromise is that it doesn’t feel as heavy or plush as pricier rivals at very high speeds.Renault Kiger turbo petrol automatic in RXZ is the twin to the Magnite with similar strengths, a touch firmer ride, and a slightly nicer cabin feel. Choose it if Renault service is stronger near you.

Nissan Magnite

Renault Kiger