Latest questions answered by experts

autocar.india

•45m

We would strongly advise against installing aftermarket CNG on any of these SUVs. All three – the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO and Scorpio N - are large, heavy vehicles with powerful turbocharged petrol engines. Fitting CNG to such engines is not recommended, as it can lead to drivability issues, increased wear and potential reliability concerns over time. More importantly, these SUVs are not designed with CNG in mind, and the installation can compromise safety and performance.If fuel economy is a top priority, opt for their diesel versions instead. The Mahindra and Tata offer strong torque, excellent highway efficiency and are well-suited to long-distance touring. If you are set on CNG, it is better to look at smaller, naturally aspirated petrol cars that are either factory-fitted or specifically designed for CNG use.Between the three, the XUV 7XO diesel would be our recommendation. It offers a more modern package, better ride comfort and a more premium cabin than the Scorpio N, while the Safari diesel is also a strong contender if you prefer Tata's design and feature set. But CNG should not be the deciding factor here.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra Scorpio N

autocar.india

•1h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG. It is the most well-rounded option in your budget, offering a spacious cabin, a large boot and a proven, reliable CNG powertrain. The Dzire is also one of the most comfortable and most efficient cars in this price range, with a compliant ride and a well-sorted suspension setup that makes it easy to live with on a daily basis. Maruti's service network and low maintenance costs further strengthen its case as a long-term ownership proposition.The Hyundai Exter CNG is a good value alternative, but it does not offer the same level of space or comfort as the Dzire. On the positive side, due to its twin-cylinder setup, you still get a reasonable boot with the Exter.Overall, the Dzire CNG strikes the best balance between price, space, comfort, efficiency and long-term ownership peace of mind.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Hyundai Exter

autocar.india

•2h

Go ahead with the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol CVT (IVT). Your usage is 80% city and 20% highway, and you plan to keep the car for 10 years. In this scenario, a petrol automatic is the most sensible choice. The Seltos CVT is smooth, easy to drive in traffic and well suited to your usage pattern. It is also a proven product with a strong ownership track record.On ethanol blending, there is no need to worry. Modern petrol engines are engineered to handle E20, with a higher threshold for future blends. The impact is mainly a slight reduction in fuel economy, not a major long-term reliability concern.An EV only makes sense if you have home charging. If you were to consider an EV, the Hyundai Creta Electric would be our recommendation.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta Electric

autocar.india

•3h

You should be fine in the Brezza 1.5 NA petrol automatic on your Ladakh trip. But do keep in mind that the naturally aspirated engine will lose some power at altitude, and won't feel as effortless to drive as some older turbo-diesels. That said, the Maruti 1.5 petrol is a proven, reliable unit and will still get the job done. You do not need to worry about the torque converter automatic either. On climbs, simply use the manual mode or paddle shifters to hold a lower gear and keep the engine in its power band. On descents too, use the same approach to hold a lower gear and use engine braking rather than riding the brakes. The Brezza is a robust, dependable car and you will not face any major issues if you drive sensibly. The only thing to keep in mind is that the car will feel a bit slower at altitude, so plan overtakes carefully and be patient on steep climbs. Otherwise, enjoy the drive - the Brezza should handle it without any drama.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•4h

If you are choosing between a CNG engine and a turbo petrol engine, the decision should be based on your running and usage pattern rather than durability alone. CNG engines are generally more cost-effective for high-mileage users because the fuel cost per kilometre is significantly lower, and modern factory-fitted CNG systems are well integrated and reliable. However, CNG cars do come with compromises such as reduced boot space, slightly lower performance and the inconvenience of refuelling at CNG stations.Turbo petrol engines, on the other hand, offer better performance and driving enjoyment, especially on highways and during overtaking. Fuel efficiency however will be far lower, especially in stop-go conditions. As far as maintenance goes, both routine service costs should be similar. The key point is that CNG only makes financial sense if your annual running is high enough to offset the performance deficit (compared to a comparable petrol engine). If your running is moderate or you value performance and convenience, a turbo petrol engine is the better choice.

autocar.india

•5h

With just 2,000 km a year and mostly city use, the Hyundai Creta SX petrol automatic is the better fit. The Creta is easier to drive in traffic, has a smoother CVT automatic gearbox and is more compact, which makes it easier to park and manoeuvre in the city. Hyundai's service network is also excellent, and the car is known for its reliability and low running costs. The XUV 7XO is a larger, more powerful SUV, but is also more expensive and much larger than the Creta which makes it more cumbersome to drive in traffic. The Creta SX petrol automatic will give you a more relaxed and hassle-free ownership experience.

Hyundai Creta

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•5h

Consider the Mahindra XEV 9E for its efficiency, performance, comfort, and user-friendliness. If its size is a bit of a concern for you, you could consider the Hyundai Creta Electric. Sure, the Creta Electric might lack the visual excitement of the Mahindra car, and it also has a smaller battery, however it is a dependable, efficient electric car, one you can't go wrong with.

Mahindra XEV 9e

Hyundai Creta Electric

autocar.india

•6h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi. With your usage pattern which is very low running, mostly weekend city driving in Delhi traffic - a simple, naturally aspirated petrol engine is the better choice. It will be easier to live with, more predictable in stop-start conditions and generally lower maintenance over time. The Brezza is also a proven product with Maruti’s strong service network, which is a big advantage for long-term ownership.The Nissan Tekton is a good car, but the 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder is not the ideal fit for your usage. Turbo petrol engines are at their best on highways, where the extra performance benefits come into play. In city driving with very low mileage, you are unlikely to see those benefits, and the engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds.On your second question, the concerns around turbo petrol engines are often overstated. Modern turbo petrols are reliable, but they are more complex than naturally aspirated engines and can be more expensive to repair if something does go wrong. The key point is that they are not the ideal for low-mileage, city-only usage.The Brezza VXi is the safer, more sensible choice for your requirements.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Nissan Tekton