Monthly running of 1500–2000km: Should you choose a diesel or petrol car?

Autocar India

•35w

Given your monthly running of around 1,500 to 2,000 km (or roughly 50–60 km a day), the diesel version of the Thar Roxx makes more financial sense. The petrol variant, while smoother in certain conditions, will prove significantly more expensive to run over time.

The 2.2-litre mHawk diesel is also one of the best in its class—refined, torquey, and strong on performance—so you’re unlikely to feel short-changed or wish for a petrol instead.

The only thing to keep in mind with the BS6 diesel is the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) system. To keep it working efficiently, it’s advisable to take the car out on longer highway drives now and then so the system can regenerate properly.

All things considered, the diesel Roxx is the more practical and rewarding choice for your usage. The Thar Roxx on road price in Bhilwara for the diesel variants ranges from Rs 16.59 lakh to Rs 27.29 lakh.

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More questions on similar cars

Prabhakar Raj

•6d

I am in doubt about DPF. My drive is mostly 30km a day in Bangalore traffic. What's the suggested frequency to go on consistent speed on a long drive?

Autocar India

•2d

Your 30 km a day in Bengaluru traffic likely means long stretches below about 25 khp, which is exactly when a diesel DPF struggles to passively regenerate. In that kind of stop‑start usage, it’s better to plan regeneration rather than wait for the warning light.If you go for a diesel car, try to do a dedicated DPF‑friendly run. Hold a steady 60-70 kph at roughly 1,800-2,500 rpm for 20-30 minutes about once every 2-3 weeks, or as soon as a DPF warning appears. The key is consistency and temperature, so don’t cut such a drive short if you suspect a regen is happening, and avoid lots of very short trips immediately after a cold start, which only accelerate soot build‑up.When you’re at the dealership, ask them to show you how the car indicates DPF status and what the different DPF warnings look like, and to explain the manual‑regeneration procedure in simple terms, so you’re not guessing if a light comes on. On a test drive, also check that you can comfortably cruise at 60-70 kph with the engine sitting near 2,000 rpm in one gear without constant shifting, because that’s exactly the sort of condition that lets the DPF clean itself.If your usage later shifts to frequent 300 km‑plus highway runs or you start doing more than roughly 1,500 km a month, the DPF will regenerate far more often on its own, and a diesel becomes much less fussy in everyday use.

Adit Vaidya

•4d

Hi, I am confused between the Hyundai Creta automatic and the Honda Elevate automatic. My usage is predominantly on city roads. I find the Creta to be much quieter and more refined compared to the Elevate, whose cabin noise I do not like. However, I am unsure if this should be a deciding factor. Which car would be a better choice for my usage, and is prioritising cabin quietness the right approach?

Autocar India

•1h

Choose the Hyundai Creta SX (O) CVT petrol; with city‑heavy driving and your noise concern, it offers a quieter cabin and smoother low‑speed behaviour than the Honda Elevate.Your top criterion can be noise: in city speeds of 0-40 km/h, a quieter cabin cuts fatigue and lets you keep music 2-3 steps lower. The Creta feels calmer at idle and 40-60 km/h, which matches your preference. Its IVT tuning gives very smooth creep at 10-20 km/h for bumper‑to‑bumper traffic, and the suspension rounds off speed breakers better around 20-30 km/h. Please confirm SX (O) IVT availability and current pricing with your dealer.The one thing you give up is the Elevate’s slightly firmer, tied‑down feel on open roads; at 90-100 km/h, the Honda can feel more connected and roll a bit less.If your driving shifts to mostly highways above 80 km/h or you prefer a taut steering feel, consider the Honda Elevate ZX CVT instead.

Hyundai Creta

Honda Elevate

Arshdeep Singh Gill

•2d

My family currently owns a 2012 Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 VXI, which is nearing 15 years of use. We are planning to upgrade and were initially considering the Honda Elevate for its reliability and lower dependence on electronics. However, the launch of the new Renault Duster has created some confusion. Our usage is about 90% city driving, with a 200 km highway trip once a month. Our budget is around ₹15–17 lakh. Fuel efficiency is important but not the top priority—our main focus is on comfort, performance, and fewer electronic components. Given these requirements, should we choose the Renault Duster or stick with the Honda Elevate?

Autocar India

•2h

Go for the Honda Elevate V CVT - for your city-heavy use and your wish for fewer gadgets, it is the safer, easier long-term choice. Moving up from your Alto K10, the Elevate will feel like a big step up in seat height, cabin space and ride comfort, and the CVT automatic - which changes gears on its own - is smooth and stress-free in slow traffic. Honda keeps the features simple on the V trim; the basics are solid, and the brand’s track record for reliability and fuss-free service fits your “less electronics” brief well. For 90% city and one 200 km trip a month, the 1.5 petrol is calm and easy to drive; it is not a rocket, but it pulls cleanly and feels predictable, which matters more in daily use.One thing to be aware of: when you press hard for an overtake, the engine gets a bit loud, and the shove is only average. Also, the ride is comfortable but not as soft as the best in this price range over sharp bumps.Pick the new Renault Duster only if you want a stronger mid-range punch and the best bad-road ride. It should be the nicer long-distance car, but it's not as good a city car as the Elevate. Also, Renault's after-sales network is nowhere near as good as Honda's

Honda Elevate

Renault Duster

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