Latest questions answered by experts

Autocar India

•12h

We think you are overcomplicating this slightly, so let us simplify it. Your usage pattern is actually very clear: very low city running, occasional long road trips, and you want this to likely be your last car. That changes the answer completely.A pure EV can absolutely handle your weekly 80 km city usage with ease, but if you already know that your occasional road trips with two dogs will create charging anxiety or force overly rigid planning, then that emotional friction matters. A “last car” should make life easier, not add a layer of planning every time you head out.A plug in hybrid sounds perfect on paper because yes, it is effectively both an EV and a hybrid. But the trade off is exactly what you suspect: more complexity, higher cost and right now, very little real choice in India. Mainstream plug in hybrids are still some distance away, and even when they arrive, expect them to be expensive. Unless you are happy waiting a few years, we would not base your decision around future promises.Which brings us to the practical answer: buy a strong hybrid and stop feeling guilty about using it in the city. A good strong hybrid will do a surprising amount of low speed urban driving in EV mode anyway, so you are not “wasting” fuel in the way a conventional petrol would. More importantly, it completely solves the road trip question without asking you to retain an ageing 2007 Swift purely as backup.Keeping the Swift only for occasional road trips while buying an EV for 80 km a week feels like an inefficient two car solution unless you have a sentimental reason to keep it.If we were in your shoes, we would buy something like a Toyota Hyryder or Innova Hycross hybrid and enjoy the simplicity.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•12h

For your requirement, check out the Tata Punch. It sits higher than the Dzire, the doors open wide, and the seat base is set at a nice hip height, so you don’t drop down into it or climb up too much. It also feels tougher over bad roads than your Wagon R, yet is still short and easy to park, which helps in tight city spots. The best part is that the Punch is available in a wide variety of flavours, and since you haven't specified a budget, there's bound to be something for you. There are many variants to choose from, as well as petrol, turbo petrol, CNG, manual gearbox, AMT and even an electric version, in case that suits you.Two things to note: the base petrol engine (or its CNG counterpart) isn’t very quick for fast highway runs, and the automatic can feel a little jerky when moving slowly; the manual is smoother in traffic. If you want the same easy cabin access but a smoother engine and gearbox, look at the Hyundai Exter mid trim. It also has a tall seat and the city-friendly size, but there isn't as much choice or variety as in the Tata car.Overall, for your “high seat, easy entry” need, the Punch fits best without jumping to a much bigger, costlier car.

Tata Punch

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Hyundai Exter

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Autocar India

•13h

The low ground clearance of BYD Seal is something you can live with, especially if you're used to driving sedans. Its nose sits low and the distance between the wheels is long, so tall, badly built breakers and sharp ramp crests can make it touch, especially with four or five people and luggage. However on regular speed breakers, it is likely to clear if you slow right down, and you don't necessarily need to take them at a slight angle.The underbody and battery are protected, so even if it scrapes a few times, it should not be a cause of concern, however, it will feel gut-wrenching to hear the underbody scrape over the unscientifically-built speed humps.Before finalizing, if your daily route has extra-tall breakers or a tricky ramp, take a test drive on that exact path. If it clears there, you’ll be fine in regular use.

BYD Seal

Autocar India

•13h

For your usage, we would lean towards the Tata Punch EV Long Range. With mostly city driving and only rare highway use, an EV makes more sense than a petrol car because you will benefit from the low running costs, quiet and effortless driving experience, and minimal maintenance. The updated Punch EV Long Range offers substantially more usable range than you are likely to need day to day, which also gives you a comfort buffer for occasional outstation trips rather than locking you into a strict city only use case. The reason to specifically pick the Long Range even if your current use does not demand it is flexibility. You may not need the extra battery every day, but if your usage changes or you decide to do the occasional road trip, having that headroom makes EV ownership much easier and less stressful.

Tata Punch EV

Autocar India

•14h

The Mahindra XEV 9S is the most rounded in the range, offering the flexibility of three-row seating. Despite its size, it is very easy to drive, has a healthy real-world range, and is packed with features.However, if you could help us out with your budget and requirements, it'll be easier to recommend a car.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Autocar India

•14h

For city-only use, on a Rs 15 lakh budget, the Tata Punch EV fits best. It is small enough to park anywhere, yet sits high off the ground like your Kiger, so speed breakers and bad patches are easily dealt with. The motor is smooth in traffic, and the real city range is enough for many days of short trips, so you won’t charge often. And the best part is you'll get the fully-loaded top spec Empowered +S 40kWh variant in your budget.Know the trade-offs: fast charging isn’t the quickest, and the rear seat is fine for two adults but tight for three. The boot is smaller than your Kiger's, too. If you want a more spacious back seat and boot, and a bit more real-world range, you can check out the Tata Nexon EV. However, while it can be had in your budget, you'll only get a low to mid variant, so for outright value for money, we'd still recommend the Punch EV.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Nexon EV

Autocar India

•15h

Given 3,000 km a month with 80% highway and some rough rural stretches, the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7T diesel fits your use best. It feels steady at speed and soaks up broken patches well, which helps on long runs and village roads. The diesel has a strong pull, so overtaking needs less effort even with family and luggage. You also get more space and a higher driving position than either of the other cars, which makes it more practical and easier to drive.Two things to note: it is big in traffic and tight parking, and in the city it will use a more fuel than the smaller Kia. If you want something easier to manage daily, the Kia Seltos HTK(O) diesel MT is the smarter second choice. It’s lighter to drive and still stable on the highway, but you will feel bumps more than in the Mahindra, and rear space is smaller.The Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 Topline MT is nice to drive, but for this much highway running, the petrol will cost more to run and needs more gear changes for quick passes. Overall, pick the XUV 7XO diesel for your usage.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos

Volkswagen Virtus

Autocar India

•15h

With mostly highway and outstation use in mind, we would lean toward the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic, rather than the Honda Amaze VX CVT. The Kylaq will simply feel stronger and more relaxed at highway speeds, rides over bad patches better. It is also very safe and feels solid, which matters on long trips.That pick suits your brief for three reasons. First, the 1.0 turbo engine has enough pull for quick overtakes even with family and bags on board, so highway driving feels easy. Second, the 1.0 automatic uses a proven, reliable, and simple-to-live-with automatic gearbox. Third, the Kylaq’s higher-seating-position suspension makes long hours less tiring than the Amaze's.A few trade-offs to note. The Kylaq’s upfront price and routine service costs will be higher than the Amaze, and Skoda’s service network is not as good as Honda’s, though it has improved. If your use shifts to mostly city and you want the lowest running costs and the widest service reach, the Amaze VX CVT is smoother and easier in traffic, but on highways, it will feel slower, and overtaking requires more effort.Overall, for frequent highway trips and a good driving experience, the Kylaq Signature 1.0 automatic is the best fit for what you want.

Skoda Kylaq

Honda Amaze

Autocar India

•16h

Since you've already owned a Mahindra Thar 3-door, and you believe that it is the best for you, we would recommend you go ahead with it. You already know what the vehicle is capable of, and as an owner, you're aware of all its pros and cons too. There are no other options in the market that can deliver what the Thar can.The Maruti Jimny is smaller, very tough, and surprisingly capable, although its engine performance is no match for the Mahindra. The Force Gurkha is capable off-road, but lacks the Thar's sophistication, and feels too crude in comparison. Other monocoque AWD options include the Toyota Hyryder, Maruti Grand Vitara, and Victoris, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and dual-motor EV options like the Vinfast VF7 and Tata Harrier EV. Do note that while all these models will get you through sticky situations and handle mild trails easily, none are as good off-road as the Thar. All things considered, go for the Thar; it seems to be the best fit for you.

Mahindra Thar

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Mahindra XUV 7XO