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•46w

I want to buy a new car. My monthly running is around 4,000 km. Which option will be more budget-friendly for me, EV or hybrid? I am currently driving a Swift Dzire diesel. Please suggest which car I should buy.

•46w

If you have access to home charging and there's a good network of EV chargers around you, an electric car makes sense as it will give you lower running costs than hybrid or ICE vehicles. But if you don't have consistent access to EV chargers and you frequent road trips, you'd find more value in a strong hybrid.

Since your running is so high, you'll appreciate a strong hybrid's frugal nature as well. As for your options, there are currently three strong hybrid midsize SUVs on sale that all share the same powertrain - the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder.

If you want a sedan, there's the Honda City e:HEV, or if you want an MPV, there's the Toyota Innova HyCross and the Maruti Suzuki Invicto.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

Grand Vitara

from ₹12.49 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Victoris

from ₹12.18 Lakh

Toyota

Urban Cruiser Hyryder

from ₹13.09 Lakh

Honda

City

from ₹14.02 Lakh

Toyota

Innova HyCross

from ₹21.70 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Invicto

from ₹29.10 Lakh

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•2h

Hi, I wanted to upgrade from Honda Jazz. I am looking for an automatic car that I could hold on for at least 10 years. My budget is Rs. 12 to 18 lakh. My monthly commute is 1200 km. Should I go for a petrol or an EV. I am considering an EV over 10 years that could be financially beneficial? But on the contrary, I'm concerned about the reliability of EV since there is no mass market which has held EV for 10 years as of now. (except for Reva or Logan EV).

•55m

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT, ideally the VX. Coming from a Jazz, it’s the natural upgrade. You get the same easygoing Honda petrol and smooth CVT you’re used to, in a roomier, more comfortable SUV. For someone planning to keep a car for 10 years, Honda’s simple, proven mechanicals are about as worry-free as it gets.If you aren’t feeling fully sure about an EV, don’t push yourself into one. At your running an EV would save you money, but if you’ll spend the next 10 years worrying about the battery, those savings aren’t worth it. A petrol automatic lets you buy with confidence and not think twice.The Elevate’s weak spot is fuel economy. At 1,200km a month you’ll feel it at the pump. If running costs matter as much as comfort, stretch slightly for the Toyota Hyryder strong hybrid. It’s far more efficient, especially in town, and it’s just as proven over the long term.

Honda Elevate

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

•3d

I want to upgrade from my Maruti Suzuki Celerio ZXi (O) and have a budget of around Rs 15 lakh on-road. I drive about 2,000km a month. Which car would you recommend?

•6h

Since your monthly usage is quite high, you could consider the Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXI CNG, which is available at around Rs 15 lakh on-road. It is a sensible SUV with a smooth and efficient 1.5 engine, light controls, high ground clearance and a reasonably comfortable cabin. The CNG tank is positioned beneath the body, so boot space remains usable. It should feel like a substantial upgrade over your Celerio while keeping you within the Maruti Suzuki range.If you don't want a CNG due to the long queues at the CNG stations, you could consider a diesel option like the Hyundai Venue. It is a user-friendly, feature-rich sub-4-metre SUV with a very efficient and refined 1.5 diesel engine. While you can easily get a diesel-manual variant within your budget, interestingly you could also consider the HX5 diesel-automatic variant, which gets you the convenience of a 6-speed torque converter. A Kia Sonet HTX diesel-automatic with the same (as the Venue) 1.5 engine and automatic gearbox is also available within your budget.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue

•1d

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a seven-seater and am confused between the Toyota Innova Hycross and Hyundai Alcazar. I like almost everything about the Alcazar, but my only concern is the long-term durability of its DCT. As for the Hycross, my budget only allows me to consider the GX variant, which lacks many features. Kindly advise me on which one I should choose. My driving style is simple and non-aggressive. I drive around 8-10 km daily in the NCR region, with occasional family highway trips of up to 500 km. My average monthly running is around 1,200 km.

•19h

Go for the Toyota Innova Hycross GX since your usage pattern is simple, with a family focus and the occasional 500km highway trip. The Hycross is the better long-term ownership proposition. It is more spacious, more comfortable and more reliable. The Alcazar is a good car, but the third row is tight, and the DCT is not the ideal gearbox for your usage. The Hycross GX may not have many features, but it gets the fundamentals right. It is a proper seven-seater with a comfortable third row, a smooth petrol engine and Toyota's reputation for reliability. For your usage, that matters more than features. The Alcazar is more feature-rich, but it is ultimately a smaller car with a less comfortable third row.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Hyundai Alcazar

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

•4d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

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•1w

I’ve almost finalised the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, and I really like the car. However, I’m a little worried about Skoda’s long-term service and maintenance costs, especially after the warranty period. I’m planning to keep the car for around 7–8 years. Would you recommend taking the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) along with the car? Is it worth the additional cost considering regular servicing and potential maintenance expenses? Also, compared with the Brezza and Nexon, how is the Kylaq Signature Automatic in terms of long-term reliability, service costs and parts replacement? Would really appreciate your advice before I make the final purchase decision.

•4d

If you like the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, go ahead and buy it. It is a genuinely good car and one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven combination, and Skoda’s reliability has improved significantly in recent years. The bigger concern is not reliability but long-term maintenance costs, which can be higher than Maruti or Tata once the car is out of warranty.This is where the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) makes sense. It locks in your service costs for the first 4-5 years, covers all scheduled maintenance and gives you peace of mind during the most expensive ownership period. If you are planning to keep the car for 7-8 years, it is worth the additional cost because it protects you from unexpected bills and helps you budget ownership costs more accurately.Compared to the Brezza and Nexon, the Kylaq is the better driver’s car with a more engaging driving experience and a stronger engine. The Brezza is the benchmark for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, while the Nexon sits somewhere in between. The Kylaq is not unreliable, but parts and service can be more expensive once you are out of warranty.If you are buying the Kylaq, take the SMP and enjoy the car. If long-term ownership costs are your absolute priority, the Brezza is the safer financial choice.

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

•5d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

Kia Seltos

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