Autocar India
•1w

Hello Autocar Team, I have been following Auto India since Hormazd was a part of it and Autocar since its inception. I really like your content, and with the advent of technology, you have reached the zenith of automotive journalism in India. Coming to my question, I took delivery of a 2018 Ford Freestyle 1.5 TDCi BS4 on 25th December 2018 and have been in love with the car ever since. Due to the nature of my job, I drive approximately 400 km a week (70% city and 30% highway), and with Ford's service network dwindling, I am a bit skeptical about retaining the vehicle for the long term. The car is currently covered under an extended warranty until 25th December 2026. Please suggest an alternative in case I decide to replace my vehicle. My budget is around Rs. 15 lakh. Should I consider a new car or a pre-owned one? I am fine with both manual and automatic transmissions.

Verified
•4d

If you want to go for car under 15 lakhs, we would recommend going new rather than pre-owned. You are already driving a well-maintained, enthusiast-friendly car, so the upgrade should be about peace of mind and a clear step forward in ownership experience. 

If you're open to the hatchback body style, we'd recommend the Hyundai i20 N Line DCT. It is a fun-to-drive characterful car. The turbo-petrol-DCT combination is smooth and performance feels more than adequate for daily use. 

The Fronx or Taisor Turbo AT are cross-hatchbacks with a similar character as your Freestyle.

The Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI is another excellent option. It is a genuinely engaging car to drive, with a punchy turbo petrol engine and a well-sorted chassis. It will not match the diesel for running costs, but it is a worthy successor to the Freestyle in terms of driving enjoyment.

Hyundai i20

Hyundai i20

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•4d

You've not taken into consideration of my 400 KMs drive every week. Turbo Petrols cannot match my Freestyle TDCi mileage and NA Petrols cannot match the punchiness of my BS4 Freestyle TDCi

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•3d

I bought a used 2015 Maruti Swift last year when it had completed 1.7 lakh km. I purchased it and spent a total of Rs 4.2 lakh on it. I have driven another 10,000km in one year. Everything is fine, but I feel the car may become a scrap candidate if I use it for another one or two years. I can get around Rs 2 lakh if I sell it now. Please suggest the best car for a 20km daily commute and a 500km trip every one or two months. I need good boot space and cabin space.

Verified
•5h

The Maruti Fronx Delta+ AMT would be the best fit for your requirements. With a daily commute of just 20km and occasional 500km highway trips, a petrol automatic makes perfect sense. The Fronx feels like a genuine upgrade from your Swift with better ground clearance, a more spacious cabin, a larger boot and Maruti's proven reliability. It is also inexpensive to maintain and should give you complete peace of mind over the next several years.If you prefer a hatchback with a more premium cabin and an even smoother automatic, the Hyundai i20 IVT is an excellent alternative. The IVT gearbox is one of the smoothest automatics in the segment, making it particularly well-suited to city driving, while the cabin feels more upmarket than the Fronx.The only drawback with the Fronx AMT is that the AMT isn't as smooth as the i20's IVT, especially in slow-moving traffic.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Fronx
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•4d

Hello, I own a 9 years old Ford Figo S TDCi (manual, diesel) that has covered more than 1.3 lakh km. I’m still proud of this car for its torquey engine, handling, and the way it drives. But lately, its hard clutch in city traffic is causing knee pain, and I am confused whether to keep it or exchange it. Does it make sense to replace my Figo now, and what resale value should I expect? Which current manual fun‑to‑drive hatchbacks come closest to the driving feel and character of the Figo S TDCi? I have considered the SKODA KYLAQ, but it is beyond my current budget. Since SKODA has just opened a showroom in Shillong, does it make sense to stretch for it, or should I stick to a hatchback I don’t want to face problems that I had faced with Ford again. If I decide to keep the Figo, will I face issues related to the parts availability in the coming years? I would love to keep it for as long as possible, but I’m also considering adding a second car like the Alto for city commuting. I am quite confused, so I would really appreciate your valuable suggestion.

Verified
•19h

You are clearly an enthusiast who values a strong diesel punch and sharp handling, and the Figo S TDCi was one of the best cars in that space. At 9 years and 1.3 lakh km, the car has served you well, but the hard clutch and knee pain are a clear signal that it is time to move on. Resale value will be modest given the age and Ford’s exit, so the decision should be driven by your usage and comfort rather than the resale number.On the replacement, there is no direct hatchback equivalent today. The Skoda Kylaq is the closest in spirit, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a genuinely engaging driving experience. The automatic is also a big plus if you want to avoid clutch fatigue in traffic. The fact that Skoda has opened a showroom in Shillong is a significant positive, and Skoda is a far more stable brand in India today than Ford was at the time of its exit. If you can stretch the budget, the Kylaq is the right move. The Skoda Kylaq price range extends from Rs 7.59 lakh to Rs 12.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).If the budget is tight, the Maruti Suzuki Swift is the best hatchback alternative. It is not as powerful or as sharp as the Figo S, but it is light, nimble and fun to drive in its own way. The Hyundai i20 N Line is another hatchback option that is quite fun to drive and looks nice and sporty too but its costlier than the Swift. In summary, replace the Figo now and stretch for the Kylaq if you can. It is the closest modern equivalent to what you love about the Figo S TDCi. If the budget does not allow, go for the Swift. Do not hold on to the Figo purely for sentimental reasons, and do not worry too much about resale value at this stage. The decision should be about comfort and driving enjoyment for the next 5-10 years.

VehicleSkoda Kylaq
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Swift
VehicleHyundai i20
•4d

I'm planning to buy a new car with a budget of Rs. 8-10 lakh. I currently own a Hyundai Santro Xing and am looking to upgrade. I have shortlisted the Hyundai i20 Magna and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza LXi Turbo. We are a family of five, and my average monthly running is around 1,500 km. My priorities are comfort and good fuel efficiency. Which of these would you recommend, or is there a better option within my budget?

Verified
•4d

For a family of five with 1,500km a month, comfort and good mileage are key. The Hyundai i20 Magna is a good hatchback, but it won't feel like a big upgrade from your Santro Xing in terms of space. The Maruti Brezza LXI Turbo is the better choice here. It offers a more spacious cabin, a higher seating position and better comfort for five occupants. The turbo petrol engine should also be relatively efficient and well suited to your running. The Brezza is also a practical, reliable and comfortable SUV that will serve you well for years. Go for the Brezza LXI Turbo.

VehicleHyundai i20
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•1w

I am confused between Taigun 1.5 Sport and Seltos Diesel X-Line top model. I have owned the Polo AT and Vento AT in the past, so my love for Volkswagen is making this decision difficult.

Verified
•6d

Go for the Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 TSI Sport. Coming from a Polo and Vento automatic, you already appreciate Volkswagen’s driving DNA, and the Taigun 1.5 TSI is a natural progression. The engine is punchy, the DSG gearbox is quick and engaging, and the overall driving experience is far more involving than the Seltos. The Taigun also feels more compact and agile in the city, while still being comfortable on the highway. The Volkswagen Taigun mileage is 19.54 kpl for the 1.0 TSI AT, 19.98 kpl for the 1.0 TSI MT, and 18.85 kpl for the 1.5 TSI DCT.The Kia Seltos diesel X-Line is a strong all-rounder with better space, a more premium cabin and a more relaxed long-distance character, but it does not offer the same level of driver engagement. The diesel engine is efficient and torquey, but it lacks the excitement of the 1.5 TSI. Given your history with Volkswagen cars, the Taigun will simply feel more familiar and more enjoyable to drive every day. The Taigun price starts at Rs 11.00 lakh for the base variant (ex-showroom).

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•6d

I want to buy my first car, and I have a strict budget of Rs 10 lakh. I will not use the car on a daily basis; I will drive it occasionally, and I live in Kolkata.

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•5d

For a car under 10 lakh budget and occasional use, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno makes sense. It is a genuinely spacious hatchback with a comfortable ride. It's easy to drive in the city and has a proven ownership record. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and reliable, and Maruti’s service network in Kolkata is excellent, which keeps long-term running costs low.For occasional use, you want a car that is easy to live with, dependable and does not demand much attention, and the Baleno fits that brief perfectly. It also offers a good balance of features and practicality within your budget.If you prefer a slightly higher seating position, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is worth considering.

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•1w

I am looking to buy an electric car in the Rs. 20-30 lakh price range. My driving is mostly within the city, with an annual running of only 5,000-7,000 km. Would you recommend buying an EV now, or would it be better to wait for the newer models that are expected to launch over the next few months?

Verified
•6d

With 5,000-7,000 km a year and mostly city driving, you are the ideal EV buyer. The Mahindra XEV 9S in its top-spec Pack Three guise will comfortably fit in your budget. With a 79kWh battery pack, you can easily expect a real-world range of around 480km in daily driving conditions. The 9S is also a full-size SUV with three rows, so practicality is excellent. There is a usable frunk as well, and the feature list is extensive with connected tech, panoramic sunroof, front and rear ventilated seats, drive modes, Level 2 ADAS and much more. Also, with 286hp, the 9S has plenty of performance for everyday needs. The overall package strikes a good balance and hence is our recommendation.

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Posted on: 5 Aug 2026