Mumbai

•2d

My budget is Rs. 12-13 lakh, and my monthly running is around 1,000 km. I am planning to buy a manual sub-4m SUV. I am confused between the Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO. Which one is better in terms of safety, features, mileage, and power? I am planning to buy a diesel. Should I go for petrol or diesel? And between the Nexon and XUV 3XO, which one should I buy?

•3m

With a monthly running of 1,000km, diesel is not the most financially sensible choice today. Modern diesel cars are more expensive to buy, and the price difference between petrol and diesel fuel is not as significant as it once was. At your running, the savings on fuel will take a long time to offset the higher purchase price. Both the Nexon and 3XO petrol engines are efficient and well-suited to your usage, and you will avoid the additional complexity and potential long-term maintenance costs associated with diesel engines.

Between the two cars, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is the better fit. This Mahindra car is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater. It is also feature-rich and has a strong safety record. The Nexon is a good car, but the 3XO offers better value for money and a more spacious cabin at a similar price point.

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO petrol manual. It will give you a better ownership experience and make more financial sense in the long run.

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Tata

Nexon

from ₹8.18 Lakh

Mahindra

XUV 3XO

from ₹8.61 Lakh

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•5d

I currently own a 2019 Hyundai Venue and am considering either the Tata Nexon DCA Camo Edition or Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 AT. How reliable are these cars for long-term ownership of around 10 years, particularly in terms of after-sales support, workshop quality and the ability of technicians to diagnose and fix issues beyond regular servicing? There have been concerns about Tata and Mahindra workshops not always having the required expertise when more complex issues arise. The Nexon, for instance, has had reports of engine oil and coolant mixing, while the XUV 3XO has faced complaints related to infotainment glitches and electrical warning messages. Given these concerns, which of the two would be a safer choice for hassle-free ownership over the next decade?

•2d

Between the Tata Nexon DCA and the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 AT, the XUV 3XO is the better proposition. The Nexon DCA is a good product, but Mahindra's 1.2 turbo-petrol engine delivers much stronger performance, and its 6-speed torque converter automatic complements the engine well. The 3XO is more spacious and comfier than the Nexon.On the service side, both Tata and Mahindra have room for improvement, but Mahindra generally has a slightly better reputation for consistency and technical capability, especially when it comes to resolving issues beyond routine maintenance.

Tata Nexon

Mahindra XUV 3XO

•3w

I own a January 2018 Tata Nexon petrol. It is an E10 compliant car that I have to run on E20 due to the government mandate. Till date, it has clocked 1,01,200 km without any issues. I want to know your views on usage of Petrol additive Iftex System G and G+. As suggested by the manufacturer, I plan to use System G+ for one-time cleaning, followed by dosing System G with petrol thereafter. I would be grateful if you could explain their impact on the car.

•1d

You have a 2018 Tata Nexon petrol that has run over 1 lakh km without any issues, and you are now concerned about running it on E20 fuel and whether using Iftex System G and G+ additives will help. The good news is that your Nexon has already proven itself to be a reliable car, and there is no evidence to suggest that running E20 in an E10-compliant engine will cause any immediate or catastrophic problems. The main impact of E20 is a slight drop in fuel efficiency and potentially increased wear on some rubber fuel system components over a very long period.As for the additives, using System G+ as a one-time cleaning dose followed by regular System G dosing is unlikely to cause any harm, but it is also unlikely to make a dramatic difference. Modern fuels already contain detergents, and your car has been running well for over 1 lakh km without additives. If you want to use them for peace of mind, that is fine, but do not expect a night-and-day improvement. The most important thing is to continue with regular maintenance and keep an eye on fuel system components over time.Overall, your Nexon has already proven itself, and E20 is not something to be overly worried about. Additives are a personal choice, but they are not a magic solution.

Tata Nexon

•1d

My Nexon's rear camera stopped working exactly one day after the warranty ended.

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•5d

I currently use a Skoda Slavia Ambition 1.0 automatic since last 4 years. Now, I am thinking of switching the car but I am confused between Honda Elevate V CVT petrol and Kia Seltos HTK iVT petrol.

•3d

Given that you are coming from a Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI automatic, the Kia Seltos HTK IVT petrol is the more natural upgrade. The Seltos offers a noticeably larger and more premium cabin, better rear seat space and a more substantial feel overall. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving, and the car feels like a genuine step up from the Slavia in terms of comfort and overall ownership experience.The Honda Elevate V CVT petrol is a solid and reliable choice, but it does not feel like as much of an upgrade from the Slavia. The cabin is not as spacious or as premium as the Seltos, and the overall ownership experience is more about simplicity and reliability than about feeling like a significant step up.The only caveat with the Seltos HTK is that it is not the most feature-rich variant in the lineup. If you can stretch to a higher variant, the Seltos becomes an even stronger recommendation. If not, it is still the better choice over the Elevate because it offers a more substantial upgrade from your current car.

I have a 2013 Honda City automatic, which is now 13 years old. I wish to change my car and buy the Tata Punch EV 40kWh for my use. My monthly running is low, at around 500 km. Would you suggest this car for my usage?

•4d

With a monthly running of around 500km, the financial case for an EV is not particularly strong, but the Tata Punch EV 40kWh can still make sense if you are looking for a modern, low-maintenance city car. This Tata electric car is compact, easy to drive and well-suited to urban use, and the 40kWh battery offers a healthy real-world range that should comfortably cover your monthly usage with minimal charging stops. However, at this level of running, the fuel savings over a petrol car will take a long time to offset the higher upfront cost of the EV. If you have reliable home charging and are keen on the EV ownership experience, the Punch EV is a sensible upgrade from your ageing City. If your priority is purely financial efficiency, a small petrol automatic like the Honda Amaze or Maruti Suzuki Baleno would be the more cost-effective choice.

I am a 60 years old retired woman and I want to buy a new automatic car. Which car would be suitable for me?

•4d

We would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Baleno automatic. At your age, ease of use, comfort and reliability are the most important factors, and the Baleno delivers on all three. The automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to operate, making city driving stress-free, while the car itself is compact enough to be easy to park and manoeuvre. Maruti's service network is the best in the country, which means maintenance will be straightforward and affordable. The Baleno also offers a comfortable ride and a spacious cabin, making it a pleasant car to use on a daily basis. If you prefer a slightly higher seating position and a smaller foot print, the Hyundai Exter AMT is a good alternative, offering the same reliability with a more SUV-like stance. Both cars are sensible, hassle-free choices that will serve you well for many years.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

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