Autocar India
•1d

I currently own a Maruti Baleno Delta (2020) manual. I have been planning to upgrade for quite some time. My main requirements include an automatic transmission car under 25 lakh (on-road) for Hyderabad. Since this car will also be driven by my wife, who is not well versed with manual transmission and hence, am looking to upgrade to an automatic. I drive for pleasure and comfort in both city and on highway. We are 6 members in our family and 6+ seater SUV would be perfect to go on trips together without losing on comfort. My daily running involves office commute, few highway runs to airport with once a month outstation trip. These together contribute to about 2000 km monthly running. I am also confused between fuel options as I am currently using petrol manual which gives around a satisfactory 15kpl mileage. I can consider diesel, but since I don’t have frequent highway trips, I am not confident of going through the hassle of higher maintenance as well as def and filter maintenance. I am more inclined towards hybrid and EV, however only concern with EV is range anxiety during outstation trips. Since Hybrid does not give mileage advantage due to ethanol blending in petrol, it also seems concerning. Please help me make a decision considering above factors.

Verified
•5m

Pick the Kia Carens petrol automatic with captain seats. It is the easiest way to get a true 6-seater that your wife will find simple to drive, yet it feels calmer and stronger than your Baleno when you load all six and head out on the highway. A well-specced mid variant sits within Rs. 25 lakh on-road Hyderabad, gives you a smooth auto, light controls, a genuinely usable third row, and still some boot for airport runs.

Choose petrol and stop worrying about DEF and regen cycles. With your mix of city and a monthly trip, expect low-teens in the city and mid-teens on the highway if you drive gently. Strong-hybrids and EVs that make sense as 6 or 7 seaters simply do not exist in this budget right now; mild-hybrid MPVs like XL6 or Rumion save a little fuel, not a lot, and feel weaker with six on board.

One point to keep in mind, the Carens’ dual-clutch can feel a bit hesitant in bumper-to-bumper and prefers smooth throttle. If most of your commute is crawling traffic, the Maruti XL6 6AT is simpler and silkier, just slower on the highway with a full family and less plush inside. 

Kia Carens

Kia Carens

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Kia Carens

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Maruti Suzuki XL6

Maruti Suzuki

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Maruti Suzuki Baleno

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Toyota Rumion

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Rumion

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•5d

I am currently driving a 2012 Toyota Etios Liva and want to replace it as it is approaching 15 years of age. I am looking for a family car under Rs 10-12 lakh that I can keep for a long time. It should also be compatible with E20 fuel.

Verified
•21h

Maruti Suzuki Baleno 1.2 petrol is your safest long-term switch. It is factory E20-ready, and Maruti typically does a good job of calibrating the engine to maintain good fuel efficiency. Coming from an Etios, you will appreciate Maruti’s fuss-free ownership and the peace of mind for over 10 years. As a family car, it is practical, with a spacious rear seat, a comfortable ride, light controls for city driving, and stable highway manners. It fits well under Rs. 10-12 lakh.One thing to keep in mind is that it is a hatchback, so you do not get the high seating or rough-road ability of a small SUV. If you need a bit more ground clearance, the Fronx is a good bet. If you prefer a sedan, the Honda Amaze 1.2 is E20-compatible too and easy to keep for years.

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•2d

I've been driving a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Diesel Manual for a decade. It has been a great car in almost every aspect. My only complaint is its low ground clearance, which has resulted in numerous scratches on the underbody. Is there any SUV or MUV that can match the comfort of the Ciaz and also be as future-proof as a Maruti Suzuki?

Verified
•1d

Pick the Maruti Suzuki XL6. It feels closest to your Ciaz for ride comfort and rear-seat ease, but with far higher clearance and shorter overhangs, so those speed breakers won’t chew the underbody. The 1.5-litre mild hybrid engine is smooth in traffic, sips fuel in the city, and should be easy to live with for a decade plus. Service and parts support will be typically Maruti-strong. You’ll also like the relaxed automatic, captain seats, and the way it just glides over bad roads. Highway cruising is calm rather than exciting, which matches how most Ciaz owners drive on long trips. If owning and running an EV is feasible for you, consider the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara. The running costs are unbeatable, it has good ground clearance and it's well priced too. Plus, you get the same Maruti peace of mind as your Ciaz or the XL6.

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•2d

Suggest the best car around 10L for an average monthly city commute of around 200km and occasional long-distance commute.

Verified
•1d

Consider the Maruti Suzuki Dzire. Your running is only about 200km a month, so a simple, efficient car makes the most sense at around Rs. 10 lakh. It is easy to drive in the city thanks to its light controls and good visibility, yet it settles well on the highway and sips fuel. In our real-world testing, we recorded a combined fuel efficiency of 15.41kpl with the AMT and 17.25kpl with the manual. Speaking of which, the manual has a slick shift, a light clutch and excellent drivability, making it easy to use in the city. However, the AMT will reduce stress even further.The cabin is comfortable for four, the boot easily accommodates weekend luggage, and Maruti’s extensive service network makes ownership painless for a first-time buyer. Safety is also well covered, with the Dzire earning a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating.If you need a bit more rear-seat space, consider the Baleno. If you want a taller seating position and better rough-road ability, look at the Tata Punch, though it is noisier and not as fuel-efficient as the Dzire.

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•3d

I am planning to buy an SUV and prefer the German twins Škoda and Volkswagen. Which one is better? Also, how significant is the DSG issue in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NCR region? This will be my fourth car, so I want to try a German brand.

Verified
•2d

Between the German twins, the choice largely comes down to personal preference, as they share the same engines, gearboxes and underpinnings. We slightly prefer the Kushaq for its cleaner design, excellent ride and handling balance and overall value proposition.As for the DSG, it isn't as big a concern as it once was. The current DSGs are far more robust than the earlier units, but if your driving is predominantly in bumper-to-bumper NCR traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the smoother and more relaxed option over the long term. If you want to stay with a German SUV but avoid the DSG altogether, the 1.0 TSI automatic in the Kushaq and Taigun now comes with an 8-speed Aisin torque-converter, which is smooth, refined and better suited to heavy city traffic.Coming from the S-Cross Petrol, you'll notice a significant step up in performance, cabin quality, safety and driving dynamics with either car.

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•1w

Hi, I have a budget of Rs. 40 lakh and am confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O), and the Toyota Fortuner Petrol. I am 28 years old and want a car that is fun to drive but also comfortable for my family. My driving will be split 80:20 between on-road and off-road use.

Verified
•4d

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

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•4d

I have a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, and I am extremely satisfied with its mileage (900-1000 km from 45 liters). However, I am losing the joy of driving. I migrated to this car after owning a Swift Dzire Diesel and an XL6. The mismatch between engine revs and acceleration is becoming unpleasant. Overtaking feels riskier, and even the brakes feel spongy. I have experienced a few unpleasant situations because of this. As a result, I have reduced my overall speed, making the safety of my family a bigger priority. But the driver in me is unhappy. Should I upgrade to the Duster Hybrid, the Hycross Hybrid, or the newly launched Sierra EV? Also, do diesel engines still make sense today?

Verified
•3d

From what you've described, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has impressed you with its efficiency but left you wanting more from behind the wheel. If driving enjoyment is back on your priority list, the Duster Hybrid looks like the most natural upgrade. It is expected to offer a much more engaging driving experience while retaining the fuel efficiency benefits of a strong hybrid.The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid will certainly improve on comfort, refinement and performance, but it won't fundamentally change the character you're looking for. It is still geared towards relaxed family motoring rather than enthusiastic driving.The Tata Sierra EV is an interesting option and has now been launched. It promises strong performance, a premium cabin and a spacious interior. However, if the "driver in you" misses the involvement and confidence of your earlier diesel cars, we'd still wait to experience how the Duster Hybrid drives before making a decision.As for diesels, we don't think they should be ruled out altogether. With the right usage, they continue to make sense. However, given your appreciation for the fuel economy of your Grand Vitara and the direction the market is heading, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid rather than going back to diesel.

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Posted on: 5 Jul 2026