Latest questions answered by experts

autocar.india

•1h

The Renault Duster hybrid is an impressive car but the hybrid variant only makes sense if you will be driving a lot more than average. If your annual coverage is over 20,000km and most of it is in the city, then the hybrid variant makes more sense financially. If the Duster is what you like, given its styling and presence, the turbo-petrol version would be better to go for. However, since mileage is a strong priority, we would recommend you to check the Maruti Suzuki Victoris instead. It is the same size as the Duster, but offers better efficiency and comes with the reliability of Maruti. It is hassle-free, easy on the pocket and the vast service network and low part price also makes for a better case. The styling is not as bold as the Duster, but for your needs, the high mileage, easy-to-drive nature and reliability makes it a better choice.

autocar.india

•2h

Since driving dynamics are your priority, the updated Skoda Slavia would be a good option to consider. In its top-spec (Monte Carlo), the Slavia with the 150hp 1.5 TSI engine and 7-speed DCT gearbox would be a great choice as nothing in that segment matches the fun-to-drive nature of the Slavia. The engine has strong punch but is also refined to drive in the city. The gearbox is fast, responsive and genuinely fun and despite being a sedan, ground clearance is not an issue at all. The sedan style and suspension tune gives it fantastic handling manners. Another great thing about this car is its practicality thanks to a spacious cabin and a massive boot. Pair that with a good dose of equipment and the Slavia is easily the one for your needs. With the top-spec version around Rs. 24 lakh, it is also well within your budget.

autocar.india

•3h

Between the Bayon and Creta, we would recommend the Bayon since your budget is Rs.15 lakh. At this price, you can get a better equipped variant of the Bayon rather than sacrificing creature comforts. The Creta gets the same powertrain as the Bayon and is a bit larger in size. However, the wheelbase is almost identical and space in the rear is not too far off in the Bayon. Also, being a higher variant you get better equipment like auto climate control, reversing camera, keyless entry etc that make the Bayon better value. For the city, the naturally aspirated engine and CVT gearbox is well-suited. Another option to consider is the Maruti Suzuki Brezza in its automatic guise. It gets a smooth engine and gearbox along with a spacious rear seat and you can get the top-spec version in Rs. 15 lakh.

autocar.india

•4h

Since you don't have an urgent need for a car, we would recommend you to wait for the Roxx with the new suspension. We tested it along with the 3-door Thar OG and it is significantly different and has improved the ride comfort along with the handling too. The Roxx suspension is good over bad roads, but it still feels bouncy on the highway and the new suspension might just fix that issue making it a lot better. Our suggestion would be to wait for the update.

autocar.india

•4h

We would recommend you to go with Brezza. Both of your choices have the same engine and gearbox so performance is not too different. The Grand Vitara is larger and has a slightly longer wheelbase, but it isn't a dealbreaker against Brezza which is also good in terms of space. Equipment wise, the Brezza will offer more like LED headlamps, a larger touchscreen, a 360 degree camera and more. Ride comfort and driving manners are similar on both cars and overall if the extra room isn't something you need, the Brezza makes a lot more sense in terms of value. Highway performance is also very good and while the boot on the Brezza is roughly 50-litres less, it is adequate for airport runs and getaways.

autocar.india

•5h

Citroen has no announced plans to introduce any new diesel model in India. Its locally developed C-Cubed range, including the C3, Aircross and Basalt, were not engineered to accommodate a diesel engine. Tighter emission requirements also make developing and selling diesel cars harder to justify, particularly for the affordable end of the market. Citroen has already mentioned that it does not intend to invest heavily in diesel, so a change of direction looks unlikely. Instead, expect more attention on alternative powertrains. Citroen entered the mass-market EV space relatively early with the eC3, ahead of several established manufacturers. More recently, it has expanded into CNG, while its parent company Stellantis has outlined a broader Indian strategy that includes hybrids and EVs. That does not confirm a particular future Citroen model, but it gives you a sense of the direction.

autocar.india

•5h

Both models are good in their own meaning. However, it is the Kia Seltos that we'd recommend for your usage. It's built on a newer and superior platform that delivers a more refined experience with better noise insulation. Ride comfort is also better on the Seltos and there is ample space for five members of the family to sit in comfort. Further because it uses a new electronic architecture, it gets the latest software and hardware, including wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which is missing on the Carens Clavis. There is also some comfort in knowing that the new Kia Seltos is a five-star Bharat NCAP-rated car. The 160hp 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission are common to the two so performance-wise there is not going to be much difference.The Carens Clavis makes more sense if you have a genuine need for a third row of seats or if you will be carrying more luggage. With the third row folded, the Clavis is more accommodating than the Seltos.

autocar.india

•6h

You are spot on in your observation about the high engine noise during hard acceleration on the Honda City CVT. That is a function of its CVT gearbox and the notorious 'rubberband effect' in which the revs rise sharply without a correspondingly quick increase in road speed. The CVT gearbox does have its advantages, with a smoother drive experience in city and low-speed conditions, but it's not the exciting choice.The Volkswagen Virtus is the superior driving car, thanks to its turbocharged engines and torque converter automatic and dual-clutch automatic gearboxes, depending on the engine you opt for. The Virtus is due for an update in the weeks to come, which will see the move to an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission for the 1.0 TSI engine. We've experienced the same engine and gearbox combination on the Skoda Slavia and found it to have uplifted the overall drive experience. In terms of cabin insulation, ride comfort, and even highway stability, the Virtus does feel superior to the Honda City. Fuel economy, however, is entirely dependent on your driving style. Drive with enthusiasm, and you'll see fuel economy dip quickly, which is something true for all turbo-petrol engines.While both the Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus are sound products, the City does have the more proven track record for reliability. That being said, there are no fundamental areas of concern on the Virtus. The upcoming update will also address the mediocre cooling, which has been a bugbear for the product since launch.To us, the Volkswagen Virtus is the car that will put a bigger smile on your face.

autocar.india

•7h

Of the cars on your shortlist, the Kia Syros EV would be the one we'd recommend. It feels superior to the Mahindra XUV 3XO in many ways. For starters, it feels significantly airier inside, offers more luggage space and just feels newer with better-executed tech. The ability to charge at home significantly moves the scale in favour of the Syros EV. Your electricity and charging costs would be negligible, particularly with a home solar plant. While the 42 kWh battery pack version will not be ideal for 300km road trips, a charging stop will give you the range you need. Where the Syros EV excels is as a city car with an ease of use and refinement that the Mahindra can't match.Kia has also gone the distance with assured buybacks and a warranty on the battery pack, so you can go ahead with your purchase with an added degree of comfort. Hyundai will bring out a new electric car next year, and it could be worth the wait if you're not in a pressing hurry for a new car. As things stand, however, the Kia Syros EV is a sensible pick for your requirements.