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Sasikumar

•1d

Hi, I already own a Honda City and I am planning to buy another new hatchback for my wife that will be chauffeur-driven. Our usage will be mostly in the city and occasionally on the highway. I am looking for an automatic car with good rear seat comfort and legroom, strong safety, and good drivability as I will also use the car on weekends. My budget is ₹10 L.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•8h

Since your buying decision hinges on the rear seat, we will eliminate options that miss out on adjustable rear seat headrests, which are critical for safety. Sadly, versions of the otherwise likeable Hyundai i20 IVT and Tata Altroz AMT within your budget make do with fixed headrests only, and hence have not been considered. Your best options among hatchbacks include the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AGS Alpha and the slightly pricier Toyota Glanza AGS V. The sister models (both are made by Maruti) score well for seat comfort, ride comfort and rear legroom. Rear headroom, though, could be an issue for taller occupants. Performance in town is pleasant and decent enough for highway use, so long as you adopt an easygoing driving style. The AGS (AMT gearbox) isn't suited to sporty driving, just in case that's important to you. Between the two, the differences inside are down to the Glanza's use of lighter colours that help make the cabin seem airier.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Baleno
VehicleToyota Glanza
Maruti Suzuki Baleno
Maruti Suzuki Baleno
SS

Samir Shah

•1d

For my 30 km chauffeur-driven car use daily in Mumbai traffic and approximately 400 km of highway driving four times a year with five people, which is the best option among the Kia Carens Clavis 1.5 Turbo DCT HTX+, Tata Safari Petrol AT Accomplishment, and Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7L petrol AT? I currently drive a Honda BRV i-VTEC CVT.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•8h

The Kia Carens Clavis is worth considering given your requirements. The Carens Clavis is more compact than the Safari and XUV 7XO, and thanks to its lighter controls, it'll be easier to drive in the city. The MPV's cabin is also spacious, practical and feature-rich, making it ideal for road trips as well. The 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine is smooth and punchy, and the 7-speed DCT gearbox is quick. Coming from your Honda BR-V, you'll also appreciate the versatility of this MPV. Kia Carens Clavis petrol-DCT prices range from Rs 16.28 lakh to Rs 20.71 lakh (ex-showroom).

VehicleKia Carens Clavis
AN

Anudeep

•1d

Hi, I am planning to buy a Kia Seltos petrol automatic and am confused between the IVT and the turbo petrol DCT. My usage is about 60% city and 40% highway, and I plan to keep the car for 8-10 years. I feel the IVT is underpowered on highways, and I am concerned about long-term maintenance of the DCT. Please suggest the best automatic transmission so I won’t regret my choice.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•9h

"IVT or DCT?" is a common question from potential Kia Seltos buyers. For your requirements, the Seltos Turbo-DCT is the better choice. The Turbo's added 45hp of power counts for a lot and makes highway drives more effortless. There's also a sporty side to the Seltos Turbo-DCT that's missing on the IVT, and something you'll appreciate on the open road. Were your driving predominantly in city confines, the IVT would have been the wiser pick. The IVT delivers a seamless experience in bumper-to-bumper traffic. We do not expect the Seltos DCT to be any harder or more expensive to maintain in the long run, so long as manufacturer-recommended precautions are adhered to.

VehicleKia New Seltos
HA

Harsh

•16h

Hi, I am interested in buying a car and am considering the Hyundai Venue or the Creta. First of all, which one should I choose and why? Also, which variant of both models would be the best to buy? My mandatory requirements are: Projector LED headlamps Sunroof Petrol engine Manual transmission My monthly driving is approximately 1,500 km within the city and around 2,000 km on highways.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•9h

While there is some price overlap between petrol versions of the Hyundai Venue and Hyundai Creta, both SUVs are essentially very different and cater to different requirements. Without knowing your exact budget, we'll have to assume that you are willing to spend on the highest-spec Hyundai Venue petrol on offer. The version in question is the turbo-petrol with a manual gearbox in HX8 trim that costs Rs 13.85 lakh (on-road). This model packs in an LED headlamp and a single-pane sunroof, among many other features that are missing on a similar-priced Creta EX(O). The list includes auto climate control, reverse camera, leatherette upholstery and more. The Venue's turbo-petrol engine has nice punch, which you will appreciate, especially on highway drives. The Creta EX(O) (Rs 14.5 lakh on-road) misses many features but does entice with its panoramic sunroof. The Creta is also the larger car and makes more sense if you will be travelling often with more people. The Creta's 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine delivers reasonable performance but doesn't have the punch of the Venue Turbo. If the extra space isn't essential to you, the Venue is the one we'd recommend for you. However, given your usage, you should also consider the Venue diesel, which makes for a more efficient option.

VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleHyundai Creta
Hyundai Venue
Hyundai Venue
SD

Subhra Das

•14h

I have narrowed my options down to the Honda Elevate CVT and the Creta CVT. While driving comfort seems slightly better in the Creta, which one should I choose considering reliability, long-term maintenance, and efficiency?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•10h

While the Honda Elevate CVT has its strengths, the Hyundai Creta IVT is a more rounded product. It's got the significantly nicer gearbox with less of the rubberband effect (sharp rise in revs without a corresponding rise in road speed) than the Elevate. The Creta also scores with better overall refinement, a roomier cabin and more features. Neither model will cause trouble in terms of reliability and long-term maintenance. Efficiency, however, is a function of driving style. Drive with a light foot, and you can expect decent fuel economy figures (10kpl in the city, 13-15kpl on the highway are typical numbers), but aggressive driving will have the SUVs deliver much lower figures.

VehicleHonda Elevate
VehicleHyundai Creta
AB

Anand Bhattathiri

•1d

Is it okay to upgrade my Swift Dzire’s 165/80 R14 tyres to 195/70 R14 for a slight increase in ground clearance? Please advise.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
•10h

Yes, you can upsize the tyres of your Maruti Suzuki Dzire from 165/80 R14 to 195/70 R14. On account of the additional tyre height, your vehicle's ground clearance is likely to increase by approximately 9mm.Do keep in mind that there will be a slight variance in your speed reading by 1.4%, which means that when your vehicle is being driven at 100kph, due to the upsized tyres, the speedometer will indicate 101.4kph. Also, due to the wider tyres, your car's fuel efficiency is likely to dip slightly.At the time of installation, do check that the tyre doesn't foul with the body panels, either when the steering is turned fully on either sides, or with a full load of passengers in the rear.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Dzire