I currently own an i20 (2012-2014) Sports petrol variant and want to upgrade because it’s quite old. I use the car very infrequently, mostly weekends or occasional family outings for four, and don’t want to spend much since I already have 2-3 bikes for daily use. My budget is around ₹5 lakh; I prefer an automatic petrol car. Should I buy a used or a new car? Please suggest suitable options.

Autocar India

•12h

You are new to driving, you want hassle-free ownership, and you are unsure about evaluating used cars. In this case, a new car gives you peace of mind, a warranty and zero uncertainty, which is far more important than getting a bigger used car. A used car can be a good value, but only if you know what to check or have a trusted source, which you currently don’t.The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 AMT is actually a very good starting point. It is compact, extremely easy to drive, has light controls and is very forgiving in traffic, which is exactly what a beginner needs. It is also very efficient and cheap to maintain, which is why it is often recommended as a first car.However, since you are a family of four and will use it on weekends too, you can do slightly better within your budget. The Maruti Suzuki Celerio AMT is the stronger recommendation. It gives you more space, a more comfortable rear seat and a slightly more stable feel on highways compared to the Alto. It is still very easy to drive, has light controls and excellent fuel efficiency, and Maruti’s service network keeps ownership stress low.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Autocar India

•9h

You want a car that is comfortable in the city, easy to drive and capable of doing long trips for the next 10 years. The Toyota Innova Hycross fits this very well. The hybrid system makes it very smooth and quiet in city driving, and the automatic gearbox is effortless, which becomes more important with age. On highways, it is stable, comfortable and built for long-distance travel, which is what the Innova name has always stood for.What really works in your favour is long-term ownership. Toyota’s reliability, strong service network and resale value make it one of the safest bets if you plan to keep the car for many years. The Hycross also offers excellent space, easy ingress and egress and a comfortable ride, which are important for everyday use and for passengers as you grow older.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•10h

Short answer: There is no official word from Mahindra about adding a power tailgate to the XUV 7XO in a future update, and it is unlikely in the near term. A powered tailgate needs different hinges, struts, wiring, safety sensors and control logic. That is not a simple software tweak. Carmakers usually add this only with a big refresh or a full new model. The 7XO itself is the recent update to the XUV700, so the next big change is still some time away.On the “next gen” 7XO, Mahindra has not shared public details yet. Expect the current model to stay on sale for a few years.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•6d

If you're comparing ride comfort, the Skoda Kylaq is easily the better pick, particularly variants with 16-inch wheels. Skoda has got its suspension tune spot on, its relatively softer setup makes it more suited to our road conditions. It rounds off speed breakers and rough patches better at slow speeds. Furthermore, the Kylaq feels stable at speeds and is surprisingly nimble and fun-to-drive around corners, too.In contrast, the Kushaq’s suspension feels a little firm at low speeds, so sharp bumps and small potholes do come through more in the cabin.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•2d

With a 70 km daily mix of traffic and highway use, we would lean towards the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid. Your usage is high, and the hybrid will use far less fuel in city traffic while staying calm and smooth. It pulls away on electric power at low speeds, so stop-go driving feels quiet and easy.You like the Seltos for its cabin and stronger shove, and that is fair. The Seltos diesel feels stronger when you press the throttle for quick passes, and its cabin does look and feel richer. If most of your 70 km is open highway and you really value that strong pull and the Kia car interior, the Seltos diesel automatic is still a solid pick.On a Kia Seltos hybrid: Kia does intend to introduce a hybrid, but timing is not yet decided as they are trying to localise components. We estimate it could arrive in 2027, but that could change. For your mix of city and highway, the Hyryder strong-hybrid lines up best with what you need right now.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•4d

Mostly highway use, about 1,000 km a month, safety first, and an automatic in the Rs 12-13 lakh range, in that brief, we would suggest the Skoda Kylaq Signature. Its torque converter is much smoother than an AMT or DCT, so city driving feels easy, and performance from the 1.0 TSI makes highway overtakes effortless. The Kylaq has a 5-star crash score from Bharat NCAP and feels steady at highway speeds, which builds confidence. It also rides well over broken patches, so you are not tossed around.Two things to keep in mind: while the front seats are comfy and supportive, space in the back seat is a bit tight. It makes up for it with a large boot and a low loading lip. If you want more space, look at the Nissan Magnite Tekna Turbo CVT, which has a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP.Overall, for highway-heavy use with safety at the top, the Kylaq lines up best in your budget.

Skoda Kylaq

Nissan Magnite