Mumbai

•6w

I own a Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI (May 2014) that has covered only 63,000 km. I am thinking of replacing it. Which brand and model would you recommend among the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5, and Lexus RX, and why? My priorities are high reliability and low servicing costs, as the Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI has been disappointing.

•5w

Given your experience with the E250 CDI and your clear priority for reliability and lower servicing costs, the Lexus RX is the recommendation. The RX has a strong reputation for long-term reliability, lower maintenance costs and a very refined ownership experience. Lexus’ hybrid powertrain is proven, efficient and well-suited to Indian conditions, and the brand’s focus on durability and customer service is a key advantage over the German rivals.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5 are both excellent SUVs, but they are more complex vehicles with higher long-term maintenance costs and a greater reliance on electronics and software.

The Lexus car may not have the same outright performance or brand cachet as the German options, but it is the most sensible choice for an owner looking for a premium SUV that will deliver a hassle-free ownership experience over the long term.

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•5w

@ashokmathur Go for GLE because low on electronics

•5w

@ashokmathur Go for RX because The Lexus RX 350h is the perfect blend of futuristic design, self-charging hybrid technology, exceptional cabin space, a premium Mark Levinson audio system, and rear-seat ventilation for unmatched comfort. Backed by an industry-leading 8-year/2,00,000 km comprehensive warranty, Lexus reliability, and low maintenance costs, it's a luxury SUV you can choose with complete confidence.

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•4h

I’m planning to buy a new car in a budget of Rs. 22-24 lakh. I currently own a Ciaz petrol that I am planning to retain. My shortlisted cars include Tata Sierra (EV/petrol), Kia Seltos, and am also considering whether I should wait for the next-gen Creta. My daily running is around 18-30 km, mostly within the city, with occasional long trips. Since I’ll be keeping the Ciaz, I’m also considering an EV. What would make more sense in my situation amongst Sierra EV, Sierra petrol, Seltos, or waiting for the new Creta?

•40m

Given your usage and the fact that you are retaining the Ciaz, the Tata Sierra EV is a sensible choice. Your daily running is well within the comfort zone of an EV and the Sierra EV offers a genuinely premium cabin, excellent ride comfort and a spacious, lounge-like rear seat, making it a very different ownership proposition from the Ciaz.The Seltos is a strong all-rounder, but it does not offer a fundamentally different experience from the Ciaz, and you are essentially buying another petrol car for city use. Waiting for the next-generation Creta is a valid option, and if you can comfortably wait, go ahead and do so as the Creta is also expected to offer a hybrid, but it is still some time away. The Sierra EV, on the other hand, gives you a clear use-case advantage today. The only caveat with the Sierra EV is Tata's long-term reliability track record, which is still evolving. If that is a concern, the Seltos remains the safer ownership bet. But given your usage pattern and the fact that you are keeping the Ciaz, the Sierra EV is a logical and differentiated choice.

Suggest me a 5-7 seater automatic petrol car considering my budget is between Rs. 22-24 lakh. My priorities are safety, driving comfort with good suspension and decent mileage. My daily city driving is approximately 30km with 75% driving within the city. I have tested Kia Seltos but did not like its suspension. I liked Harrier and Safari but am bit taken aback by the issues highlighted on social media about Tata. Please suggest a suitable car for my priorities among Harrier, Safari and 7XO and also, whether a diesel car will make sense?

•10m

Given your 75% city usage, go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic rather than the diesel. The diesel will deliver better mileage, but your usage isn't ideal for a diesel's DPF system. A DPF traps soot and periodically needs to regenerate by getting hot enough to burn that soot. Predominantly slow, stop-start city driving can prevent this from happening properly, resulting in more frequent regeneration requests and, if these are repeatedly interrupted, potential clogging and workshop intervention.A 30km daily commute can be fine for a diesel if it includes enough steady-speed running, and regular highway trips would reduce the concern. But with 75% of your driving in the city, choosing diesel primarily for mileage isn't worth adding another consideration to ownership. The petrol XUV 7XO will cost more to run, but it avoids the DPF and DEF-related considerations and is the simpler choice for predominantly urban use.Choose the XUV 7XO petrol automatic. The Harrier and Safari remain good alternatives if you prefer their ride and styling, but between the three, the 7XO petrol offers the best combination of comfort, space, safety and hassle-free city ownership for your usage.

Should safety rating a major consideration for buying a car? I drive a 5 star rated car and I feel safe knowing the car I drive is sturdy and well built. Is it really safe or 5 star rating keeps my mind at peace. I feel it is not emphasized enough. Let's take Creta for example. It is the single most dominant mid size SUVs for a decade now but safety is not there as compared to seltos, Victoris, Elevate, Kushaq or Taigun. Creta still dominates. I understand it is going through a major facelift next year but why wait a decade and still do not have a 5 star rating, not even 4. Low safety rating is then but never tested is not an option. Shouldnt it be made mandatory? What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance.

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

I want to purchase a 7-seater SUV. My options are the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and Scorpio N, and I am considering installing an aftermarket CNG kit for better fuel economy. Could you please suggest which one would be better suited for CNG?

•6d

We would strongly advise against installing aftermarket CNG on any of these SUVs. All three – the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO and Scorpio N - are large, heavy vehicles with powerful turbocharged petrol engines. Fitting CNG to such engines is not recommended, as it can lead to drivability issues, increased wear and potential reliability concerns over time. More importantly, these SUVs are not designed with CNG in mind, and the installation can compromise safety and performance.If fuel economy is a top priority, opt for their diesel versions instead. The Mahindra and Tata offer strong torque, excellent highway efficiency and are well-suited to long-distance touring. If you are set on CNG, it is better to look at smaller, naturally aspirated petrol cars that are either factory-fitted or specifically designed for CNG use.Between the three, the XUV 7XO diesel would be our recommendation. It offers a more modern package, better ride comfort and a more premium cabin than the Scorpio N, while the Safari diesel is also a strong contender if you prefer Tata's design and feature set. But CNG should not be the deciding factor here.

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?

•3d

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.

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