Hi, I have been following Autocar’s Q&A section closely and find it very insightful. I am currently exploring options for my next car, although I do not plan to purchase 2027. The new Renault Duster (2026), especially the 1.3 Turbo variant, has really caught my attention, and I am keen to take a test drive. My primary usage will be city driving, with occasional long-distance trips. Since this will be my first new car purchase, there is also an emotional aspect attached to it. I really like the interiors of the Kia Seltos, although I am not a fan of its exterior design. I was also excited about the Tata Sierra, but I was somewhat disappointed after seeing it in person. The Tata Curvv, particularly the petrol (Hyperion) variant, seems more appealing in comparison. Overall, the new Duster stands out to me, and I have yet to find any major drawbacks with it. On the other hand, my wife prefers the Tata Harrier for its strong road presence and overall appeal, but I am unsure if it justifies the higher cost for a small family of two (plus a dog). What would you advise in this situation? I have seen you advise the Honda Elevate to a lot of people who mention that city driving is the majority. Also, since my purchase is planned for 2027, do you expect more suitable options to be available in this segment by then?

Autocar India

•8m

We're assuming that by hybrid, you mean a strong hybrid wherein the electric motors also power the wheels. In that case, there are currently no models on sale in India that fall under 4 metres or your Rs 15 lakh budget. The most affordable strong hybrid on sale currently is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXI, which is priced at Rs 16.38 lakh (ex-showroom, India). However, if you mean a mild hybrid system where a small electric motor and battery merely assists the engine, you should go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. It measures under 4 metres, falls under your Rs 15 lakh budget, and its a very easy SUV to drive and live with. For your daily city run, its idle start-stop and energy assist help save fuel in slow traffic, and the restart is smooth so it feels easy. The size makes it simple to park, yet you sit high and the suspension handles broken roads well, which matters when you’re doing this distance every day. Maruti’s wide service reach also keeps upkeep simple when you’re clocking many kilometres.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Autocar India

•1h

We’re an editorial brand, not a dealer, so we don’t sell cars. Also, Indian dealers usually cannot sell a new car for private export. The clean route is through Hyundai’s official distributor in Sri Lanka. They can confirm if the Hyundai Venue N Line or the sport-styled trim will be offered there, or arrange a factory-supplied unit if policy allows. Even if private import is open, use a registered importer, and factor in duty, registration, and shipping. Warranty from India may not apply in Sri Lanka, so buying via the local Hyundai channel is usually a safer bet.

Hyundai Venue

Autocar India

•3h

Please keep in mind that any large, heavy, body-on-frame SUV will consume more fuel than a small car. You could consider the Mahindra Scorpio N diesel 4x2 version, with a manual gearbox. This is likely to be the most fuel-efficient version in the range. It uses less fuel than the petrol, automatic, and 4x4 variants, while still delivering strong performance in both city and highway driving.To maximise fuel efficiency, drive with a light throttle, use the correct gear, maintain the recommended tyre pressures, and keep a steady speed on open roads.

Mahindra Scorpio N

Autocar India

•1d

It's really hard to suggest a car without knowing a bit more about your requirements, like rear space requirements and the distance driven per month. Thus, as a good all-rounder for a small family, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta Plus AMT fits your brief best. Pick this variant because it gives you the most rear-seat space and a bigger, more useful boot than the other two, so adults sit more comfortably, and you pack more for trips. It also feels light and easy to drive in traffic, and the ride is calm over rough roads, which helps passengers, especially elders or kids.Two things to note: this automatic can feel a bit slow to pick up when you press the accelerator hard, and you will miss a few fancy features that sit on higher trims. If you drive with a full load on steep hills often, you may want to try it once to see if the response suits you.If you value tough build and the best ride on broken roads above all else, the Tata Punch Accomplished AMT is the second choice. It also has a smaller footprint for tight parking and a feature-rich cabin at a price like the Hyundai Exter HX6 AMT, too. Overall, for family comfort and everyday ease, go with the Fronx Delta Plus AMT.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Tata Punch

Hyundai Exter

Autocar India

•5d

If you are waiting for the Tata Sierra EV, the good news is that it does not seem too far away. Current indications suggest a launch could happen either later this month or in June.Expect it to slot below the Tata Harrier EV in Tata’s electric line-up, likely with multiple battery pack options and a more premium positioning than the Tata Curvv EV. Tata has also indicated that both Rear Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive versions are planned, which should make it one of the more interesting mainstream electric SUVs in India.

Tata Sierra EV

Tata Harrier EV

Tata Curvv EV

Autocar India

•6d

With the kind of mileage you are already seeing from your 4th generation Honda City, I would not rush to fit a CNG kit. Around 16 kpl over 85,000 km is actually a healthy real world figure for a petrol sedan, and since the City is known for its smoothness and refinement, adding an aftermarket CNG kit will inevitably change the character of the car. Honda does not offer a factory CNG option for the City, so any retrofit will be third party, which means compromises in boot space, some loss in outright performance and the added variable of installation quality and long term reliability. Honda also recommends using fuel that meets the vehicle specifications, and aftermarket modifications can complicate warranty or support considerations on newer cars.A CNG conversion only starts making strong financial sense if your running is very high and you plan to keep the car for several more years to recover the kit cost. If your annual usage is moderate, the payback period can be longer than expected. The only real case for going CNG here is if fuel cost reduction is your absolute top priority. Otherwise, given how well your City is already performing, I would leave it as is and enjoy the refinement rather than fixing something that is not really broken.

Honda City