Latest questions answered by experts

Brijesh

I have a Brezza diesel, which I am planning to replace. I also have a Tiago EV as a second car, which I use for my daily 100km commute to work. I need a replacement for the Brezza, mainly for long family trips, though these are not very frequent, and occasionally for work travel. I am looking for something budget-friendly, economical, reliable and comfortable for the family. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•1h

Consider the Kia Seltos HTK 1.5 petrol, manual. It suits your use because you already have the Tata Tiago EV for 100 km daily runs, so a simple petrol makes more sense than a costly diesel. The Kia Seltos is well-equipped on the lower trims and will feel like a significant upgrade over your Brezza, gives decent highway economy, and Kia service has a good reputation.For family drives, it’s roomy, the ride is comfy, the cabin feels airy, and you get a big, useful boot. On the odd office run, the manual is light and easy to use, but alternatively, the IVT will make city driving even more effortless.One thing to note is that with a full load and luggage, it feels just “enough” for quick overtakes.If you don't need something quite as big, the Hyundai Venue is a solid choice too.

Dipti Ranjan

I want to upgrade my car from a Tata Tiago to an automatic SUV with good build quality and decent mileage. My budget is 12-14 lakhs. 90% city drive and 10% highway. Either petrol or hybrid. My annual running is 12000 km. Please suggest which automatic car I should buy as per my requirements.

Autocar India

•2h

The Skoda Kylaq Automatic would be the top recommendation for your requirements. Coming from a Tiago, the Kylaq will feel like a substantial upgrade in terms of performance, refinement, ride quality and overall sophistication. Its turbo-petrol engine paired with the automatic gearbox is smooth and responsive in city driving, while also being reasonably efficient for a compact SUV. Given that 90% of your usage is in the city, it strikes an excellent balance between ease of driving, comfort and fuel economy.The Mahindra XUV 3XO Automatic would be the second choice. It offers a more spacious cabin, especially for rear-seat passengers, and comes loaded with features. However, despite being roomier inside, it has a smaller boot than the Kylaq, and real-world fuel efficiency is unlikely to be quite as good.As for hybrids, there are currently no strong hybrid SUVs available within your Rs 12-14 lakh budget. Models such as the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid and Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid sit in a significantly higher price bracket.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Saransh Parnami

•4d

I am confused between the Nexon, XUV 3XO, and Venue as my first car. My running is expected to be 1,000-1,200 km per month. My priorities are: 1) Performance, 2) Mileage and ownership cost, 3) Features, and 4) Rear-seat and boot space. Please advise and suggest the best-value variant as well. I am inclined towards an automatic gearbox. Should I look for the sedan as well? Is the Diesel option feasible for me if I want to keep my car for the next 5 years?

Autocar India

•3h

Of your three shortlisted SUVs, the Hyundai Venue 1.0 T-GDi makes the most sense as it's the best all-rounder in the segment. It's got a good blend of performance and efficiency, maintenance is relatively cheap and hassle-free, and there are loads of features on offer, even in mid-level variants. It offers a good mix of rear-seat space and boot volume, which are both big improvements on the last-gen Venue. If there's a downside, it's that its DCT automatic can be jerky in low-speed traffic, and needs to be driven with this in mind. The manual, meanwhile, has a light and smooth clutch and gearshift action, so consider it as well.The Mahindra XUV 3XO scores high on performance, with the strongest engine in the class, and it has great space inside the cabin. Its downside, however, is that boot space is not so great, and neither is fuel economy. The Tata Nexon is also a decent all-rounder, but in most areas, it can't quite keep up with the newer and more polished Venue. Overall, the Venue is the one we think you should go for.Diesel is certainly a feasible option if you plan to keep the car for 5 years, and the mileage will certainly be better. But these engines are nowhere near as refined or punchy as their petrol counterparts, and thanks to newer emissions mitigation technology, they're far more expensive to buy, and require extra maintenance to run. Thus, for your usage, and for a first car, we would stick to petrol.

Murali

I am planning to buy either the TVS iQube ST 5.3kWh or the Ather Rizta. I want a scooter that is reliable and durable in the long term, without battery-related issues. I have already owned a Honda Activa for many years, so I am expecting a similar level of reliability from an EV scooter as well. My daily commute is around 30km on the highway.

Autocar India

•4h

Since you travel around 30km on the highway every day, the TVS iQube ST 5.3kWh makes more sense because its larger battery pack gives you a substantial range buffer, meaning you won't need to charge it very often.At higher highway speeds, EVs tend to consume more energy than they do in city conditions, where speeds are generally lower. In that regard, a larger battery pack is a significant advantage.On top of that, the iQube is as straightforward and easy-going as an electric scooter can be. It feels very much like a conventional scooter to ride and live with, apart from the EV-specific traits of silent operation and instant torque. It has also built a strong reputation in the market, with very few issues reported so far, and it benefits from the backing of an established manufacturer like TVS.

TVS iQube

Latesh Soneta

•22h

Hi Autocar team. I am looking for a car for my daily office commute for 60km, which is 70% city traffic and 30% highway and occasionally inter-city travel of 350 kms. Also, I am looking for an EV car with a sunroof. Can you suggest a practical car with a long-term ownership mindset? Is Creta ev perfect for this requirement?

Autocar India

•15h

Yes, the electric Hyundai Creta will suit you quite nicely. The car has a very well-tuned electric drivetrain that is easy to drive. In the city, controls are light enough, and the ride is good. To support the additional weight of the battery, the Creta Electric’s suspension is stiffer than the ICE version’s, but it doesn’t translate into an uncomfortable ride. You can feel some firmness at low speeds, but road shocks are well in check, and what’s nice is that the stiffness has eliminated unnecessary (secondary) body movements, and even at highway speeds, the Creta Electric doesn’t lose its poise. So on your long trips, too, you will enjoy the driving experience. In true Hyundai fashion, the car is also well equipped and feels nice, and it feels nice and airy inside.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Adarsh Dodiya

•2d

I already own the MG Astor manual, but now it is giving too low mileage. I want to buy a new car, please suggest to me a car which is automatic and provides good mileage.

Autocar India

•15h

Go for the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid automatic - it will cut your fuel use sharply, often doing 20-plus kpl in city traffic where the Astor struggles. The automatic is smooth and stress-free, and because the hybrid runs on electric power a lot in stop-and-go, you get far better mileage without changing your driving style. Size, space and comfort are close to your Astor, so the switch is easy.Two things to keep in mind: the hybrid costs more upfront than a regular petrol automatic, and the boot is smaller. Also, when you press hard, the engine sounds a bit loud, but in daily driving, it stays quiet and efficient. Toyota backs the hybrid battery well, which helps long-term peace of mind.If most of your running is highway, look at the Kia Seltos diesel automatic instead - it returns strong highway mileage and feels relaxed at speed.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

MG Astor

Kia Seltos