Latest questions answered by experts

autocar.india

•1h

Go for the used Citroen C5 Aircross diesel at Rs 11 lakh. It is the better fit for your priorities. The C5 Aircross is one of the most comfortable SUVs in its segment, with a genuinely plush ride and a refined diesel engine that offers strong mid-range performance and good highway manners. At 45,000 km and as a 2022 model, it is still relatively fresh, and you are getting a lot of car for the money.The Toyota Fortuner is a different proposition altogether. It is a rugged, reliable workhorse with excellent resale value and a reputation for longevity, but at 98,000 km and Rs 25 lakh, you are paying a significant premium for that reliability. It is also not as comfortable or as refined as the C5 Aircross, especially on long drives. The ride is firmer, and while the engine is strong, the overall driving experience is more utilitarian than premium.If your priorities are driving comfort and good pickup, the C5 Aircross is the smarter choice. The only caveat is Citroen's smaller service network than Toyota's, so make sure you have a service centre reasonably close by. If you are looking for a long-term ownership proposition with minimal hassle, the Fortuner still makes sense, but for your requirements, the C5 Aircross is the more intelligent decision.

Citroen C5 Aircross

Toyota Fortuner

autocar.india

•2h

The draft BS7 norms are still under discussion, and there is no confirmed implementation date yet. Even when they are finalised, there will be a lead time before they come into effect. When BS6 was introduced, there was a clear deadline, and manufacturers stopped producing BS4 cars well before the cut-off date, but existing BS4 cars already sold to customers remained perfectly legal to own and use.The same principle will apply with BS7. Your BS6 car will remain fully road legal for its entire life. There is no forced scrappage or ban on existing vehicles. The only impact is that manufacturers will eventually stop producing BS6 cars and switch to BS7-compliant models.There is no reason to delay your purchase because of BS7. If you need a car now, buy a BS6 car with confidence. The ownership experience, resale value and legality will not be affected by the introduction of BS7. The only reason to wait would be if you are specifically interested in a new model or technology that is expected to arrive with BS7, but for most buyers, that is not a practical reason to delay a purchase.

autocar.india

•2h

E20 is the standardised petrol blend across the country now, and your i20, being a 2023 model, is compliant with the fuel. E20-compliant engines are designed to run on ethanol-blended fuel without any modifications or additives, so there is no need to use premium petrol or make any modifications. Fuel efficiency has been known to drop slightly with E20 fuel compared to E10, and the best way to improve fuel efficiency in your Hyundai i20 is to fine-tune driving and maintenance habits.The most effective ways to improve mileage are to drive smoothly, avoid sudden acceleration and heavy braking, keep tyre pressures at the recommended level, and ensure regular servicing. Using cruise control on highways, reducing unnecessary idling and keeping the car free of excess weight will also help.

Hyundai i20

autocar.india

•3h

Go for the XUV 7XO diesel automatic. It is the best fit for your requirements. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is a spacious 6/7 seater with a comfy third row, a strong 2.0 diesel engine and a well-sorted torque converter automatic gearbox. It is also one of the most feature-rich cars in the segment and offers good value for money. The diesel engine is refined, punchy and well suited to both city and highway driving, while the automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to live with. This Mahindra car also has a good ride quality and a comfortable cabin, which makes it a great family car for long journeys.The Maruti Suzuki Invicto strong hybrid, which is a rebadged Toyota Innova HyCross, is also worth a look if you prioritise fuel efficiency, reliability and long-term ownership, but it is not as feature-rich as the XUV 7XO and doesn't come with a diesel engine option . Overall, the XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the best all-rounder and the car we would recommend.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Maruti Suzuki Invicto

Toyota Innova HyCross

autocar.india

•4h

Considering your budget and usage pattern, the Skoda Kushaq Signature 1.0 MT is the best fit. It is one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs in this price range, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a well-sorted chassis that gives you confidence on winding hill roads and highways. The Skoda Kushaq also offers good ride comfort, a solid build and a premium feel inside the cabin. You'll just have to be content with missing some features compared to the top-spec Kushaq Monte Carlo.If you want a more feature-rich and value-focused option, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7 Luxury petrol is also worth considering. It offers a roomy cabin, more features than the Kushaq Signature and a strong 1.2 turbo petrol engine as well. However, the Kushaq is a larger car and feels more enjoyable to drive.

Skoda Kushaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

autocar.india

•4h

Go for the Hyundai Creta S (O) IVT. It is the best fit for your requirements as a new driver. The IVT automatic is smooth, reliable and easy to drive in the city, and the Hyundai Creta offers good visibility, a comfortable driving position and a well-balanced ownership experience.The Kia Seltos HTK (O) IVT is mechanically very similar, but the Creta is the better value package. Moreover, the Creta is slightly smaller and offers better visibility, making it easier to drive and manage for a relatively new driver.The Tata Sierra Adventure DCT is tempting with its 360° camera, but the DCT gearbox is not as well suited to city driving as the IVT, nor is it as efficient. Between the Creta and Seltos, it's quite close, but we'd recommend the Hyundai for its slight advantage in ease of driving.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

autocar.india

•5h

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT, as it is the most sensible choice. The naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the CVT is smooth, reliable and easy to drive, which is exactly what you need as relatively new drivers. Honda’s reputation for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs also aligns perfectly with your needs, and you liked the Brio that you drove, so this feels like a logical upgrade.The Skoda Kushaq is a great driver’s car, but your concerns about higher maintenance costs and resale value are not entirely unfounded. Its turbocharged engines do require a bit of a learning curve to drive smoothly and efficiently compared to the naturally aspirated petrol engines of the others. The Kia Seltos is feature-rich, and while build quality issues aren't really an issue, what might be is its size, which could be a bit too large for urban Bengaluru use, considering you are both new drivers.The Honda car mentioned above may not have a 360-degree camera, but that is not a deal-breaker. The most important thing is that the Elevate offers a stress-free ownership experience, which is far more valuable over 10-15 years than a few extra features. The Elevate is also a comfortable family car with a spacious cabin and good ride quality, which makes it well-suited for a family of four and will be easy to drive for relative novices.

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•5h

Go for the Honda Elevate petrol CVT. It is the best fit for your requirements. The Elevate’s CVT automatic is smooth and convenient, making driving in city traffic far less stressful. It is also a reliable, fuss-free car that will comfortably last 10-12 years with Honda’s strong service network and low maintenance costs. The cabin is spacious enough for a family of five, and the ride is comfortable on long highway trips. The petrol engine is refined and peppy enough for your usage, and you avoid the long-term concerns around diesel ownership as emission norms tighten.The Kia Sonet diesel is a good car, but it is smaller than the Elevate, and the diesel automatic doesn't make sense given your usage. The Honda car mentioned above is the more sensible, long-term choice.

Honda Elevate

Kia Sonet

autocar.india

•15h

Given your usage and preferences, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is the most sensible recommendation. You are coming from a Marazzo and have enjoyed diesel highway performance, so the 7XO is a natural upgrade. This Mahindra car offers a strong diesel engine, a comfortable ride, good highway stability and a genuinely spacious cabin with a usable third row for those occasional 6-person trips. It is also one of the few diesel automatics available today that fits comfortably within your budget.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•16h

Given your age, your very low annual running and your priorities of safety and mileage, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is the most sensible upgrade from your Alto K10. It is easy to drive, has a high seating position for better visibility and is extremely easy to get in and out of, which becomes increasingly important with age. The petrol engine is reliable, fuel-efficient, and well suited to both city driving and occasional long drives. Maruti's service network and low maintenance costs also make ownership hassle-free.If you want something that feels more premium and modern, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno is a good alternative. It offers a more comfortable ride, a more spacious cabin and better highway stability, while still being easy to drive and fuel-efficient.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

autocar.india

•17h

Given your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq Classic 1.0 TSI is the best fit. This Skoda car offers a strong turbo petrol engine that feels genuinely powerful on highways, a comfortable ride and a well-built cabin. The 1.0 TSI is a proven engine, and your annual running of 10-12,000 km makes petrol the right choice. The Kushaq also gets an updated air-con, which is more suited to our climate conditions than the Kylaq's. We think it strikes the best balance between power, reliability, comfort and long-term ownership satisfaction.

Skoda Kushaq

autocar.india

•18h

Yes, the Hyundai Creta is due for a full generation change in 2027, not just a facelift. The current Creta is still a strong product, but Hyundai is already working on the next-generation model, which is expected to be a ground-up redesign. It will continue with petrol and diesel engines, as well as an EV, and while a hybrid version is on the cards, whether it will arrive at launch or at a later stage is yet to be seen. Hyundai (and Kia) are reportedly working hard to localise components of the hybrid powertrain so that it can be launched at a competitive price in the new Creta and Seltos. The new Creta will remain a separate product from the Seltos, with its own design and interior, although the new Creta will move to the new-gen K3 platform introduced with the new Seltos this year.

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

autocar.india

•19h

With 120km a day, fuel efficiency and comfort become the top priorities. The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid is the best fit here. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency, especially in city traffic, and the Innova is known for its comfortable seating and strong long-term reliability. The seats are well-cushioned, the driving position is upright and supportive, and the car is built for long-distance comfort. The hybrid system also keeps running costs in check, which is critical at your usage level.If you prefer a more SUV-like driving position, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is a strong alternative. It uses a similar hybrid system as the HyCross, offers good fuel efficiency and a comfortable ride, and the seats are supportive for long drives. The Victoris also feels more premium inside and offers a more SUV-like experience. However, while its seats are comfortable, it is nowhere near as spacious as the Hycross, which feels like a better bet at your budget.If you are open to diesel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is worth considering. It offers strong performance, good fuel efficiency on the highway, and a comfortable, spacious cabin. The seats are supportive, and the car is well-suited to long-distance driving. However, with your high daily usage, the hybrid options are likely to deliver lower running costs over time.Overall, the Innova HyCross Hybrid is the most sensible choice. It combines comfort, efficiency and reliability in a way that few cars in this price range can match.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•20h

It's simple; if you have the budget for the 1.5 TSI, go for the 1.5 TSI, as it is the superior engine in every way. The 1.0 TSI is a good engine – punchy, smooth and perfectly adequate for everyday driving. If you're keen on a manual gearbox, it will likely be your only option, as VW is unlikely to offer the 1.5 TSI with a manual with the facelift, due to low demand. The 8-speed AT that will come with the 1.0 TSI is a huge improvement on the 6-speed AT that comes with today's model, being smoother and smarter with its shifts. However, it is nowhere near as good as the 1.5 TSI's 7-speed DSG, which is both smarter and quicker with its shifts, and doesn't suffer from the clunkiness that other DCT gearboxes in this price range do. The obvious advantage of the 1.5 TSI is its added power of 150hp (versus 115hp), which makes the Virtus GT an enthusiast's delight, but what many don't realise is that its larger displacement also means it works better off boost. Essentially, you don't feel the turbo lag as much as you do with the 1.0 TSI, which can get bogged down at low speeds and low RPMs. Moreover, the 1.5 TSI has clever cylinder deactivation tech that the 1.0 doesn't have, which shuts down two cylinders under light engine loads to save fuel, so in the real world, it will be potentially more fuel-efficient than the 1.0 TSI AT. The only disadvantage of the 1.5 TSI is that it isn't offered in lower, more affordable trims of the Virtus, and that's likely to be the case with the facelift too. So yes, if you have the budget for it, definitely choose the Virtus 1.5 TSI.

Volkswagen Virtus