Latest questions answered by experts
I'm a 42-year-old guy with a height of 5.5 feet. My first bike was a Pulsar 220. At present, my daily commute is around 80 km. I have an issue with my tailbone, so a comfortable seat and ride quality are my top priority. Please suggest whether I should get a bike or a maxi scooter, and which one under a budget of 3-5 lacs.
Since you have mentioned that comfort is your top priority, and you also have a rather long daily commute, going for a motorcycle would be our recommendation. We'd recommend you look at options like the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350 and Honda CB350 models, because these are spacious, comfortable machines with approachable seat heights and torquey, smooth engines. While in terms of overall performance, these bikes will be quite evenly matched, the RE 350s have better low and mid-range torque, which will make city riding more pleasurable than on the Hondas, which are hamstrung by their tall gearing, necessitating more gear changes. That being said, the Hondas are much lighter and also come with tubeless tyres and alloy wheels as standard, as well as a slip/assist clutch, which makes life a whole lot easier. To decide between these models, take a test ride before you go ahead with your purchase.
I am thinking of buying a Toyota Camry. But one concern is the ground clearance, because Bangalore's potholes and speed breakers are a nightmare.
Ground clearance is a valid concern, but we don't think it should be a deal-breaker. The new Toyota Camry has a quoted 145mm ground clearance, which doesn't sound like much on paper. However, in our road test, we found that it cleared most speed breakers without scraping, and its suspension does an excellent job of absorbing sharp potholes and broken roads.That said, you'll still need to exercise some caution on Bengaluru's larger speed breakers and deep potholes, particularly when the car is fully loaded. Approaching such obstacles at an angle and at low speeds will help avoid scraping the underbody.
Hi, I own a Wagon R 1.0 liter engine. I bought it in November 2025. I had done 2 free services of it. My car gives me about 13-15 kmpl in city driving when the AC is on. I drive at a speed of about 60 km in the city. Is this average ok? If not, then what should I do? My daily ride is about 20 km.
A city fuel efficiency of 13-15kpl with the air conditioning on is slightly on the lower side for a Wagon R 1.0, but it isn't necessarily a cause for concern, especially if you're driving in Lucknow's city traffic with frequent stops and the AC running throughout your journey.Your 20km daily commute should be enough for the engine to reach its normal operating temperature, but fuel efficiency can still vary depending on traffic conditions, idling time and driving style. We'd recommend checking that your tyre pressures are maintained at the manufacturer's recommended levels, avoiding hard acceleration and excessive idling, and using good-quality fuel from reputed fuel stations.
There are 4 members in my family. I am a first-time buyer. My total travel will be around 250km per month and occasional 4-5 long tours in a year. My budget is around 10-12 lacs, and looking for a safe, low-maintenance SUV. Which car do you suggest? Further, should I go for EV or hybrid petrol since the current scenario around petrol is not sure?
With a family of four, a budget of Rs 10-12 lakh, an annual running of just 3,000km, and this being your first car, we'd recommend sticking to a petrol SUV rather than an EV or a hybrid. At such low running, you'll find it difficult to recover the higher purchase cost of either.Our top recommendation would be to wait for the updated Maruti Suzuki Brezza, which is set to debut later this month. It is expected to get a refreshed design, more features and mechanical updates while retaining the qualities that have made the Brezza such a dependable family SUV.As for your concern about ethanol blending, we wouldn't let that influence your purchase decision. While there is discussion around higher ethanol blends in the future, there is currently no confirmed roadmap beyond E20, and modern petrol cars are already engineered to handle it.
My monthly running is 1000 kms in the city and 300 kms on the highways. I currently own a Creta IVT. It's a good daily rider, but I miss the joy of driving. I like Kushaq, but my family doesn't like the stiffness in suspension. I like the new duster too. I need a car to satisfy the thrill of riding and handling. Kindly suggest any existing or upcoming car for my needs. I'm ok to wait till next year too to get it right this time.
Since you're coming from a Creta IVT, it's understandable that you're looking for something that feels more engaging to drive while still keeping the family happy.The Skoda Kushaq remains the driver's choice in this segment. It has the sharpest steering, excellent body control and feels the most rewarding to drive. If outright driving pleasure is your top priority, it is still hard to beat.However, based on your requirements, we'd recommend the Renault Duster. In our comparison, it struck an excellent balance between ride comfort and handling. It feels composed and confidence-inspiring on a twisty road, yet its suspension is more forgiving over broken surfaces, making it a better fit for family use without sacrificing too much driver involvement.That said, we'd strongly recommend taking a test drive before making your final decision. No matter how good a car looks on paper, it's important that both you and your family experience it first-hand and make sure it feels right for your needs.
Hi, I am planning to purchase an automatic car in the range of 20-25 lakh. My driving is split equally between traffic and normal roads, and occasionally to hill areas. Please suggest the best options for me.
Without knowing your annual running, it's difficult to recommend the ideal fuel type. However, for a mix of 50% city driving, 50% open roads and occasional trips to the hills, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid or a refined petrol automatic.Our top recommendation would be the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid. It fits within your ₹20-25 lakh budget, offers excellent fuel efficiency in city traffic, is smooth and refined to drive, and remains comfortable on long highway journeys. It also has a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, making it a very well-rounded family SUV.If you'd rather have a conventional petrol SUV, we'd recommend the Kia Seltos Petrol IVT. It offers a refined naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a premium cabin and a comfortable ride. It is equally at ease in city traffic, on the highway and during occasional hill drives.If you enjoy driving and don't mind slightly higher running costs, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Automatic is another excellent option. Its new 8-speed torque-converter automatic is smooth in traffic, while the turbo-petrol engine performs well on highways and in the hills.
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