Autocar India

Upcoming launch buzz

Community discussions on upcoming launches

•1d

Hello, I am planning to purchase a new car and would appreciate your recommendations based on my requirements. We are a family of four, and all members are relatively tall, with heights ranging from 174 cm to 194 cm. Therefore, cabin space, seating comfort and ease of ingress and egress are important considerations. My usage will be primarily city-oriented, with the possibility of using the car for office commutes along Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road and occasional highway journeys. Around 70% of the usage will be for office commuting, while the remaining 30% will be for personal use, including occasional long-distance trips. My typical driving pattern involves approximately 400 km of office commuting every week, along with an additional 300–500 km of personal or long-distance travel once a month. My key priorities are excellent ride comfort, strong safety features, well-tuned suspension for both daily commutes and highway driving, a spacious cabin that can comfortably accommodate tall occupants, and reasonable maintenance and ownership costs. The car will be purchased under my company's car lease policy, which permits only electric vehicles. Based on my initial research, I feel the Tata Sierra, Maruti Suzuki e Vitara and Kia Clavis EV could be suitable options. However, I would appreciate an expert opinion on which of these models would best meet my requirements and whether there are any other electric vehicles worth considering. I am particularly interested in understanding which option offers the best balance of ride comfort, safety, practicality, maintenance costs and overall ownership experience. I would also prefer to stick with one of the major established manufacturers to ensure reliable after-sales support and predictable maintenance costs. Additionally, since the long-term resale value of EVs remains uncertain, I would like to keep the overall cost of ownership reasonable, taking the benefits of my company's car lease policy into account. I look forward to your recommendations. Thank you!

Verified
•23h

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis EV as it will suit your particular requirements well and has a well-tuned electric powertrain that delivers well on performance, refinement and an easy and fuss-free drive. Since all of you in your family are tall, the extra space inside would come in handy, and the third row would be useful to carry luggage for your family of four on your outstation travels you do every month. The Clavis is longer than the Tata Sierra EV and the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara; however its not something that would be cumbersome in the city and moreover the benefits the Clavis EV powertrain offers more than make up for this. Power delivery is smooth and natural and the regen braking is really well calibrated and it is well equipped too with all sensible features that you would appreciate during everyday motoring. The Sierra EV would offer you a more lively and thrilling performance but since this is not a key requirement we would leave this option out for you. The eVitara too as passenger space inside is tight, especially at the rear and the boot is very small too. On the whole the Kia will prove to be a sensible, easy to use no nonsense EV and the most well rounded of the lot.

VehicleKia Carens Clavis EV
VehicleTata Sierra EV
VehicleMaruti Suzuki e Vitara
•1d

I’m planning to buy a new car, and my annual running is around 40,000km, primarily involving highway drives and ghat sections. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX and the upcoming facelifted Toyota Innova Hycross ZX. I’m considering two approaches: either buy the Innova Hycross and keep it for the next 10 years, given its reputation for longevity and the expectation that its engine can last at least 4 lakh kilometres, or buy the Seltos, drive it for around 2 lakh kilometres over 4–5 years, sell it and upgrade to a brand-new Seltos or another car of a similar price and size. On paper, the Innova Hycross Hybrid seems like the better choice, considering its long-term reliability and features such as the Ottoman reclining seats. However, I’m concerned that I might get bored of it after four years or that it may start feeling outdated as newer technologies and features enter the market. This makes the second option appealing, as it would allow me to upgrade to a brand-new car every 4–5 years. Which approach would make more sense in the long run, considering my high annual running and ownership costs?

Verified
•1d

It seems like you're leaning towards the Kia Seltos Diesel HTX, and we think it is a good choice. The diesel engine feels adequately powered for highway usage and ghat driving, and it is likely to return respectable efficiency too. Moreover, despite being modern with all the latest tech and features, the Seltos will be substantially more affordable than the Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid. So unless you need the Innova's extra space, or you frequently travel with six or seven passengers, the Kia Seltos diesel is your best bet.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
Kia Seltos
Kia Seltos
•2d

I'm planning to buy my first car, but I'm a little confused about which one to choose. Initially, I was considering sub-4-metre SUVs. I really liked the Skoda Kylaq, but the rear-seat comfort wasn't adequate for my family. I also checked out the Mahindra XUV 3XO, but the dealership has not been following up, and I noticed a few technical glitches during my experience with the vehicle. Next, I considered the Hyundai Venue HX8 DCT, but I'm concerned about potential DCT overheating issues, especially in Chennai's bumper-to-bumper traffic. I'm now considering moving up to the midsize SUV segment and have shortlisted the facelifted Honda Elevate VX CVT and Kia Seltos HTK(O) IVT. I haven't considered the Hyundai Creta because its next-generation model is expected to launch next year. I'd love to hear your suggestions on which would be the better choice, considering reliability, after-sales service, long-term ownership and suitability for city driving conditions.

Verified
•1d

If you have the budget, the Kia Seltos IVT would be the best option for your needs. The Seltos' powertrain with the naturally aspirated engine and CVT gearbox is superb for the city and compared to the Honda Elevate it is a lot more feature-rich and practical. Space is good, seats are comfy and the engine is responsive too. The Elevate brings Honda's reliability but misses out on space, practicality and features compared to the Seltos. As a first car, the Seltos has easy to drive manners and will be a good choice for you.

VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleHonda Elevate