Latest questions answered by experts

Hi Autocar Team, I am looking to buy a new automatic car within a budget of Rs. 16 lakh. I have been driving a second-hand manual Hyundai i10 for almost a year now. My usage is mainly within city limits, often in traffic, with occasional highway drives. Could you suggest the best options that offer good value for money and a comfortable driving experience?

•6m

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT. Your driving is predominantly city-based with occasional highway runs, and the Elevate will feel like a good upgrade from your i10. The Elevate’s naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the CVT is smooth, easy to drive in traffic and very reliable. Honda’s ownership experience is strong, and the car is comfortable, practical and well-suited to long-term ownership. The CVT is also one of the smoother automatics in this price range, making daily commutes far less tiring.If you want something more feature-rich and value-focused, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic is a strong alternative. It offers more features for the money and is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, but the Honda is larger and the more hassle-free long-term choice.

Honda Elevate

Mahindra XUV 3XO

•1d

I drive Kodiaq L&K (2020 model, diesel). I want to sell it and buy another SUV that may not be a 7-seater. My budget is approximately the same. What are my best options? My annual running is approximately 18,000km.

•36m

The Mahindra XUV 7XO Diesel AT is the most sensible recommendation. It delivers strong performance, excellent highway manners and overall, it's a refined, sophisticated drive experience. The diesel engine is well suited to your running, and the car loaded with technology and features.If you're open to EVs, you could consider the BYD Sealion 7 Dynamic variant is a solid option at around Rs 45 lakh (on-road). The XEV 9S or XEV 9E are excellent options around Rs 30-35 lakh.JSW will be launching the Chery Jetour T2 based SUV which will be launched in India as JSW Motors Combat based SUV in December. It will be a 5-seater, front-wheel drive plug-in hybrid SUV that's rugged, refined, spacious and is likely to be well-equipped too. If you aren't in a hurry, we'd recommend waiting for this one.Other petrol-powered SUVs in that price range include the Tayron and Kodiaq. But given your 18,000km annual usage, fuel bills will be high by opting for these.

I am considering buying a new car to replace my Ford EcoSport diesel. Since 70% of my driving is in the city, I am looking for an automatic transmission. However, I also want a powerful engine. Could you please recommend suitable mid-size SUVs within a budget of Rs. 15 lakh?

•1h

Since you're looking for a mid-size SUV with a powerful engine and automatic transmission, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT Classic Plus seems to be the right fit. The 1.0 TSI turbo petrol engine is adequately punchy and responsive, making it well-suited to city and highway driving. The new 8-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and seamless, and the Kushaq offers a good balance of ride comfort and handling, making it an enjoyable car to drive. Additionally, the 2026 version gets an upgraded air-con, making it a good buy.If you're open to a sub-4-meter body style, you could consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO and Skoda Kylaq too. Both of these are very competent cars you can replace your outgoing EcoSport with, and compared to the Kushaq, you are likely to get more features too. However, boot space and rear legroom will not be as generous as the Kushaq.

Skoda Kushaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Skoda Kylaq

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•1h

Which one of these hatchbacks would you pick for everyday use?

Hi, I am Shailesh. I am a first time owner and comfortable with a budget of Rs. 10.50 lakh (on-road). I have compared it across segments like Dzire VXi AGS, Honda Amaze V CVT, Skoda Kylaq Classic Plus Automatic and Fronx Delta Plus AGS. I want to buy it for my 65 year old mother as well as for my daily commute to office in Pune traffic. I prefer an automatic and safe car with highly comfortable back seat, but the variants should have most of the essential features such as seat height adjustment, rear AC vents. The car should be low maintenance and offer hassle free service experience. I want a car that delivers decent mileage and no sunroof would be great. I would like to keep the car for the next 5 to 7 years without any issues (possibly for 10 years). I want it to be compliant with future ethanol blends such as E25 or E27 and that is why Brezza NA VXi TC came into my mind and it is available for Rs. 12.50 lakh. My monthly running would be around 600 to 800km. Which car makes sense for me considering my driving would include 72% running in the city and 28% on highway. I am planning to get Brezza VXi NA Manual at Rs. 10.50 lakh but I would like your opinion.

•1h

Given your requirements, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire VXI AGS comes across as your best option. It is a proven product that is spacious, easy-to-drive and very comfortable car, and it's backed by Maruti's strong support network. Thanks to its three-cylinder petrol engine, fuel efficiency will also be better than all other options listed. Sure, its 5-speed AMT is not feel as seamless and smooth as that of the Amaze or Kylaq, which offer more sophisticated automatic transmissions, however going by AMT standards, it is still reasonably jerk-free. Furthermore, the VXI AGS variant has a driver's seat height adjustment and rear AC vents, which you're looking for; ride comfort is terrific and its back seat is spacious and more comfortable than most options listed.The Brezza 1.5 AT has a more sophisticated powertrain compared to the Dzire, but it is also more expensive. Hence as far as value goes, the Dzire VXI AGS is better and seems like the more sensible choice.

Night driving on highways has become uncomfortable with some of the bright headlights coming from the opposite side. Have you faced this too?

•6h

I currently own a Hyundai Verna Turbo DCT, Kia Carens Clavis DCT and Tata Altroz. Now, I am looking to buy an EV for my family, and I am confused between the Mahindra XEV 9e Pack Two 79kWh and the top-spec Tata Harrier EV (if that is what you mean by Tomahawk EV). Which one should I buy? My driving will be a mix of city and highway use, with a total monthly running of around 1,500 km. Peace of mind and hassle-free ownership are my top priorities.

•2h

The Mahindra XEV 9E Pack 2 79kWh would be our pick. With a running of around 1,500 km a month and a mix of city and highway driving, the larger 79kWh battery gives you a clear advantage - its real-world range is better, and its DC fast-charging speeds are quicker, making it more suited for long highway drives. Having been around for a while now, Mahindra has ironed out most software glitches with multiple updates; hence, the XEV 9E seems like the better bet from a peace-of-mind ownership experience perspective.

Mahindra XEV 9e

•1d

I currently drive a 2010 Maruti Suzuki Swift VDi diesel, but I am planning to buy a Brezza Turbo. Will Brezza give me the same level of performance as my Swift? Also, would it be better to buy the LXi variant alongwith genuine accessories from Maruti Suzuki or should I go for the ZXi variant? Please note that a sunroof and cruise control are not necessary.

•2h

The Brezza Turbo will feel noticeably quicker than your 2010 Swift VDi. The 1.0 turbo petrol is a punchy engine with strong low-end and mid-range performance, so it feels genuinely brisk in everyday driving. You will miss the diesel’s effortless torque at low revs, but overall performance is stronger and the car feels more modern and refined.On the variant choice, the LXi is a very basic car and even with genuine accessories you will not be able to add some of the more integrated features that come with higher variants. The ZXi is a better choice because it gives you a much more complete car from the factory, including a better infotainment system, more safety features and a generally more premium feel. Overall, the Brezza Turbo is a significant step up from your Swift in both performance and refinement, and the ZXi is the variant we would recommend.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Swift

•3h

Which SUV would you choose for a long road trip with family?

Currently, I am using Celerio AMT that has completed 1,63,000 km in 12 year. I want to purchase a 6-7 seater car. I have shortlisted Suzuki XL6, Kia Carens Clavis or Tata Safari. Which car should I buy and should it be petrol or CNG?

•3h

The Tata Safari is the more expensive and more premium SUV option, but it is larger and heavier than the other two cars you've listed. Also, it is available only with a turbo-petrol, which given its weight, isn't going to be very efficient in the real world. Lastly, the controls like the gearbox and clutch are heavier compared to the other two which feel relatively effort-free. So we'd rule out the Safari.Given you're usage, opting for a CNG version will keep a check on your running costs. Both Maruti and Kia offer factor CNG options with their respective manual gearbox versions of the 1.5 petrol engine.The Maruti Suzuki XL6 is a sensible choice here, given its reputation for reliability, ease of maintenance and Maruti's unmatched service network, which is important for a long-term owner. However, we'd recommend you to go for the Kia Carens Clavis which feels more premium than the XL6. The Clavis' cabin feels more upmarket, space is excellent, it is better equipped, refinement is better, and now it also offers a factory-fitted CNG variants. Overall, the Clavis CNG feels like the more polished offering, hence it gets our vote.

Hi, please advice me on the BMW M340i as I am planning to buy it.

•3h

The BMW M340i is a fantastic choice if you are looking for a genuinely quick, engaging and well-balanced performance sedan. The 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged petrol engine is the star of the show, delivering strong performance with a lovely linear power delivery and a characterful exhaust note. The xDrive all-wheel-drive system gives it excellent traction, making it very usable in all conditions, while the chassis strikes a great balance between everyday ride comfort and sharp handling. It is also a practical car with a usable rear seat and a decent boot, so it can genuinely double up as a daily driver.The only real drawback is the price, which has crept up over the years, and the fact that the M340i is now nearing the end of its lifecycle. That said, the current M340i is still a superb package and one of the best all-round performance sedans on sale today. If you are happy with the price and you want the car now, there is no reason not to go for it.

BMW 3 Series

•12h

I am planning to buy Kushaq Sportline. Will it be a good buy for driving in city and on highway?

•4h

The Skoda Kushaq is a well-balanced SUV that works well as a daily driver and is also enjoyable on longer highway runs. So to answer your question, yes, the Kushaq Sportline is a good choice for both city and highway driving.

Skoda Kushaq

•4h

Bayon could be an interesting option for people who find Venue a bit small and Creta too expensive. But with so many SUVs already available, what would make you choose Bayon?

•8h

Is Maruti Suzuki Brezza better than the Venue?

•4h

The Venue's brighter and more welcoming cabin, and its light steering and smooth 5-speed manual gearbox (with the 1.2-litre petrol) make it a good city car. However, the Brezza's 1.0-litre turbo-petrol for similar money as the 1.2 NA petrol delivers stronger performance, well-suited for city and highway applications. Additionally, the Brezza's cabin is more spacious and its suspension more suited for bad roads. So while the Venue 1.2L is perfectly fine for the city, the Brezza 1.0 Turbo is a well-rounded option for similar money.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Venue

•5h

If your preferred car goes over budget, which feature would you drop?

Is buying Punch under 10 lakh a good choice?

•5h

Yes, the Tata Punch is a good sub-compact SUV for under Rs. 10 lakh. The high ground clearance, tall stance, and upright seating give it a proper SUV feel, and its suspension feels well-suited for our road conditions. Do keep in mind though that while its petrol engine's performance feels adequate in the city, it can feel a bit lacking on the highway. Also, the Punch lacks the outright refinement, smoothness as well as finesse of some other Japanese or Korean offerings available at this price point. However, if you're looking at a solidly-built, practical SUV for the money, the Punch is a good option.

Tata Punch

•6h

XUV 3XO CNG is finally here! A CNG SUV with a turbo-petrol base sounds interesting.

•8h

Hi, I own Volkswagen Virtus. Previously, I strictly used XP95 to meet the car's 95 RON requirement. However, with the introduction of E20 fuel, standard petrol now has a 95 RON rating, meaning the only distinction in XP95 now is its additive package. Are the these additives really helpful for TSI engines and is it worth spending extra money for XP95? Could you rank the top 3 petrol for VW TSI engines?

•7h

You’ve got it right, and our own testing backs you up. When we lab-tested fuels last year, regular E20 petrol measured 98.2 RON and XP95 98.8, almost no difference. XP95 is also an E20 blend, so the two are now much the same fuel.Are the additives worth it? Only marginally. Premium fuels carry extra detergents, but the ethanol in all E20 petrol is already a strong solvent that helps keep deposits down. Your TSI is also a direct-injection engine. The fuel goes straight into the cylinders and never passes over the intake valves, so no fuel additive can keep those clean. Regular servicing, the correct oil and the odd long highway run matter far more. Filling XP95 occasionally won’t hurt, but you don’t need it every time.Ranking the top three petrols. We haven’t tested fuel brands against each other, so we can’t fairly rank them, and the gap between them is small anyway. Pick a busy pump from a major oil company, where the fuel is fresh and the tanks are well kept, and stick with it.

Volkswagen Virtus

•7h

What is the biggest thing that would convince you to buy an EV?

POLL

Lower purchase price

More reliable public charging

Better highway range

Cheaper battery replacement

•7h

New Glanza gets more features, but Toyota has also replaced its old 4-cylinder petrol engine with a 3-cylinders. Would you still pick the Glanza over the Baleno?

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