Every new car review emphasises the ADAS suite, justifying the hefty price tag of top-tier variants by highlighting how these features revolutionise safety. However, real-world driving conditions, especially on chaotic, high-density Indian city roads, often tell a different story. In bumper-to-bumper city traffic, features like Blind Spot Monitoring can become a constant audio-visual nuisance, leading to driver desensitisation. Even on highways, using Adaptive Cruise Control or Lane Keep Assist requires a massive leap of faith, while Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) risks triggering a rear-end collision if it misinterprets a tight gap and brakes abruptly. Given this friction between global tech and local infrastructure, I want to explore two perspectives: 1. The Consumer Choice Argument: Should carmakers force ADAS into expensive top-spec bundles, or should they offer these safety suites as a modular, standalone option so buyers don't pay for tech they immediately turn off? 2. The Systematic Evolution Argument: Is forcing this technology onto the market the right catalyst to eventually push Indian drivers, road infrastructure, and government regulations to mature into a safer, more standardised ecosystem?

•1h

This is a genuinely important question, and the answer is not as simple as “ADAS is good” or “ADAS is annoying.” The reality is that ADAS systems are designed for highly standardised road environments, and India is anything but that. In dense city traffic, features like blind spot monitoring and lane keep assist can become a constant source of alerts, leading to exactly the kind of desensitisation you mention. On highways, adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist can work well, but only when lane markings are clear and traffic behaviour is predictable, which is not always the case here. Autonomous emergency braking is a double-edged sword: it can save lives, but in a country where drivers are used to tight gaps and sudden manoeuvres, it can also create new risks.

On the consumer choice argument, the current approach of bundling ADAS into top-spec variants is not ideal. Safety should not be a luxury add-on, and buyers should not have to pay for a suite of features they may not use. A modular approach, where ADAS can be added as a standalone package, would be far more sensible. It would allow buyers to make an informed decision based on their driving environment and comfort level with the technology.

On the systematic evolution argument, there is some merit to the idea that pushing this technology into the market can drive broader change. As more cars are equipped with ADAS, there is pressure on infrastructure and regulations to catch up. But that only works if the systems are calibrated for local conditions and drivers are properly educated on how to use them. Otherwise, you risk creating frustration rather than progress.

The bottom line is that ADAS is not a silver bullet. It is a tool that can enhance safety, but only when it is implemented thoughtfully and used in the right context. Carmakers should give buyers the choice, and regulators should focus on creating the conditions where these systems can actually deliver on their promise.

•4m•

@autocar.india Good question and a comprehensive answer. A suggestion as alternative: could customers have the option of engaging ADAS or autonomous emergency braking instead?

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•4d

I’m considering buying a pre-owned 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque SE R-Dynamic with the 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol engine and AWD. It has covered only 15,000km, was manufactured and registered in 2021, and is a BS6 vehicle. The fuel flap says “Premium Gasoline Recommended, 91”. I want to confirm whether this generation and engine are compatible with E20 petrol. Also, should I buy it? I’m looking to enter the premium SUV segment with a budget of around Rs 40 lakh.

•2m

The 2021 Range Rover Evoque SE R-Dynamic 2.0L Ingenium petrol is a BS6-compliant engine, but it is not officially certified for E20 fuel. The “Premium Gasoline Recommended, 91” label refers to octane rating, not ethanol content. In India, regular petrol is now 95 octane, so you do not need to use premium fuel unless the manufacturer specifically requires it. The bigger question is ethanol compatibility. BS6 engines were designed with some ethanol tolerance, but E20 certification only became mandatory for new models from April 2023 onwards. Land Rover has not issued a blanket statement confirming E20 compatibility for older BS6 models.Should you buy it? At Rs 40 lakh, a lightly used Evoque is a tempting entry into the premium SUV segment. The Evoque offers a genuinely premium cabin, strong performance and a distinctive design. However, ownership costs are high. Land Rover parts and service are expensive, and long-term reliability is not as bulletproof as some German rivals. If you are buying this as a weekend car or a second car, it makes sense. If this is your only car and you plan to keep it for 5-10 years, you need to be comfortable with higher maintenance costs.On E20, the reality is that most modern BS6 engines will run on E20 without immediate issues, but long-term durability is unproven. Ethanol can accelerate wear on certain rubber and plastic fuel system components over time.Overall, buy the Evoque if you want a premium SUV experience and are comfortable with higher running costs. If you want a lower-risk, long-term ownership experience, a new Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta or Skoda Kushaq at a similar price is the safer bet.

I am looking for a sub-4-metre car with a strong suspension, 17-inch or larger wheels and good petrol mileage. Please suggest a suitable car.

•2h

The Mahindra XUV 3XO is the best fit for your requirements. It is one of the few sub-4 metre SUVs that comes with 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels in higher variants like the AX7 and AX7L. Also, the 3XO has a strong suspension setup that handles rough roads well. The 1.2 turbo petrol engine is also one of the most powerful in the segment, so you get good performance without compromising too much on fuel efficiency.If fuel efficiency is your absolute priority, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza is the better choice, but it comes with 16-inch wheels and a more comfort-oriented suspension setup. The XUV 3XO strikes the best balance between your requirements for wheel size, suspension strength and overall performance.

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•1w

I am planning to buy a VinFast VF7 with the 70.8kWh battery pack. However, after going through various online videos of users reporting serious issues such as paint chipping, suspension leaks, dashboard cracks and inefficient service support, I am having second thoughts. The trouble is that options such as the Mahindra BE 6 and XEV 9e also have user-reported issues, particularly around software. Is buying an EV in the Rs 25-30 lakh price range risky? If not, which would you choose between the VF7, BE 6 and XEV 9e? There will be three rear passengers.

•1h

The VinFast VF7 is a genuinely interesting product, but your concerns are valid. The brand is still relatively new in India, and while the car itself is well-specced, there have been reports of quality and service inconsistencies. That said, the Mahindra BE 6 and XEV 9e are not without their own issues, particularly around software glitches and niggles.The bigger question is whether an electric car in the Rs 25-30 lakh range is inherently risky. The answer is no, but you do need to be realistic. This is still a relatively young segment, and even established manufacturers are ironing out teething issues. The key is to buy from a brand with a strong service network and a proven track record of resolving problems quickly.Between the three, the Mahindra XEV 9e is the safer choice. It is a more mature product, has a stronger service network and compared to the BE 6, it is much more practical. The VF7 is the wildcard. It is a genuinely compelling product, but the brand's service and support ecosystem is still developing.With three rear passengers, the XEV 9e is also the better choice. It has a wider rear bench and better overall space management than the VF7, which is more of a coupe-style SUV. The BE 6 also suffers from a space perspective and is not as complete as the XEV 9e.

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•3d

I am confused between Creta SX IVT and Elevate CVT for 8000 km of annual running with long trips of 1200 km 3-4 times in a year for a family of 4. Apart from this, day to day usage is less than 100km per month. I am looking for a car for long term ownership and travel comfort.

•3d

The Creta SX IVT is the better fit for your requirement. It offers a quieter, more refined cabin, comfortable rear seats and a smoother CVT, which are particularly valuable when spending several hours on the highway with four people and luggage. Autocar's long term experience with the Creta petrol IVT also found it refined, comfortable and particularly well suited to road trips.The Honda Elevate CVT has advantages of its own. Its 220mm ground clearance, long travel suspension and large 458-litre boot make it particularly good on poor roads, while its naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine and CVT make for a relatively simple powertrain. However, the cabin is noticeably noisier, particularly when accelerating hard, and the CVT can produce the typical rubber band effect.

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•1d

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual and automatic. My current ride is a Fluidic Verna diesel manual, which is nearing 15 years of ownership and has clocked nearly 2.5 lakh km. My usage consists of mixed city and highway driving, with around 40km daily and weekend highway runs of about 400km. For long-term ownership, which would be the better choice: the manual or automatic?

•1d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel automatic. The diesel engine is well suited to your high running, and the automatic gearbox is a proven torque converter unit that is reliable and well matched to the engine. This Mahindra car will make your daily city driving far less tiring, while still being smooth and efficient on the highway. Coming from a 15-year-old Hyundai Verna diesel manual, the automatic will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and ease of use, without compromising on long-term reliability. The manual is still a good option if you strongly prefer the engagement, but for your usage and ownership horizon, the automatic is the smarter choice.

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•5d

Hi, I am planning to buy a CNG SUV and am considering the Tata Nexon CNG and Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG. I will be driving around 150km every day for office, so my main concerns are fuel economy and maintenance costs. Many people have suggested the Brezza because of its mileage and lower running costs, but Tata is also a large company and has a wide service network. So, why do buyers generally recommend the Brezza over the Nexon CNG? I personally prefer the Nexon, but I am confused about whether it would be the right choice for my daily usage. Which one would make more sense for my requirements?

•4d

Go with the Tata Nexon CNG if that is your preference. At 150 km daily, CNG is the right fuel choice, and both the Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Brezza are factory CNG cars, so reliability and safety are not a concern. The Nexon CNG is a strong product with good performance, a comfortable ride and a well-equipped cabin. The reason many people suggest the Brezza is Maruti's reputation for low maintenance costs, wide service reach and a long-standing reputation for hassle-free ownership. The Brezza CNG is also a very reliable and efficient package. However, the Nexon CNG is the more modern car and feels more premium inside.At 150 km daily, the key is to choose the car you will enjoy driving every day. The Nexon CNG is a solid choice, and there is no reason to change your decision.

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