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•19w

Hello Autocar team, This question is in two parts. I am tearfully moving on from my beautiful Ford Endeavour 3.2 Titanium AT and am in the market for a new vehicle. Priorities are good ground clearance (laden), a powerful and responsive engine, and preferably a 4-by-4 or AWD. The second part is the tough one. Situated in Delhi NCR, do you think it makes sense to go for diesel again? Because my boxes are mostly ticked only by diesel powertrains, and the petrol ones are either too expensive (Kodiaq), or too small (e.g., the Jimny). Can you please help?

•19w

4WD SUVs are getting rarer by the day, but given what you're looking for, the best fit is the Mahindra Thar Roxx. For the price, it feels the closest to your Endeavour in the stuff that matters - proper 4x4 with low range, generous ground clearance even when loaded, and a strong 2.2-litre diesel that responds eagerly. The Roxx's new-gen chassis is Mahindra's best ladder frame yet, soaking up rough roads without breaking a sweat and handling highway duties reasonably well too. It's also gotten a lot more liveable than previous Thars, with genuine space, premium feel and creature comforts.

There's the Jeep Compass and Meridian too, but their interiors won't feel spacious enough after your Endeavour, and on the other end are the MG Majestor and Toyota Fortuner, though those are likely to be out of budget. Of the petrols, the Kodiaq is probably the best AWD bet, but as you said, it is too expensive. A few-year-old example of any of these, however, might be a good option.

On diesel in NCR, it might still make sense, if you can make your peace with the 10-year cap - and the associated resale value hit. You may see the odd winter restriction put into place, but new BS6 diesels have generally been clear of those. It's not an easy decision, but if it's for a car you'll enjoy, and you can work out a shorter ownership cycle that suits your needs, it can still work.

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•4w

Hi, I currently own a Tata Hexa. I want to change my car because of the slow or limited availability of parts. I have finalized a 2015 Fortuner manual for Rs 16 lakh, which has 1.36 lakh km on the odometer. But I feel that spending Rs 16 lakh on a 10-year-old vehicle doesn’t make value sense. If I stretch my budget a little, I could go for the base variant of the XUV 7XO, which is readily available with a dealer. Am I thinking right? If I buy the Fortuner and keep it for three to four years, it will be due for FC when I sell it. At that time, the resale value will drop very steeply. Please guide me through this.

•4d

You are thinking in the right direction. The 2015 Fortuner is a proven, reliable workhorse, but at Rs 16 lakh for a 10-year-old car with 1.36 lakh km on the odo, it is difficult to justify from a value perspective. You are already at the point where the next owner will be factoring in the approaching face lift, and while Fortuners do hold value well, the depreciation curve will steepen as it gets older.The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the better long-term decision here. You get a brand-new car with a full warranty, modern safety features, and a far more comfortable and refined ownership experience. This Mahindra Car is also a genuinely capable SUV with strong diesel and petrol options, good highway manners and a much more modern cabin than the old Fortuner.The only reason to buy the Toyota Fortuner would be if you specifically want a rugged, old-school SUV with proven reliability and are willing to accept the age, mileage and upcoming facelift Otherwise, the 7XO is the smarter buy.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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•1w

Hi, I booked a Thar Roxx AX7L diesel automatic 4WD, and I hope to get the car this month. But recently I have seen posts about an upgrade coming for the Thar Roxx. A new upgraded model is reportedly under testing and is expected to launch soon. Kindly advise whether I should wait for the upgrade or continue with the purchase of the current model. Also, when will the new updated model be launched? Please advise.

•4d

Go ahead with your Mahindra Thar Roxx AX7L DAT 4WD booking. The Thar Roxx is a recent addition to the Thar line-up, and there is no confirmed information about a major update or facelift coming in the immediate future. The posts you have seen are likely referring to Mahindra's ongoing testing of various Thar prototypes, including the upcoming Mahindra Thar e (electric version) and other variants. These are not direct replacements for the current Thar Roxx.The Thar Roxx itself is a well-specced, feature-rich variant that already benefits from Mahindra's recent updates to the Thar range. Waiting indefinitely for an unconfirmed update does not make sense, especially when you have a car allocated and ready for delivery. If Mahindra does introduce a minor update in the future, it is unlikely to be a major overhaul that would fundamentally change the ownership experience.In short, take delivery of your Thar Roxx and enjoy it. There is no compelling reason to delay your purchase based on speculation.

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•5d

Please recommend one of the Sorento, Hycross and Kodiaq (all automatic). I drive 350 km on the highway each week, plus 50 km per day in the city for 3 days. My decision criteria are: Diesel or hybrid, Safety (Kia has a bad reputation), Back-seat comfort on the highway, Driving quality, Last-row seat comfort, and Comfort when driving myself I am leaning toward the Sorento. If so, should I choose the diesel or the hybrid?

•4d

For your mix of 350 km of highway driving each week and another 150 km in the city, the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid is a sensible recommendation. It combines good fuel efficiency with easy city driving, a comfortable highway ride and, crucially, a genuinely usable third row. If you regularly travel with adults in all three rows, it makes the strongest case. Toyota’s reputation for reliability adds to its appeal for long-term ownership. The Kia Sorento is a good alternative, especially since you are already leaning towards it. We would favour the diesel if highway cruising is your priority, although your city running means the hybrid deserves consideration too. The Sorento feels more plush and better appointed, and we would rate it above this Toyota car as a highway cruiser.What could be the deal-breaker is the third row. It is better suited to children or occasional use by adults. The low seating position leaves you sitting with your knees raised, rather than comfortably supported, so make sure your intended passengers try it before you decide.On safety, we would not judge the Sorento by the reputation of other Kia models sold in India. Safety is model-specific, and the Sorento generation tested by Euro NCAP earned five stars. The Skoda Kodiaq is the driver’s choice here, with excellent dynamics and a premium cabin. If self-drive enjoyment matters more than maximum passenger space, it is very appealing. However, its third row is less accommodating than the Hycross’s, and its petrol-only powertrain is unlikely to match the Toyota hybrid’s economy for your usage.

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•1w

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

•4d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

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•1w

I’ve almost finalised the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, and I really like the car. However, I’m a little worried about Skoda’s long-term service and maintenance costs, especially after the warranty period. I’m planning to keep the car for around 7–8 years. Would you recommend taking the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) along with the car? Is it worth the additional cost considering regular servicing and potential maintenance expenses? Also, compared with the Brezza and Nexon, how is the Kylaq Signature Automatic in terms of long-term reliability, service costs and parts replacement? Would really appreciate your advice before I make the final purchase decision.

•4d

If you like the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, go ahead and buy it. It is a genuinely good car and one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven combination, and Skoda’s reliability has improved significantly in recent years. The bigger concern is not reliability but long-term maintenance costs, which can be higher than Maruti or Tata once the car is out of warranty.This is where the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) makes sense. It locks in your service costs for the first 4-5 years, covers all scheduled maintenance and gives you peace of mind during the most expensive ownership period. If you are planning to keep the car for 7-8 years, it is worth the additional cost because it protects you from unexpected bills and helps you budget ownership costs more accurately.Compared to the Brezza and Nexon, the Kylaq is the better driver’s car with a more engaging driving experience and a stronger engine. The Brezza is the benchmark for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, while the Nexon sits somewhere in between. The Kylaq is not unreliable, but parts and service can be more expensive once you are out of warranty.If you are buying the Kylaq, take the SMP and enjoy the car. If long-term ownership costs are your absolute priority, the Brezza is the safer financial choice.

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

•5d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

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