Mumbai

•12w

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?

•12w

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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•3d

Hello, I currently own a 2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno and am planning to buy an SUV-type car. My annual running is around 8,000-10,000 km, mostly on highways. My budget is up to Rs 15 lakh, although I can increase it if there is a significantly better option available. I can also wait for a few months if more suitable options are expected. I would preferably like to buy from traditional Indian car manufacturers. Which SUV would you recommend?

•10m

With 8,000-10,000 km a year and mostly highway driving, a diesel SUV makes the most sense. The Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel is the best fit here. It is a genuinely good highway car with strong performance, good stability and a comfortable ride. The diesel engine is fairly efficient and well suited to long-distance driving, and Mahindra’s service reach is strong. The 3XO is also one of the most spacious compact SUVs, with a wide rear seat that makes it a comfortable five-seater.If you are willing to stretch your budget, the Kia Seltos diesel is worth considering. It is a larger SUV with a more premium cabin and better long-distance comfort. It is the better car overall, but it comes at a slightly higher price.

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•2d

I’m planning to buy my first car and have a budget of around Rs 13-15 lakh ex-showroom. I also plan to register it under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, and I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I want something classy and elegant, with good comfort and a premium-looking interior. Leather or leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, though neither is essential. At the same time, I do not want a car focused solely on comfort. I enjoy driving and would like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips are also important. In short, I am looking for a safe, automatic, classy and comfortable family car that is also enjoyable to drive, within Rs 13-15 lakh ex-showroom. What would you recommend?

•1h

Based on your requirements, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the best fit. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family comfort. The Skoda Kushaq has a 5-star Global NCAP rating, which addresses your top priority. The 1.0 TSI engine is punchy, and the 8-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and reliable, making it enjoyable on highways and easy to live with. This Skoda car also has a premium interior with a classy design, good rear-seat comfort and a decent boot for family trips. It is not the most spacious car in the segment, but it is adequate for a family of four and the driving experience more than makes up for it.At your budget, you will get a lower-trim model, but it will have all the basics. We would, however, recommend you increase your budget slightly; if not, you can opt for the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic, which is a good alternative. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs, has a 5-star safety rating and is also enjoyable to drive. The only drawback is that the boot is smaller than the Kushaq's.Overall, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the best all-rounder for your requirements. It is safe, classy, comfortable and genuinely enjoyable to drive.

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•3d

I have a 2021 Nexon EV and am planning to replace it with a Creta EV. Hyundai is charging Rs. 75,000 for the charger. I already have the Tata charger installed at home, but the kWh capacity of the two chargers is different. Should I use the existing Tata charger for my Creta EV, even if it charges a little slower? Charging speed is not a major concern for me. Or should I buy the new Hyundai charger? Also, what should I do with the charger from my old EV? Is it usually sold separately, removed and taken back by the manufacturer/dealer, or simply left installed for future use?

•16h

You can absolutely use your existing Tata charger with the Hyundai Creta EV. Both cars use the same Type 2 AC charging standard, so the charger will work perfectly fine. The only difference is the power rating: if your Tata charger is a lower kW unit than the one Hyundai is offering, the Creta EV will simply charge a bit slower at home. Since you have already said charging speed is not a major concern, there is no need to spend on a new charger.As for what to do with the old charger, you have a few options. If you are keeping the charger installed at your home and using it for the Creta EV, there is nothing more to do. If you are moving or no longer need it, you can either sell it (there is a small second-hand market for EV chargers) or have it removed by a qualified electrician. Some Tata dealers will also buy back the charger if you are selling the Nexon EV, but the price offered is usually quite low.The only thing to check is whether your Tata charger is a 3.3 kW or a 7.2 kW unit. If it is the lower-rated 3.3 kW charger and you want faster home charging, then upgrading to a higher-rated charger may make sense. Otherwise, there is no technical reason to replace a perfectly good charger.

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

I am getting the Venue HX8 Turbo automatic for Rs. 15.40 lakh on-road, the Creta SX(O) automatic for Rs. 18.14 lakh on-road, with a discount of more than Rs. 1 lakh, and the Seltos HTK(O) IVT for Rs. 18.50 lakh on-road. My budget is Rs. 19 lakh. Which one should I buy for driving in Bangalore and occasional trips?

•6d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK (O) IVT at Rs 18.14 lakh on-road. Your budget of Rs 19 lakh gives you enough room to get a large, spacious and well-equipped midsize SUV, and the Seltos is the sweet spot. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to Bangalore traffic, while the 1.5 petrol is refined and reliable. The HTK (O) trim is feature-rich, so you are not compromising on equipment. The Seltos also offers better rear seat space and comfort than the others, making it a better choice for occasional family trips. The Creta SX (O) might sound like better value with a few more features, but the Seltos's larger size, better quality and new-age tech push it ahead overall. The Venue HX8 turbo automatic at Rs 15.4 lakh is a good deal, but it is a segment below, and you would be compromising on space and comfort.

I am a driving enthusiast and am looking to buy my first car. I am confused between the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI MT Signature and the Volkswagen Taigun 1.0 TSI MT Highline Plus. Which one should I choose?

•6d

Both the Kushaq and Taigun are mechanically identical and offer the same 1.0 TSI engine paired with a manual gearbox, so the driving experience is essentially the same. The two are also similar in price, and the main features offered are the same too. Thus, base your decision on your personal preference in terms of the styling - outside and inside - and on the deal that you are getting from the respective dealerships. Also look into the dealer reputation in your area and factor this into your purchase decision too. From a driving pleasure point of view, the two cars are essentially the same. If you are looking for an alternative, consider the Renault Duster, which also offers an entertaining driving experience.

Hello, given the DPF concerns and upcoming CAFE III regulations, with my driving pattern being 60% highway and 40% city and covering around 15,000 km annually, would a 1.5L diesel (automatic or manual) still be a worthwhile choice?

•4d

Yes, a 1.5-litre diesel is still a worthwhile choice for your usage. At 15,000 km a year with 60% highway driving, you are well within the sweet spot for diesel ownership. The DPF concerns are often overstated - modern diesels are designed to regenerate the filter during sustained highway runs, and your usage pattern is ideal for that. CAFE III regulations are pushing manufacturers towards cleaner engines, but they are not making diesels obsolete; they are simply making them more efficient and cleaner. The bigger question is whether diesel still makes financial sense. With the narrowing price gap between petrol and diesel, the payback period is longer than it used to be, but at your mileage and highway bias, it still adds up. If you are keeping the car for 5-7 years, you will see the benefit. As for automatic versus manual, go automatic if you want ease of use in city traffic; modern torque converter automatics on diesels are smooth and reliable in cars like the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta. Overall, diesel is still the right choice for your usage.

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