Mumbai

Diana Poulose

•1d

We currently own a used 2013 Toyota Innova along with a 2013 Swift, and use the Innova for both long journeys and daily driving. We bought it for Rs 8 lakh. Now, we are considering either a used 2016 Innova or an Innova Crysta. We need good mileage, diesel, comfort and good looks. What should we buy, and what should we check before purchasing?

Autocar India

•16m

Based on your usage, we would recommend buying a used Toyota Innova Crysta 2.4 diesel manual. It is a better fit than the older 2016 Innova because the Crysta feels noticeably more modern, more comfortable on long drives and significantly more refined overall. The 2.4 diesel manual is also considerably stronger than the older 2.5 diesel, and you will especially feel that extra performance on highways while overtaking or cruising with a full family on board. It is quieter inside, feels steadier at highway speeds, and the overall jump in comfort and safety over the older Innova is quite meaningful.

While buying used, try to stick to single-owner cars with full Toyota service history. Check cold start (no smoke, smooth idle), look for clutch slip and smooth gear shifts, listen for injector and suspension noises, make sure it tracks straight and tyres wear evenly, and that ABS/airbag lights go off after start. Test AC on a hot day, check all doors, windows, and lights, and scan for flood signs (musty smell, damp carpets, rust under seats). Confirm no taxi use, match odometer with records, check insurance claim history, RTO papers, pollution certificate, both keys, and spare wheel and tools. Overall, for your use, a well-kept Crysta 2.4 diesel manual lines up best.

Want to sell your car?

Sell your car at the right price, without the stress.

Sell your Car

More questions on similar cars

Viral

•22h

I am a first-time buyer, and my usage will primarily be in the city, with occasional highway trips. Monthly running is around 500km. Should I buy a manual or an automatic car? My budget is Rs 10-11 lakh. Please suggest good sedan and compact SUV options in both manual and automatic transmission.

Autocar India

•1h

For your usage, we would recommend an automatic, and specifically the Skoda Kylaq Classic+ torque converter automatic, if you want a compact SUV.Its 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine paired with a proper 6-speed torque converter automatic offers a far smoother and more natural driving experience than AMT-based rivals. Plus, as a first-time buyer with mostly city driving, that smoothness and ease will matter far more than chasing a manual. The Skoda Kylaq is also priced to fit within your budget in this trim and carries a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating.If you prefer a sedan, the Honda Amaze CVT remains a superb option. Its CVT is exceptionally smooth in traffic; it is easy to drive, comfortable, and very beginner-friendly.We would avoid manuals here unless you specifically enjoy driving one, because with low monthly running and city-heavy use, the convenience of an automatic will make ownership much easier.

Skoda Kylaq

Honda Amaze

Vivek

•1d

I need advice regarding my next car purchase. I am currently confused between the following options: Skoda Kushaq 1.5L DSG Monte Carlo Volkswagen Taigun 1.5L DSG GT Renault Duster 1.3L Iconic DCT I currently drive a 2016 Renault Duster Diesel 110PS AMT. After test-driving all three cars, I found the Kushaq and Taigun to be more engaging and enjoyable to drive. However, they miss out on features like ADAS and adaptive cruise control, which the newer Duster offers.

Autocar India

•14h

The Renault Duster is the only one of the options shortlisted to get Level 2 ADAS, specifically adaptive cruise control. So if these are a must-have for you, then go ahead with the Duster. It is a good option with excellent ride comfort, and a large boot, similar to your outgoing car. The steering now feels lighter, the cabin feels modern, the turbo-petrol engine is strong and the DCT is smooth, with the only downside being fuel efficiency which won't be as good as your outgoing car.

Renault Duster

lakkhan

•1d

Is it worth considering buying an Audi in India at the moment over rivals like Mercedes-Benz or BMW? Could you please explain whether there are any risks associated with purchasing an Audi currently?

Autocar India

•16h

From a pure product perspective, Audi’s cars like the A4, Q3 and the Q7 remain genuinely strong. Cabin quality is excellent, refinement is top-notch, quattro-equipped models are hugely capable, and the overall ownership experience can be perfectly satisfying. Where Mercedes and BMW currently have the edge is brand momentum, product freshness and showroom pull. Mercedes has the broadest luxury portfolio, while BMW arguably has the more engaging cars to drive in several segments. Audi, by comparison, has felt quieter in recent years, with fewer headline launches and slightly less buzz.Audi India remains committed, and service support for existing owners is not a concern in the way people sometimes fear.

Audi A4

Audi Q5

Audi Q7

View all Posts

Popular discussions right now

•6d

My wife and I earn around ₹4.5 lakh per month. We are planning to buy our first car, and we prefer the EMI to be around ₹15,000-₹20,000. What car would you suggest we should buy?

Autocar India

•3d

It really depends on how much down payment you are comfortable putting in, because your EMI target of Rs 15,000 to 20,000 can get you very different cars depending on the loan tenure and upfront payment.That said, for a first car that is easy to drive, safe, comfortable and still feels special, one of the strongest picks today is the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic. Skoda’s official pricing puts the Signature automatic in a range where, with roughly Rs 2.3 down payment and a 7 year loan, your EMI can sit broadly in your target bracket. The turbo petrol engine feels punchy without being intimidating, the torque converter automatic is smooth and fuss free, and the size is just right for a first time buyer.If you want to spend less and prioritise maximum ease of use, the Hyundai i20 IVT is another excellent first car. It is easier to drive than most SUVs, the IVT automatic is extremely smooth in traffic, and ownership is straightforward. You give up the higher seating position of an SUV, but for urban use, it is arguably an even easier first car.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai i20

Nirmil Shah

•3d

I am interested in the BYD Seal, but I’m concerned about its low ground clearance of the car. Is this a serious issue on Indian roads, speed breakers, and basement ramps?

Autocar India

•2d

The low ground clearance of BYD Seal is something you can live with, especially if you're used to driving sedans. Its nose sits low and the distance between the wheels is long, so tall, badly built breakers and sharp ramp crests can make it touch, especially with four or five people and luggage. However on regular speed breakers, it is likely to clear if you slow right down, and you don't necessarily need to take them at a slight angle.The underbody and battery are protected, so even if it scrapes a few times, it should not be a cause of concern, however, it will feel gut-wrenching to hear the underbody scrape over the unscientifically-built speed humps.Before finalizing, if your daily route has extra-tall breakers or a tricky ramp, take a test drive on that exact path. If it clears there, you’ll be fine in regular use.

BYD Seal

Amithab

•2d

Hi, my budget is ₹15 lakh on-road, and I’m confused between buying an EV or a petrol car. My usage will mostly be in the city, with only occasional highway trips.

Autocar India

•2d

For your usage, we would lean towards the Tata Punch EV Long Range. With mostly city driving and only rare highway use, an EV makes more sense than a petrol car because you will benefit from the low running costs, quiet and effortless driving experience, and minimal maintenance. The updated Punch EV Long Range offers substantially more usable range than you are likely to need day to day, which also gives you a comfort buffer for occasional outstation trips rather than locking you into a strict city only use case. The reason to specifically pick the Long Range even if your current use does not demand it is flexibility. You may not need the extra battery every day, but if your usage changes or you decide to do the occasional road trip, having that headroom makes EV ownership much easier and less stressful.

Tata Punch EV

View all Posts

Posted on: 21 May 2026

Need expert advice?

Ask the Autocar community and experts.

Still have questions?

Need expert advice?

Our brands

Still have questions?

Need expert advice?

How can we help?

What vehicle do you own?

Your details