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•47w

I have been using a diesel car for the past 10 years. My daily commute is 25 to 30 km, with occasional long drives of around 300 km once a month. I want to switch to an electric car this time. Is it a good idea to buy an EV now? I am from a Tier 3 city in Andhra Pradesh, and I like feature-rich EVs. Please suggest one around Rs 25 to 30 lakh.

•47w

An EV certainly beats a diesel when it comes to running cost and efficiency, but the biggest trade-off, especially for you, will be the long range. Diesel cars are known for their strong one-tank range and the ability to find a diesel pump almost everywhere in the country.

An EV, on the other hand, heavily relies on route planning and charging infrastructure. While the network of chargers is increasing by the day, it is still nowhere close to the availability of fuel pumps, and the charging times are a lot slower in comparison to a fill-up.

So if you need one for your daily commute, the electric car will be excellent as it is refined and cheaper to run, but for your outstation trips, you will need to do a fair bit of planning and check for chargers on your route and factor in the waiting time as well.

If you go for an EV, a home charger is absolutely essential, and it is also important to note for voltage fluctuations. Tier 3 cities usually have frequent power cuts, and high demand leads to a load on the power grids, which can mean the charger does not have enough juice to charge your car.

If everything checks out, though, the Hyundai Creta electric is an excellent package that has good range, all the essential features and is great for occasional long trips too. If not, this Hyundai car also has a very good diesel engine with the same features and equipment as the Electric, and will take away most of the EV downsides.

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Hyundai

Creta Electric

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•2d

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•2d

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•3d

I own a Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol (6-seater) AX7T since last two months. It delivers a mileage of around 5.7 kpl in the city and got a 12.6 kpl in the highway at a speed of 100 kph. Do you think I should aspire for more?

•3d

Your fuel efficiency figures are broadly in line with what we would expect from the XUV 7XO petrol. The 5.7 kpl in the city is on the lower side, but it is not unusual for a large, heavy SUV with a turbocharged petrol engine, especially if your city driving involves heavy traffic, frequent stop-start conditions and short trips. The 12.6 kpl on the highway at 100 km/h is actually quite reasonable for this car, and suggests the engine is operating efficiently at a steady cruise.You can try a few things to improve city mileage: use the lightest possible throttle, anticipate traffic to minimise braking, and avoid idling with the air conditioning on for long periods. Also check tyre pressures regularly and keep the car well maintained. But fundamentally, this is a big, powerful petrol SUV and its fuel efficiency will never be its strongest suit. If your usage is predominantly city driving, this is simply the nature of the car rather than something to be overly concerned about.

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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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