Latest questions answered by experts

autocar.india

•1h

Since you are going to upgrade from a Maruti Suzuki Alto, you want a car with mileage, and you want to stick to the Maruti brand, a natural upgrade would be the Swift. Given your Rs. 10-15 lakh budget, we think that you can get slightly better value from the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, which has been just launched, gets a new set of features, gets a newer interior, and comes with the same reliability you expect from a Maruti. Since the driving is mostly going to be in the city, the compact dimensions of the Baleno and its good ride quality will offer a better experience than the Swift. It is overall a more spacious car as well. The Baleno now comes with a new three-cylinder engine, which is just as efficient so you will not struggle with mileage. The top-spec Alpha (O) tops out under Rs. 12 lakh so it is well within your budget and will offer you the complete package.

autocar.india

•2h

For your needs, consider the Kia Seltos Diesel AT. It has the ground clearance you're looking for to tackle bad roads, is large yet reasonably manoeuvrable, and offers good engine performance and fuel efficiency. Kia also has a strong reputation for after-sales service and reliability, which is something you'd want coming from a Toyota. The cabin is also among the most spacious in its class, with enough room for a family of five and their luggage.If you can install an EV charger at home, an electric vehicle could be a good alternative. Within your budget, the MG Windsor Pro, Kia Syros EV and Tata Nexon EV are all strong contenders. All three offer sufficient range for your city driving and can manage your highway trips with a charging stop along the way. However, since they are smaller than the Seltos, you might find space a little tight for your family of five.Overall, the Seltos is the best diesel option for your needs. However, if you're open to an EV, the MG Windsor is worth considering.

autocar.india

•2h

With a daily running of around 100km, switching to a diesel SUV makes sense, and we would suggest looking at the Kia Seltos diesel and Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic. However, don't assume that a larger diesel SUV will automatically reduce your monthly fuel bill significantly.The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a great upgrade if you want more space, performance and comfort. Its 2.2-litre diesel engine produces 185hp and 450Nm, and returned 13.1kpl in Autocar India's real-world tests. However, given its size and weight, your monthly fuel expenditure may not reduce dramatically compared to your Creta petrol. The Kia Seltos diesel, on the other hand, will be more economical to run and is also a refined SUV with a premium cabin. It will feel more spacious than your Creta, although it cannot match the XUV 7XO for outright cabin space and performance.

autocar.india

•2h

Since mileage is a key requirement for you, we would recommend that you opt for a strong hybrid. The options would be the Renault Duster, the Maruti Victoris or the Maruti Grand Vitara or is sister car the Toyota Hyryder. All these SUVs would deliver well on the fuel efficiency front and should easily meet your mileage expectations in the city and highway, assuming they are driven in a normal fashion. Picking one would come down to some more specifics, like if you enjoy driving and want a good performance too then go with the Duster where as the Grand Vitara / Hyryder would offer you better rear seat room and comfort.

autocar.india

•3h

There is a new generation Nexon due; however, there isn't a firm timeline known so far. If you can wait, we would suggest waiting until the Bharat Mobility (Auto Expo), which is due to be held in early February. The plans for the new Nexon might be made clearer by then, and if not, you would have a few more electric options to choose from. Hyundai, for instance, will showcase its small EV called the Ioniq P. If you must have an EV right away, then yes, the Nexon is a good choice, but you can also consider the Kia Syros EV; it would be a bit more expensive but would offer you more space and a better-tuned powertrain.

autocar.india

•3h

A first motorcycle purchase is a big milestone in life, and it seems like you're not sure which style of bike to go for, so we'll give you a vast list of options to choose from.Since you said you've always wanted a Harley-Davidson, we'd advise you to try the X440 T out. This is a comfortable, characterful and capable motorcycle, and if you're not interested in outright top speed, it will be a good option. In a similar vein, if you want something in the neo-retro space, the Royal Enfield 350s are a lovely option and hard to ignore.If you want something with a little bit of pep in its step, then the 350cc Triumph 400s like the Speed, Scrambler, Tracker, etc. are really nice bikes (although if you don't have a dealer in your city, it wouldn't be advisable to buy them). The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is another really nice bike and packs in serious performance so if you do get it, have your wits about you when you whack open the throttle. The RE Himalayan 450 is a completely different proposition to all of the aforementioned bikes and is a jack-of-all-trades sort of bike. Unless you're really going to venture off-road or do long rides, it may not be the right tool for you - as a first-time buyer. Something lighter, nimbler and more straightforward is a better bet.If you don't want to spend more than Rs 2-2.50 lakh on your first bike, then something simple like a Bajaj Pulsar N250SS, Dominar 400 (350cc), TVS Apache RTR 200 4V and similiar bikes will keep you happy until you're ready to move up too. A test ride will be key to determining, first, what sort of bike you are after and second, whether you want to spend its asking price or not. Happy trails!

autocar.india

•5h

Since 2027 is just around the corner, it would be worth waiting to see which compact SUVs will launch. You'll also have all sorts of powertrain options - petrol, diesel, CNG and EV - to choose from. However, it may also be worth checking out year-end deals, as you could get a great discount on a current compact SUV, which may just swing your decision about waiting for new launches.

autocar.india

•6h

The Hyundai Creta King costs over Rs 1 lakh more than the Creta SX Premium, and for the additional cash, you get ADAS tech like auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and more, an auto-dimming IRVM, larger 18-inch alloys, a powered front passenger seat, memory function for the driver's seat and front parking sensors. That's a lot of additional features for not that much more money, and you can even turn the ADAS features off if you don't want them. So if you can, go for the Creta King, as you'll see the SUV in its best light.