I am looking for a petrol automatic car under Rs 12 lakh with good features. My first choice is the Honda Amaze, but I am concerned about its ground clearance and engine performance. Around 70% of my driving will be in the city. Would the Amaze be a good choice?

•3m

With 70% city driving, the Honda Amaze is actually a very sensible choice. The CVT automatic is smooth and easy to drive in traffic. The engine is reliable, and the car’s compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre and park.

The only real drawback is that the engine is not particularly torquey, so it can feel a bit flat on highways or when fully loaded. However, for predominantly city use, that is not a major concern. The ground clearance at 172 mm is adequate for most urban conditions, but a fully loaded car can cause the rear suspension to compress significantly, requiring caution over large speed breakers. If you like the Honda Amaze petrol automatic for what it offers, go for it.

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•23h

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the Skoda Slavia 1.0 AT and 1.5 DSG. Which would you recommend for long-term ownership? I plan to keep the car for as long as it can reliably handle Bengaluru traffic and highway drives. Please suggest which engine and transmission combination would be more suitable for my needs.

•1h

For your usage in Bengaluru traffic with regular highway runs and a long-term ownership plan, the Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI automatic is the more sensible choice. The 1.0 TSI paired with the 8-speed torque converter automatic is well-suited to handle the stop-start traffic conditions of Bengaluru. The 1.5 TSI is the enthusiast's choice, offering stronger performance and quicker shifts, but the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox can get a bit jerky in stop-and-go traffic conditions. Also, being more complex, it could be more expensive to repair outside warranty. Out on the open road, though, performance will feel far more effortless and entertaining compared to the 1.0 TSI.In summary, if you are willing to pay a premium for performance and driving enjoyment, the 1.5 TSI DSG is a fantastic engine and gearbox combination, but for your brief, the 1.0 TSI automatic is the smarter long-term choice.

•1d

I am planning to buy a car this year around Diwali or year-end 2026. I am looking for a spacious, comfortable and a safe 5-seater for my family. My budget is Rs. 8-15 lakh (on-road) under Rs. 12 lakh. Although, I am open to spending less if the car offers excellent mileage, safety, space and reliability. My expected running is 7,000-8,000 km per month primarily for daily commutes mixed with GT roads and city driving. I intend to keep the car for at least 10-12 years, so fuel efficiency, low maintenance, long-term reliability, comfortable seating and good after-sales service are my priorities. I don't need fancy features that I will rarely use; essential safety and convenience features are sufficient. Considering my high monthly running, which fuel type among petrol, diesel or CNG, would be the most economical and practical over 10-12 years? Please recommend the best cars and specific variants within my budget while comparing real-world mileage, running costs, maintenance, reliability and family comfort. For CNG, specifically assess factory-fitted underbody tanks. Which car, engine and fuel option would you suggest for my usage? Suggest for both CNG and petrol.

•33m

With 7,000-8,000 km per month, your running is exceptionally high, and that fundamentally changes the recommendation. At this level, fuel efficiency and running costs become the dominant factor, and the car needs to be robust enough for long-term ownership over 10-12 years.Diesel is the most practical and economical choice for your usage. Modern diesel engines are efficient, reliable and well-suited to high-mileage highway driving, and the fuel cost advantage over petrol is significant at your running. CNG is not recommended at this level of usage. Even with factory-fitted underbody tanks, the limited range and refuelling inconvenience make it impractical for such high monthly running. You could end up spending a lot of time waiting in queues at CNG stations.Within your budget, the Tata Altroz is the most value for money diesel car on sale. It is a spacious, comfortable and safe 5-seater with a strong and efficient diesel engine, and good highway manners. There are multiple variants priced below Rs 12 lakh on-road, so you can take your pick, based on the features you need. Expect real-world mileage to be around 16-20kpl.If you want a diesel-automatic option, given your high running, we'd strongly recommend the Kia Sonet HTE O variant (priced at Rs 12 lakh on-road). Its diesel engine is refined, efficient, and the 6-speed torque converter automatic makes the drive experience smooth and effort-free. Real-world efficiency is likely to range between 14-19kpl. The engine-gearbox combination is tried and tested, and you can expect a fuss-free ownership experience with this one.

•21h

Hi Autocar team, I am considering the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Maruti Suzuki Victoris. The 3XO offers more features and space than the Brezza, but I expect it to be less fuel-efficient. The Victoris is considerably more expensive. Is the 3XO a good choice, or should I consider other options?

•1h

Yes, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a very good choice. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater. It is also feature-rich and offers strong value for money. The only real drawback is the boot, which is one of the smallest in the segment, at least on paper; however, usable space is comparable to rivals.The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is the more sensible choice if you are prioritising reliability, low maintenance costs and Maruti's service network. It is also a comfortable five-seater with a good ride. The Mahindra car, however, feels like the more modern and better-equipped product.

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•1d

Dear Autocar Team, I currently own a Dzire diesel manual (2018) and now I am planning to buy a new car but I am very confused between Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kwh and the XEV 9S Pack Two Above 79kwh. Although, I love diesel cars but since I live in Faridabad, my biggest concern is about increasing bans and restrictions on diesel cars. My main usage is on highways and bit within the city. I have clocked 1.3 lakh km on my Dzire in 8-9 years. I am getting the exact Harrier EV model for Rs. 22 lakh (on-road) whereas the XEV 9S will cost around Rs. 27-28 lakh (on-road) and that is my biggest confusion. Should I spend this additional amount on the XEV 9S for Harrier ev because I don't want any hassles as an since I plan to keep the car for the next several years.

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•1d

Since your choice is between these two exact models, go for the Tata Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kWh at Rs 22 lakh on-road. It is a much better value proposition given the Rs. 5-6 lakh savings over the Mahindra XEV 9S. The Harrier EV is a solidly-built, hardy SUV that's comfy for 5 adults and their luggage.Sure, the XEV 9S gives you the flexibility of three-rows of seating; a lighter steering with a tighter turning radius; and with a larger battery and a more efficient electric powertrain, real-world range will be better. But since you don't specifically need a three-row SUV, the Harrier EV's lower price makes it the more sensible buy.

•4d

I am planning to buy my first car. I want to have a 7-seater and need it for long term ownership. I liked the Citroen Aircross X design for 5+2. I am planning to choose a car with automatic transmission. I have couple of major concerns for which I would like your advice. First one is Mileage, I heard Aircross has a mileage issue and its real-world city mileage is 8 kpl while on highway it is 14 kpl. Is it the same for X version also? Second advice is for its service network. I have heard from the people that its service is slow. Regular servicing also takes around 2 days of time. I have a service center within 10 km from my home. My budget is Rs. 20 Lakh and I need an automatic transmission with rear and front parking camera or 360-degree camera since I am a new driver. Are there any 7-seater alternatives within this budget?

•4d

The Citroen Aircross X is a good-looking car, now with a premium interior. It is the only SUV in its category which offers a 5+2 seating configuration, and even though the third row is not particularly spacious, it works for occasional use. The real-world fuel efficiency figures as per our tests are 9.5kpl and 13.62kpl in city and highway conditions, respectively, which is quite decent given the strong and smooth performance this 1.2-turbo-petrol-AT delivers. What's more is that ride comfort is outstanding, perhaps the best among all midsize SUVs. So as far as comfort and practicality goes, the Aircross X is a good car.Citroen's service centre network is limited, but since you have a touchpoint close to your home, your vehicle's regular servicing and maintenance is likely to be taken care of smoothly. If you love the Aircross X for what it is, go for it - as far as value goes, it is an outstanding proposition. If you're looking for proper seven-seater alternatives, we'd strongly recommend the Kia Carens Clavis HTK+ turbo-petrol automatic version. All three rows are properly spacious, well-suited for adults. This variant will be within your Rs 20 lakh on-road budget, and it has front and rear parking sensors, as well as rear-view camera to make parking easy for you. Sure, it isn't an SUV, but it is a very sensible car, if you need a proper seven-seater.

•5d

Please advise which car would be the best choice for long-term ownership: the Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Volkswagen SUV, or any other suitable option. My priority is reliability, long-term durability, and hassle-free ownership over the next 10 years or more. I would appreciate suggestions based on real-world ownership experience, maintenance costs, spare parts availability, and after-sales support.

•5d

For long-term ownership, the Mahindra Scorpio N is the safest recommendation from your shortlist. It has a proven track record, robust mechanicals and a strong service network, making it a dependable choice for 5-10 years of ownership. The Tata Harrier and Tata Safari have improved significantly, but the Scorpio N still has the edge on long-term reliability and ownership confidence. The Jeep Compass is a good product, but it is now an ageing model and does not offer the same value proposition as the Scorpio N. If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It is a more modern product with a better balance of comfort, features and refinement, and it is a strong long-term ownership proposition as well. The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are excellent driver's cars, but they are smaller and do not offer the same level of space or road presence as the Scorpio N or XUV 7XO.

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