Autocar India
•1d

I want to buy a 7-seater family car. I am confused between the Kia Carens Clavis petrol DCT and the Carens Clavis diesel automatic. My daily usage is around 20 km, including 6 km on the highway and 14 km in the city. We also take two long family highway trips every year. My annual running is around 8,000 km. Since the petrol DCT's mileage isn't great, I prefer the diesel automatic. However, I'm concerned about DPF issues. Is it still okay to buy the diesel, considering it allows manual regeneration?

Verified
•5m

Go for the Kia Carens Clavis petrol automatic. With only 8,000 km a year and mostly city runs, the diesel’s DPF will be the bigger headache than any fuel savings. Short commutes are exactly what trigger frequent regens; yes, you can do manual regeneration, but stopping to run that cycle now and then gets old fast, and ignoring it can put the car in limp mode. Your two highway trips a year will not balance this.

The petrol will be smoother and quieter in town. Although it delivers lower fuel efficiency, the annual fuel cost difference at your level of usage is relatively small. You also avoid the higher servicing costs associated with a diesel.

If you still lean diesel, be ready to add a proper 20-30 minute highway spin once a week to keep the DPF happy. Otherwise, pick the petrol and drive with a light foot in traffic to keep mileage reasonable. 

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Carens Clavis

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More questions on similar cars

•1d

I have purchased the Taigun 1.5 Manual Transmission. Before I used the Polo 1.0 Tsi last 6 years. But I can’t feel that punchy kick during Drive. Only a 6-month-old car and a total of 7878 kM run. I need to seek advice on what I should do.

Verified
•10h

The Taigun 1.5's character is very different from the 1.0 TSI's. While the latter has some lag followed by a strong surge of performance, the 1.5 pulls in a more linear, consistent manner. That said, the 1.5's drivability as well as outright acceleration, is much stronger than the 1.0. Since your vehicle is only 6 months old (covered by factory warranty), we'd advise you against any performance modifications, which will void your warranty. But if you're keen on sprucing up the Taigun's performance, upgrade your car's air intake and exhaust system. These mods will ensure that your engine feels a bit livelier, while adding some aural drama too. If budget permits, you could consider an ECU remap - performance gain will be noticeable. Do keep in mind that not many tuners can tune the 1.5 TSI's ECU reliably, so do your research carefully before opting for it.

VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
•1d

Hi, I am planning to buy my first automatic car in the 10-15 Lakh range. I'll primarily be using it for city commutes, along with a monthly long-distance trip of around 1200 km. Can you please suggest a car?

Verified
•11h

If you want something that's compact and easy to drive while being efficient, then consider the Maruti Fronx or Toyota Taisor 1.0 Turbo 6AT. The engine is smooth, performance is strong, and the transmission works seamlessly. If you want a more "SUV" feel, then you could consider the turbo-petrol automatic versions of the Hyundai Venue, Skoda Kylaq or even the Mahindra XUV 3XO. The XUV is the most spacious and has the strongest engine; the Kylaq feels the sportiest to drive; while the Venue is very well-rounded, and thanks to its light steering, it feels easy to drive.

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•1d

I have shortlisted the Skoda Kushaq as my second car because its dimensions suit my requirements. I am confused between the 1.0 and 1.5 variants. Around 80% of my driving is in the city with occasional highway trips. I understand that the 1.5 DSG is not ideal in city traffic. I specifically want to know how effective the air conditioning is in the facelifted 1.0.

Verified
•19h

Pick the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 automatic for your use. In city traffic, the torque converter gearbox is smoother and easier to live with than the 1.5 DSG automatic, and you save a fair bit upfront, too.On your AC question, the facelifted 1.0’s cooling is sorted now. The early weak-AC complaints were fixed. The current car cools the cabin quickly, holds temperature well in traffic, and the rear vents help the back seat. Engine choice does not change AC performance, so the 1.0 cools just fine. The 1.5 is lovely on fast highways, but its automatic can feel a bit busy in crawling traffic. With 80% city, the 1.0 fits better. Only move to the 1.5 if you often drive fast with a full load on the highway.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq

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•1w

Hi, I have a budget of Rs. 40 lakh and am confused between the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge, the Toyota Innova Hycross ZX(O), and the Toyota Fortuner Petrol. I am 28 years old and want a car that is fun to drive but also comfortable for my family. My driving will be split 80:20 between on-road and off-road use.

Verified
•6d

Pick the Innova HyCross ZX(O). For a hard Rs. 40 lakh cap it fits cleanly, it is the most comfortable and spacious for family, and it is far easier to live with daily. The smooth hybrid makes city drives effortless and quiet, and on broken roads, it just takes the abuse without rattling everyone. Your 20 percent off-road sounds like rough trails rather than rock crawling, and the HyCross will handle that sort of bad-road stuff better than you expect. But, the Innova isn't particularly fun to drive.If you really crave driver fun, the Kodiaq is the one that puts a smile on your face. The 2-litre turbo petrol and AWD make it genuinely enjoyable on highways and hills and the cabin feels richer. Two catches, though. It likely stretches past Rs. 40 lakh on-road in most cities, and its third row is tighter, and you have to be a bit careful off the beaten path.The Fortuner petrol is the most capable off-road, but for 80 per cent on-road use, it feels heavy and bouncy, the steering is not friendly in town, and it guzzles fuel.

VehicleToyota Innova HyCross
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•5d

I am planning to buy an SUV and prefer the German twins Škoda and Volkswagen. Which one is better? Also, how significant is the DSG issue in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NCR region? This will be my fourth car, so I want to try a German brand.

Verified
•4d

Between the German twins, the choice largely comes down to personal preference, as they share the same engines, gearboxes and underpinnings. We slightly prefer the Kushaq for its cleaner design, excellent ride and handling balance and overall value proposition.As for the DSG, it isn't as big a concern as it once was. The current DSGs are far more robust than the earlier units, but if your driving is predominantly in bumper-to-bumper NCR traffic, a torque-converter automatic is still the smoother and more relaxed option over the long term. If you want to stay with a German SUV but avoid the DSG altogether, the 1.0 TSI automatic in the Kushaq and Taigun now comes with an 8-speed Aisin torque-converter, which is smooth, refined and better suited to heavy city traffic.Coming from the S-Cross Petrol, you'll notice a significant step up in performance, cabin quality, safety and driving dynamics with either car.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleVolkswagen Taigun
•6d

I have a Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, and I am extremely satisfied with its mileage (900-1000 km from 45 liters). However, I am losing the joy of driving. I migrated to this car after owning a Swift Dzire Diesel and an XL6. The mismatch between engine revs and acceleration is becoming unpleasant. Overtaking feels riskier, and even the brakes feel spongy. I have experienced a few unpleasant situations because of this. As a result, I have reduced my overall speed, making the safety of my family a bigger priority. But the driver in me is unhappy. Should I upgrade to the Duster Hybrid, the Hycross Hybrid, or the newly launched Sierra EV? Also, do diesel engines still make sense today?

Verified
•5d

From what you've described, the Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid has impressed you with its efficiency but left you wanting more from behind the wheel. If driving enjoyment is back on your priority list, the Duster Hybrid looks like the most natural upgrade. It is expected to offer a much more engaging driving experience while retaining the fuel efficiency benefits of a strong hybrid.The Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid will certainly improve on comfort, refinement and performance, but it won't fundamentally change the character you're looking for. It is still geared towards relaxed family motoring rather than enthusiastic driving.The Tata Sierra EV is an interesting option and has now been launched. It promises strong performance, a premium cabin and a spacious interior. However, if the "driver in you" misses the involvement and confidence of your earlier diesel cars, we'd still wait to experience how the Duster Hybrid drives before making a decision.As for diesels, we don't think they should be ruled out altogether. With the right usage, they continue to make sense. However, given your appreciation for the fuel economy of your Grand Vitara and the direction the market is heading, we'd lean towards a strong hybrid rather than going back to diesel.

VehicleMaruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
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Posted on: 7 Jul 2026