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•13w

I need a 7-seater for 80% city driving. I really liked the Mahindra Bolero Neo during the test drive because of its tall seating position and bulky design, but it is available only with a diesel engine. Should I purchase it for city run, despite potential DPF issues, or should I go for the Maruti Ertiga or something else?

•12w

Go with the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga for your 80% city use. You get petrol or CNG, so no DPF drama in short, stop-go runs, and there’s an easy automatic for traffic. It’s lighter to steer, rides more comfortably over broken roads, and its third row is actually usable for adults on short trips.

The Bolero Neo certainly has its appeal with its commanding seating position and rugged character, but its diesel and ladder-frame make it a harder life in the city. Lots of short trips can trigger frequent DPF regens, and the last row is side-facing, cramped, and doesn't have seatbelts, so it's not great for family safety or comfort. It’s manual-only and heavier to drive, too.

If you still want more style and space without diesel worries, the Kia Carens petrol is a nice middle path. Very easy in town, flexible 7-seat cabin, with an even roomier third row. The Toyota Rumion is basically an Ertiga with the Toyota badge and similar strengths, so buy whichever gives you the better deal or service comfort.

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Maruti Suzuki

Ertiga

from ₹9.93 Lakh

Kia

Carens

from ₹12.79 Lakh

Toyota

Rumion

from ₹10.92 Lakh

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•28w

I have a budget of Rs 6 lakh. My family previously used a Tata Manza and had a great experience with it. We currently have a 2007 Honda Civic, but our family has grown, and I now need a seven-seater. I am considering a used Tata Hexa, around a 2017-2018 model, with one owner and about 80,000km on the odometer, which I can get within my budget. Should I consider buying it? Can I expect it to be reliable up to 150,000-160,000 km?

•22h

The Tata Hexa is a genuinely good family car. It has a comfortable cabin, excellent ride quality, a powerful 2.2-litre diesel and plenty of space for seven. However, a 2017 or 2018 car with 80,000km has already done a significant portion of its life, and you are looking at another 70,000 to 80,000km of ownership. This is where we would be cautious. The Hexa has been discontinued for several years, and parts availability might become an issue.At Rs 6 lakh, the car can make sense only if it is exceptionally well maintained and you are prepared for occasional large repair bills. Before buying, get an independent inspection covering the turbo, clutch or automatic gearbox, injectors, suspension, steering, cooling system, AC, electricals and underbody. Insist on complete service records and check whether major wear items have already been replaced.If reliability until 150,000 to 160,000km is the primary objective, we would rather look for a newer and simpler seven-seater like a used Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, even if that means giving up some of the Hexa's size and performance.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga

•15h

I just read that Slavia facelift is coming with new 8-speed automatic. Between the new Slavia and Virtus, which one would you pick if buying a sedan now?

•19h

Elevate facelift looks better equipped now. With these added features, do you think it can give Creta and Seltos a tougher fight?

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•6d

I am confused between Creta SX IVT and Elevate CVT for 8000 km of annual running with long trips of 1200 km 3-4 times in a year for a family of 4. Apart from this, day to day usage is less than 100km per month. I am looking for a car for long term ownership and travel comfort.

•6d

The Creta SX IVT is the better fit for your requirement. It offers a quieter, more refined cabin, comfortable rear seats and a smoother CVT, which are particularly valuable when spending several hours on the highway with four people and luggage. Autocar's long term experience with the Creta petrol IVT also found it refined, comfortable and particularly well suited to road trips.The Honda Elevate CVT has advantages of its own. Its 220mm ground clearance, long travel suspension and large 458-litre boot make it particularly good on poor roads, while its naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine and CVT make for a relatively simple powertrain. However, the cabin is noticeably noisier, particularly when accelerating hard, and the CVT can produce the typical rubber band effect.

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•4d

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual and automatic. My current ride is a Fluidic Verna diesel manual, which is nearing 15 years of ownership and has clocked nearly 2.5 lakh km. My usage consists of mixed city and highway driving, with around 40km daily and weekend highway runs of about 400km. For long-term ownership, which would be the better choice: the manual or automatic?

•4d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel automatic. The diesel engine is well suited to your high running, and the automatic gearbox is a proven torque converter unit that is reliable and well matched to the engine. This Mahindra car will make your daily city driving far less tiring, while still being smooth and efficient on the highway. Coming from a 15-year-old Hyundai Verna diesel manual, the automatic will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and ease of use, without compromising on long-term reliability. The manual is still a good option if you strongly prefer the engagement, but for your usage and ownership horizon, the automatic is the smarter choice.

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•6d

I have a budget of Rs. 16 lakh and I am getting Victoris ZXI AT and Creta S (O) iVT automatic in petrol. My monthly running is around 1000 km. Please suggest as this will be my first car.

•6d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXI automatic. It is a well-rounded SUV with a reliable naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth automatic gearbox and Maruti's extensive service network, which makes ownership stress free. The Creta S Optional IVT is a good car, but at this price point you are getting a lower variant with fewer features, whereas the Victoris ZXI is a higher trim with a better overall value proposition. The Victoris also offers a comfortable ride, good fuel efficiency and a hassle-free ownership experience, which is exactly what you want from your first car.

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