Kandhamal

•1d

I am planning to buy a new car under 13-14 lakh as a first time buyer since I have recently learned driving. My monthly running is between 800 to 1000 km per month. There are two members in my family including one child. Please suggest a car and should I go for manual or automatic? I am planning to keep the car for 10-12 years. Also, tell me if a 360 degree camera essential for me. Please consider that I occasionally take highway trip as well. I have rejected 3XO because of looks and shortlisted Elevate because of NVH.

•5m

Go for the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic. It is the best fit for your needs. As a first-time buyer with a 10-12 year ownership plan, you want a car that is easy to drive, reliable and comfortable on both city roads and occasional highway trips. The Kylaq’s 1.0 TSI engine is smooth and refined, and the 6-speed torque converter automatic is far easier to live with in traffic than a manual. It is also a proven and reliable gearbox, which matters for long-term ownership. The Kylaq is also one of the best driver’s cars in the segment, with good ride quality and strong highway stability, which makes occasional long trips far more comfortable.

On the 360-degree camera, it is a nice-to-have feature but not essential. Parking sensors and a good rear camera are more than enough for most situations, especially as you build confidence as a new driver. The Kylaq also fits comfortably within your Rs. 13-14 lakh budget, allowing you to get a well-equipped variant rather than compromising on features.

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Skoda

Kylaq

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•1d

I’m planning to purchase a car that can accommodate 3-4 adults. There will be some city driving, but high-traffic conditions will be less frequent. I will also be taking occasional family trips of 300-1,000 km, possibly slightly more, on plains and hilly terrain such as Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir, but not Ladakh. I’m not looking for rapid acceleration, but I do want decent pulling power with the AC switched on, usually at around 24-25°C. I currently have an old Maruti Alto (not the K10 series). I haven’t taken it to Himachal, but it performs okay on moderately hilly terrain with the AC on mildly. Would the Tata Punch petrol manual be a decent purchase? What about the AMT version? I’m concerned that it might feel underpowered. Or would the Tata Punch petrol be a better option? What other options would you suggest? My first choice is to keep my budget between Rs. 10-11 lakh on-road, though I could stretch it by another Rs. 2-3 lakh if essential. Thanks in advance.

•13h

For your usage, the Punch petrol manual would be a better fit than the Altroz petrol. Its 193mm ground clearance and good ride quality make it better suited to Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir roads, while the 88hp 1.2-litre petrol has enough pulling power for three to four adults as long as expectations are realistic.The Punch AMT would not be our pick for this usage. The 1.2 petrol is already not particularly strong when fully loaded and climbing, and the AMT can feel slow when you need a quick response. The turbo petrol is considerably stronger at 120hp and 170Nm, but it is manual only, so the 1.2 manual is the sensible choice if you want to stay close to Rs 10-11 lakh.If you are willing to stretch towards Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI AT would also be worth considering, particularly if you want stronger highway performance and an automatic.

Sir, I have booked a Tata Punch CNG for around 2,500 km monthly running mostly on highways. I skipped Sonet and Nexon diesel due to DPF concerns. For long-term engine durability and highway use, is Punch CNG a good choice, or would you recommend a better option?

•1h

With 2,500 km a month and mostly highway driving, a diesel is actually the best fit for your usage. The DPF concern is understandable, but it is largely a city driving issue. Highway running keeps the exhaust temperatures high enough for the DPF to regenerate naturally, so you are unlikely to face problems. The Punch CNG is a sensible and economical car, but it is not the best choice for sustained highway use. The performance is adequate, but overtaking requires planning, and the boot space is compromised by the CNG tank. For your usage, the Tata Nexon diesel is the better choice. It is more powerful, more comfortable on highways, and will be more enjoyable to drive over long distances.

Tata Punch

Tata Nexon

•4d

I am looking for an automatic SUV under Rs 14 lakh, preferably with a torque-converter or CVT gearbox. The car will primarily be used for city driving, with occasional highway trips and long-distance journeys. I am leaning towards a petrol model rather than an EV, as I feel EV charging infrastructure is still not widely available. My main priorities are mileage and long-term reliability. I have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Skoda Kylaq, Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV 3XO.

•3d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic. Your priorities are mileage, reliability and predominantly city driving, and the Brezza lines up perfectly with that brief. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is proven, the 6-speed torque converter automatic is smooth and reliable, and Maruti's service network and low maintenance costs make it a very easy car to own long-term. It is also one of the more fuel-efficient naturally aspirated petrol SUVs in the segment, which matters given your usage pattern.The Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO are both excellent cars, but they are turbo petrols and will not be as fuel efficient in city conditions. The Hyundai Venue is a good all-rounder, but it comes with a DCT automatic that is nowhere as smooth as a CVT or torque converter. The Brezza is not the most exciting car to drive, but it is the most sensible choice for your requirements.

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•2d

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.

•2d

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.

Honda Elevate

Hyundai Creta

•4d

Hi, I am planning to buy a CNG SUV and am considering the Tata Nexon CNG and Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG. I will be driving around 150km every day for office, so my main concerns are fuel economy and maintenance costs. Many people have suggested the Brezza because of its mileage and lower running costs, but Tata is also a large company and has a wide service network. So, why do buyers generally recommend the Brezza over the Nexon CNG? I personally prefer the Nexon, but I am confused about whether it would be the right choice for my daily usage. Which one would make more sense for my requirements?

•3d

Go with the Tata Nexon CNG if that is your preference. At 150 km daily, CNG is the right fuel choice, and both the Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Brezza are factory CNG cars, so reliability and safety are not a concern. The Nexon CNG is a strong product with good performance, a comfortable ride and a well-equipped cabin. The reason many people suggest the Brezza is Maruti's reputation for low maintenance costs, wide service reach and a long-standing reputation for hassle-free ownership. The Brezza CNG is also a very reliable and efficient package. However, the Nexon CNG is the more modern car and feels more premium inside.At 150 km daily, the key is to choose the car you will enjoy driving every day. The Nexon CNG is a solid choice, and there is no reason to change your decision.

Tata Nexon

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

•22h

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?

•21h

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.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Verna

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