Delhi

•1d

I am a bit confused between the BMW i5 and the Lexus ES 500e. The Lexus ES 500e costs Rs 91.2 lakh (ex-showroom), which is Rs 11 lakh more than the BMW i5 at Rs 79.6 lakh. For the additional amount, the Lexus offers the following features: Manual rear window sunblinds Soft-close doors Head-up display (HUD) Front-seat heating and ventilation, along with a heated steering wheel. The i5 gets ventilated seats. Transparent bonnet mode Higher performance from its dual-motor AWD setup, producing 343hp compared with the i5's 268 hp Longer standard vehicle warranty of 8 years/2 lakh km, compared with BMW's 2-year standard warranty Dedicated spare wheel space I have driven both cars and liked them. Does the Lexus justify the additional Rs 11 lakh for these differences? Is there a significant difference in interior quality between the i5 and ES 500e?

•3m

The Lexus ES 500e has its merits, but it does come at a considerable premium over the BMW i5. Sure, if you want to stand out, prefer its stronger performance, and want the peace of mind of a longer standard warranty, go for the Lexus ES. In comparison, the BMW i5 is a well-rounded electric car which is very comfortable to drive and be driven in. And given the fact that it is more affordable, as a luxury EV, the BMW i5 seems like the more sensible option.

Alternatively, you could consider the new GLC 400 (EV), which packs in stronger performance, promises healthier range, and is more affordable than both the BMW i5 and Lexus ES.

Explore cars mentioned

Lexus

ES Electric

from ₹97.13 Lakh

BMW

from ₹1.27 Crore

Mercedes-Benz

GLC Electric

from ₹83.61 Lakh

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•1d

Hi Autocar India team, I would appreciate your advice on choosing a used automatic car for around Rs 12 lakh. I currently own a 2009 Maruti Alto LPG, which has covered 1.1 lakh km. My annual running is around 7,000km. My village is about 350km away, so I make two to three highway trips there every year. I have a family of four and want to keep my fuel expenses within Rs 5-6 lakh over the next 10 years. My priorities, in order, are an automatic gearbox, good road presence and reliability, followed by maintenance costs, as I have a close friend who is a mechanic. I want to avoid diesel cars, DCT gearboxes and gimmicky features. The Nexon, Venue and Punch feel a little too small for my needs. I would also prefer to avoid 1.2-litre three- or four-cylinder engines, as I don't want too much vibration at highway speeds. My shortlist, with all these cars test-driven and available for around Rs 12 lakh, includes the Hyundai Alcazar 2.0, Maruti Grand Vitara mild-hybrid, Hyundai Creta/Kia Seltos IVT and Honda Elevate CVT. I am also open to MPVs and sedans as a last resort. I have a few questions: 1. Which of these would you pick, and why? 2. If E30, E85 or E100 petrol is introduced, would retrofitting the Alcazar with a CNG kit make sense? I do not need the third row. 3. Are there any other used cars I should consider? 4. Would a 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid be worth considering at around Rs 6-9 lakh? 5. What about a Toyota Innova Crysta for around Rs 9 lakh? 6. Should I consider EVs? I would love to hear your opinion.

•54m

Since you don't need the Alcazar's extra third row, why not consider a Hyundai Creta 1.5 IVT instead? It is a smooth, spacious, comfortable and sensible choice. You should get a 2022-23 manufactured, well-maintained example in your Rs 12 lakh budget.Alternatively, in case you're looking for road presence, you could also consider a used Jeep Compass diesel-automatic. It is an excellent highway car, and the 2.0-litre diesel and 9-speed torque converter automatic combination will ensure that your fuel costs are in check compared to its petrol-automatic version.

•19h

My car will be idle most of the time, sometimes for a week or two at a stretch. Will a turbo engine have problems with this, or will it be fine? I’m confused between the Maruti Suzuki Brezza 1.5 petrol manual, the Mahindra XUV 3XO 1.2 turbo-petrol and the Brezza 1.0 turbo-petrol.

•17h

Leaving a turbo-petrol engine idle for a couple of weeks at a time is no problem at all. Both the Mahindra XUV 3XO and Maruti Brezza turbo are good choices. The Brezza turbo is the easier recommendation, thanks to Maruti's stellar reputation for reliability and low running costs. The Brezza also has a larger boot than the 3XO, and its front seats are more comfortable. One drawback is that the Brezza turbo is currently only offered with a manual, so if you want an automatic, go for the 3XO instead.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

•18h

I'm getting heavy discounts on Victoris but I'm thinking for Grand Vitara as well, which should I go for?

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•2d

I’m a first-time car buyer and I’m confused between the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Delta (Rs 12.7 lakh on-road), the Brezza VXi automatic (Rs 11.4 lakh) and the Brezza ZXi manual (Rs 11.5 lakh). I’m not sure how much of my driving will be in the city and how much on the highway. If I choose the automatic, I’ll miss out on many features that come with the Brezza ZXi and the Grand Vitara Delta. Is it okay to give up those features and choose the VXi automatic?

•2d

It is a tricky choice, but we would lean towards the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi automatic. In today's increasingly congested traffic conditions, the convenience of an automatic transmission is something you will appreciate every day. The additional features on the Brezza ZXi manual or Grand Vitara Delta may seem attractive initially, but over the years, the ease of driving an automatic is likely to matter more.The Brezza VXi AT is not poorly equipped either. It gets a touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, six airbags, ESP and hill-hold assist. You will miss out on features such as cruise control, a rear parking camera and a sunroof, but some convenience features can be added later through accessories.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

•2d

Hi team, I’m confused between the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT and ZXi MT. Both are within my budget and cost the same through the CSD (Canteen Stores Department). I drive around 700-1,000 km a month, mostly in the hills and on highways, with very little city driving. Which one should I choose?

•2d

Given your usage, we would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi manual over the VXi automatic. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, but it isn't particularly peppy. The six-speed manual makes better use of the engine's performance and gives you greater control on hilly roads, particularly when climbing or overtaking on steep gradients. The torque converter automatic is more convenient in city traffic and relaxed highway cruising, but the manual is better suited to your predominantly hilly usage.There is another option worth considering: the Brezza Turbo ZXi manual. Its 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 110hp and 170Nm, offering stronger mid-range performance and better flexibility on climbs and highway overtakes. Its low-speed response and clutch operation are also quite manageable. We would suggest test-driving both manual versions, but the Turbo would be our pick if performance is a priority.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

•4d

What are Mahindra’s plans for an ICE SUV positioned above the XUV 7XO? Specifically, does Mahindra plan to launch any ICE SUVs in the Rs 30-40 lakh bracket?

•3d

Mahindra has not yet confirmed an all-new ICE SUV positioned above the XUV 7XO in the Rs 30-40 lakh bracket. However, there are some interesting developments on its future product roadmap. The company has outlined plans for 10 new ICE models by 2031, including nine new nameplates, with several expected to use its upcoming NU_IQ platform. The Vision X and Vision SXT concepts are among the products to watch, although their final positioning and specifications are yet to be revealed. A more immediate development is the possibility of a strong-hybrid version of the XUV 7XO, which Mahindra is evaluating and could introduce around 2027. This would potentially sit above the current petrol and diesel variants, offering better fuel efficiency and a more sophisticated powertrain. Mahindra is also working on a coupe-styled hybrid SUV, internally codenamed W623, which could arrive around 2028, although its positioning is not yet clear.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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