Autocar India
RD

Rajeev David

1d

Dear Team, Greetings to you. My car is an August 2020 Baleno Alpha BS6. It has done around 90,000 km. Although it is in excellent condition, the tyres, battery, clutch, and brake discs have all been changed recently. Keeping in mind the constant changes in fuel blends from E20 to E85 and beyond, what would you recommend? Should I retain my car or go for a new one? At present, I use System G as an additive every time I fill up with fuel. Secondly, we love travelling by road and do a lot of outstation journeys. I would appreciate your candid opinion and suggestion on this.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1h
Your 2020 Baleno Alpha BS6 has covered 90,000 km, but it has also been maintained well. The major wear items, such as the tyres, battery, clutch and brake discs, have already been replaced, so many of the expensive maintenance jobs are behind you.
We would also not replace the car because of concerns around E20, E25 or E30 fuels. Any move to higher ethanol blends will be gradual, and there will need to be a transition path for the millions of existing BS6 vehicles already on the road. Your Baleno is still a relatively modern car.
Since you enjoy long road trips, the Baleno continues to be a comfortable, efficient and dependable companion. Unless you specifically want more space, ground clearance or performance, there is no strong reason to upgrade right now.
Our advice would be simple: keep the Baleno, continue maintaining it well and enjoy it. It should still have plenty of life left in it.
RD

Rajeev David

54m

Many thanks for your prompt reply and suggestion. Regards

RD

Rajeev David

50m

Also please advise for how long should I keep it , how many kms it can run without major repairs. I missed out on one thing that as per owner’s manual only up to E10 fuel can be used . Will putting additives give some extra mileage and increase life of the parts in the engine.

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Himank Singh

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Did I make a good choice by buying the Hyryder V MT after selling my 2017 XUV500 W10 MT? My priorities were brand reputation, engine reliability, and decent mileage in a 5-seater, all within a Rs 16 lakh on-road (CSD) budget. Was this a good replacement?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2h

Yes, we would say you made a very sensible choice, especially considering the priorities you had laid out. The XUV500 W10 was a large SUV with strong performance and road presence, but by today's standards, it was beginning to show its age in terms of refinement, fuel efficiency and overall ownership experience. Since your priorities were brand reputation, reliability, fuel efficiency, and a practical 5-seater under Rs 16 lakh on-road through CSD, the Toyoat Urban Cruiser Hyryder V MT fits the brief extremely well.The biggest gain is in running costs and peace of mind. The Toyota badge, proven naturally aspirated petrol engine and excellent fuel efficiency make it the kind of car you can own for a decade without losing sleep. It is also easier to drive, more refined in everyday use and should prove significantly cheaper to run than the old XUV500.The only area where you may feel you have taken a step back is performance and the outright SUV feel. The XUV500's diesel engine had effortless performance and a sense of occasion that the Hyryder's naturally aspirated petrol cannot match. If you enjoy spirited driving, you will notice that difference.However, judging the purchase against the priorities you listed rather than against nostalgia for the XUV500, you absolutely made the right decision.

VehicleToyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

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Sandeep

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I want to buy a car under Rs 12 lakh. It should be a petrol automatic and will be my first car. I need good ground clearance, a good engine and gearbox combination for 70% city and 30% highway use, and my daily running is around 30 km in Bengaluru traffic. Comfort, space, decent fuel efficiency, ease of driving, and long-term ownership are important to me. I do not want a Fronx, Baleno, i20, Exter, Punch, or Nexon. Please suggest a value-for-money option. Thank you.

Autocar India team

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Verified
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Given your exclusions, the Skoda Kylaq automatic would be our first recommendation. Specifically, the Signature automatic is if you can stretch slightly. The 1.0 TSI turbo petrol and torque converter automatic are a very good combination for Bangalore traffic. The gearbox is smooth, the engine has enough punch for highway overtakes, and the car feels more premium and substantial than most options in this price range. Ground clearance is good, it is easy to drive, and it has the solid feel that many first-time buyers appreciate.Another strong option is the Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro automatic. It has a wider rear seat, feels bigger inside and is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment. The torque converter automatic is smooth, and it is comfortable for city use. The downside is that fuel efficiency is not that great, and the boot is on the smaller side.If you are willing to consider a sedan, the Honda Amaze CVT is also worth a look. The CVT is exceptionally smooth in traffic, reliability is excellent, and it is the kind of car you can comfortably keep for a decade. The only reason it is not our primary recommendation is that you specifically mentioned wanting good ground clearance.

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Posted on: 6 Jun 2026