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•42w

I own a 2016 Renault Duster RxS diesel manual that has run 1.3 lakh km. My daily driving is around 40 km, with monthly trips of about 300 to 400 km. It is due for service, the suspension feels weak, and I may need to replace the clutch. The tyres were changed around four years ago, and it has only one airbag. Should I retain the car and carry out repairs, or opt for a new one? If buying new, should I go for petrol or diesel, considering my usage will reduce significantly over the next five years?

•42w

It's not worth holding on to your 2016 Renault Duster diesel MT as it is almost 10 years old and at 1,30,000km, has already lived its best life. As the model is long discontinued, parts availability will prove to be an issue in time; given its age, bigger issues will start to crop up (such as the suspension, as you have pointed out), and yes, it's not as safe as modern cars with higher mandated safety standards.

Apart from all this, with ever-tightening emissions regulations, an old diesel engine like the 1.5 K9K will become increasingly difficult in the future.

It's a great time for an upgrade, as there are many new models arriving soon. For one, the new-gen Renault Duster will arrive on January 26, and promises to have everything we loved about the old car with more creature comforts. It will no longer have a diesel engine, however, but given that your usage is going to be lower, this Renault car could work out just fine for you.

If you must still have a diesel, check out the new Kia Seltos, which will be launched on January 2, 2026. While not the most powerful engine, it is smooth and refined, and the Seltos, on the whole, is an excellent package.

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Renault

Duster

from ₹12.17 Lakh

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•2h

Hi, I wanted to upgrade from Honda Jazz. I am looking for an automatic car that I could hold on for at least 10 years. My budget is Rs. 12 to 18 lakh. My monthly commute is 1200 km. Should I go for a petrol or an EV. I am considering an EV over 10 years that could be financially beneficial? But on the contrary, I'm concerned about the reliability of EV since there is no mass market which has held EV for 10 years as of now. (except for Reva or Logan EV).

•1h

Go for the Honda Elevate CVT, ideally the VX. Coming from a Jazz, it’s the natural upgrade. You get the same easygoing Honda petrol and smooth CVT you’re used to, in a roomier, more comfortable SUV. For someone planning to keep a car for 10 years, Honda’s simple, proven mechanicals are about as worry-free as it gets.If you aren’t feeling fully sure about an EV, don’t push yourself into one. At your running an EV would save you money, but if you’ll spend the next 10 years worrying about the battery, those savings aren’t worth it. A petrol automatic lets you buy with confidence and not think twice.The Elevate’s weak spot is fuel economy. At 1,200km a month you’ll feel it at the pump. If running costs matter as much as comfort, stretch slightly for the Toyota Hyryder strong hybrid. It’s far more efficient, especially in town, and it’s just as proven over the long term.

Honda Elevate

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

•3d

I am looking for a diesel car priced around Rs 15-16 lakh with good fuel efficiency. I already own a Kia Sonet and a Hyundai Venue. What else should I consider?

•6h

Since you're already using the Sonet and Venue, you could consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel this time around. It offers a strong diesel engine, respectable fuel efficiency, excellent ride comfort, and a more spacious cabin than the Sonet and Venue, making it a good family car.If you don't mind its looks, then the Kia Syros is an excellent car, and it's certainly worth considering. It has the same efficient, refined powertrain as the Venue and Sonet that you're using. Furthermore, cabin space is huge, and overall quality feels top-notch.

I want to upgrade from my Maruti Suzuki Celerio ZXi (O) and have a budget of around Rs 15 lakh on-road. I drive about 2,000km a month. Which car would you recommend?

•7h

Since your monthly usage is quite high, you could consider the Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXI CNG, which is available at around Rs 15 lakh on-road. It is a sensible SUV with a smooth and efficient 1.5 engine, light controls, high ground clearance and a reasonably comfortable cabin. The CNG tank is positioned beneath the body, so boot space remains usable. It should feel like a substantial upgrade over your Celerio while keeping you within the Maruti Suzuki range.If you don't want a CNG due to the long queues at the CNG stations, you could consider a diesel option like the Hyundai Venue. It is a user-friendly, feature-rich sub-4-metre SUV with a very efficient and refined 1.5 diesel engine. While you can easily get a diesel-manual variant within your budget, interestingly you could also consider the HX5 diesel-automatic variant, which gets you the convenience of a 6-speed torque converter. A Kia Sonet HTX diesel-automatic with the same (as the Venue) 1.5 engine and automatic gearbox is also available within your budget.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue

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•1w

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

•4d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Nissan Tekton

•1w

I’ve almost finalised the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, and I really like the car. However, I’m a little worried about Skoda’s long-term service and maintenance costs, especially after the warranty period. I’m planning to keep the car for around 7–8 years. Would you recommend taking the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) along with the car? Is it worth the additional cost considering regular servicing and potential maintenance expenses? Also, compared with the Brezza and Nexon, how is the Kylaq Signature Automatic in terms of long-term reliability, service costs and parts replacement? Would really appreciate your advice before I make the final purchase decision.

•4d

If you like the Skoda Kylaq Signature Automatic, go ahead and buy it. It is a genuinely good car and one of the best driver’s cars in the segment. The 1.0 TSI engine paired with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is a proven combination, and Skoda’s reliability has improved significantly in recent years. The bigger concern is not reliability but long-term maintenance costs, which can be higher than Maruti or Tata once the car is out of warranty.This is where the Service Maintenance Package (SMP) makes sense. It locks in your service costs for the first 4-5 years, covers all scheduled maintenance and gives you peace of mind during the most expensive ownership period. If you are planning to keep the car for 7-8 years, it is worth the additional cost because it protects you from unexpected bills and helps you budget ownership costs more accurately.Compared to the Brezza and Nexon, the Kylaq is the better driver’s car with a more engaging driving experience and a stronger engine. The Brezza is the benchmark for long-term reliability and low maintenance costs, while the Nexon sits somewhere in between. The Kylaq is not unreliable, but parts and service can be more expensive once you are out of warranty.If you are buying the Kylaq, take the SMP and enjoy the car. If long-term ownership costs are your absolute priority, the Brezza is the safer financial choice.

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

•5d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

Kia Seltos

Tata Safari

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