At present, I own a Celerio AMT with CNG. My monthly running is around 2,000km. I am planning to book the Punch EV facelift. Mostly, I travel on highways, covering around 200-250km to and fro. Very occasionally, I travel 300km one way to Goa. I believe there are no charging issues on my routes. What would you suggest? Please advise. Amol.

Autocar India

•4w

With the kind of extensive driving that you do, we do not recommend choosing an electric car. As per our extensive real-world tests, the Tata Punch EV LR's highway range is about 216km. While this was a test of the pre-facelift version with the 35kWh battery, we don't anticipate this number will go up by a huge amount after the facelift.

Even though you may have chargers on your routes that allow you to keep the battery topped up to complete your journey, given your usage, you will have to do this very frequently. Apart from the inconvenience, this also wears down the EV's battery much quicker, which in turn gradually lowers the range and eventually, the resale value.

If you have your eyes set on only an EV, we would recommend one with a larger battery and longer range. However, we would recommend you choose a fuel-efficient petrol or diesel car that fits in your budget instead.

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Punch EV

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Amol

•3w

Thanks for your reply . Then what would be your pick in that scenario in the budget of 12-13 lakhs . Automatic car is my priority . Among TATA Punch CNG AMT and Citroen C3 AT what will be your pick?

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Akhil Singh

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I am looking for an EV as my daily travel is around 75 km. I have a 3.3kW charging facility free at my office, plus a fast DC charger nearby. My budget is flexible as I am exploring the new Tata Punch EV, Nexon EV and Curvv EV, considering the ₹3.5 lakh discount on the Curvv EV. What should be the logical choice, considering I don’t have much experience in driving, hardly, for 4-5 months as of now?

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Among the options you mentioned, the Tata Punch EV Long Range is the most logical choice. It is compact, easy to manoeuvre and park, and its smooth electric power delivery makes city driving very simple for someone with limited driving experience. With your daily running and office charging facility, range should never be a concern. The new car is also very well-priced and a great value for money, thanks to the price cut compared to the older car.The Tata Nexon EV is a good step up if you want more space and a slightly more premium feel. It offers a bigger cabin and boot, which can be useful if you regularly travel with family.The Tata Curvv EV becomes attractive because of the ₹3.5 lakh discount, but it is a larger car and may feel slightly intimidating to drive initially.

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I own a Grand i10 2016 model. I am looking to upgrade to an SUV (not sub-4m ones) with good power and torque. I prefer a manual petrol and want to avoid a turbo if possible. Focus is also on after-sales service. 80% of my runs are in the city. What are the options that I can consider?

Autocar India

•13h

Go for the Hyundai Creta 1.5 SX MT. As a non‑turbo manual, it balances city drivability, adequate 115hp / 144 Nm performance, and Hyundai’s large, reliable service network.Since you prefer a manual petrol and want to avoid turbos, this 1.5‑litre NA with CVT gearbox suits you. With 80% city running, its linear throttle makes crawling and short bursts easy without turbo lag. The 115hp output is enough for quick overtakes up to city speeds. Hyundai’s service network and typical 10,000 km/1‑year intervals (confirm with your dealer) keep upkeep predictable. At over 4.3m, it’s a clear upgrade, not a sub‑4 m compromise.The one thing you give up is the mid‑range surge of a turbo; quick highway passes above 90-100kph will need a downshift or two to access performance.

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I currently drive a Land Rover Defender, which I absolutely love for its design and capability. That said, I’m starting to think about SUVs that offer a bit more performance and sporty driving dynamics. I’ve briefly considered the Porsche Cayenne, but I’m curious if there are other options that balance power, handling, and everyday usability. For someone coming from a Defender, what would you recommend?

Autocar India

•17h

As you've rightly said, the Porsche Cayenne is probably your best option. No other large SUV handles as well as it does, and you get the option of two powerful turbo petrol engines - a 340hp V6 and a 500hp V8. However, if you're not concerned with having the Porsche badge, you should consider the Audi Q8, which is mechanically similar to the Cayenne, but comes in three performance levels, is set up to be more comfortable and usable, and is far more affordable too.At one end, there is the base V6 version, with the same 340hp engine, and at the other extreme is the 650hp, V8-powered RS Q8 Performance. However, Audi is about to launch the SQ8 - with the 500hp V8 - in India, and this could be the sweet spot between price and performance for you.

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