Hi, I’d like your advice on whether I should upgrade my car and what would suit my situation best. I currently own a 2018 Hyundai Grand i10 1.2 petrol (manual), which is in good condition and has a resale value of around ₹5 lakh. I drive about 30 km daily, with occasional highway trips (Gujarat intercity travel). I may have more frequent highway drives over the next 3-4 years due to work/postings. My priorities are: - Comfortable and safe for highway trips now - Reasonable depreciation till ~2030 - Reliable and easy for low usage later - Sensible financial decision for short ownership (3–4 years) Could you advise which option and specific models/variants would be most suitable in my case? Thank you.

Autocar India

•5w

While you have not mentioned a budget, given that you are upgrading from a Hyundai Grand i10, we think the new Hyundai Venue would suit you well. The Venue offers the option of a diesel engine, which is nice and refined and efficient too. This would serve you well, given that you will be increasing your running and spending more on the highways.

In the short term, 3 to 4 years, the resale value would also hold well, given Hyundai's good reputation in the market and the fact that the Venue is a generally well-received product. However, if you are averse to diesel, you can always stick with petrol, and here we would suggest you opt for the 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol and not opt for the 1.0-litre turbo. While the performance of the turbo would be better, the regular 1.2L engine would deliver adequately for your needs. Opt for the HX5 variant or above, depending on your budget.

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Amit Deshmukh

•1d

I have a Maruti Baleno (2016) as our family car, which is good, but I am looking to replace it with a newer SUV. Although I read your column regularly, I am confused about which car to buy. I have a tight budget of ₹16-17 lakh and am looking to get maximum value for my money. So out of Seltos HTK, Duster (2026), Sierra, and Elevate, which one should I consider? My usage is 70% in the city and 30% on highways.

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•23h

Pick the Kia Seltos HTK IVT as it best suits your requirements.Your city-heavy usage benefits from its smooth and seamless powertrain, light controls and settled low‑speed ride, which make driving in traffic and parking less tiring. For weekend highway runs, it feels confident at 80-100 kph cruising speed and has enough room for 4 adults plus luggage. Within your budget, the Kia Seltos HTK gives you the core safety and convenience features without forcing you into pricier trims. The one thing you give up is advanced driver assistance (ADAS) on the HTK; those features start higher up the range.Alternatively, if you prefer a simpler, no-frills package and prioritise easy ownership over features, consider the Honda Elevate V CVT.

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Hi, I am upgrading from a Tata Vista Quadrajet. My usage will be mostly within the city, with drives of up to 20 km at a stretch. Occasionally, my family of four goes on 3–4 day trips to nearby hill stations, which involve steep inclines and sharp bends. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos 2026 and possibly the Tata Sierra. Please advise on the best engine variant and transmission that would offer a comfortable and pleasant driving experience. Also, would choosing a diesel automatic be a bad decision, considering I am willing to pay an additional ₹1.5–2 lakh?

Autocar India

•1d

For your usage, which is largely short in-town drives with occasional hill trips carrying family, the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol with the IVT automatic is the most suitable choice. It offers a very smooth and easy driving experience, especially in stop-go city conditions, with light controls and seamless power delivery that will feel far more relaxed compared to your current Vista. On hill drives, while it may need to be worked a bit harder on steep inclines, it has enough power and is easy to manage.A diesel automatic is not a bad choice, but in your case, it is not the most ideal fit. With mostly short city runs of around 20km, modern diesel engines can sometimes require longer, sustained drives to maintain optimal health, and you may not fully utilise the diesel’s strengths. The extra cost also becomes harder to justify given your usage pattern.The turbo petrol with DCT is another option, but for your kind of driving, it is not the best fit either. Dual-clutch automatics can feel less smooth at low speeds, in crawling traffic, and in hilly conditions; they require a bit more care.So, overall, the petrol IVT strikes the best balance of smoothness, ease of driving and long-term peace of mind. If you are also considering the Kia Carens Clavis, it could be worth a look for its added practicality. But if you specifically want an automatic petrol, you will have to opt for the turbo petrol with DCT, as the 1.5 naturally aspirated engine is offered only with a manual transmission.

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Hi, I currently own a 2022 Toyota Innova Crysta B6 diesel automatic, and my usage is quite low at around 400–500 km per month. Please suggest whether I should sell the car or continue using it. Also, if I decide to upgrade, which new car would you recommend that offers a similar size and comfort?

Autocar India

•2d

For your usage of just 400-500 km a month, it makes more sense to hold on to your Toyota Innova Crysta diesel automatic. It already offers the space, comfort and reliability you are looking for, and with such low running, you are unlikely to benefit financially from switching to a new car. The cost of upgrading will be significantly higher than any savings or advantages you gain, especially since your current car is still relatively new.That said, with low usage and mostly short drives, you should ensure the car gets an occasional longer run to keep everything in good condition.If you are still considering a change, it should be more for a different experience rather than a direct replacement. The Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid is the closest alternative in terms of size and practicality, while offering a more modern cabin and a smoother petrol-hybrid driving experience that suits low running better.So, unless you specifically want newer features or a different driving experience, it is best to continue with the Crysta, as it already fits your needs very well.

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