I have a 2022 Toyota Innova Crysta GX automatic 8-seater. In view of the impending stricter emission requirements under CAFE norms and the consequent possibility of the Innova Crysta being discontinued, should I continue to hold on to this car or sell it and migrate to either a hybrid or pure electric?

Autocar India

•1d

Avoid full seat covers, especially leatherette, on your Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. It will compromise both the ventilated seats and potentially the airbag function.Your front seats have side airbags integrated into the seat, so any aftermarket cover not specifically designed to tear open in a crash can interfere with deployment. That is a safety risk and best avoided. On the ventilation side, even perforated leatherite will significantly reduce airflow, making the feature far less effective. Ventilated seats work best with the original upholstery, and covering them defeats the purpose.If the fabric feel and heat are your concerns, a simpler option is to use partial solutions, such as seat base cushions or breathable fabric overlays, for daily comfort without fully covering the seat.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Autocar India

•5h

In Delhi NCR, the uncomfortable reality is that a BS4 diesel private vehicle is generally not protected beyond the 10 year age limit simply because it is well maintained or low mileage. The restriction in Delhi is age based rather than condition based, which is why even a beautifully maintained Ford Endeavour with just 45,000 km can still be affected.The confusion comes from the fact that there are two separate things people mix up: registration validity and local operating restrictions. A vehicle may technically be capable of passing fitness or still be mechanically sound, but in Delhi NCR, diesel private cars older than 10 years are subject to the local end of life vehicle enforcement rules. In simple terms, once your 2017 BS4 diesel crosses that threshold, continuing to use it in Delhi NCR becomes the issue, not whether the car itself is still “good.”

Autocar India

•11h

Your use is mostly in the city with long, slow traffic, and you want another five years of hassle‑free running. In this case, fixing the car first is the right move. On these Celerios, a worn clutch and a faulty AMT control unit often show up as strong jerks once everything gets hot. Replacing the clutch set and the AMT unit together, followed by proper calibration, usually brings it back to smooth shifts and can last another 40,000–60,000 km. As for the service life, it's highly unlikely that the dealer would offer you a guarantee of 5 years. Do check what it is that they are providing by way of a warranty. In terms of expectation, you should be able to get a few more years out of it, though, as mentioned, this can't be guaranteed. If you are in a position to buy a new car and would like something more modern, upgrading your car would make sense. This time around, consider a car with a torque convertor automatic, as these are best suited to start-stop traffic and are the smoothest type of autobox around. The Skoda Kylaq is an example of this.

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

•5d

You’re after a no-drama, long-term family car that is easy to drive, comfortable and roomy. For that brief, the Honda Elevate VX CVT is a good fit. The VX CVT is the sweet spot because the automatic keeps the engine smooth in traffic, and the VX trim gets the useful features without pushing the price too high.Why it fits your list: Honda’s simple 1.5 petrol has a long, clean track record, so it suits your “no issues for 10+ years” aim. The driving position is high, the steering is light, and the CVT makes stop-go city work very easy. Space is good for four adults, the seats are supportive, and the suspension deals with broken roads well, so daily comfort is strong.Trade-offs to note: it is not the quickest for fast highway passes, and rivals offer more flashy features. If you expect a lot of high-speed use with a full load, you may want more punch.Regarding waiting for a facelift, while it may launch this year, there is no confirmed date or list of changes. An update usually brings small styling tweaks and a few extra features, and prices can go up too. The basics you care about are space, ease of driving, Honda’s engine and service and these are unlikely to change much.If you do want to look around, pick the Kia Seltos IVT for more features and a more modern cabin. Overall, for your needs, the Elevate VX CVT lines up best right now.

Honda Elevate

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•6d

Going by your shortlist, you want a bigger family car on a tight budget and are looking at base trims. If you need the car in the next couple of months for mostly city use with some weekend trips, pick the Kia Seltos HTE (O) IVT. It is well equipped and, compared to the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, gives you more back-seat space and boot room.The Brezza update will be relatively minor, though we expect the 1.5 NA engine to make way for the 1.0 turbo-petrol from the Fronx. Waiting for it only makes sense if you mainly drive in tight city areas and want an easier-to-park car.Overall, for a near-term purchase and everyday comfort, the Seltos lines up best with what you’re considering.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Autocar India

•6d

You need a car for pure highway use and want the longest stretch between stops; in that case, we would lean towards the Mahindra XEV 9S 79kWh for its better real-world highway range. In our real-world testing, we managed 477 km on the highway, which suits your “pure highway” pattern. We have also tested the AWD Harrier EV, which managed 401 km (combined). While the RWD version should better that, it will likely still fall short of the XEV 9S’s range.One thing to note: the Mahindra’s ride can feel a bit floaty on undulating highway surfaces, so try it out before you commit. If that is an issue, the XEV 9e has a more settled ride.Overall, for highway-first use and maximum range, the XEV 9S 79kWh is the safer bet.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV