Latest questions answered by experts

Can you suggest an upcoming EV with sufficient ground clearance to comfortably clear Indian speed breakers, while also having a low enough seat height and easy ingress so that I can transfer from my wheelchair to the front passenger seat with minimal effort? We currently own a Mercedes-Benz E200 (2025 model). My wife's daily commute is generally only around 5 km. However, we would prefer a larger battery pack in case we decide to take longer trips, such as to Goa. The car should also offer a boot capacity of at least 575 litres, enough to accommodate my folded wheelchair along with additional luggage. We previously owned a Skoda Superb, which was excellent in terms of both ground clearance and boot space. Our budget is around Rs. 1 crore.

•2h

Try out the Tesla Model Y L. It is a three-row SUV with a fairly large 420-litre boot with all seats up, which expands to a massive 1,076 litres with the third row folded. There is also a sizeable frunk for extra storage.The claimed range is 681km, so in the real world, a Mumbai-to-Goa trip is doable with one or two top-up stops. Ground clearance is about 169mm, which is on par with your Superb. It is tall, yet the seat isn’t as high as some SUVs, so sliding across from a wheelchair should be easier. It won't be as easy as your sedans, so make sure you try getting in and out at least a couple of times.It also fits comfortably within your budget and comes very well equipped. It's worth noting that a lot of functions are baked into the large central touchscreen, and that might take some getting used to.

Tesla Model Y

•2d

Hi Autocar, I am Anand, a 33-year-old professional working in marketing. My job involves a lot of driving. My daily commute is around 50 km, but on some days, I may cover as much as 200 km. I am interested in buying an EV to help reduce my running costs. My budget is Rs. 15 lakh. Could you please suggest a good EV that offers strong safety rating, a good set of features, and is well-suited to my usage pattern?

•3h

Pick the Tata Punch EV 40kWh. It fits your 50 km daily grind and those occasional 200 km days without range stress, while keeping running costs far lower than petrol. It is easy to drive and park, rides well on bad roads, and you still get a modern cabin with a big touchscreen, and 360 camera on higher trims. Safety is solid too - the Punch platform has a strong crash-test record, and you get ESC and 6 airbags.Real-world range is about 240 km, so a 200 km day with AC is fine if you start full, DC fast-charging is also quicker with the facelifted version so a top-up on the highway should be relatively quick. You budget should get you the top Empowered Plus S trim.One catch: the rear seat is fine for two but fitting three can be a sqeeze. If that is an issue, you can stretch your budget and get a Nexon EV instead.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Nexon EV

•2d

Does the engine of Kia Seltos Petrol Manual (Naturally Aspirated) feel underpowered because of the K3 platform and the vehicle’s weight? Also, does frequent full-throttle acceleration have a significant impact on fuel efficiency? I drive around 1,000 km per month, with most of my usage being on highways. Considering my driving pattern, is the Kia Seltos Petrol NA Manual a suitable choice, or should I consider a different variant?

•4h

Pick the Seltos turbo-petrol for mostly highway use; it suits long runs far better than the petrol NA. The 1.5 NA petrol is great for city use and fine if you cruise light at 90-100 and drive gently, but with four people and luggage, it needs frequent downshifts and feels a bit breathless once past highway speeds. That isn’t about the K3 platform as much as the small naturally aspirated motor.Yes, frequent full‑throttle on the NA petrol will cut mileage sharply because you’re revving it hard to accelerate. The turbo petrol, by contrast, has strong pull in the mid range, so overtakes are easy without wringing it.The catch is that the turbo petrol is only available with the IMT or DCT which means a higher upfront cost. Alternatively, consider the diesel manual. It has the performance you need for highway duty and your highway use will avoid DPF issues.

Kia Seltos

•2d

My current vehicle is a Maruti Suzuki Baleno. I am a first-time SUV buyer, and my budget is Rs. 20 lakh. I am looking for a petrol automatic SUV. My usage is primarily within the city, with daily driving of around 70 km, and I do not take long-distance trips very frequently. I would also like an SUV that offers a good driving experience, plenty of features, strong safety, good stability in both city and highway conditions, reliability, and a proven track record. Considering my requirements, which petrol automatic SUV would you recommend?

•4h

Go for the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol automatic, because it balances daily city ease with real highway stability and has a strong safety rating. For 70 km of mostly city use, its smooth IVT and light controls make it stress free, yet it does not feel floaty at speed. The latest Seltos has 5-star crash safety, six airbags on the right trim, and the braking and body control inspire confidence, which matters on highway runs. It also packs the useful stuff you will actually use every day - good cameras and sensors, a crisp screen, wireless charging, ventilated seats on higher trims - and Kia’s network and reliability record are solid now, so ownership is simple.Expect around 11-12 kpl in typical city traffic if you drive calmly, which is fair for the size. The ride is a touch firm at low speed, so sharp bumps are felt more than in a Creta, but it pays you back with better control when you go faster. Coming from a Baleno, the Seltos isn’t intimidating to park or thread through traffic, yet feels like a proper upgrade.

Hi, I am currently using a Ford Figo 1.2 petrol, 2019. I love the car, but I am looking to upgrade as Ford has left India, and I may have issues selling it after a couple of years. Q1. Should I go ahead and sell the car, or can I keep it for a couple of years? Q2. The car has been driven around 65k, and I have been offered 2.75 lakhs. I think it's a good value, thoughts? Right now, my running in the city is approx 500-600 kms per month. I mostly use a car for my office commute, and I don’t have a bike as of now. And yearly, out of the city running of around 2000 kms per year. Please, my city running may increase in future if I change my house location or office. I am very much confused about EV and petrol cars. In EVs, I was considering the Nexon EV. In petrol I was considering, Honda Elevate, VW Taigun 2025 (1.0 and 1.5), as I am getting some deals on them, Skoda Kylaq ( budget option with the same engine). As I am coming in a Ford Figo, I am looking for something which feels great to drive. Please suggest the correct car option. Reiterating question- Q1. Should I go ahead and sell the Ford Figo, or can I keep it for a couple of years? Q2. Ford Figo has been driven around 65k, and I have been offered 2.75 lakhs. I think it's a good value, thoughts? Q3. Will EV be the correct option for me? ( looking at my running) Q4. Or should I go ahead with petrol cars? (This E20/E30 discussion has created so much confusion) Q5. If I were to choose a petrol car, which option would be great for me? Thanks!

•5h

You don’t have to sell the Figo yet. If it’s healthy, keep it 1-2 years more; parts and service are still fine, and depreciation from here is slow. The Rs. 2.75 lakh offer is fair for a 2019 petrol at 65k km. Try direct sale or multiple portals and aim closer to Rs. 3 lakh-plus if the car is clean.Pick the VW Taigun 1.5 if you upgrade now, because it’s the only one on your list that truly feels like a step up from your Figo for daily drives and relaxed highway runs. The 1.5 is punchy, and the steering and body control make city and highway drives enjoyable. One honest catch: the automatic can feel a bit hesitant in crawl; the manual is more fun if you don’t mind a clutch. The Honda Elevate is nice, but it isn't as enjoyable as the VW/Skoda SUVs.With 500-600 km a month in the city and about 2,000km a year out of town, an EV like the Nexon EV won’t pay back quickly unless you have cheap home charging and your running shoots up.Go petrol. Don’t stress about E20/E30 - the VW-Skoda 1.0/1.5 are E20-ready, and should not pose issues if and when E30 is rolled out.

My monthly running is 1000 km. Occasionally, on a highway tour. Now, I am looking for an SUV ( Petrol) which is comfortable for a family tour, has a good sound system, good avg., and impressive road presence. My budget is 20 to 25 on-road price. Please suggest.

•6h

Pick the Kia Seltos 1.5 petrol automatic. For your 1000 km a month and occasional highway trips, it balances family comfort, a genuinely good sound system, and sensible running costs better than the others in this price band. The Bose audio in the higher trims is the best you’ll get here, the cabin is spacious enough for four adults and a child, the boot is holiday-friendly, and the seats keep you fresh on long drives. It also looks sharp and upmarket, so you get the road presence you want without blowing the budget.Expect roughly 10 kpl in the city and 14 to 16 kpl on open roads if you drive smoothly, which is fair for a petrol SUV this size. Your budget of Rs. 20-25 lakh on-road should comfortably cover a well-equipped Seltos automatic in most cities.One thing to know: the ride is a touch firm at low speeds on broken roads. If mileage is your absolute priority, the Maruti Grand Vitara or Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong hybrid will beat it on kpl, but their audio and overall punch aren’t as satisfying.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder