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Hi Budget -23L Please suggest Skoda Kushaq 1.5 vs Renault Duster 1.3 vs Seltos 1.5 DCT Considering Best driving experience,City driving and frequent highway journeys , Bengaluru city peak traffic good to have Adaas not Mandatory Driving should be pleasant and very confidence level. Family comfort is also important Please suggest

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3d

Hi, I am a regular reader of Autocar articles, and this time I thought of asking for some clarification. I have been using a 2022 Nissan Magnite CVT for the last 4 years, mostly for highway driving. I have noticed a significant drop in mileage after the introduction of E20 fuel, and I am doubtful about my vehicle's E20 compatibility. I checked with the dealer, but they simply said it is compatible with E20. However, the mileage drop I am experiencing, especially on highways, is quite significant. I am now planning to buy a new automatic SUV with good mileage. My budget is Rs. 17 lakh (on-road). Please advise.

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2d

Thank you for reading Autocar India and for your question. Your Magnite CVT is E20 compatible, so there is no need to worry about the engine. The drop in mileage you are seeing is normal. E20 petrol has a lower energy content than E10, so fuel efficiency drops by around 5-10%. This is expected and not a sign of a problem with the car.For your new car, your usage is mostly highway and you want good mileage with an automatic within Rs. 17 lakh on-road budget. The best fit is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris mild hybrid automatic. It is a petrol mild hybrid, so it delivers better highway efficiency than a standard petrol, and the automatic is a smooth torque converter unit that is reliable and well suited to long-term ownership. The Victoris is also a comfortable and spacious SUV with a proven ownership record.If you want a more premium feel and a slightly more engaging driving experience, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is a good alternative. It has a new 8-speed gearbox and the car feels more solid and planted on the highway. However, the Victoris will be the more efficient and easier car to own long term.If you are open to diesel, the Mahindra XUV 3XO diesel automatic is worth considering. It will deliver the best highway efficiency and strong performance, but diesel makes sense only if your annual running is high enough to justify the higher fuel and maintenance costs.Overall, the Victoris mild hybrid automatic is the best fit for your requirements. It delivers good mileage, a smooth automatic and a hassle-free ownership experience.

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4d

My monthly driving is around 3,000 km, so I'm planning to buy an EV. I'm looking for a car that can handle both city driving and highway trips comfortably. Please suggest the best EV options.

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1d

Did you mean 3,000 km a month? If it is 30,000 km a month, that means you are doing over 1,000 km a day, which is an exceptionally high usage pattern.In that case, even an EV is not the right solution. The best EVs currently on sale would require multiple charging stops every day, and the time spent charging would quickly outweigh any fuel savings. For this level of usage, a diesel car is still the most practical and cost-effective option.If you're looking for a multipurpose vehicle for both city and highway driving, a Kia Seltos diesel would be a much better fit. It is comfortable, spacious, and an efficient long-distance cruiser. Its refined diesel engine is well suited to covering high mileages without the charging constraints of an EV.EVs make the most sense for drivers with high annual running but predictable daily distances, where overnight or scheduled charging is practical. They are less suitable for extremely high daily usage, where charging time becomes a significant limitation.If you still prefer an EV, you could consider the upcoming Kia Syros EV, with a 51.4kWh battery and a claimed range of up to 526 km on a single charge. It is likely to be priced within your Rs 15-20 lakh budget. Despite its compact footprint, it offers a spacious cabin, with an extremely efficient powertrain, given that it is shared with the Kia Carens Clavis EV and Hyundai Creta Electric.

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3d

I am looking to upgrade from my Hyundai Creta to a 7-seater SUV. My annual running is only around 6,000 km, and my budget is up to Rs. 25 lakh. Is the Hyundai Alcazar a good option for my usage? I have also considered the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari, but I am concerned about their relatively low fuel efficiency. Which 7-seater SUV would you recommend?

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3d

With a yearly running of just 6,000km, petrol is the sensible choice, and the Hyundai Alcazar is a good option. It is a comfortable, easy-to-drive family SUV with a hassle-free ownership experience, and the 1.5 turbo petrol engine paired with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is powerful enough and relatively efficient too. Plus, since you're coming from a Creta, you'll be familiar with the Hyundai network and could even ask for a loyalty discount. However, the Alcazar’s third row is not as spacious as some larger cars in the segment, so if you genuinely need a proper 7-seater, it may not be the ideal solution. What's more, if your Creta is the 2020 or newer model, you'll find the Alcazar perhaps a little too familiar on the inside.The Mahindra XUV 7XO, Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus are good options that offer more space. However, as you have noted, they're not fuel efficient at all, and moreover, in your budget, you will only get a low to mid-spec variant, whereas you will get a fully-loaded Alcazar. Another option to consider, though not an SUV, is the Kia Carens Clavis. Its MPV shape is more space-efficient, and you actually get more passenger and luggage room than the Alcazar, with the same efficient engines, for around the same price.

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4d

Hi, I am a teacher and a first-time female driver with a budget of Rs. 11.5 lakh. I am looking for an automatic car that I plan to keep for the next 15 years, but I am confused about whether to buy a petrol AMT, CNG AMT, or an EV due to the uncertainty surrounding ethanol blending. My daily commute is 46 km, of which 22 km is on the highway, 18 km is on normal roads, and 6 km is on bumpy village roads in poor condition. Please recommend the most suitable fuel type that will keep my overall cost of ownership low.

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3d

We'd recommend a petrol automatic. With a daily running of around 46km and an ownership period of 15 years, it offers the best balance of low ownership costs, reliability and ease of use for a first-time driver.We wouldn't let E20 fuel influence your decision. Modern E20-compliant petrol cars are designed to run on it, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20. It isn't a reason to avoid buying a petrol car today. A CNG automatic will certainly reduce your fuel bills, but the higher purchase price, reduced boot space and limited automatic options make CNG car less attractive unless fuel savings are your overriding priority. An electric car will have the lowest running costs, but at your budget, you'll have to compromise on size or features, and recovering the higher upfront cost will take time.Given your budget and usage, we'd look at the Maruti Suzuki Brezza facelift automatic which will launch soon if you can stretch slightly, or the Maruti Suzuki Fronx Delta+ AGS if you want to stay within budget. Both are easy to drive, have good ground clearance for the 6km of rough village roads and come backed by Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network. If you prefer a smoother automatic, the Hyundai Exter SX AMT is also worth considering.

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Posted on: 27 Jul 2026