Delhi

•6w

I’m a first-time car buyer with very limited driving experience. I’ve only driven an SUV like the Mahindra KUV100 a few times in the past and have never driven a sedan before. I don’t really need a car for my daily commute, but I’d like to have one for long drives, convenience and occasional trips. I’m strongly considering the new Skoda Slavia or Volkswagen Virtus 1.0L MT because I really like both cars. Given my limited driving experience and the fact that I’ve never driven a sedan before, does it make sense to choose one of these as my first car? Would the Slavia or Virtus be manageable for someone with my level of experience, particularly when it comes to judging the car’s size, parking, manoeuvring in traffic and driving on highways?

Tap if an answer actually helped you decide.

•5w

Yes, the Skoda Slavia or Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 TSI manual is a perfectly sensible first car, even with limited driving experience. Both cars are well-balanced sedans with good visibility, predictable handling and a forgiving nature, which makes them easy to live with. The 1.0 TSI engine is punchy enough for highway driving but not intimidating, and the manual gearbox is light and easy to operate.

The main adjustment will be the lower seating position compared to an SUV like the Mahindra KUV100, which can initially make judging the car's extremities a bit trickier, especially in tight parking situations. However, both cars are not excessively large, and with practice, you will quickly get used to their dimensions. Parking sensors and a rear camera, which are available on higher variants, will also help build confidence.

If you are genuinely concerned about parking and manoeuvrability, you could consider the Skoda Kylaq or Volkswagen Taigun / Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI instead. However, if you spend time practising, the Slavia or Virtus will not be difficult to get used to.

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•4d

I am planning to buy a new car under 13-14 lakh as a first time buyer since I have recently learned driving. My monthly running is between 800 to 1000 km per month. There are two members in my family including one child. Please suggest a car and should I go for manual or automatic? I am planning to keep the car for 10-12 years. Also, tell me if a 360 degree camera essential for me. Please consider that I occasionally take highway trip as well. I have rejected 3XO because of looks and shortlisted Elevate because of NVH.

•2d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic. It is the best fit for your needs. As a first-time buyer with a 10-12 year ownership plan, you want a car that is easy to drive, reliable and comfortable on both city roads and occasional highway trips. The Kylaq’s 1.0 TSI engine is smooth and refined, and the 6-speed torque converter automatic is far easier to live with in traffic than a manual. It is also a proven and reliable gearbox, which matters for long-term ownership. The Kylaq is also one of the best driver’s cars in the segment, with good ride quality and strong highway stability, which makes occasional long trips far more comfortable.On the 360-degree camera, it is a nice-to-have feature but not essential. Parking sensors and a good rear camera are more than enough for most situations, especially as you build confidence as a new driver. The Kylaq also fits comfortably within your Rs. 13-14 lakh budget, allowing you to get a well-equipped variant rather than compromising on features.

Skoda Kylaq

•4d

I’m planning to purchase a car that can accommodate 3-4 adults. There will be some city driving, but high-traffic conditions will be less frequent. I will also be taking occasional family trips of 300-1,000 km, possibly slightly more, on plains and hilly terrain such as Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir, but not Ladakh. I’m not looking for rapid acceleration, but I do want decent pulling power with the AC switched on, usually at around 24-25°C. I currently have an old Maruti Alto (not the K10 series). I haven’t taken it to Himachal, but it performs okay on moderately hilly terrain with the AC on mildly. Would the Tata Punch petrol manual be a decent purchase? What about the AMT version? I’m concerned that it might feel underpowered. Or would the Tata Punch petrol be a better option? What other options would you suggest? My first choice is to keep my budget between Rs. 10-11 lakh on-road, though I could stretch it by another Rs. 2-3 lakh if essential. Thanks in advance.

•3d

For your usage, the Punch petrol manual would be a better fit than the Altroz petrol. Its 193mm ground clearance and good ride quality make it better suited to Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir roads, while the 88hp 1.2-litre petrol has enough pulling power for three to four adults as long as expectations are realistic.The Punch AMT would not be our pick for this usage. The 1.2 petrol is already not particularly strong when fully loaded and climbing, and the AMT can feel slow when you need a quick response. The turbo petrol is considerably stronger at 120hp and 170Nm, but it is manual only, so the 1.2 manual is the sensible choice if you want to stay close to Rs 10-11 lakh.If you are willing to stretch towards Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI AT would also be worth considering, particularly if you want stronger highway performance and an automatic.

I'm 26 years old and am looking for my first car. I've narrowed my search down to the petrol automatic Skoda Kylaq Sportline and Hyundai Venue N-line N6. I'll be using the car mostly for city driving with some weekend trips that will be around 800 km a month. I live in a tier-2 city now but I might move to a metro soon. So, which car I should pick?

•1w

With 800 km a month and mostly city driving, a petrol automatic is the right choice. From your shortlist, it is clear that you are looking for driving pleasure and both cars that you have shortlisted will deliver on that front. We would lean towards the Kylaq as its torque convertor gearbox is better suited to start-stop traffic being smoother and generally more robust than the DCT gearbox in the NLine. However the 1.0 litre TSI engine in the Kylaq has turbo lag which makes control a bit tricky; you will often be off boost and need to press the throttle further than normal and then, you'll have a sudden surge of power. The Hyundai Venue, on the other hand will have a few noticeably notchy shifts at low speeds but its has an easier throttle modulation. Thus, make sure that you drive both and see how comfortable you feel with each of their drive characters.

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•5d

I am confused between Creta SX IVT and Elevate CVT for 8000 km of annual running with long trips of 1200 km 3-4 times in a year for a family of 4. Apart from this, day to day usage is less than 100km per month. I am looking for a car for long term ownership and travel comfort.

•5d

The Creta SX IVT is the better fit for your requirement. It offers a quieter, more refined cabin, comfortable rear seats and a smoother CVT, which are particularly valuable when spending several hours on the highway with four people and luggage. Autocar's long term experience with the Creta petrol IVT also found it refined, comfortable and particularly well suited to road trips.The Honda Elevate CVT has advantages of its own. Its 220mm ground clearance, long travel suspension and large 458-litre boot make it particularly good on poor roads, while its naturally aspirated 1.5-litre engine and CVT make for a relatively simple powertrain. However, the cabin is noticeably noisier, particularly when accelerating hard, and the CVT can produce the typical rubber band effect.

Honda Elevate

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•1w

Hi, I am planning to buy a CNG SUV and am considering the Tata Nexon CNG and Maruti Suzuki Brezza CNG. I will be driving around 150km every day for office, so my main concerns are fuel economy and maintenance costs. Many people have suggested the Brezza because of its mileage and lower running costs, but Tata is also a large company and has a wide service network. So, why do buyers generally recommend the Brezza over the Nexon CNG? I personally prefer the Nexon, but I am confused about whether it would be the right choice for my daily usage. Which one would make more sense for my requirements?

•6d

Go with the Tata Nexon CNG if that is your preference. At 150 km daily, CNG is the right fuel choice, and both the Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Brezza are factory CNG cars, so reliability and safety are not a concern. The Nexon CNG is a strong product with good performance, a comfortable ride and a well-equipped cabin. The reason many people suggest the Brezza is Maruti's reputation for low maintenance costs, wide service reach and a long-standing reputation for hassle-free ownership. The Brezza CNG is also a very reliable and efficient package. However, the Nexon CNG is the more modern car and feels more premium inside.At 150 km daily, the key is to choose the car you will enjoy driving every day. The Nexon CNG is a solid choice, and there is no reason to change your decision.

Tata Nexon

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•3d

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual and automatic. My current ride is a Fluidic Verna diesel manual, which is nearing 15 years of ownership and has clocked nearly 2.5 lakh km. My usage consists of mixed city and highway driving, with around 40km daily and weekend highway runs of about 400km. For long-term ownership, which would be the better choice: the manual or automatic?

•3d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel automatic. The diesel engine is well suited to your high running, and the automatic gearbox is a proven torque converter unit that is reliable and well matched to the engine. This Mahindra car will make your daily city driving far less tiring, while still being smooth and efficient on the highway. Coming from a 15-year-old Hyundai Verna diesel manual, the automatic will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and ease of use, without compromising on long-term reliability. The manual is still a good option if you strongly prefer the engagement, but for your usage and ownership horizon, the automatic is the smarter choice.

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