Latest questions answered by experts
Can I get the mirror-to-mirror width with both the mirrors open and folded? My parking space is only 8 ft wide.
The width of your parking space is 8ft, which is about 2.44 metres. That is quite tight for most modern cars, especially with the mirrors open. For example, a typical midsize SUV like the Kia Seltos or Hyundai Creta is around 1.8 metres wide without mirrors, and with mirrors open, the width can go up to around 2.1 metres. With an 8ft width, you'll have very little clearance on either side, especially if you need to open the doors, so you'll need to park close to the passenger-side wall to have enough space for the driver to open the door and enter/exit. The good news is that most modern cars have electrically folding mirrors, so you can fold them in before entering the parking space. With mirrors folded, the width drops back to the body width, which is usually around 1.8 metres for most SUVs and 1.7 metres for smaller hatchbacks and sedans. If you want a car that is genuinely easy to park in an 8ft space, you should look at smaller hatchbacks like the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios or Tata Tiago. These are around 1.7 metres wide with mirrors folded and will give you more breathing room. The key is to make sure the car you choose has electrically folding mirrors and to get into the habit of folding them before entering the parking space.

Hi, my daily running is around 50 km, mostly in the city. Which is the best SUV for me within a budget of Rs. 20-25 lakh?
With a daily city running of around 50km, the ideal choice is a petrol automatic SUV with a smooth gearbox and low running costs. In the Rs. 20-25 lakh range, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is the most balanced option. The IVT gearbox is very smooth in stop-start traffic, it is easy to drive in the city thanks to the light controls, and Kia’s service network is strong. The Seltos also offers a comfortable cabin, good features and a premium feel.If you want something more driver-focused, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is a good alternative. This Skoda car is more engaging to drive and feels more solid on the highway, but the Seltos is the better all-rounder for city use. You can also consider the Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid if you want more fuel efficiency and even lower running costs, but it won't feel as premium as the Kia. The Seltos petrol IVT strikes the right balance between comfort, reliability and ease of ownership for your usage.
Will the torque converter gearbox also be offered with the Skoda Slavia 1.5?
No, the new 8-speed torque converter will be available only with the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol version of the updated Skoda Slavia. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol is expected to continue with the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
I am a retired person, and my daily city driving is around 15-20 km in heavy traffic, with occasional highway trips. My current car is a 2010 Honda Jazz. I am looking for a reliable and safe automatic car with a budget of around Rs. 25 lakh. I am open to a hybrid automatic, electric, or petrol automatic. Which option would you recommend?
Given your limited usage, the initial premium a hybrid or an electric car command over a petrol-automatic can't be justified, despite the significant difference in running costs. Hence, we'd advise you to consider a petrol-automatic car instead. For the money, you can consider a VW Taigun 1.0 TSI 8AT or a Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI 8AT. Both these are smooth and compact in size, and will feel rather easy to drive in urban conditions. Also, both are solid, and you will feel confident driving on your occasional highway drives. In case you want a car that's larger and more modern, the Kia Seltos 1.5 IVT is an excellent option.However, if you're still keen to keep the running costs to a bare minimum, and if you have a provision for home charging, then consider the upcoming Kia Syros EV (expected to launch in the coming weeks). This Kia car is compact in size, yet it is surprisingly spacious, and with adjustable rear seats, the Syros will feel like a natural progression from your outgoing Honda Jazz. The electric powertrain is likely to be shared with the Clavis EV, which means it will be smooth and very efficient too. Sure, the Syros EV's looks might not be universally appealing; however, we'd strongly recommend that you drive it once - it is likely to be an ideal Jazz replacement for you.

Hi, I am planning to buy an SUV but am confused about choosing the best one from the three options. My maximum budget is Rs. 17.5 lakh. I am looking for a 5-seater car where safety and value for money are the top priorities. My monthly running will be around 2,000 km. My family members are suggesting the Kia Seltos with an automatic transmission. However, its overall size and length are bigger than the others. The Skoda is another option, but my friends say that its maintenance and spare parts are more expensive. I have no idea about Tata. Please help and advise.
Go for the Kia Seltos IVT. At Rs 17.5 lakh, you are right at the point where the Seltos becomes the most sensible choice. The IVT automatic is smooth, reliable and well suited to your 2,000 km/month usage, and the Seltos is a genuinely well-rounded SUV with good space, a comfortable ride and a strong safety package. Kia’s service network is strong, and ownership costs are reasonable. The Skoda Kushaq is the better driver’s car, but the Seltos is the more complete family SUV. Tata Sierra is a good option, and very spacious but would feel much larger than the Kia car, thus go with the Seltos it feels premium and is the better long-term ownership proposition. Although, the Seltos is also one of the longer cars in the segment, but this translates into better rear seat space and a more comfortable cabin for family use. Overall, the Seltos IVT is the safest, most value-for-money choice in your budget.
I am planning to buy a car, but I am confused between the Nexon CNG and Victoris CNG. I frequently travel from Mumbai to outstations(500 kms) in a month. Please suggest.
Go for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris CNG. With your monthly 500km Mumbai-outstation runs, the Victoris CNG is the sensible choice. It is the larger of the two, with a more spacious cabin and a larger boot, which makes a difference on long trips with luggage. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine runs well on CNG, and Maruti's CNG calibration is among the best in the business.The Nexon, with its turbo engine, has a bit more performance for highway overtakes, whereas the Victoris' naturally aspirated engine might need a downshift or two. However, in most scenarios, the Victoris will feel adequate. Overall, the Victoris is the better choice, but test-drive both on the highway to see which you prefer.
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