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•42w

I’m an NRI and visit India at least twice a year. During my visits, I travel frequently on highways and in cities. I’m looking for a car that will be used for about two months annually and driven up to 2,000 km per year. It should be comfortable for a family of five, with good boot space, ground clearance, and safety features. When I’m away, the car may be used by my single dad with a driver. Fuel efficiency and performance are not deal breakers, but comfort and features are important. My budget is ₹10-12 lakh. Please suggest.

•42w

The Kia Syros is an option worth considering. It's got an amazingly roomy cabin, good boot space and ample ground clearance for our road conditions. It packs in ample safety features and there's comfort in knowing that its a 5 star Bharat NCAP rated vehicle. The 1-litre turbo-petrol HTK Plus is within your budget and gets some key features such as a crisp 12.3-inch touchscreen.

Other options you could look at include the Mahindra XUV 3XO in AX5 trim (though the boot isn't largest), Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXI (a well rounded package) and Nissan Magnite Turbo (service network isn't very widespread).

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Kia

Syros

from ₹9.39 Lakh

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•1w

Which diesel automatic car to buy under 18 lakh?

•5d

The diesel-automatic options available are the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Kia Syros, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Tata Nexon. Out of these, the Hyundai and Kia offerings share their 1.5-litre diesel engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, which is smooth, refined and very efficient. Mahindra and Tata use a 6-speed AMT, which isn't as smooth or seamless as the torque converter which the others offer. Hence, we'd advise you to narrow down your options to the Venue, Sonet and Syros.Out of these, the Syros is a brilliantly packaged car with a sophisticated interior. If you don't mind the way it looks, it deserves serious consideration. If you prefer a vehicle that looks a bit more conventional, opt for the Venue instead, which ticks all the right boxes.Alternatively, you could consider an entry-level Kia Seltos HTE O variant. You might miss out on some features, but if you're looking for a more spacious car from a segment above, it might be worth opting for. It has the same powertrain as the Venue.

I saw that car loan amounts have reportedly risen quite a bit over the last few years. Are people genuinely buying better cars now?

•2d

I have a 2023 Grand Vitara AT (non-hybrid) and spend around Rs. 12-14k per month on petrol. City mileage has dropped from around 13 to 10 kmpl. I have solar at home, so EV charging will be almost free or cost a maximum of Rs 3-4 per unit. I'm confused about whether to replace the Grand Vitara with an EV or keep it and buy a Tiago EV for daily city use. Or am I overthinking the fuel savings? Should I just keep the Grand Vitara and avoid buying a second car altogether? Would like to hear from people who have been in a similar situation. What makes more sense financially in the long run?

•2d

You are not overthinking the fuel savings, but the decision is not purely about fuel cost either. At Rs 12-14k per month on petrol, your running is high enough that an electric car makes strong financial sense, especially with solar at home.The bigger question is whether to replace the Grand Vitara or add a Tiago EV. If your daily usage is mostly city driving and the Grand Vitara is not being used for regular highway trips or family duties, replacing it with an EV is the cleaner financial decision. You eliminate the petrol expense entirely and avoid the depreciation and maintenance of a second car.If the Grand Vitara is still needed for highway trips, family use, or you simply enjoy owning it, then keeping it and adding a Tiago EV for city use is a sensible approach. The Tiago EV is a cost-effective city runabout and will take the bulk of your daily running, while the Grand Vitara remains available for longer trips.Financially, the biggest savings come from replacing the Grand Vitara with an EV. Adding a second car makes sense only if you genuinely need both vehicles. If the Grand Vitara is not essential, do not keep it just for occasional use.

Tata Tiago EV

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•1w

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

•1w

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

I currently own a Jeep Compass and want to get an additional car for my father, with good reliability, unlike the Jeep. My father still drives a 2008 Honda City, and I am torn between a few choices: the Honda City, Skoda Slavia, Nissan Tekton and Toyota Hyryder. Or should I wait for the Virtus facelift or the new-generation Creta? His usage is low, at almost 500 km per month. Please suggest.

•4d

With just 500km a month, petrol is the clear choice, and reliability and ease of ownership become the most important factors. The Honda City is the safest recommendation here. It is a proven product with a strong reliability record, a comfortable ride and a familiar ownership experience that your father will appreciate, especially coming from a 2008 City. The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are both excellent to drive, but the 1.0 TSI engine can feel a bit laggy at low speeds, and the 1.5 TSI is overkill for this kind of usage. The Nissan Tekton is a good value proposition, but engines are not responsive at low speeds and Nissan's service network is not as strong as Honda's, which matters more for a low-running, long-term ownership scenario. The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder is a solid option if you specifically want an SUV, but the hybrid premium does not make financial sense at this running, and the naturally aspirated petrol is not as refined as the City's engine. The new-generation Hyundai Creta is worth waiting for only if your father specifically wants an SUV; otherwise, the City remains the more sensible choice. Overall, the Honda City is the most reliable, comfortable and hassle-free option for your father's usage.

Honda City

Skoda Slavia

Volkswagen Virtus

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Nissan Tekton

•5d

Hi, I am planning to buy a new car and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTX (A) DCT and the Tata Safari Adventure Plus. I liked the interior quality of the Seltos, while the Safari’s road presence is impressive. My annual running is around 15,000km, including both city driving and highway trips. Could you please guide me on which car would be the better choice for my needs?

•5d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX(A) DCT. At 15,000 km a year with a mix of city and highway driving, the Seltos is the more sensible choice. This Kia car is easier to drive in the city, more efficient and still comfortable on long trips. The DCT gearbox is quick but a bit jerky in traffic, but the car feels premium inside, which you already like. The Tata Safari has great road presence and more space, but this Tata car is a much bigger car to live with every day and does not feel as well-finished inside. The Seltos is the better all-rounder for your usage.

Kia Seltos

Tata Safari

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