Latest questions answered by experts
My daily commute is around 70-100 km. Which electric two-wheeler would be the best choice for my requirements?
Since your daily run is quite long, the Bajaj Chetak C35 models, higher variants of the TVS iQube, Vida VX2 3.4/4.4, and the top Ather Rizta models will be EVs to consider. Take test rides of these EVs to see which one suits your riding style and then make your decision.
Has Husqvarna stopped manufacturing the Vitpilen 250, as all the dealers in Ranchi have informed me that Vitpilen 250 has been discontinued. However, the company's customer support team says otherwise.
The Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 is still very much on sale in India. What you are likely experiencing is a local availability issue in Ranchi rather than a nationwide discontinuation. Husqvarna models are usually experience with much lower demand in comparison to their KTM brethren, so it is not uncommon for certain models to be unavailable in specific cities or dealerships for extended periods. This can sometimes lead dealers to incorrectly state that a model has been discontinued when, in reality, it is simply not being stocked locally. If you are keen on the Vitpilen 250, it is worth checking with dealerships in neighbouring cities or, as this Husqvarna bike should still be available through the official KTM/Husqvarna network.
Hello Autocar, I'm planning to buy an EV with a budget of around Rs. 20-22 lakh (ex-showroom). Although I can stretch it a bit if it's worth it. The models that I'm currently considering are Tata Sierra Adventure 75, Tata Harrier EV Adventure 65 and Mahindra XEV 9e 59 kWh (base variant). My usage will be around 70% city driving. I also own a 2025 Hyundai Creta Petrol CVT, so I'm looking for an EV that genuinely feels like an upgrade rather than just a different powertrain. Among these, I liked the XEV 9e the most, but I'm a bit concerned about the long-term practicality and battery life of the 59 kWh pack, since it's the smallest battery among the three. Which one would you recommend, and is there any other EV in this price range that I should consider?
Go for the Mahindra XEV 9e 59 kWh. It is the most complete electric car from the ones you're considering and will genuinely feel like an upgrade over your Creta. The Sierra and Harrier EV are good cars, but the XEV 9e feels more premium, more modern and more sorted as an overall package. Going for the smaller 59 kWh battery should not be a concern since it is still a large pack, and Mahindra’s battery management system is well engineered. The car is also more efficient than the Tata EVs, so real-world range is not as far behind as the numbers would suggest. The only reason to stretch to the larger battery is if you regularly do very long highway runs. For your 70% city usage, the 59 kWh pack is more than sufficient. The Sierra EV is the better Tata EV, but the XEV 9e is the better car overall.

Hi, I would like your suggestion on a good bike for my needs. I am 40 years old, 5'9" tall, weigh 115 kg, and have a family. My daily commute is 72 km. The road conditions are around 6 out of 10, considering potholes and speed breakers. Traffic is above average; if I were to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the least and 10 is the highest, I would rate it 7. I am open to both ICE and electric bikes. I would also prefer a bike that offers good fuel efficiency.
Given your long daily run with lots of traffic and bad roads, a simple commuter would be the best fit for your usage. In the 125cc segment, look at options like the TVS Raider, Honda Shine / SP125 and Hero Super Splendor/Xtreme, depending on your design preferences.In the 160cc class, options like Honda Unicorn / SP160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160 are our top picks. Depending on your budget and fuel economy requirements, pick between the class of bikes that best suit your needs.
I am looking at a used 2022 Triumph Trident or a used 2016 Triumph Street Triple. Which used model is more worthwhile in terms of after-sales service, maintenance, and safety on the road in 2026?
A 2016 Triumph Street Triple 675 will likely be more maintenance intensive than a 2022 Trident 660. Sourcing parts for a discontinued model is also a taxing and expensive affair. There's no doubt that the triple will be more thrilling to ride but be prepared to shell out more to keep it running.
I am planning to buy my first bike for my daily office commute in city traffic. I was considering waiting for the Triumph Bonneville 350. Are Triumph’s upcoming 350cc bikes worth waiting for, or should I consider another motorcycle instead?
It certainly makes sense to wait for the upcoming Triumph Bonneville 350, it will likely be a comfortable, smooth machine with a lovely neo-retro design. In a similar vein, also look at the RE Classic / Bullet 350 and the Honda CB350 models. Take test rides of the REs and the Triumph when it comes out and make your decision accordingly.
I'm looking for an electric scooter under Rs. 1 lakh (on-road) in Mysore as a secondary two-wheeler alongside my Honda CB350RS (e20 compliant). The EV will be mainly used by my wife for daily errands, and I will occasionally use it for my office commute, which is 3 km one way. Our maximum daily running will be around 12 km. Which one would you recommend?
The TVS Orbiter V2 will just about fit in your budget and is a good fit for your basic daily needs. If you can make the small stretch for it, go for the iQube 2.2, which will offer you a more appealing overall experience.

Hi! I am looking for a car under Rs. 12 lakh and am willing to increase my budget by Rs. 20,000-30,000 if the car offers good value. I have been considering a few cars, such as the Skoda Kylaq, Mahindra XUV 3XO, and Hyundai Venue, but I am very confused and unable to decide. I want a car with good features, a premium feel, better comfort, strong safety, and reliability that doesn't give me trouble. Could you please help? Thanks.
Go for the Hyundai Venue. It has a five-star Bharat NCAP rating, good features, a quality cabin and good reliability, with a wide-reaching service network and reasonable costs. You also have two petrol engines to choose from a 1.2 naturally aspirated, and a more powerful 1.0 turbocharged, both of which are smooth and efficient. The Mahindra XUV 3XO also offers a strong feature list, 5-star safety rating, good ride comfort and a powerful 1.2 turbo petrol engine. However it is not as fuel efficient as the Venue, and Mahindra's aftersales and service experience isn't as well reputed as Hyundai's. Overall, the Venue is a better all-rounder.Do note, however, that on your Rs. 12 lakh budget, both these SUVs will only be available in their mid-range variants, so you won't get all the features they could have on offer. If you want maximum bang for your buck, check out the Nissan Magnite 1.0 Turbo. It's spacious, reliable, feature loaded, powerful enough and you can even get an auto gearbox in your budget.
I am looking for a car with at least 4 -5 star safety rating. My preference is a 7-seater car as occasionally I travel with my extended family. My daily commute is from Dadar to Malad in peak traffic and I return late from work at night. We have a second house in Virar where we travel over the weekend and therefore I need a bigger car, mostly an suv. My average running is approximately between 700 km and 1000km. I am also concerned about the E20 fuel since I am planning to use the car for minimum 8 to 9 years. In worst case situation, I am ready to compromise to a 5-seater car with spacious rear seats and am giving serious thought to an EV as well. I currently own a 2021 Kwid RXT AMT petrol and need to upgrade as it is very small and it is difficult to travel to long distances with full load. Also, I am not sure whether ADAS would work in bumper-to-bumper traffic or highway, but at least a blind view monitor or alerts would be helpful. Please suggest best options as I am flexible to stretch my budget upto 22 lakhs at max.
Based on your requirements, the Kia Carens Clavis petrol DCT is the most sensible recommendation. Your running of 700-1,000 km a month does not justify a diesel, and the Carens is a comfortable 7-seater that will serve you well over an 8-9 year ownership period. The one downside with this powertrain is that the DCT can feel a bit hesitant, which you will notice on your commute.If you can install a charger at home, the Clavis EV is a superb fit for your needs. It has the same practical cabin as the ICE car, but the electric car will feel a lot better to drive in stop and go traffic. Your budget will only get you the 42kWh battery which should give you a real world range of around 300-320km.If you aren't going to use the third row that often then the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Strong Hybrid is a great choice for your needs. In heavy traffic it will run on EV mode cutting down fuel cost significantly. It is also very easy and smooth to drive in bumper to bumper traffic.On the E20 fuel concern, modern petrol engines are engineered to handle E20 blends, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20 at this stage. The main impact is a slight reduction in fuel economy.
I have been driving a Renault Triber RXZ AMT for a long time. However, the transmission feels sluggish, and the car feels underpowered. My driving is 80% on highways and 20% in the city, with an annual running of approximately 8,000 km. Safety is a major concern for me. Please suggest the best 7-seater family car options under Rs. 20 lakh.
Given your usage pattern of 80% highway driving, the Renault Triber's limitations are understandable. The AMT gearbox is not the most responsive and the engine does feel underpowered.Go for the Kia Clavis HTK+ Turbo DCT. It is a comfortable, spacious seven-seater which delivers strong performance that you will certainly appreciate on your long drives. The HTK+ is well-equipped too, and the interior feels quite premium too. As far as safety goes, the Clavis is equipped with all standard features like 6 airbags, ESP, hill-start assist, ABS with EBD, etc. Overall, it'll feel like a huge step up over your Renault Triber AMT.
I have a 2021 Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Petrol AT and a 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 Petrol AT. We have decided to buy the Mahindra XEV 9S between December and February. The Kushaq has covered 31,100 km and is expected to reach around 33,000 km by then, while the XUV 3XO has covered 10,700 km and is expected to reach around 12,000 km by the time the XEV 9S arrives. Mahindra XUV 3XO is being sold for Rs. 14,30,000 and Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Petrol AT is being sold for Rs. 14,60,000. Can you suggest which one I should sell after buying the Mahindra XEV 9S? Please advise based on practicality and financial considerations. I would be glad to hear your advice.
Sell the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT and keep the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 petrol AT. The Kushaq is already four years old and will be around 33,000 km by the time the XEV 9S arrives, so you are already past the steepest part of the depreciation curve. The XUV 3XO is a much newer car with only 12,000 km on the clock, so you are still in the early years of ownership where depreciation is highest. From a financial perspective, it makes more sense to sell the older car and retain the newer one.From a practicality perspective, the XUV 3XO is also the better car to keep. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater. It is also a very well-rounded car with good safety credentials and a strong ownership proposition. The Kushaq is slightly larger and more engaging to drive, but those aren't reasons enough to keep it over the 3XO.
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