Latest questions answered by experts

The BE 6's cabin is basically two giant screens bolted together. Is this actually improving the driving experience, or has it become a specs-sheet arms race?

•1h

Six months with the Windsor EV now, and the battery-as-a-service model has actually worked out cheaper than I expected on my monthly budget.

•1h

Kia's pushing ADAS hard on the Syros. Do you actually trust these systems on Indian roads, or do you still drive like they don't exist?

•5h

Hi, I am planning to purchase a new automatic car and am confused between the Brezza ZXi 1.5L petrol automatic and the Hyundai Venue HX8 1.0L turbo DCT. Please advise me on which one would be the better choice.

•1h

The choice will come down to what you value more in a car. Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi 1.5 petrol automatic if you want a smooth and relaxed drive experience. This Maruti Suzuki car uses a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is the smoothest type of gearbox around, and you will appreciate this in stop-start traffic. Go for the Hyundai Venue 1.0 turbo DCT if it's a more exciting drive you are looking for. The DCT gearbox is not as well-suited to stop-start city conditions and is more fun to drive, with quick shifts, and the powertrain is more peppy and lively. Ride quality is another aspect to look into; if it's mostly city, the Brezza has a more plush low-speed ride, whereas the Venue feels better at speed. Thus, if it's a relaxed city car you are after, pick the Brezza, and the Venue if you are looking for a fun-to-drive car and will have a lot of highway running.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Hyundai Venue

•2h

Picked up my Elevate last weekend after months of comparing it against the Creta and Seltos. Three days in, the driving position alone feels like it was worth the wait.

•5h

I want to choose between the Kia Seltos base petrol variant and the Hyundai Creta base petrol variant. My usage is mostly in city traffic, with limited highway driving. Please suggest which one would be better for me.

•3h

Go for the Kia Seltos base petrol. Both the Seltos and Creta share the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, though the Seltos has moved to a new generation and thus offers a few more benefits, mechanically and with respect to electronics too. Around early next year, the Creta too will move to the new platform; thus, you could use this to drive a good bargain, and if you are getting a good deal, go with the Creta; else, we would lean towards the Kia. The Seltos base variant is also better equipped than the Creta base variant at a similar price point, giving you a more complete ownership experience from day one. Since your usage is mostly city driving with limited highway runs, the 1.5 petrol is well suited to your needs, offering smooth performance and good refinement in traffic. The Seltos also feels slightly more premium inside, which adds to the overall appeal. The Creta is still a very good car, but in this specific comparison, the Seltos would be the better option.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

•4d

I am planning to buy the Thar Roxx Star Edition. My monthly usage is around 1,000-1,200 km, with roughly 50% city and 50% highway driving. Should I choose the diesel or stick with the petrol?

•4h

Go for the diesel. At 1,000–1,200 km a month with a 50:50 city–highway split, the diesel makes sense. The Thar Roxx is a heavy, rugged SUV, and the diesel’s stronger low-end torque suits both city crawling and highway cruising. You will also see a meaningful difference in fuel efficiency over time, which matters at your running. Your highway running should also be enough to allow the DPF to regenerate properly.The petrol is smoother and quieter in the city, but it will be thirstier. The diesel’s slightly higher upfront cost will take a while to recoup, but it is justified by your usage pattern and the Thar’s character. Overall, the diesel is the more sensible and satisfying choice for your driving mix.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

•1d

I currently own a 2020 Tata Nexon EV. I am happy with the EV experience, but I am not satisfied with Tata's service. I understand that the Nexon EV was an early product and that we were effectively guinea pigs at the time. Now that more EVs have matured, I want to know what options I should consider. My priorities are good range, comfort for a family of five, good boot space, physical buttons rather than a screen-heavy cabin like the Windsor, and good after-sales service. I was waiting for an EV from Toyota, but I don't see one coming soon. Which EV should I consider?

•5h

Given your experience with the Tata Nexon EV and your clear priorities, the Kia Syros EV seems to be the right fit. It is a sub-4-meter car with a surprisingly spacious cabin that can easily accommodate five passengers and their luggage. Go for the larger battery version that'll deliver healthy range, and you also have a good mix of physical buttons and touch keys, all logically laid out.Toyota does offer an electric car, the Ebella, but you could consider the Maruti Suzuki E Vitara instead, which is more value for money.

Kia Syros EV

Toyota Urban Cruiser Ebella

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara

Tata Nexon EV

•1d

I am planning to buy a compact SUV and have shortlisted the manual variants of the Hyundai Venue HX5+, Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 and Tata Nexon Camo or Creative. Which one would you recommend?

•5h

Go for the AX5 variant of the Mahindra XUV 3XO. It is the most spacious of the three, with a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater, and the turbo petrol engine is strong and enjoyable to drive. The Hyundai Venue HX5+ is the more refined and modern product overall, but it is not as spacious and does not ride as well as the Mahindra car. The Tata Nexon Camo or Creative is a solid all-rounder with good ride comfort and a strong safety reputation, but the 3XO offers more space and a more engaging driving experience. The only real drawback with the 3XO is the relatively small boot, but if you do not regularly carry large amounts of luggage, it is the best choice here.

My Innova Crysta’s periodic service quote came to almost Rs 14,000 this time. Does that sound right for the 40,000km service, or should I look around for better rates?

•6h

A Rs 14,000 bill for a 40,000km service on the Toyota Innova Crysta does not sound out of line, especially if it is the diesel. The 40,000km service is one of the bigger scheduled services and typically includes a full oil change, all filters (air, fuel, oil, cabin), brake fluid, differential oil, and a more thorough inspection. The diesel in particular has a more expensive fuel filter and higher oil capacity, which pushes the cost up. That said, it is always worth asking for a detailed breakdown of the bill and checking for any add-ons like wheel alignment, balancing, AC cleaning or engine bay cleaning that are not part of the standard service schedule. If those are included, you can opt out and bring the cost down. Overall, though, Rs 14,000 for a major 40,000km service on the Crysta diesel is within the expected range.

Toyota Innova Crysta

•1d

Hi, I’m confused between the Tata Nexon Creative+ S/PS Petrol Camo and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi+. I’ll be driving roughly 50% in the city and 50% on highways and for outstation trips, with a budget of around Rs 14 lakh. Which one would be the better choice for my usage, and why?

•6h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi+. With a 50:50 city and highway split, the Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is the better fit. It is smooth, predictable and easy to drive in the city, while also being reliable and efficient on longer highway runs. Maruti’s service network and low maintenance costs add to the ownership peace of mind, which is important.The Nexon’s turbo petrol is more powerful, but in real-world driving it can feel a bit inconsistent in power delivery, especially at low speeds. The Brezza’s engine is simpler and more linear, which makes it easier to live with daily. The Brezza also has a comfortable ride and a well-sorted suspension setup, making it a good all-rounder for both city commutes and highway trips.The Tata Nexon does offer a more feature-rich cabin and a more premium feel in some areas, but for your usage pattern, the Brezza’s overall ownership experience and reliability edge make it the better choice.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Tata Nexon

•15h

Told the Hyundai dealer I'd think about the extended warranty. He called me four times in two days. I bought a car, not signed up for a relationship.

•16h

Sold my petrol Alto and switched to Punch EV six months ago. Didn't think I'd miss the sound of an engine starting, but here we are.

•1d

Hi Team, I am desperately trying to find an exact substitute of Tata Nexon Creative Plus PS (Petrol + Manual), in the same price range with exactly all features that this Tata Nexon variant offers, but with a better engine. Can you please suggest such a car?

•16h

The Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 Luxury petrol manual is the closest alternative to the Nexon Creative Plus PS petrol manual. It sits in the same price bracket, offers a similarly rich feature set and, crucially, has a stronger engine. The 3XO’s 131hp, 1.2 turbo petrol is more powerful and more responsive than the Nexon’s 1.2 turbo petrol, giving it a clear edge in both performance and drivability. The 3XO also benefits from a wider cabin, making it a more comfortable five-seater, and it comes with a strong safety package. The only significant drawback is the boot, which is one of the smallest in the segment. If boot space is a priority, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is worth considering as well. It offers a more engaging driving experience and a larger boot, but it is not as feature-rich as the 3XO. Overall, the 3XO AX5 Luxury petrol manual is the best like-for-like alternative to the Nexon Creative Plus PS, with a clear advantage in engine performance.

The number of people in Pune who indicate right and turn left could probably form their own community at this point.

•17h

Drove the Harrier and the Hyryder back to back last week. One feels like a proper SUV, the other feels like a very comfortable sedan pretending to be one.

•2d

I am planning to buy my first car and am considering Kia Seltos base model, but I have a concern. I am 6'1" and my son is 6'3". Should I skip Seltos and consider Carens base model as it is more flexible and value for money. I need the car primarily for highway use but I might use it for travelling locally as well. However, I am not sure whether it should be my first car.

•17h

Considering your height, the Kia Carens is the better choice. Rear-seat headroom and legroom will matter far more than features and, while the Seltos is a very good car, it isn’t as roomy or as flexible as the Carens.Since your usage is primarily highway driving with some city use, the Carens makes sense from a comfort perspective. You and your family will be spending long hours in the vehicle, and the extra room to stretch out will be appreciated. It rides well, is stable at speed and offers the flexibility of occasional third-row use or extra luggage space when needed. As a first car, its size is more manageable than you might think, and it is quite easy to drive in the city.One thing to keep in mind is that the Carens is now only available in a single Premium (O) trim. It has the basics covered, but it does look and feel a bit dated compared to the Carens Clavis. Overall, the Carens is a sensible and value-for-money choice for your requirements and a better fit for your family than the Seltos.

Third time this month the fast charger near my office has been out of service. How is everyone managing daily EV charging without a dedicated home setup.

•1d

Hey community, I have been an Autocar enthusiast since its magazine days. I’m looking forward to being part of this portal and connecting with like-minded petrolheads.

•18h

Welcome to the community! It’s great to have long-time Autocar readers here. If you’re looking for buying advice, ownership tips or just want to discuss cars, you’re in the right place. Let us know what you’re driving or what you’re considering next as we’re always happy to help with recommendations.

•18h

Doing a Mumbai to Goa drive next month with 3 people and a fair bit of luggage. Deciding between an XL6 and a Carens, which one would actually handle it better.

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