Latest questions answered by experts

Rajesh Shedge

Is Harrier petrol worth buying.

Autocar India

Since you own a Kia Sonet, a Tata Harrier turbo-petrol will feel like a proper upgrade as far as space, tough feel and road presence goes. The turbo-petrol engine is strong, but keep in mind that the Harrier is a heavy car, so it won't be very fuel-efficient. Also, the manual version's gearbox and clutch won't feel as smooth or effort-free as the Kia's. But if that isn't something that concerns you, go ahead with it.

Tata Harrier

ithihas reddy

•5h

I am currently using a Fiat Punto Evo 1.3 Sport, 2015 model, and I am planning to upgrade this year. My daily running is around 35-40 km in the city. Please suggest a suitable car for my usage.

Autocar India

•38m

Since you are upgrading from a Fiat Punto Evo, you should consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI DSG. Coming from the Punto, you'll appreciate the Skoda's European build quality and solid ride and handling balance. It also comes with a punchy 150hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine mated to a quick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, so you'll enjoy driving it. Safety is also taken care of, as it comes with 6 airbags, and the pre-facelift Kushaq has also received a 5-star crash safety rating. Given your budget of Rs 20-30 lakh, you can go for the top-spec Kushaq Monte Carlo, which comes with features like a panoramic sunroof, rear seat massage and much more.

Skoda Kushaq

Nishad

•3d

I am planning to buy a petrol car within an on-road budget of Rs. 25-26 lakhs in Bengaluru. My daily usage is minimal, with a monthly running of around 500 km. I am confused between the Seltos GTX (A) and the XUV 7XO AX automatic variants. After test driving both, I like the XUV 7XO for its power, but prefer the Seltos for its more practical cabin.

Autocar India

•1h

Mostly city use in Bengaluru with low running and a Rs. 25-26 lakh cap, points you to the Kia Seltos GTX automatic. It matches what you liked in the test drive: the cabin feels easier to live with every day. In traffic and tight parking spaces, the Seltos is simpler to place, the steering is light, and visibility is good. Seat comfort is good and the storage and controls feel more straightforward, which helps on daily runs. It will also be a touch easier on fuel in the city than a bigger, heavier car.Two trade-offs to note. On open highways, the Mahindra car pulls harder and will feel stronger when you press the accelerator. The Seltos’ rear seat is fine for two adults, but the Mahindra gives you more overall space and a third row.If your use shifts to frequent highway trips with a full family, pick the XUV 7XO automatic for its stronger power and steadier high-speed feel, knowing it will feel bigger in the city. For your current mix, choose the Seltos GTX automatic.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Seltos

Deepak Upadhyay

•3d

My daily commute is 100-125 km, with 50% city traffic and the remaining 50% on state highways where speeds do not exceed 80-90 km/h. I am currently using a 2018 Swift AGS with no issues. With a budget of Rs. 15 lakhs, please suggest an EV or any CNG car with automatic transmission. My main purpose is to reduce fuel expenses.

Autocar India

•1h

With 100-125 km a day and Rs. 15 lakh budget, the Tata Nexon EV Creative 45kWh fits your brief best. It will cut your running cost sharply, stays in budget, and the single-gear drive feels far smoother than your Swift’s automatic in stop-go traffic. For your mix of city and 80-90 kph state roads, it moves easily at low speeds and stays steady at cruise. The higher seat and comfortable ride also help on broken patches and speed breakers.Do check two things: you should be able to park at home and plug in overnight, and at 80-90kph with AC the range will drop a bit, so keep some spare range in hand. In our real world tests, we managed 355km on a single charge so you will need to charge it once every two days. If you must go CNG, consider the Tata Altroz iCNG automatic. It lowers fuel spend and keeps the easy drive, but it feels slower on CNG, the boot is smaller, and CNG pump queues can eat time. For your daily run and savings goal, go with a Nexon EV.

Amit Gupte

I want to drive from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar. Which route would you recommend? I can see multiple routes on Google Maps and don't know which one is best.

Autocar India

•2h

The fastest route is the old NH66 route via Karnala. However, if you want a more enjoyable drive with your Audi A4 with prettier scenery and generally better road surfaces, we would suggest taking the Pali Road via Imagica towards Wakan, where you can connect back onto NH66.Also, try to leave before 7 am so you can cross the Mangaon section before around 10 am, because this stretch can get heavily congested later in the morning.

Audi A4

Ketav

•3d

I have a family of eight and currently own an Ertiga, but it feels underpowered. My daily commute is around 40km, and we do occasional outstation trips once a quarter. I want a powerful, comfortable 7/8-seater that I can keep for at least 6-7 years. The budget is around Rs 25 lakh. What should I buy?

Autocar India

•2h

For your requirements, the Toyota Innova Crysta diesel 8-seater (manual) fits you best. It is the only one here that can seat all eight comfortably, and its diesel pulls strongly even with a full load, so it won’t feel like your Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. Ride comfort is calm on bad roads, the seats are supportive for parents, and Toyota’s track record over 6-7 years is hard to beat.Two things to note: most Crysta trims are manual, so city traffic needs some left‑leg effort, and the on-road price may sit a little above Rs. 25 lakh depending on your city.Overall, for your family size and long-term, the Innova Crysta 8-seater is the right upgrade.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga