Latest questions answered by experts

I am a 43-year-old man with a family that includes my wife, my two 11-year-old sons, and my parents. I am planning to buy a car for my family by November 2026. My priorities are good fuel efficiency and strong safety. My usage will mainly consist of short weekend trips, along with longer journeys of 600 km or more once every 2-3 months. Considering my family size and usage pattern, which car would you recommend? Also, are there any upcoming car launches expected by November 2026 that may suit my requirements better?

•4h

Without knowing your budget, it's hard to know what to recommend, but strictly speaking, for your family of six, the best car around is the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid. It's the most spacious car this side of Rs. 50 lakh and comes with one of the most efficient hybrid powertrains. The interior is flexible, so you can reconfigure it to suit your specific needs, and being an MPV, getting in and out will not be too difficult for your parents further down the line. It's a Toyota, so reliability is a given, and maintenance costs are reasonable too. In the city, the hybrid powertrain will run mostly on electric power, giving you a refined and relaxing experience, and on the highway, there's enough punch, even with a full load of passengers. If this is outside your budget, however, consider the Kia Carens Clavis, which offers a great mix of features, space and flexibility for the money. Plus, with a wide choice of engines and gearboxes, you should find something that suits you.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Carens Clavis

•1d

I have been driving a Datsun GO A for almost 7 years now, and I feel it is time for an upgrade. My budget is up to Rs. 12 lakh, although I can stretch it by around Rs. 1 lakh if needed. I drive approximately 400 km per month and take occasional outstation trips, usually once or twice a year. I am open to recommendations across all vehicle segments, but I am not particularly fond of large vehicles because of traffic and parking challenges in Bengaluru. One thing I really enjoy about the Datsun GO is its peppy engine, and I would love a car that offers a similarly engaging driving experience. I can also postpone my purchase by about a year if there is an upcoming model that would be worth waiting for, such as the Hyundai Bayon. Considering my requirements, which cars would you recommend?

•4h

Coming from a Datsun Go, you'll probably appreciate a car that feels light, easy to manoeuvre and has a responsive engine rather than a large SUV. Given your relatively low monthly running of around 400km and the fact that most of your driving will be in Bengaluru, a petrol automatic makes the most sense.Our pick would be the Skoda Kylaq Signature AT. It is compact enough for city traffic, the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine feels genuinely peppy and the torque-converter automatic is smooth and easy to live with. It also offers a substantial upgrade over the Datsun in terms of safety, refinement and overall quality.If you prefer a hatchback, the Hyundai i20 IVT is worth considering. It is easy to drive in traffic, has a smooth and refined powertrain and offers a premium cabin. While it isn't as punchy as the Kylaq, it remains one of the best all-round city cars in this price range.As for the Hyundai Bayon, we wouldn't recommend delaying your purchase for it. Even if Hyundai decides to bring it to India, it is likely to be positioned above your budget and could end up closer to the Creta in terms of pricing.

Right now, we seem to be on the verge of a major green mobility revolution in the Indian automotive industry. The Government of India has announced and started making E85 petrol available at select fuel stations. However, if the recent Iran-US peace deal and stability in the Strait of Hormuz are sustained, crude oil prices could potentially fall back to pre-conflict levels. Given such a scenario, should a new car buyer opt for a flex-fuel vehicle, an EV, or a conventional petrol/diesel vehicle from their preferred brand?

•5h

A new car buyer should not make a purchase decision based on short-term fluctuations in crude oil prices or geopolitical events. Even if crude prices soften, vehicle ownership is typically a 7-10 year decision, while fuel prices can change dramatically several times during that period. The best approach is to buy based on your usage pattern, not on what fuel prices may do over the next few months.If your usage is predominantly city driving with access to home charging, an EV still makes a lot of sense because of its low running costs, smooth driving experience and lower maintenance requirements.If you cover high monthly mileages and spend a lot of time on highways, a diesel can still be a compelling option, particularly in larger SUVs.For most buyers, however, a regular petrol or hybrid remains the safest and most hassle-free choice today. Modern petrol engines are already compatible with current ethanol blends and there is no urgent need to wait for flex-fuel vehicles.As for flex-fuel cars, the technology is promising, but it still has a long way to go before it makes complete financial sense. The government will likely have to keep E85 priced significantly below regular petrol to offset the efficiency penalty. In our recent E85 versus E20 mileage test on a flex-fuel Suzuki Gixxer SF 250, fuel efficiency dropped from 38.1kpl on E20 to 28.8kpl on E85, a reduction of over 24 percent. Even though E85 was around Rs. 20 per litre cheaper, the lower efficiency meant the running cost per kilometer was actually higher on E85.

Suzuki Gixxer 250

•15h

Good morning. Thanks for your opinion regarding the choice between the Seltos Diesel AT and the Sierra Diesel AT. However, with the Sierra EV scheduled for launch on June 30, would it be prudent to wait for it before making a decision?

•5h

Given your earlier question and usage pattern, there is no harm in waiting a couple of weeks for the Sierra EV to be revealed in full, especially since the launch is so close.That said, it shouldn't necessarily change your decision. Your daily running of 60-70km, combined with regular out-of-town travel, is actually very well suited to a diesel SUV. The Seltos Diesel Automatic remains the more proven package, with an efficient and refined powertrain, excellent range and the convenience of quick refuelling on longer trips.The Sierra EV could prove to be a compelling alternative if you have home charging and are open to making the switch to electric. Running costs will be significantly lower, and the instant performance of an EV should suit your daily commute. However, for someone coming from a diesel Duster and specifically looking at diesel SUVs, the Seltos still feels like the safer and more established choice today.

I'm currently planning to replace my old scooter, a 2016 Honda Aviator, and was considering the Hero Destini 125. However, with the government's increasing focus on higher ethanol fuel blends, I'm confused about whether buying a petrol-powered two-wheeler right now is the right decision. My usage is around 50plus km of daily commuting, along with occasional long trips. I plan to keep the vehicle for the long term and need good fuel efficiency, which is why the Hero Destini 125 appeals to me. Should I go ahead with the Destini, wait for more clarity on future fuel norms, or consider switching to an EV? I'm still hesitant about EVs because the technology is evolving, and the charging infrastructure will likely take more time to mature. What would you recommend?

•6h

In addition to the Hero Destini 125, we'd recommend you also consider the TVS Jupiter 125 and the Suzuki Access, too. As overall packages, the TVS and Suzuki are better options than the Hero, although the Destini definitely has a slight edge in terms of overall comfort. In terms of fuel efficiency, all three are quite closely matched and are frugal machines, but long-term ownership should be slightly more trouble-free on the Access. Before you make your decision, take a test ride of all three back-to-back to understand the strong and weak points of all. Currently, E20 fuel is here to stay, and any higher blends are still some time away.

Hero MotoCorp Destini 125

TVS Jupiter 125

Suzuki Access

•13h

I need an SUV model for my family. We are 4 members, we need comfort and safety, also good build quality and low maintenance. Twice a year, we go on a long trip. Now we are using the Alto 2011 model. Budget 10 to 15 lakh.

•8h

The Skoda Kylaq Automatic would be the recommendation here. Coming from a 2011 Alto, the Kylaq will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort, safety, performance and overall refinement. It offers strong build quality, a spacious cabin for a family of four, excellent safety credentials and a smooth automatic gearbox that makes city driving effortless. It is also comfortable enough for the two long trips you undertake every year.If low maintenance and hassle-free ownership are your top priorities, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza Automatic is another excellent option. It may not feel quite as solid or enjoyable to drive as the Skoda, but it offers proven reliability, good fuel efficiency and one of the widest service networks in the country.

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Brezza