I am planning to buy the Tata Safari and am confused between the top-spec Red Edition and the Accomplished+ variant. Is it worth opting? Please suggest.

Autocar India

•3h

With 75-80% city use, some fun drives on weekends, and a clear need to keep the back seat calm, the Mercedes GLC 300 4MATIC fits your brief better right now. In slow to medium city speeds, it rides softer, so speed breakers and broken patches are handled with less bounce, and people in the back do not get tossed around. The steering is light at low speeds, and the automatic gearbox, which changes gears on its own, is very smooth, so daily traffic is easy, yet the engine still feels strong when you want to make a quick overtake. It is also quieter inside, which makes city trips feel less tiring.The trade-off is that when you really push on a fast road, the GLC does not feel as eager or as tight as the BMW. Pick the BMW X3 xDrive30 if you drive yourself most of the time and want a car that feels sharper and more connected on an open road. The new X3 also gives you the freshest design and tech today, which matters to you. Just note that its ride is firmer in the city, so the back seat will feel a bit more movement on rough roads than in the GLC.On waiting: a GLC facelift by 2026-27 is possible, but India timing is uncertain, and updates may be small. If “latest” is your top goal, the new X3 gives you that today. If city comfort for family comes first, the GLC 300 is the safer bet.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

BMW X3

Autocar India

•5h

While both your shortlisted EVs are excellent in their own right, they do have their shortcomings. The Tesla Model Y L is priced at Rs 62 lakh (ex-showroom), putting it outside your budget, and though it has an impressive WLTP range, it has yet to be proven in the real world. Similarly, though the BYD Sealion 7 represents excellent value for money, its real-world range is far removed from its official figure, and in our real-world test, the dual-motor version managed around 370km on a full charge. Of the two, we'd recommend the Sealion 7, which offers better value overall than the Tesla. However, another EV you should consider in your price range is the recently unveiled Hyundai Ioniq 5 facelift. The original model came the closest to delivering a real-world 500km range in our tests, and this new one, with its larger 84kWh battery, should easily cross that figure. Hyundai's EV powertrains are among the most efficient around, and the Ioniq 5 is as well-appointed and equipped, spacious and comfortable as the best out there.

Tesla Model Y

BYD Sealion 7

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Autocar India

•8h

We would still pick the Kia Carens Clavis 1.5 turbo with the DCT for you. The back seat is the key here: the Carens has a lower step-in and wide door opening, which makes it easier for your mother to get in and out and sit comfortably. In slow city traffic, the ride feels soft and calm in the back, and on the highway, it stays steady and quiet enough for long runs. The variant with 16-inch wheels will be a tad more comfortable than the high-end variants with 17-inchers.On your DCT worry, try the following practices to ensure that the DCT doesn't heat up - avoid holding it on the throttle on slopes, and if you are stopped for a long time, keep the brake pressed or shift to Neutral. Do take the full extended warranty for peace of mind.For a relatively more worry-free experience, you could also consider the Kia Seltos 1.5 Petrol IVT, if having a seven-seater isn't a priority.

Kia Carens Clavis

Kia Seltos

Autocar India

•4d

You want a car that is comfortable in the city, easy to drive and capable of doing long trips for the next 10 years. The Toyota Innova Hycross fits this very well. The hybrid system makes it very smooth and quiet in city driving, and the automatic gearbox is effortless, which becomes more important with age. On highways, it is stable, comfortable and built for long-distance travel, which is what the Innova name has always stood for.What really works in your favour is long-term ownership. Toyota’s reliability, strong service network and resale value make it one of the safest bets if you plan to keep the car for many years. The Hycross also offers excellent space, easy ingress and egress and a comfortable ride, which are important for everyday use and for passengers as you grow older.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Autocar India

•6d

With a 70 km daily mix of traffic and highway use, we would lean towards the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong-hybrid. Your usage is high, and the hybrid will use far less fuel in city traffic while staying calm and smooth. It pulls away on electric power at low speeds, so stop-go driving feels quiet and easy.You like the Seltos for its cabin and stronger shove, and that is fair. The Seltos diesel feels stronger when you press the throttle for quick passes, and its cabin does look and feel richer. If most of your 70 km is open highway and you really value that strong pull and the Kia car interior, the Seltos diesel automatic is still a solid pick.On a Kia Seltos hybrid: Kia does intend to introduce a hybrid, but timing is not yet decided as they are trying to localise components. We estimate it could arrive in 2027, but that could change. For your mix of city and highway, the Hyryder strong-hybrid lines up best with what you need right now.

Kia Seltos

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Autocar India

•4d

For your usage, a naturally aspirated petrol with a CVT or IVT is the best fit. These setups are smoother, easier to drive in traffic and more predictable, which matters far more in city conditions than outright performance. So yes, in your case, NA engines are better suited than turbo petrol.The Hyundai Verna IVT stands out as the most well-rounded option for city driving. The engine is smooth, the IVT gearbox is very intuitive in stop-and-go traffic, and the overall driving experience is effortless. It feels refined and easy to live with daily.The Honda City Hybrid is worth considering if your running is high. It offers excellent fuel efficiency, strong performance and is very easy to drive in the city thanks to its hybrid system. However, it comes with a higher upfront cost, and the battery placement results in a higher boot floor, which slightly affects practicality.Compared to the Verna, the standard Honda City CVT is also an option, but the engine feels a bit noisier, and the gearbox is not as intuitive as the Verna’s IVT in everyday use.

Hyundai Verna

Honda City