•1d

Is buying the Tata Tiago Petrol AMT or the Tata Tiago CNG + Petrol AMT a good decision, considering that I do not drive much? My monthly running is around 500 km.

•14m

Go for the Tiago petrol automatic. With only 500 km a month, the money you save on CNG won’t recover the higher upfront price and the compromises for a long time. The petrol feels smoother and livelier in traffic, the gearbox works better with it, and you keep your full boot for luggage. CNG adds weight, cuts boot space, and performance drops when you switch to gas, which you’ll feel on flyovers and quick overtakes.

If your city has patchy CNG supply or long queues, the convenience gap gets wider. Petrol also needs less planning on highway runs, and service is simpler.

One honest catch: your running cost per km will be higher on petrol. If fuel prices worry you, or your usage could jump to 1,000+ km a month and you plan to keep the car 7-8 years, the Tiago CNG automatic can make financial sense. For your current 500 km pattern though, petrol automatic is the cleaner, easier choice.

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More questions on similar cars

•5d

I am a first-time car buyer. I need a car for office commuting of less than 10km daily, with occasional trips. My budget is under Rs. 7 lakh. Please suggest a fuel-efficient, low-maintenance family car for four adults.

•1d

Pick the Maruti Suzuki Celerio. For a sub-10 km city commute and the odd road trip, it offers the best mix of mileage, simple upkeep, and an easy drive while staying within your Rs. 7 lakh budget. It fits four adults comfortably, and the boot can take weekend bags. Maruti’s service network is everywhere, and parts are cheap, so long-term costs stay low.Given your short daily runs, a small petrol hatch makes more sense than a diesel or an electric car. The Celerio’s light controls and tight size make traffic and parking stress-free. At highway speeds, it can feel a bit light, so it's advisable to keep a relaxed pace on trips. If you want a sturdier feel and stronger crash rating, the Tata Tiago is worth a look.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

Tata Tiago

•1d

I have a Tata Tiago AMT bought in 2020, and it has covered 120,000km. Mechanically, everything is good, but the body has started rusting. I had it repainted once at a Tata dealership, but the rust has returned. The dealership says Tata cars naturally rust. What should I do? I really love my Tiago.

•5h

The first step is to identify whether the rust is surface rust or structural corrosion on your Tata Tiago. Surface rust, especially around stone chips, door edges or weld joints, can usually be treated by sanding, applying anti-rust treatment and repainting the affected panels. If the rust is recurring in the same areas despite repairs, we'd recommend getting a second opinion from a reputed independent body shop rather than relying solely on the dealership.We also wouldn't agree that "Tata cars naturally rust". While some owners have reported rusting issues, it is certainly not normal for every Tata car, and recurring corrosion after a proper repair suggests the root cause may not have been addressed.If the corrosion is extensive or affecting structural areas such as the floor, suspension mounting points or chassis members, then it becomes a safety concern, and you should seriously consider replacing the car. However, if it is confined to cosmetic panels, it is usually worth repairing, especially since the rest of the car has served you well.

Tata Tiago

•23h

Subject: Seeking the Ultimate "Forever" Car for a Purist Garage Dear Autocar Team, I am a hardcore automotive purist looking to make a very special milestone purchase. I want to buy a car solely for the absolute joy of driving - a mechanical machine that will put a smile on my face decades from now. My goal is to find a definitive enthusiast car that possesses the reliability, emotional character, and timelessness to be a lifelong companion in my garage. I want to buy this car brand new and never sell it; it will stand as a symbol of my hard work and achievements so far. To give you a picture of my current garage, my daily drivers are a Mahindra BE6 and a Toyota Innova Hycross. My absolute maximum budget is Rs. 3 Crores. The shortlists currently on my radar are the BMW M2 manual, the Land Rover Defender 90, and the base Porsche 911 Carrera. I am also entirely willing to wait until 2027 if there is an upcoming launch that stands out as an absolute keeper with future-classic potential. Given these choices, which route would you recommend for a true "forever" car? Looking forward to your expert guidance and recommendation. Best regards, Brijesh Devareddy Chennai

•4h

Go for the Porsche 911 Carrera, because nothing else on your list blends pure driving feel with decades-long heritage and timelessness the way a 911 does. It is the rare sports car you can enjoy driving hard, keep stock, and still use as a daily driver. The flat-six, the steering, and that rear-engined balance make even a slow drive feel special, and it will still look and feel “right” when everything else has dated. It fits within Rs 3 crores, leaving room for a few choice options. Plus, Porsche will support this iconic sports car well beyond this generation's life cycle.The M2 manual does sound like more bang for your buck, but it won’t age into a forever icon the way a 911 will, and though the manual is involving, in the long run, it's more trouble than it's worth. The Defender 90 is lovable, but it is a heavy off-road toy, not the car you’ll reach for when you want that last 5 percent of driver joy. If you can fit it into your forever-car budget alongside the 911, there's nothing like it.

Porsche 911

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

My annual running is below 7,000 km, and I plan to keep my next car for 12-15 years. I am confused between Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Elevate, Creta, Seltos and Victoris. My priorities are reliability, a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, family comfort, low maintenance and long-term ownership. I am also concerned about India's future ethanol-blending policy (E20 and higher blends). Which of these would be the best long-term choice and why?

•5d

With an annual running of less than 7,000km, fuel efficiency should not be the deciding factor. Instead, you should focus on comfort, reliability, ownership experience and how well the car will age over the next 12-15 years. That's why we wouldn't prioritise the Grand Vitara, Hyryder or Victoris Hybrid. Their hybrid systems command a price premium that you'll struggle to recover with such low annual usage.Between the remaining options, the Kia Seltos strikes the best balance. It offers a refined and proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a spacious and premium cabin, excellent comfort and a strong ownership experience. It also feels newer and more upmarket than the Elevate, while the Creta is due for a generational update sooner.The Honda Elevate deserves a mention for its simplicity and reliability. If absolute mechanical simplicity is your priority, it is arguably the safest long-term bet. However, it doesn't feel as premium as the Seltos. The engine and CVT combination isn't quite as refined, and Honda's dealer network is smaller.As for ethanol blending, we wouldn't let it influence your purchase decision. While there is plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and E30 fuels, there is currently no confirmed roadmap for such a transition. More importantly, all of these cars are E20-compliant, and manufacturers have engineered a degree of tolerance beyond that. The most likely effect of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.

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•1w

I was planning to buy a Maruti Ignis, but it’s been discontinued. I prefer small cars for city driving and office commutes, but I also need something highway-capable for an occasional 900 km trip to my hometown. It will mostly carry three of us (my spouse, child, and me), but needs to fit five people when my parents join. With a 12-lakh budget, what are the best compact cars that balance city manoeuvrability, highway stability, and occasional 5-seater comfort?

•3d

Pick the Maruti Fronx turbo within your Rs. 12 lakh budget, because it stays easy to park in the city yet feels secure on a 900 km run with enough room for five. The 1.0 turbo has decent mid-range for quick overtakes, and the suspension is absorbent and yet keeps the car steady at highway speeds. If you are opting for the automatic, then the Fronx torque converter auto is a very smooth unit and will make life much easier in the city.If you want an even smaller, lighter car with lower running costs, go for the Maruti Swift. It is smooth in the city, easy on fuel, has a usable boot for three, and will cruise comfortably at 100. It can take five in a pinch, but it will feel tight on shoulder room and lack the highway punch of the turbo Fronx.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

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•6d

Dear Autocar experts, I have tentatively decided to buy the Mahindra XUV 7X0 petrol AX7L AT as my next ride. To be frank, it is out of a lack of choice and options that I have made this decision in my head. In terms of capability, it is a downgrade, as I'm moving on from my beautiful Ford Endeavour 3.2 Titanium AT. Of course, it has a long list of bells and whistles that will be all new (and strange) to me. Being based in Delhi NCR, I am reluctant to go for a diesel again at this time. My driving in the city is quite minimal, say about 15kms max per day on average, but always in the clutches of peak Delhi traffic. I am terrified of BSVI diesel DPF horror stories. I am hoping that the 7X0 will be able to negotiate hills, mountain terrains and roads satisfactorily, as I make these trips quite frequently. I plan to keep this car for the next 4-5 years till India sorts out its fuel preferences and diktats, and fresh options are introduced that combine clean energy and performance along with the infrastructure to support them. Is my thought process sound? If not, please poke as many holes in it as you can.

•4d

Your plan seems sound for Delhi-NCR, because petrol dodges the 10-year diesel cap and DPF hassles, and your 15 km daily crawl will not punish petrol the way it would a BS6 diesel. The XUV 7XO petrol AT has strong performance and will certainly keep you satisfied while negotiating hill climbs. Sure, coming from an Endeavour 3.2, this will feel like a step down in terms of road presence and off-road ability. However, despite being a front-wheel drive monocoque, it still exudes an underlying toughness, which gives you ample confidence while dealing with rough terrain. Additionally, the tech and safety are up-to-date, and the three-row flexibility will come in handy, too, although boot space with all three rows in place is low. On the flipside, this petrol-AT is thirsty, so expect single-digit city fuel economy figures.If you aren't in a hurry, consider waiting for the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV that JSW is expected to launch in the latter half of this year. Sure, it'll be more expensive than the Mahindra, and it might not have the off-road capability of your outgoing Endeavour, but since you aren't fully convinced of the Mahindra, this could be worthy of your consideration.

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