Latest questions answered by experts

I currently own an Alto that is now 15 years old, and I am looking to replace it. My usage is primarily within the city, with occasional highway trips during summer and winter vacations. I need a family car that can comfortably accommodate my three growing children, although they are still a few years away from their teenage years. I do not want to spend too much on the new car. I am considering the Nissan Gravite, Renault Triber, and Tata Tiago. I am also thinking about choosing a Maruti Suzuki car instead. Considering my family size, usage pattern, and budget-conscious approach, which car would you recommend?

•17m

Go for the Renault Triber. Your three kids will fit far more comfortably than in a Tiago, and its flexible seats mean you can use it as a five seater now, and a more comfortable six or seven seater when they are older.In the city, it is easy to drive and park as it is a small car, but you get rear AC vents and a wide second row, so school runs and weekend outings are comfier. For road trips, pop out the third row and you get huge boot space. It will cruise fine, but if fully loaded, you will need a heavier right foot for hills and overtakes - its 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is the only real compromise.The Tiago is a sweet, tough little hatch and nicer to drive, but with three growing kids you will outgrow its rear seat and boot fast, then feel the need for another upgrade. The Gravite has all the strengths of the Triber, just in a Nissan-badged and styled package, so pick based on your preference and which brand has a dealer and service centre close to you.

Please advise on the best lightweight scooter for a female rider.

•48m

One of the lightest ICE scooters in India is the TVS Zest 110, which weighs just 102kg and has just a 760mm seat height, attributes that should make it very approachable for those vertically challenged. Even popular options like the Honda Activa, Suzuki Access and TVS Jupiter are manageable in terms of weight, weighing between 105-106kg and low seat heights ranging between 760-780mm. These should also be easy to manage while being more feature rich than the Zest, which is now a fundamentally very old product.Since you're keen on getting a scooter that's easy to manage, take test rides of all four before you make your decision.

TVS Zest 110

Honda Bikes Activa 110

Suzuki Access

TVS Jupiter

•5d

I am a field engineer, and my expected daily running is around 130-150 km. I also need to carry approximately 70 kg of materials on a regular basis. Considering my usage pattern, which electric scooter would be suitable for me?

•1h

With your lengthy daily run, you should look at the TVS iQube ST 5.3. Its large battery is the most suited to your use case especially since you also carry a heavy load with you every day. Expect the battery to drain out a little more quickly while carrying load than if you ride solo. You may have to find a charging point for a quick top-up somewhere in between but by and large if you're sensible with your throttle hand, you should be able to finish your daily run in a single charge. The iQube is a well-established scooter with proven, reliable underpinnings and a wide service reach across the nation so you are buying one of the safest EVs out there.

TVS iQube

•3d

Hello! I am planning to buy an automatic petrol car with a budget of up to Rs. 15 lakh. I am a new driver, and my usage will mainly be in the city, including heavy traffic conditions like those in Mumbai, along with occasional highway trips with my family of five every few months. I would like a car that is comfortable, safe, fuel-efficient, and relatively low-maintenance. Considering my requirements, which would be the best car options for me?

•3h

Consider the Honda Elevate V CVT. In Mumbai traffic, it is one of the smoothest, most stress-free automatics at this price, and the light controls make tight lanes and parking easy. It should fit within your Rs. 15 lakh on-road budget, and there are usually discounts to be had. It hasn't been crash tested in India, but the made-in-India Elevate has scored 5 stars in Japan NCAP tests. The engine also offers good performance for a naturally aspirated unit and returns decent fuel economy too.The catch is that it isn't as feature-packed as its rivals. However, being a Honda car, reliability is strong and service is generally well regarded, which is important for a first-time buyer.

Honda Elevate

•3d

I am looking for an all-rounder motorcycle that can be used comfortably by both me and my father. He is 58 years old and 5'4" tall. Our requirements are a cruiser-like seating position, a seat height of around 780 mm, good ground clearance, comfortable ergonomics, good fuel efficiency, and a strong service network. Considering these requirements, which motorcycle would you recommend?

•3h

We'd recommend you and your father pick between the TVS Ronin and Royal Enfield Hunter 350. Both meet the criteria that you have listed above but offer markedly different riding experiences. The Hunter has a slow-revving, torque-rich, long-stroke motor with a lovely thump mated to an agile and responsive chassis that sounds like it shouldn't work but we (and lakhs of people who have bought one) think that it does.The Ronin's engine is similiar in character but feels relatively more sporty as does its handling. It is also a much lighter bike and has a lower perch, so for shorter riders, it will be easier to manage. Its oddball looks aren't to everyone's tastes and TVS' service doesn't have a stellar reputation either - two points to bear in mind from an owner's POV. Take test rides of both bikes to see which one resonates more with you before you make a decision.

TVS Ronin

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

•1w

I have a 2009 Hero Honda Xtreme that has seen very little use. I am now planning to scrap it and buy something new. I am considering an EV, specifically either the Ather Rizta or the TVS iQube. Which one would you suggest? My daily travel would be around 20-25km. Even if I buy the 2.2kWh version, the range will reduce after a few years due to battery ageing. My main concern is battery longevity and warranty.

•5h

Both the Ather Rizta and TVS iQube are great options, and no matter which one you choose, you realistically cannot go wrong with them. The Rizta has much more tech, and even its small battery gives you 105km of real-world range on a single charge. Its boot is also better shaped than the iQube's, which means a good-quality imported full-face helmet will fit inside alongside the charger, provided you thoughtfully arrange everything inside.On the other hand, the TVS iQube is as simple as an electric scooter gets and is a no-nonsense machine which just keeps running without fault day in and day out. TVS's service reach across the country is better than Ather's, so the iQube makes for the logical purchase, but it's not like the Rizta is an outlier. Picking between the two will be made easier once you get a test ride of both and see which one you're leaning toward more.No matter which option you choose, your commute is short enough that a normal amount of range drop after a few years will not majorly affect you.

Ather Rizta

TVS iQube