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I’m looking for a two-wheeler in the 150-200cc segment that’s suitable for family rides and has a slightly sporty look. Which one would you recommend?
Take a look at the Bajaj Pulsar N160 SS, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Hero Xtreme 160R 4V. These bikes offer great fuel economy, have good seating and suspension comfort and have the latest in terms of styling and features too. All three are largely similar to ride, with small nuances in terms of performance and comfort so it would be worthwhile to take a test ride of all three (with a pillion, if you travel two-up often) to judge which is the best for you before you decide.
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Hi, I am looking for hybrid options. Until now, I was getting convinced by the Hyryder, but the Duster has changed my mind. However, I am not happy with the rear seat row of the Duster. Should I wait for the Hyundai Creta Hybrid if it is launching? My monthly running is 600-700 km, with 90% city driving (for office commute) and highway trips once every 3 months.
With a monthly running of just 600-700km, we would not rush into buying a strong hybrid purely for fuel savings. Your usage is predominantly urban, which suits a strong hybrid car, but the low annual running of around 7,200-8,400km means the price premium over a regular petrol SUV will take a long time to recover. Since you are not happy with the Duster's rear seat, there is little reason to compromise on an important aspect of the car just for its hybrid powertrain.The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara are also worth considering, as both offer strong hybrid powertrains and a more accommodating rear seat than the Duster.The next-generation Hyundai Creta is expected in 2027 and the Kia Seltos too is expected to get it. Our suggestion would be to wait for the new Creta, but don't expect the hybrid to pay for itself through fuel savings at your current running. Buy it if you value the refinement and efficiency of a hybrid, rather than purely for lower running costs.
Hi, I am confused between the new Hyundai Venue HX5 AT and the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ AT. I am purchasing this car for my father, so the running will be low and mostly in the city. However, I will occasionally take it on highways and hills. Comfort and future maintenance are my main priorities. Which of these according to you is the best in the segment? Please provide a brief comparison of both models.
Between the two, we would suggest you going for the Skoda Kylaq Signature+ AT, particularly if you enjoy driving and will occasionally take the car on highways and hills. Its six speed torque converter automatic is smoother and more predictable in stop start traffic than the Venue's seven speed DCT. The Kylaq's chassis and suspension also make it more engaging to drive, with good composure on winding roads.The one consideration is after sales and maintenance. Hyundai has the advantage of a wider service network, while Skoda ownership costs can be higher. Since this car will primarily be used by your father, take him along for a test drive of both and pay particular attention to ease of ingress and egress, ride comfort and gearbox smoothness.
Planning to buy my first car in 2027 with budget of ~20L? But really confused with buying EV or Hybrid. especially after Renault duster hybrid. Living in Chennai. My daily commute to office around 30KM a day and occasional round trip to my home town will be 1000 kms. Please clarify which one to go and what are the upcoming Hybrid launches planned in India for 2027 ?
For your usage, we would lean towards a strong hybrid rather than an electric car, especially since you occasionally undertake 1,000km round trips. Your daily commute of around 30km in Chennai is well suited to an EV, but the longer highway journeys would require charging stops and some route planning. A strong hybrid car offers the convenience of a conventional petrol car while delivering better fuel efficiency, particularly in city traffic.The Renault Duster Hybrid is worth considering, but since you are buying only in 2027, we would also wait for the expected Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos hybrid versions. Our recommendation would be to wait and see how the hybrid options shape up in 2027.

I am currently using a 2013 Polo Petrol. I want to buy an automatic (TC or IVT) car as my primary vehicle. Since my parents are getting older, easy ingress/egress and good ride comfort are mandatory. My driving speed is usually between 60 and 90 km/h, with an 80:20 city-to-highway usage split. I prefer a car with the best-in-class insulation and NVH levels. Please suggest 2 cars from each of the following segments within an on-road budget of ₹20 lakh: Sub-4m SUV Midsize SUV I do not prefer Tata due to poor after-sales service.
Given your priorities of refinement, low NVH, ride comfort and easy ingress and egress for your parents, we would suggest skipping the sub-4m SUV segment and looking at a midsize SUV instead. The smaller SUV cars at the higher end of the segment often use three-cylinder turbo petrol engines, which aren't the most refined. Midsize SUVs also tend to offer better sound insulation and a more comfortable ride.Within your Rs 20 lakh budget, the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and IVT would be our top two recommendations. This engine and gearbox combination is among the smoothest in the segment, while both cars offer good sound insulation, a plush ride, and a comfortable seating height. Their wide-opening doors should also make getting in and out easier for your parents.Between the two, we would pick the Kia Seltos. It is the newer product, feels more premium inside, and offers slightly more cabin space. The Creta remains a close alternative, but the Seltos gets our vote for your requirements.
Hi Autocar, I am looking to book a car this week. I have narrowed it down to one of 3 cars, all petrol automatic IVTs. My running is mostly 95% in the city (office commute in Mumbai traffic). My daily commute is around 15 km, so I don't want a turbo engine for bumper-to-bumper traffic. That comes out to roughly 5,000 km in annual running. I am 6 feet tall, so I wouldn't want something that feels cramped. New Seltos HTK+(O) New Elevate VX Bayon HX8 All of these are close to the Rs. 16 lakh ex-showroom price mark. I've driven the Seltos and the Elevate, and I really liked both of them. The Seltos feels more premium on the inside, which I feel is a feature worth having in a daily driver. The Elevate is brilliant, but it feels a bit cheap on the inside. It also lacks a panoramic sunroof; although I might use it only one day a year, given that it's priced the same as the Seltos, it feels like a miss. I know Honda engines are top-notch, but given my limited running and lack of driving enthusiast priorities, I'm not sure if that does justice to my needs. Now comes the Bayon. I haven't done a test drive yet as it is not available, but the Bayon pricing at the HX6 and HX8 trims seems very close to the Creta. I am tempted to go for the HX8 as it offers a 360-degree camera (which I think might be useful for parking since I am upgrading from a hatchback), but I wonder if I am getting a 'lesser car' compared to the Seltos. Which one would you recommend? I am keen on booking before Diwali and will see if there are any discounts on the Seltos (unlikely, though).
We would suggest going ahead with the Kia Seltos HTK(O) IVT. Given that you have already driven it and liked its cabin, it should make for a more satisfying daily companion. This Kia car feels more premium inside than both the Honda Elevate and the Hyundai Bayon, which is something you are likely to appreciate given your predominantly city usage. The naturally aspirated petrol engine and IVT combination should also work well in Mumbai traffic. This Honda car is a good alternative, particularly for its spacious cabin and refined engine, but its interiors do feel less premium.
Hi team, I am planning to buy my first car and I want to know which one to choose between the Kia Sonet HTK+(O) and the Hyundai Venue HX5+, both of which come with a 1.2L petrol MT. I am seriously confused about choosing between the two, so please help me out.
With a price difference of over Rs 1 lakh, we would suggest going for the Kia Sonet HTK+(O). Both cars use the same 1.2 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, so there is little to separate them in terms of performance. This Kia car offers better value for money, with a good feature list at a lower price. However, if rear seat space is a priority, the Hyundai Venue makes a lot of sense, as it offers a more spacious cabin and better rear seat comfort.Do keep in mind that the Sonet is due for a generational replacement, so buying the current model now may mean missing out on a newer product soon.
I am based in Dabolim, Goa, and have been using an MG Comet for the last 2 years. I am looking for an additional car for myself. Recently, I had a look at the Bayon, but I am yet to take a test drive. I found its bonnet to be at a high level from the driver's seat. So, I thought of going for the Venue, which I am also yet to test drive. My annual running is less than 10,000 km, primarily within the city. Kindly suggest what would be best for me. Is buying a Kia Sonet worth it compared to the Bayon and the Venue, keeping in mind that I prefer a somewhat compact car?
Considering that you already have an MG Comet and want something a little bigger but still compact, we would suggest looking at the Hyundai Venue. With annual running of less than 10,000km, a petrol engine makes more sense than a diesel. The Hyundai Bayon is worth considering too, particularly for its refined naturally aspirated engine, but if you don't need the additional space and are willing to compromise a little on engine refinement, the Venue or Kia Sonet will help you save some money.Between the Sonet and Venue, we would pick the Venue. It is the newer product and offers better rear seat space, which could be useful if you want this car to double up as a family car. The Sonet is due for a generational change in 2027, so buying one now may also mean missing out on a substantially updated model.
Hi, I am planning to buy a 2026 Creta IVT S(O) Petrol. During the PDI, I noticed that the engine moves forward and backward when I shift gears from P to D, D to R, and R to D. The movement is about 1 cm to 1 inch. The sales representative showed me another Creta at the yard, which exhibited the same behavior. There is no other concerning noise. When sitting inside the car with all the doors closed, the cabin is quiet, and there are no shaking or thudding sounds that I could hear. Is this engine movement when shifting to D or R normal? Thanks
Congratulations on your new Hyundai Creta IVT! The slight forward and backward movement of the engine when shifting between P, D and R is normal, as the engine experiences a change in load. The engine mounts are designed to absorb this movement. Since there are no unusual noises, thuds or vibrations inside the cabin of this Hyundai car, there is nothing to worry about.
My budget is Rs 8-9 lakh. I need an AMT SUV to be driven by a lady, mainly for daily Chennai city commuting of about 80 km. My focus is currently on the Hyundai Exter AMT. Are there any better suggestions, or should we go for a CNG AMT by Tata?
Considering your daily running of around 80km, we would actually suggest opting for a CNG car to keep running costs down. The Hyundai Exter CNG is a good option, but it is available only with a manual gearbox. This is where the Tata Punch CNG AMT makes a lot of sense, as it combines lower running costs with the convenience of an automatic, which should reduce the stress of driving in Chennai traffic. This car also feels solidly built, has a comfortable ride and offers adequate performance. If you are open to a hatchback, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno CNG AMT is another option within a similar budget. This Maruti Suzuki car offers more cabin space and the convenience of a CNG automatic, although you will have to compromise on the SUV stance and the Punch's higher seating position.

My budget is around Rs 20 lakh, and I’m based in Bangalore. The car will be used for a mix of city and highway driving, with an approximate usage split of 60:40. Since this will be my first car, my priorities, in order, are comfort, long-term reliability, driving dynamics and overall cost of ownership, including fuel efficiency and maintenance. My current shortlist includes the Renault Duster Hybrid, Honda Elevate CVT and Kia Seltos IVT. Which of these would be the best choice for my requirements?
Considering your requirements, the Renault Duster hybrid will be a good choice for you. The hybrid Duster is the most powerful car against its rivals and is genuinely impressive to drive and handle. The new Duster also gets FDD (Frequency Dependent Dampers) that improve ride and handling. What also works well is the multi-mode gearbox that gives it smooth performance in the city and stable and refined driving on the highway. Being a strong hybrid, its efficiency is also much better in comparison to the Honda Elevate and the Kia Seltos. The Duster also has a 7 year warranty for the car and an 8 year warranty for the battery adding peace of mind. The only downside maybe Renaults service network which isn't as established as Honda or Kia. However, if there is a showroom near you, this should not be a problem.
Hi Team, I have a budget of around Rs 14 lakh and am looking to buy a compact SUV with a diesel engine. I am considering the Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO, but my usage will be occasional. Would you recommend either of these, and should I opt for a manual or automatic transmission? Are there any other alternatives worth considering, preferably at a lower budget? Kindly share your suggestions. Thanks in advance!
The decision for an automatic or manual really comes down to your driving conditions. It its a lot of traffic that you have in and around your area then go with an automatic and save yourself the hassle. If however this isn't the case opt for a manual as this will enable you to get a higher variant and thus more convenience features at your budget. The Tata Nexon would suit you just fine and the Pure Plus variant of the diesel automatic would fit nicely within your budget. If you do want more in terms of power and space then opt for the Mahindra XUV 3XO instead, as it has a wider rear seat and a slighly more powerful and refined engine too.
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