Latest questions answered by experts

autocar.india

•1h

The Maruti Suzuki Swift VXI AMT would be the right car for your requirements. The Swift is the newer car and feels better outside and inside. It also feels better suited to city use. The Z12E engine is tuned for low-end power and works well enough with the AMT gearbox. While the Z12E is a relatively new engine, you shouldn't have any trouble with long-term reliability. Suzuki's engines are renowned to be reliable and go on for years and years, provided you stick to regular maintenance schedules. The Z12E engine is also refined for a three-cylinder unit. It runs quiet and you can only feel a buzz at idle if you really pay attention. The engine will thrum when you rev it hard but that will be a rarity in your use case.Go ahead with the Maruti Suzuki Swift VXI AMT. It'll be a good second car to your Honda City.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Honda City

autocar.india

•1h

Unfortunately, there are only few sedans to choose from. Aside from the Volkswagen Virtus that you're familiar with, there's the Skoda Slavia, Hyundai Verna, and Honda City. While all models are good in their own right, none of them would feel like a significant upgrade over your 2019 Kia Seltos 1.4 DCT. The Toyota Camry is a great product but would be too much of a stretch. With sedans out of the question, we'd shift our focus to SUVs. And the first model that comes to mind is the new Kia Sorento. It's significantly larger than the Seltos, offers the flexibility of a third row of seats and feels genuinely premium on the inside. Your kind of use makes the Sorento Hybrid worth a look. It's got more than adequate power, and you'll also get great fuel economy over your mix of city and highway drives. If your priority is more towards the highway experience, we's guide you towards the Sorento diesel. The diesel is strong and punchy and works really well with the dual-clutch gearbox. It makes for a refined highway cruiser that you'd happily spend long hours in. Of the other models, you could also consider the Mahindra XUV7XO petrol. Again, it's got the flexibility of three rows of seating, feels plush and packs in loads of features. The 200hp petrol engine is also very impressive. However, if you've been happy with the Kia experience, the Sorento would be our pick for you.

Toyota Camry

Volkswagen Virtus

Skoda Slavia

Hyundai Verna

Honda City

Kia Sorento

Mahindra XUV 7XO

autocar.india

•2h

Currently, the only flex-fuel car on sale is the Maruti Suzuki WagonR flex-fuel. However, many car makers such as Toyota, Tata Motors, Kia, and Hyundai have shown flex-fuel vehicle concepts on different occasions. We expect a few more models and even some launches at the Bharat Mobility Show in February 2027. If you are not in a rush to buy a new car, it makes sense to wait till the first quarter of next year for more announcements and firmer timelines.All petrol cars currently on sale are not only E20-compliant but can also support slightly higher blends of ethanol without any material damage to the engine and other components. As such, today's cars will be able to support the base ethanol blend for years to come without any concern.Flex-fuel vehicles, which can support even higher blends of ethanol, do make your vehicle future-proof to an extent. However, as the ethanol blend increases, efficiency decreases. At current fuel prices, the drop in fuel economy isn't compensated by the lower price of E85 petrol. Flex-fuel vehicles would make more sense with some kind of hybrid setup that would compensate for this drop in fuel economy.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

autocar.india

•2h

Considering you're looking for your first car and want something that's light, compact and convenient to use, the Skoda Kylaq would be our top recommendation. It has a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine mated to a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, which is extremely smooth in the city and also very adept on the highway. The ride quality is also very good, and its compact dimensions make it easy to use in the city. You also have good ground clearance, so it is comfy when it comes to bad roads, and it actually fits well within your Rs 13-20 lakh budget and gets a lot of equipment as well.What's also very good on the Kylaq is the safety, as it has received 5 stars in BNCAP crash test ratings and gets good safety equipment. All things considered, the Kylaq in its top spec Prestige+ trim would be our top recommendationIf you'd like a second option, consider the Hyundai Venue. It is the newer car compared to the Kylaq, and it has a lot of features as well. Also, being a Hyundai car, it's very easy and light to drive and easy on the wallet. If you want something that's fuss-free, then the Venue will be a good choice and will fit within your budget if you go for the petrol automatic.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai Venue

autocar.india

•3h

With your requirements, the Renault Duster Hybrid would be the ideal choice against the Volkswagen and the Skoda. The Duster is enjoyable to drive, and its hybrid powertrain also offers good fuel efficiency. Since 60% of your driving is in the city, the Duster Hybrid would be idealIt isn't a typical hybrid with a CVT that can whine when you accelerate on the highway. Instead, it has a proper gearbox that feels a lot more adept at triple-digit speeds, making highway drives more enjoyable. Boot space is also quite good for a hybrid, so there isn't much of a compromise in practicality. You miss out on things like a spare wheel as standard and a 360-degree camera, but otherwise, the cabin is well equipped.Back seat space is not exactly class best, but cushioning and support from the seats are rather good. The only other issue might be after-sales service. Check where Renault dealerships are in your area and if it's not a problem then the Duster would be the ideal choice to get for your requirements.

Renault Duster

autocar.india

•4h

Since you already have a Hunter and are used to its power but want something more spacious, the logical next step would be to look at the Honda CB350 (formerly known as the H'ness CB350) and Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic 350. These bikes offer a similar level of performance and fuel economy but will be much more spacious and comfortable owing to their more open riding positions and better suspension setups (first-gen Hunter suspension was super stiff; it got updated rear shocks in 2025).The Honda is the lighter machine of the two bikes suggested above, and if you want ease-of-use on a daily basis, that will matter. To ensure you make an informed decision, take a test ride of both before you go ahead with your purchase.

autocar.india

•4h

Given that we are yet to ride both the Triumph Bonneville T40 and Honda Rebel 300, we can't yet comment on which one is better, although judging purely from a practicality standpoint, the Bonnie ought to tackle Indian roads better with its longer suspension travel, larger wheels and taller ground clearance. If you must have either of these bikes, we'd recommend waiting a few months until ownership and media reviews are out and you can test ride both before making a decision. This is especially pertinent since you mentioned that neither brand has a presence in your city and it's a 100km round trip for you.In the meantime, why don't you check out the slower and heavier but charming and proven Royal Enfield Classic 350? The Classic may lose a comparison against these two judged purely based on its specification sheet, but if you like an effortless, torque-rich riding experience with great comfort, then the Classic will be up your alley. We've seen spy shots of the bike (finally!) coming with centre-laced spoked wheels, which will permit tubeless tyres, and we recommend you go for that when it is launched.

autocar.india

•14h

Between the Scorpio N and the Safari, we would recommend the Scorpio N as it has a more sophisticated suspension, better ride quality, and a much better diesel engine that is good in performance and refinement.However if third-row space is absolutely crucial, then we would actually recommend that you try out the Mahindra XUV 7XO as well. It gets the same engine as the Scorpio but you also get a slightly better third row and better comfort as well. The suspension and ride quality on the 7XO are a lot better compared to the Safari.The Safari would only be a recommendation if a lot of your driving is over really bad and broken roads because that is where the Tata really comes through. For everything else the Mahindra 7XO is a better bet. If you're looking for a base entry-level model, it might be slightly pricier but it will be worth spending that extra money on the 7XO rather than the Scorpio N.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Mahindra Scorpio N

Tata Safari

autocar.india

•15h

The Yamaha FZ-Fi is one of the most dependable, practical and fuel efficient commuters in its class but its not what you'd call cutting edge or exciting from a performance standpoint. Over the years, the FZ has transformed from one of the most powerful machines in its category to now making power akin to most sporty, new-age 125cc commuters like the Raider and Xtreme. Where that pays dividends is in terms of fuel economy and the FZ scores really high in this regard. In some ways the TVS Apache RTR 160 2V is similiar to the FZ in that it is a decades-old product that has been soldiering on with small updates sprinkled in over the course of its lifecycle. Where it differs from the FZ is that this is still a quick and peppy commuter and will 'feel' fun to ride. Its engine isn't the most refined and its design is now the better part of two decades old but the Apache 160 2V is nonetheless a sorted machine in its own right. These bikes have very different riding experiences so we'd recommend a test ride of both to figure out which one makes more sense for you.

autocar.india

•16h

We'd recommend the Kia Sorento if you’re looking for a premium seven-seater within Rs 50 lakh, particularly if comfort and refinement are priorities. The diesel makes more sense if most of your driving is on the highway, where its strong torque and relaxed cruising ability should come in handy. However, if your usage is predominantly in the city, the hybrid would be the better choice, offering a smoother, quieter and more refined experience.The Skoda Kodiaq is arguably the better driver's car, but it doesn't quite match the Sorento for ride comfort. The Toyota Fortuner, while rugged and capable, also falls short in terms of ride comfort and overall refinement. The Sorento strikes a better balance for someone who wants a comfortable, upmarket family SUV that can handle daily commutes as well as long-distance trips. The interior feels plush, the feature set is extensive and the ride comfort is class-best.

Kia Sorento

Skoda Kodiaq

Toyota Fortuner

autocar.india

•17h

Since diesel, EV and CNG are out of contention, a petrol-hybrid actually gives you the best of what you need. The new Renault Duster Hybrid is an ideal choice given your requirements and your budget. It gets a 1.8 L engine that is mated to a battery pack, making it a strong hybrid with very strong efficiency. It is also around 4.3 m in length.It's also a good-looking car with a lot of ground clearance so bad roads will definitely not worry it. Also, despite being a hybrid boot space is actually usable. For your outstation trips you're not going to struggle too much.Between all the options the Duster Hybrid is the best choice. The starting price is Rs. 17 lakhs but given your budget that can stretch slightly above 20 lakhs. You can actually opt for the top spec model as well. It gets a good amount of kit but it does not get ADAS, which you anyways don't want. The only thing that you would find missing is a spare wheel and a 360° camera. You can get the spare wheel as an optional extra and there is space under the boot floor to store that as well.All things considered I think the Duster Hybrid would be a good choice for you.

Renault Duster

autocar.india

•17h

Given your requirements the best choice would be a Mahindra XUV 7XO. Compared to the 700, there are substantial changes in the 7XO with regard to the suspension and ride quality. It also has a lot of tech and with your Rs. 30 lakh budget you can actually get a top-spec AX7 in luxury trim, which gets all the bells and whistles. It gets a very smooth and powerful petrol engine, a smooth gearbox, and a lot of space in the second row. It is also a seven-seater, so the third row is also spacious. If not you can even always fold it and use it as a massive boot. The Sorento is also a good choice but its starting price of over 30 lakh is hard to justify especially when you consider your requirements, which the 7XO fulfills properly. The Mahindra would be the best recommendation.Between a diesel and a petrol, it depends on your usage. If you don't travel a lot and you don't cover a lot of kilometers over a year, a petrol is always better so we would recommend you go for the petrol.If an EV is something you want to choose, then the Mahindra XEV 9S is the best choice as you get the same space as you do on the 7XO, but in an all-electric guise.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Kia Sorento

autocar.india

•18h

Since you are upgrading from a Maruti Suzuki Dzire and this will be your first German car, both the Volkswagen Virtus Topline AT and Skoda Slavia Prestige AT are worth considering. They share their engines and platform, so the differences largely come down to styling, features and pricing. The updated Slavia gets improved air conditioning with a new variable geometry compressor, an eight speed torque converter automatic that is smoother and more efficient, larger infotainment and driver display screens, a 360 degree camera and a rear seat massage function, making it a more appealing package than before.However, the Virtus is also expected to receive a facelift soon, with similar styling and feature updates likely. We would suggest waiting before making a decision, especially as the updated Virtus could address some of the current model’s shortcomings.

Volkswagen Virtus

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Skoda Slavia