Latest questions answered by experts
Venkatesh D
•13hI currently own a Hyundai Xcent, which I purchased in 2015, and it has covered around 42,000 km so far. My driving is almost entirely in bumper-to-bumper city traffic (about 95%). I am now planning to buy an automatic car, preferably a sub-4 metre SUV, to make daily driving easier. My daily usage will be around 40–50 km in heavy city traffic. Considering these requirements, which automatic sub-4 metre SUV would you recommend?

Autocar India
For bumper-to-bumper traffic, the Maruti Brezza 1.5 Petrol 6AT is ideal. The engine-gearbox combination is smooth, and it feels peppy within urban confines. Also, the 6-speed torque converter is more suited for the constant stop-go usage than other transmission types like AMT or DCT. If you need something even smaller than the Brezza, you can consider the Nissan Magnite 1.0 Turbo CVT, which is another great option for you.
Vaibhav Belgamwar
•2dI am looking to buy the most comfortable scooter, preferably with the best suspension setup. My daily usage is around 10 km, and I am not very concerned about high power or top-class fuel efficiency. My budget is up to ₹2 lakh. Could you suggest the most comfortable scooter in this price range?

Autocar India
If you are looking for the best comfort on a petrol scooter, the TVS Jupiter 110 and Suzuki Access are the best options. The Jupiter has 12-inch wheels at both ends, which will also help round off bigger bumps more nicely. It's also got a winged preload adjuster, which will easily help you adjust preload when carrying a passenger and luggage. If you are looking for something in the EV space, then you should look at the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Vida VX2 Plus and Ather Rizta. These scooters have spacious riding positions, comfortable suspension setups and come from reputed manufacturers with widespread and proven service networks. Take a test ride of these scooters before you decide.
Rahul
•1dI have booked the Hyundai Creta Knight IVT Dual Tone, but I’m still unsure whether it’s the right choice or if I should have considered alternatives like the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or the Kia Seltos. However, I’m not particularly fond of the new design elements of the latest Seltos. The factors that matter most to me are value for money, good resale value after 5-6 years, long-term reliability, and comfort for family use. My monthly driving will be less than 1,000 km. Given these priorities, is the Creta Knight IVT a good choice, or would the Grand Vitara or Seltos have been a better option?

Autocar India
The Hyundai Creta King is a good choice. It is a well-rounded SUV that offers a comfortable ride, a spacious cabin, and a refined petrol engine. The IVT (automatic) is smooth and responsive. Being a popular model, you can expect good resale value in the future. The Grand Vitara is also a good option, but it is not as spacious as the Creta. Hence, long distance comfort could be hampered.
Navneet Kumar
•1dHi Autocar, I am looking to buy a motorcycle in the 300-400cc segment with a retro design and good performance. I am considering the Jawa 42 FJ. Is it a good choice in this segment? Also, are there any reliability or long-term ownership issues with Jawa motorcycles that I should be aware of?

Autocar India
The Jawa 42 FJ is a good option to consider in the neo-retro space. While the earlier Jawa bikes had some issues, the latest models have ironed them out to a large extent. The 42 FJ also comes with a 4-year / 50,000km warranty, which should give you added peace of mind. Do bear in mind that while the bikes have come a long way, Classic Legends (the parent company of Jawa, Yezdi and BSA) still has a fairly hit/miss reputation when it comes to service. So we'd recommend getting in touch with your nearest authorised dealership and finding out more for yourself. If you reconsider your decision to go with the Jawa, then the Triumph Speed T4 is a great alternative. It has a smooth and torquey engine, good build quality and similiar overall performance as the 42 FJ. It would also be wise to take a test ride of both before you make a decision.
NIKHIL AGGARWAL
•1dI currently own a 2021 Hyundai Venue (iMT) Petrol. I usually travel to my hometown in Punjab once a month, while the rest of my driving is within the city. I’m now looking to upgrade to an SUV that offers strong aesthetics and solid build quality. The first option that comes to mind is the Tata Harrier. I had been eagerly waiting for its petrol variant, and now that it has finally been introduced this year, I’m considering buying the Fearless+ variant in white. However, I’m a bit concerned about Tata’s reputation for manufacturing defects and resale value. Given this, would it still be a good decision to go ahead with the Harrier, or should I instead consider a better alternative like the Mahindra XUV700?

Autocar India
If you've got your heart set on the the Tata Harrier Petrol Fearless+, we'd suggest you go for it. We understand your concerns - Tata doesn't have a stellar reputation for reliability and fuss-free ownership, which is perhaps one of the biggest deterrents for (potential) buyers. However, since this generation of the Harrier has been around in the market for a few years now, its common glitches and initial niggles are likely to be sorted out. The 1.5 Turbo-Petrol GDI on the other hand is all new, hence we'd highly recommend opting for the maximum warranty coverage.The Mahindra XUV 7XO is also a good option - its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine is a strong performer. Also, besides being spacious and well-equipped, the XUV also gives you the flexibility of three-row seating. And compared to Tata, Mahindra has a slightly better reputation as far as reliability goes. Overall, the XUV 7XO is a more-rounded package, but if you like the Harrier petrol, go for it. The Harrier petrol is a much improved offering.
Krishnakumar
•1dHi Autocar Team, I am looking to buy a 7-seater car with a budget of ₹15-20 lakh on-road. My monthly driving is around 1,500 km. We are a family of 4 adults and 2 children, and it is becoming a bit uncomfortable for six people in my current Honda Elevate VX MT. Could you suggest a suitable model and variant within my budget? Also, does it make sense to choose an automatic transmission for my usage?

Autocar India
The Kia Carens Clavis is the best 7 seater within your budget. It's well packaged interior provides ample space for seven passengers and access to the third row is convenient. Also, the sliding middle row lets you balance space for last row occupants. The Carens Clavis also boasts a well finished interior and a long list of standard safety features. The automatic options on offer include a 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol with a dual-clutch auto gearbox and a 115hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel with a torque converter auto. The turbo-petrol offers stronger performance which you will appreciate on highway drives and with a full load of passengers. The turbo-diesel delivers reasonable performance but is the more fuel efficient choice. You could look at the diesel-AT in HTK Plus trim and the turbo-petrol DCT in HTK Plus (O) trim.
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