Delhi

Latest questions answered by experts

Himakar

We are 5 people who goes on trips frequently, our journey will be on both highways and unpaved roads with potholes. We are looking to buy a car which meets below requirements 1. Having ADAS L2 2. 360 camera with blind spot detection 3. Torque min 260, higher the best 4. Min 120hp, higher the best 5. Boot space min 400 6. Good leg space in the back seat 7. Fog light and high beam detection mandatory We are ok with either manual or automatic gear, sunroof is not required. Looking for mid suv so suggest the best car which offers above under 17L. If we can get 7seater is also great.

Autocar India

•16m

For your budget of Rs 17 lakh, there isn’t a single SUV that ticks all your boxes. You’ll have to compromise somewhere. At this price, you can either get a spacious, powerful SUV that’s well-suited to rough-road trips but misses out on some premium features like ADAS and a 360-degree camera, or you can get a feature-loaded smaller SUV that won’t be as spacious or as strong mechanically. The third option, of course, is to stretch the budget, which honestly would make things much easier.Given that you are five people travelling frequently on highways and broken roads, the Mahindra Thar Roxx 4x2 diesel makes the most sense from a core SUV perspective. It’s spacious enough for five, has a strong 2.2-litre diesel with 152hp and solid torque, and its ladder-frame chassis and suspension are built to take a beating on bad roads. Boot space is decent, and rear legroom is usable for long trips.However, within Rs 17 lakh, you’ll only get the MX1 variant, which does not offer ADAS. To get Level 2 ADAS, you’ll need to stretch to the AX3 L variant at around Rs 20 lakh. Even then, it still won’t give you a 360-degree camera that’s reserved for the top AX7 L variant, which is closer to Rs 23 lakh.If you are absolutely firm on ADAS Level 2, 360-degree camera and high-beam assist within Rs 17 lakh, you’ll have to step down to a smaller SUV like the Kia Syros HTX Plus (O). It offers the tech you want, but you’ll compromise on outright space and performance. The 1.0-litre turbo petrol makes 118hp and 172Nm, which is well short of your torque requirement, and while it’s among the roomier compact SUVs, it’s not in the same league as the Thar Roxx for five-adult road trips or rough-road durability.Our advice? Stretch to the Thar Roxx AX3 L. You’ll get the space, toughness and performance that actually matter for the kind of usage you describe. A 360-degree camera can be added through a good aftermarket solution.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Kia Syros

Mahendra kumar

•1w

I’m confused between the 2026 Tata Sierra and the 2026 Volkswagen Kushaq. My everyday commute won’t exceed 20 km in city traffic, and my monthly highway riding will be up to 200 km. I’m looking for a reliable and trouble-free automatic with long-term reliability. Please help me choose the best vehicle.

Autocar India

•1h

Since you are looking for reliability and a trouble-free ownership, we would recommend the Skoda Kushaq over the Tata Sierra. The Sierra is an all-new car; thus, its reliability remains to be seen, though indications are good. The Kushaq is also a bit smaller than the Sierra, and this will help you in your city driving. For fewer highway rides, too, the Kushaq will offer up a good ride and handling balance and a secure feel on the highway.

Skoda Kushaq

Tata Sierra

Arjun

•1w

I want a sub-4-meter compact SUV for mostly city driving. I am only looking at petrol automatic options. The car should have decent rear space as we are a family of five, and maintenance should be low. Can you suggest some good cars? Also, is there any car expected to launch within the next 3-4 months that I should wait for?

Autocar India

•1h

Since you are a family of 5, we would recommend the Mahindra XUV3XO as it has a wide rear seat, which will allow for comfortable three-abreast seating. The 3XO also comes within the 4-meter mark and offers two petrol engine options. We would recommend the regular turbo MPFi unit and not the direct injection (TGDi) engine. It delivers more than enough performance for city driving and would be more efficient in real-world scenarios. With Mahindra, the maintenance costs will also not be very high. As an option, you can also consider the Kia Syros, which also has a spacious rear and feels more premium inside.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Kia Syros

ruchir marwaha

•1d

Namaste Team. I own a Wagon R VXI 2015 and now wish to upgrade. We are a family of five, and my monthly driving is not more than 600 km. I am a driving enthusiast, and my budget is ₹13 lakh on-road. I do not want to consider Tata. My family has been associated with Maruti Suzuki for the past 30 years, but I am open to other brands.

Autocar India

•2h

If you're an enthusiast and a keen driver, your best bet is the Hyundai i20. It is a much larger hatchback than your Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, which should be comfortable for your family of five, and in your budget, you should get the fully loaded N8 variant too.It is available with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT auto gearbox, and both are a good mix of fun and ease of use. However, it has to be said that the i20 is now starting to show its age, and fun as it is to drive, you may want to look at a more modern offering.If so, check out the Skoda Kylaq, which is even more spacious and practical, but also comes with a punchy and enthusiastic 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine. It's got great dynamics and a smooth 6-speed automatic gearbox, if you want it. However, do note that it is more expensive, and you will have to settle for a mid-spec variant in your budget.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai i20

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

BASANTHKUMAR

•6d

I want to exchange my Honda Elevate for a Skoda Kushaq. Is it a good choice, or should I consider another vehicle like the Creta or Innova Crysta? I want only a manual petrol vehicle. Please suggest the best option.

Autocar India

•3h

The Toyota Innova Crysta only comes with a diesel engine, so that rules it out straightaway since you want a petrol manual.The Hyundai Creta is available with a petrol-manual combination, but that’s the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine. While it’s smooth and refined, it won’t feel like a meaningful upgrade in performance over your Honda Elevate. It’s more of a lateral move than a step up.The Skoda Kushaq, on the other hand, especially with the 1.0 TSI turbo-petrol and 6-speed manual, will feel noticeably stronger and more engaging to drive. The turbo motor delivers a nice punch in the mid-range, and the manual gearbox is slick, making it a more rewarding driver’s car compared to the Elevate.However, if you’re not in a hurry, it may be worth waiting for the upcoming Renault Duster. It is expected to come with a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol paired with a 6-speed manual, and that could well be the most powerful manual petrol SUV in this segment. If performance is a priority, that’s one to keep an eye on.

Sunil

Hey everyone, I'm a first-time buyer and a new driver looking for a car for my family of 5. I'm 6 ft tall, so space and comfort are important. My budget is around ₹12 lakhs, and safety is my biggest priority. Any recommendations would be really helpful!

Autocar India

•3h

Being 6ft tall, you will naturally push the driver’s seat quite far back, so rear legroom becomes important, especially with a family of five. With a budget of around Rs 12 lakh, you’re realistically looking at well-equipped compact SUVs or sub-4m sedans. They aren’t huge inside, so choosing the roomiest option in the segment is key.Our first pick would be the Maruti Suzuki Brezza (automatic). It’s an easy car for a new driver to live with. The high seating position and good all-round visibility make it simple to judge the car’s edges, which really helps beginners. The automatic gearbox is smooth and removes the stress of gear changes in traffic. Rear legroom will be a bit tight if you push the seat all the way back, but in most situations it’s manageable. It's tough and reliable and comes with six airbags.Another good option is the Honda Amaze. While it doesn’t offer the high seating stance of the Brezza, it has a very comfortable driving position. The 1.2 petrol CVT is smooth and responsive, which builds confidence for a new driver. For a sub-4m sedan, the cabin is surprisingly spacious, and the seats are comfortable. An added advantage is that the Amaze is roughly Rs 2 lakh more affordable than the Brezza, giving you better value within your budget.Between the two, if you prefer the SUV stance and visibility, go Brezza. If you want more space for the money and a smooth, easy drive, the Amaze makes a lot of sense.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Honda Amaze