Latest questions answered by experts

I’m now using a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga VDI 2016 shvs and a Honda Jazz i-vtec. I’m planning to sell both the cars and buy a single one. I’m looking for options between 20L to 30L onroad. I’m interested in XUV 7x0, scorpio n, Thar Roxx from Mahindra. But I am little confused about the Service quality of Mahindra.I avoided Innova Crysta as it doesn’t give the value for the amount which I’m paying. Also, my father does not prefer Safari as its third draw is not usable at all. Is there any other alternative for me in this price range?

•6d

I would like to know if it is normal for a fully charged, unused Ather 450 X to lose 1-3 km of indicated range without being ridden.

•8h

Do not worry, it is completely normal to see a 1-3 km drop in the displayed range on your Ather 450 X after a full charge, even if the scooter has not been ridden. This is not a sign of battery degradation or a fault. What you are seeing is a combination of two things: battery self-discharge and the way the range estimator works. All lithium-ion batteries lose a tiny amount of charge when parked overnight or for a few days, even when the scooter has not been in use. More importantly, the range estimate is not a fixed number - it is a calculation based on the current state of charge and your recent riding patterns. Even a small change in battery percentage can cause the displayed range to drop by a few kilometres.

Ather 450X

•8h

Hi i am thinking of buying a 2022 or 2023 used KIa Seltos DCT variant. and keep it for 3 years. My monthly driving is about 500-600 kms. with rare outstation trips. Please advise, should I consider a diesel (what should be the ideal mileage clocked), as there are videos showing petrol vehicles giving trouble with an E20 blend. What are the pros and cons of ownership and maintenance of diesel Thank you

•5d

I am planning to buy the Honda CB350 H'ness for my husband. Are there any other neo-retro bikes in this segment? My budget is Rs. 2.5 lakh.

•9h

Within Honda's own stable, you'll find siblings to the CB350 with different styling but similiar underpinnings, should your husband want a different design. Another option to look at is Royal Enfield's 350cc lineup, specifically the Hunter / Bullet / Classic models, because these will be more comfortable than their siblings, the Meteor and Goan Classic. The REs are noticeably heavier than the Hondas but have a more characterful engine, so pick between them depending on what experience your husband is looking for. If this bike is going to be solely used for casual weekend rides, then we'd strongly recommend considering the gorgeous Goan Classic 350, which will appeal with its flashy colours and bobber aesthetic.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350

Royal Enfield Classic 350

Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

•9h

Hi Autocar Team! hope you’re doing well! I’m planning to buy my first car and have shortlisted the Baleno Delta AMT. However, I’m wondering if it’s worth stretching my budget for the Amaze VX CVT instead. Also, given the current push for higher ethanol blends, is it wise to spend the extra money right now? Looking for a safe, reliable, and stress-free ownership experience for the next 5 to 7 years—which of these would be the safer bet?

•5d

I want to buy the Honda Unicorn, as I travel 70 km daily. Earlier, I used an Activa, but it caused back pain. Can you guide me whether I should go for Honda Unicorn or something else?

•10h

The Honda Unicorn will make for a good upgrade over your Activa, given your daily 70km stint. Commuter motorcycles are some of the most comfortable and fuss-free machines you can buy today, especially so in the case of the Unicorn. If you want alternatives to the proven Honda, look at the Bajaj Pulsar N160 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V for a sportier, more feature-rich experience without sacrificing comfort and usability. A test ride of all three will help determine which is the right one for you.

Honda Bikes Unicorn

Bajaj Pulsar N160

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

•10h

Beleno vs fronx vs altroz suggest one good automatic transmission car

•1d

Hi, this will be my first car and my budget is Rs. 10 lakhs for an automatic transmission. I am looking for a city car primarily with occasional long distance trips. Can you suggest a car that has smooth transmission within this budget and also has a decent after sale service but still it is not too expensive to maintain? I am okay with both hatchback and sub-4 meter SUV options if available.

•11h

For a first car under 10 lakh and a focus on city driving with occasional long trips, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno AMT is the most sensible recommendation. It is a well-rounded hatchback with a smooth AMT gearbox, excellent fuel efficiency and low maintenance costs. Maruti’s service network is the strongest in the country, which keeps ownership hassle-free and affordable. The Baleno also offers a comfortable ride, a spacious cabin and enough boot space for weekend getaways.A strong alternative is the Hyundai i20. It comes with a CVT which is totally seamless and much smoother than the Maruti's AMT. It is also comfortable, easy to drive and Hyundai has a strong reputation for reliability and aftersales service.The Baleno strikes the best balance between smoothness, practicality and long-term ownership costs.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Hyundai i20

•11h

Hi.. I crossed 1.26 lakh km inmy Grand i10-2016..10 years completing in a month.. I am looking for a new car... With better safety, family convenient, my budget is 12 laks.. Choosing new venue HX 5+ is a wise option than Maruti Breeza 1.5 petrol 4 cylinder as I like the Hyndai reliabiliy and not to exploremore.

•1w

I am looking for an electric scooter for 500km monthly running.

•11h

Given your approximately 18-20km daily run, even a scooter with a small battery pack will suffice. The TVS iQube 2.2 has impressed us in our time with it because even though it might be the entry-level variant, it doesn't deliver an 'entry level' experience. It has more than sufficient range and performance, a spacious boot, plush suspension, a front disc brake (that ensure reliable stopping power in all conditions) and even a pretty quick 650W charger. Take a test ride of the iQube 2.2 and if it fits you well, go ahead with your purchase.

TVS iQube

•1d

Hello Auto Car Team, I am planning to buy my first car and would appreciate your guidance. My primary usage will be monthly trips to my hometown, covering around 800 km per trip, once or twice a month. Most of the time, the car will be used by two occupants. My budget is around Rs. 10 lakh, although I can stretch it by another Rs. 1 lakh if the additional value is justified. The cars currently on my shortlist are Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi, Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro, Honda Amaze VX and Tata Punch Adventure Turbo. My key priorities include good fuel efficiency, safety, comfort for long-distance travel as well as low maintenance and reliability as this will be my first car. Given my requirements and budget, which of these cars would you recommend? Also, if there are any better alternatives that I should consider, please let me know. Thank you for your help.

•12h

Given your usage pattern of regular 800 km highway trips with two occupants, your priorities of fuel efficiency, safety, comfort and low maintenance, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi is the most sensible choice from your shortlist. Since a lot of your driving is going to be on the highway, opt for the turbo petrol manual. It has much better overtaking performance than the naturally aspirated version and with a tall sixth gear, fuel efficiency will be good too. It is also a proven, reliable and low-maintenance car with a comfortable ride, good highway stability and a strong service network, which is exactly what you want in a first car that will see long-distance use. The downside is that the turbo doesn't come with an automatic option.The Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro is the more modern and feature-rich option, however the Brezza still has the edge in terms of long-term reliability. The Honda Amaze VX is a good sedan with a comfortable ride and Honda's reputation for reliability, but given your highway usage and the occasional rough patches you may encounter, the higher ground clearance and more robust nature of the Brezza make it the better fit. The Tata Punch is a good value proposition, but it is a smaller car and not as well roomy as the Brezza.Overall the Brezza VXi remains the most balanced and dependable choice for your requirements.

I want to buy an SUV in the Rs. 25 lakh price range. My primary concern is the size, with the maximum acceptable size being that of the new Kia Seltos, due to narrow streets and potholes. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos because it has the wow factor, many features, and good build quality. After driving it, I didn't like the quality of the new Duster/Tekton. I have also eliminated Volkswagen/Skoda due to poor service in our area and their poor AC performance. The car will be chauffeur-driven and will run 5-8 km daily. I am not interested in EVs. I am also interested in second-hand luxury cars like the 2020 BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLC. What would you suggest? Should I go with the new Kia Seltos or consider these second-hand luxury car options? I really need your suggestion. I plan to keep the car for a minimum of 5 years.

•13h

Go for the new Kia Seltos. Your usage is just 5-8km a day, you are chauffeur-driven, and you want a car no bigger than the Seltos because of narrow streets and potholes. The Seltos fits that brief perfectly. It is a well-rounded SUV with a premium cabin, good ride comfort and a strong feature set. More importantly, it is a new car with a full warranty and predictable ownership costs, which matters over a five-year ownership period.The second-hand luxury car idea is tempting, but maintenance costs can be unpredictable. The Seltos will be easier to live with, cheaper to maintain and better suited to your daily routine.You have already ruled out the Duster/Tekton and VW/Skoda options, so the Seltos is the right choice. With limited running, the 1.5 NA petrol with either the IVT or the manual should suit you best. Just pick the variant that gives you the features you want without stretching the budget unnecessarily.

My daily running is under 40kms and I travel to hills 2 3 times in an year. I am planning to buy an automatic car under 11 lakhs and have 2 cars in my mind which are Tata Nexon amt Pure Plus model and Kiger Techno Turbo CVT model. Which one should I go for?

•22h

Hi AAA, I am from Kerala and currently own a 2023 Hero Xoom 110, which my wife rides to work every day. Her daily commute is around 50 km, and with other local trips, the total daily running comes to about 55 km. Considering the daily running cost and maintenance, should I switch to an electric scooter? I am considering the Ather 450 (not sure which variant) and the River Indie. Which one would you recommend? I am looking for a hassle-free ownership experience as well.

•14h

Since you have a rather long daily commute, we'd recommend you stick with the more comfortable, spacious and practical River Indie over the sporty and fun but less comfortable and practical Ather 450. The Indie will have more than sufficient range for your needs, and River so far has built a good reputation for its after-sales experience. Coming from your Xoom 110, the only point to watch out for will be the Indie's weight, and to ensure you are comfortable with it, we'd recommend a test ride before you make your decision. Also, it makes sense to opt for the faster 750W charger with your purchase, as the slower 450W charger will take a very long time to recharge your battery, especially pertinent given your daily usage.

River Indie

Ather 450

•14h

My first car was 2000 indica clocked 1.5lakh kms in 5 yrs replaced it with scorpio and clocked 3 lakh kms in 18yrs and replaced it with safari xms manual in 2023 which has done 60k kms I'm planning to replace it with mg m9 or mg majestor my daily running is around 60kms and I use the vehicle for occasional family trips . Pls advice a 7-8 seater under 80lakhs and also help me make a better choice between diesel and ev . P.D my family also owns innova and forutner

•1d

I'm planning to buy a two-wheeler for my father, preferably a scooter. My budget is around Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1 lakh. It will be used mainly for city commuting, with a maximum daily running of 20-25 km. Should I go for an ICE scooter or an EV? Also, which model would you recommend?

•14h

Within your budget, there are only two EVs from reputed brands available, like the Vida (Hero) VX2 Go 2.2 and TVS Orbiter V2 (3.1kWh battery). These have enough range for a 25km daily loop and will surely help reduce your running costs to a great extent. If you have a secure charging location, then opting for an EV definitely makes sense. They have gentle but surefooted performance, and to decide between these two, take a test ride before you make your decision.If, however, you are not keen on making the switch to an EV, then sticking with proven options like Honda Activa 110, TVS Jupiter 110 and Suzuki Access 125 makes sense. The Activa and Jupiter are slightly more frugal than the Access, which consequently has zippier performance. All three are proven products, and you should go for the one you gel with the most on your test ride.

Vida VX2

TVS Orbiter

Honda Bikes Activa 110

TVS Jupiter

Suzuki Access

•21h

Hi everyone, We currently own a Chevrolet Sail Sedan Diesel and are planning to upgrade. I'm having a tough time deciding between buying another diesel SUV or switching to an EV. Our usage pattern is quite different from most buyers. We drive around 50 km per week, almost entirely within the city. Highway trips are very rare, maybe once or twice a year. Because of this, I feel an EV makes more sense, and I absolutely love the smooth and quiet driving experience that electric cars offer. At the moment, I'm considering the Tata Nexon EV, Kia Syros EV (newly launched), and the Hyundai Creta Electric, especially the new BaaS option in the base variant. I'm leaning slightly towards Kia/Hyundai because they seem to have a better reputation for battery management, software, overall reliability, and after-sales service compared to Tata. If I decide to stay with diesel, the base model Kia Seltos Diesel would probably be my choice. However, I'm quite concerned about modern diesel systems, particularly DPF regeneration and DEF/AdBlue-related issues. Since our driving is mostly short city trips with very little highway usage, I'm worried that a diesel may not be the right fit in the long run. Given our usage pattern, what would you recommend: Kia Seltos Diesel, Tata Nexon EV, Kia Syros EV, or Hyundai Creta Electric? I'd especially appreciate feedback from owners who have experience with these cars in predominantly city driving. Thanks in advance!

•15h

Between the Nexon EV, Syros EV and Creta Electric, the Nexon EV is the most affordable option. But we'd strongly recommend the Syros EV - it is a very sensible choice. It is priced well, has a good feature set, and cabin space is excellent. Kia's battery management, software and service network inspire more confidence for long-term ownership. Overall, the Syros EV is the more balanced package, and even though the Creta Electric is a good car, the Syros EV comes across as better value for money.

Kia Syros EV

Tata Nexon EV

Hyundai Creta Electric

•15h

Which is better option in electric car between Windsor and e vitara

•22h

I have a 2021 Hyundai Venue (second base variant), and my daily running is around 45-50 km. Should I replace it with a new car, or should I continue using it? If I do replace it, should I choose an EV or a petrol car? I am looking for a car that offers good comfort, spacious interiors, good mileage, and an automatic transmission. Would the Hyundai Verna HX6 Plus Automatic be a good choice, or would you recommend a better petrol or EV option?

•15h

With a daily running of 45- 50 km, you are already clocking around 16,000- 18,000 km a year, which is a healthy mileage. And if you can arrange for home charging, an electric car will significantly reduce your running costs.Since you have a Rs 15-20 lakh budget, you can consider the new Kia Syros EV. This Kia car is a compact yet very spacious car, with excellent cabin comfort, and is feature-rich too. This will be a good upgrade from your outgoing vehicle. If you want an ICE vehicle, the Hyundai Verna HX6 Plus automatic is a good option. This Hyundai car offers excellent comfort, a spacious cabin and a smooth automatic gearbox. Both the Syros EV and Verna IVT are excellent options.

Kia Syros EV

Hyundai Verna

•22h

I am 70+ years old and live in Solan. I currently drive a 2014 Hyundai Grand i10 and am planning to replace it with a new car. My budget is around Rs. 13 lakh on-road. I am looking for an automatic that is smooth to drive in Delhi traffic as well as on hilly roads. My annual running is around 5,000 km, with 5% in Delhi, 80% on highways, and 10% in the hills. I do not need cosmetic features such as a sunroof. I only want the essential features, keeping the current scenario in mind. Please suggest a suitable car.

•16h

We'd recommend you shortlist the Skoda Kylaq Classic+ AT and Mahindra XUV 3XO MX2 Pro AT. Both these are excellent cars for city and highway driving, with strong turbo-petrol engines and smooth 6-speed torque converters (automatic). Both these will feel effort-free on hilly terrain too. These two are very competent options, so we'd recommend you test drive both and pick the brand you're comfortable with.

Skoda Kylaq

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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