I am planning on replacing my 2012 Honda Civic SMT (85k on odometer). Usage will be 5k Kms per year, looking at a petrol automatic for 75% city driving, and want the flexibility of a 7 seater (when in-laws and nephews/nieces come once in a while). I have an on-road budget of Rs. 27 Lakhs. Co-registration. Zeroed in on the Hyundai Alcazar DCT and the MG Hector Plus CVT, confused about which one to buy as an upgrade for my Civic, considering my budget.

Asked by: Pralay Debroy

Since you're coming from a Civic, you might lean towards the Hyundai Alcazar, purely for its stronger performance and relatively sportier gearbox. Its suspension also feels stiffer than the MG's, making it handle a bit better.

The MG Hector Plus, on the other hand, is smoother to drive, albeit a bit dull, and delivers better ride comfort due to its soft suspension. Neither car has a particularly spacious third row of seats. Hence, their last row is only good for occasional use.

If you will use the third row more often to ferry adults, you could consider the Mahindra XUV700, which also delivers stronger performance than these two.

Mahindra XUV700

Mahindra XUV700

Answered by

Autocar India Team

Oct 03, 2025

Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts

Help and Support

Latest questions

Asked by: Santhosh Goud Hello, Autocar. I follow your updates and value your suggestions. I currently own a 2015 Hero Passion Pro in good condition. I want to upgrade to a 160cc bike. I am 5'9", my daily commute is around 60km with family, and my budget is ₹1.5 lakh. I like the NS160. Please guide me. The Bajaj Pulsar NS160 is a good option in the class, even though it is quite dated. It will offer you genuinely sporty handling owing to its sophisticated perimeter frame, and its punchy engine will keep you entertained too. It is also a reasonably comfortable and fuel efficient machine, so as a daily use machine, it will be easy to live with.Other options you can look at are the Bajaj Pulsar N160 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V - both are premium, refined, feature-rich 160cc commuters that will be comfortable and fuel efficient too.

Autocar India Team

Dec 13, 2025

Asked by: Jayaram Right now, I am having a Skoda Laura diesel. I am planning to change and buy the Kia Carens Clavis. My usage is mostly city driving with very limited monthly travel, plus around five long trips a year. Given this, should I choose the petrol or diesel variant? Given your usage, we’d suggest you consider the petrol options in the Kia Carens Clavis. While the diesel will deliver the best real-world economy, it needs regular long trips to keep the engine running at its best.Among the petrol options, the standard 1.5-litre unit is nice enough for most needs. It is nice and refined, and there’s decent power for gentle highway cruises and everyday drives. Opt for the turbo-petrol only if you necessarily need more power or are looking for an automatic gearbox option.

Autocar India Team

Dec 13, 2025

Asked by: Jeethan Jacob I want to buy another car which is spacious and comfortable and comes with an automatic transmission. I have a budget of around 15 lakhs. Which cars do you suggest? Given your requirements of space, comfort and an automatic transmission, we’d suggest you have a look at the Citroen Aircross and Basalt. While the models aren’t very popular, they deliver with excellent ride comfort, ample space and a smooth powertrain. The 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine works really well with the torque converter automatic transmission. The recent updates have also made the interior experience nicer. All in all, the Citroen cars are surely worth a serious look.Of the other options, you could consider the Kia Syros (great cabin space and ambience but crashy ride), Honda Elevate CVT in V trim (roomy interior but average refinement) and the Mahindra XUV 3XO (good on space and comfort but limited boot space).

Autocar India Team

Dec 13, 2025

Asked by: Ashish Hi, I am a new driver and want to buy a car which would be suitable for my family of 6. I generally do not buy second-hand stuff, but maybe that doesn't work with cars. Is it advisable to buy a new car or should I buy a second-hand car? My budget is 16-17 lakhs. My daily commute on average would be 35kms within the city and occasional long highway drives. Which car do you recommend? Opting for a new car or used car boils down to how you’d like to utilise your budget. Buying used can help you get a larger vehicle with more features for the same money as a new car. However, a used vehicle does mean the vehicle has already experienced some degree of wear and tear. Specialist mechanics can help you judge if a vehicle is in good condition or not, or you could use the services of companies like Spinny that have a huge selection to choose from and also offer warranties.New cars worth considering within your budget include the Kia Carens Clavis, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Maruti Suzuki XL6. These MPVs provide comfortable seating (the XL6 is a 6 seater while the Carens Clavis and Ertiga are 7 seaters) and offer decent performance. While all 3 models are easy enough to drive, we suggest you first check the Kia Carens Clavis, which feels newer and more upmarket than the Maruti Suzuki alternatives.

Autocar India Team

Dec 13, 2025

View all questions

Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts

Help and Support