Latest questions answered by experts

Hello! I am planning to buy an automatic petrol car with a budget of up to Rs. 15 lakh. I am a new driver, and my usage will mainly be in the city, including heavy traffic conditions like those in Mumbai, along with occasional highway trips with my family of five every few months. I would like a car that is comfortable, safe, fuel-efficient, and relatively low-maintenance. Considering my requirements, which would be the best car options for me?

•28m

Consider the Honda Elevate V CVT. In Mumbai traffic, it is one of the smoothest, most stress-free automatics at this price, and the light controls make tight lanes and parking easy. It should fit within your Rs. 15 lakh on-road budget, and there are usually discounts to be had. It hasn't been crash tested in India, but the made-in-India Elevate has scored 5 stars in Japan NCAP tests. The engine also offers good performance for a naturally aspirated unit and returns decent fuel economy too.The catch is that it isn't as feature-packed as its rivals. However, being a Honda car, reliability is strong and service is generally well regarded, which is important for a first-time buyer.

Honda Elevate

•3d

I am looking for an all-rounder motorcycle that can be used comfortably by both me and my father. He is 58 years old and 5'4" tall. Our requirements are a cruiser-like seating position, a seat height of around 780 mm, good ground clearance, comfortable ergonomics, good fuel efficiency, and a strong service network. Considering these requirements, which motorcycle would you recommend?

•1h

We'd recommend you and your father pick between the TVS Ronin and Royal Enfield Hunter 350. Both meet the criteria that you have listed above but offer markedly different riding experiences. The Hunter has a slow-revving, torque-rich, long-stroke motor with a lovely thump mated to an agile and responsive chassis that sounds like it shouldn't work but we (and lakhs of people who have bought one) think that it does.The Ronin's engine is similiar in character but feels relatively more sporty as does its handling. It is also a much lighter bike and has a lower perch, so for shorter riders, it will be easier to manage. Its oddball looks aren't to everyone's tastes and TVS' service doesn't have a stellar reputation either - two points to bear in mind from an owner's POV. Take test rides of both bikes to see which one resonates more with you before you make a decision.

TVS Ronin

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

•6d

I have a 2009 Hero Honda Xtreme that has seen very little use. I am now planning to scrap it and buy something new. I am considering an EV, specifically either the Ather Rizta or the TVS iQube. Which one would you suggest? My daily travel would be around 20-25km. Even if I buy the 2.2kWh version, the range will reduce after a few years due to battery ageing. My main concern is battery longevity and warranty.

•2h

Both the Ather Rizta and TVS iQube are great options, and no matter which one you choose, you realistically cannot go wrong with them. The Rizta has much more tech, and even its small battery gives you 105km of real-world range on a single charge. Its boot is also better shaped than the iQube's, which means a good-quality imported full-face helmet will fit inside alongside the charger, provided you thoughtfully arrange everything inside.On the other hand, the TVS iQube is as simple as an electric scooter gets and is a no-nonsense machine which just keeps running without fault day in and day out. TVS's service reach across the country is better than Ather's, so the iQube makes for the logical purchase, but it's not like the Rizta is an outlier. Picking between the two will be made easier once you get a test ride of both and see which one you're leaning toward more.No matter which option you choose, your commute is short enough that a normal amount of range drop after a few years will not majorly affect you.

Ather Rizta

TVS iQube

•6d

Hi Autocar team, I regularly follow you and enjoy your reviews. I am looking for a very comfortable two-wheeler with exceptional suspension performance for potholes and bad roads because I suffer from back pain. I currently use a Honda Dio with small tyres (12/10-inch combination), and the ride is not very soft. Even small rumble strips send a jerk through the bike. I am always a solo rider and need your expert advice. I would prefer a scooter for practicality, but a motorcycle is also okay. My budget is around Rs. 1.5 lakh, and I ride about 25km a day in Pune city with occasional highway trips.

•3h

No scooter can match a motorcycle for comfort over bad roads, and if you value comfort over everything (and it seems like you do, going by the nature of your query), then going for a bike makes more sense. With your budget, you can get a capable 160cc commuter like the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, Bajaj Pulsar N160, and Honda SP160 / Unicorn. These bikes are also capable of being quite frugal when ridden sensibly, and you should take a test ride of all three before you make your decision.

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

Hi, I’m planning to buy an automatic petrol SUV and am confused between the Kia Seltos HTE(O) IVT Petrol and the Hyundai Venue HX5 DCT Petrol. The on-road price difference is around Rs. 3 lakh, so I want to understand whether the Seltos is truly worth the extra cost. My typical usage includes 3,000-4,000km per year on moderate Indian roads, with occasional city driving. I also do weekend trips with family or friends, usually with 4-5 people. My car may sit idle for 15-20 days at a time. I currently drive a Hyundai i20 diesel manual.

•3h

If you have the budget to accommodate the Rs. 3 lakh price difference, go for the Kia Seltos HTE(O) IVT. It is a significantly larger car, so your weekend trips with 4-5 people and luggage will be far easier. It also has a smoother and more refined powertrain overall, and its IVT automatic gearbox works equally well in the city and on the highway. Ride quality is better, the boot is much larger, and rear-seat space is something your passengers will appreciate.As for the Hyundai Venue, while a good SUV on its own, it is simply at a disadvantage for its size, given your intended usage. Its 1.0-litre turbo petrol is more powerful and feels punchier than the Seltos' 1.5 litre NA petrol, but it also suffers from serious turbo lag, and the DCT gearbox can be very clunky at low speeds, both of which are made worse when the car is full up. Thus, overall, the Seltos is just the better choice.Your automatic gearbox should have no real issue with sitting idle for 15-20 days at a time. What needs to be looked out for is the battery, which could discharge, and the fuel in the tank. E20 petrol, which is the norm in India now, can separate into petrol and ethanol if it comes in contact with moisture, which is a possibility when the car is left idle for a long. It is thus advisable in any case to run the car, even briefly, at least once a week.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Venue

•1d

Autocar, kindly suggest whether I should go for the Citroen Basalt X Turbo Max 2025 model at a reduced price of around Rs. 12.5 lakh or the Toyota Hyryder S Petrol. My running is around 30km per day in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and I do a 300km highway trip once a month. I currently own a Taigun 1.0 TSI petrol, but its mileage is very low.

•4h

Considering your usage, we would recommend the Toyota Uran Cruiser Hyryder S Petrol over the Citroen Basalt X Turbo Max, even with the attractive discount on the Citroen.Your daily running of around 30km in bumper-to-bumper traffic and a 300km highway trip once a month doesn't justify a turbo-petrol purely from an efficiency standpoint. Since you're already finding your Taigun 1.0 TSI thirsty, the Basalt's 1.2-litre turbo-petrol is unlikely to deliver the kind of fuel economy improvement you're looking for, even though it offers a comfortable ride and excellent value at the discounted price.The Hyryder S Petrol with its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and mild-hybrid system is likely to be more fuel efficient in your usage, while also offering Toyota's reputation for reliability and low maintenance. It may not feel as punchy as the Citroen Basalt Turbo, but it is smoother and should prove to be the more economical long-term ownership proposition.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Citroen Basalt