Hi, I have been driving Maruti Suzuki Swift petrol for 17 years now and am planning to buy a new car. My yearly running would be around 5000kms with 50% driving on highway and 50% driving in Tier 1 and 2 cities. My budget is 20 lakh maximum (on-road) in Bengaluru and I plan to retain the car for 10-15 years. I am too confused on NA engine petrol car due to ethanol blending issue and am inclined towards Diesel. I have shortlisted Victoris MT, Grand Vitara MT, 3XO Diesel MT and Nexon Diesel MT. I require 360-degree car camera system and sufficient boot space. I am open to all suggestions please.

autocar.india

•1d

Given your usage pattern of 30-50km daily city driving with occasional highway trips, an EV is a very strong option. The running cost savings will be significant, and modern EVs are now genuinely usable for highway trips as long as you have home charging. The key is to choose an EV with a realistic range and a comfortable, spacious cabin, since this will be your primary car.The Tata Sierra EV 75kWh is the recommendation here. It offers a spacious, premium-feeling cabin, a comfortable ride and a usable real-world range that makes both city driving and occasional highway trips easy to manage. It also has good road presence and feels like a proper upgrade from a Honda City in terms of comfort and overall ownership experience.If you are still on the fence about EVs, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the best ICE alternative. It is extremely efficient in the city, reliable and easy to live with, and the hybrid system keeps running costs low without any charging dependency.The decision comes down to your comfort with home charging. If you have it, the Sierra EV is the better long-term ownership proposition. If not, the Victoris Hybrid is the safer choice.

Tata Sierra EV

Honda City

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

autocar.india

•5h

Since you already own a Honda Elevate and are looking for a foreign-made SUV, the decision really comes down to what you want from your second car. The Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are essentially the same car underneath, so the choice between them is more about brand preference and dealership experience. Both are excellent to drive, with strong turbo petrol engines and a more engaging driving experience than the Creta. The Kushaq tends to offer slightly better value for money, while the Taigun has a marginally more premium interior feel.The Hyundai Creta, on the other hand, is the safer, more rounded choice. It is more comfortable, has a wider service network and is generally easier to live with over the long term. It may not be as engaging to drive as the Skoda or Volkswagen, but it is the more sensible ownership proposition.If you are looking for a car that feels different from your Elevate and enjoy driving, go for the Skoda Kushaq. If you want a hassle-free ownership experience, the Hyundai Creta is the better choice.

Honda Elevate

Skoda Kushaq

Volkswagen Taigun

Hyundai Creta

autocar.india

•19m

Go for the Creta diesel. Your usage pattern is actually well suited to a modern diesel. At 15,000-18,000 km a year with 70% highway driving, the diesel will deliver strong fuel savings over time, and the engine is well suited to long runs. The concern around DPF issues is often overstated. The Creta diesel uses a passive DPF system that regenerates naturally at highway speeds, and your usage pattern already includes the kind of driving that keeps the system healthy. The idea that a diesel needs to be driven daily is a myth; what matters is that the car gets regular runs at steady speeds, which your highway usage already provides. Diesel maintenance is not inherently difficult, but it is slightly more expensive than petrol. The key is to follow the service schedule and use good quality fuel. The petrol turbo is a good engine, but for your running and usage pattern, the diesel makes more sense. The only reason to avoid diesel would be if your usage was predominantly short city runs, which is not the case here. The Creta diesel is a solid upgrade from the Aura and will serve you well on Bangalore highways.

Hyundai Creta