Latest questions answered by experts

Hi, Is it ok to buy the Creta Non-Turbo IVT now, or should I wait for the facelift? I use a car for both city and highways. I'm also a little scared of the Ethnol confusion now.

•13m

The Hyundai Creta 1.5 IVT is a great buy and is our pick of the Creta range. Its smooth gearbox and refined engine are highlights. You'll appreciate the seamless performance in town, and the power is fair for highway use too.The all-new Creta is due in the coming months and promises to be larger, more refined and more tech-laden. If these are key considerations for you, it might be worth your while to wait for the new Creta. Otherwise, there's a good opportunity to haggle on a current Creta IVT and get a good price. About the ethanol worry, the Creta is built for E20 fuel and should support higher blends of ethanol (such as E30) without any undue wear and damage. Do note, the manufacturer has not given any official communication on this.

Hyundai Creta

•2d

Hi, I have a 2017 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza that has covered 2,50,000 km. I am very happy with its performance, and it is still in excellent condition with no major issues. Given its age, should I consider replacing it, or would it make sense to continue using it for a few more years?

•43m

Keep it. You’re happy since it’s in excellent shape. Its 1.3 diesel is a long-life motor that easily does 3-5 lakh km if serviced right. At 2.5 lakh km most of the depreciation is done, so every extra year you run, it is cheap motoring compared to a new car EMI. It’s BS4 without a DPF, so fewer headaches, and parts are easy and reasonably priced.Two checks before you double down. If you live in Delhi-NCR, diesel cars are banned beyond 10 years, so you’ve got roughly a year left. Elsewhere you can legally run it till 15 years, so about 6 more years before a fitness renewal. Also, accept that an older car can spring surprise bills and it won’t have the latest safety kit.Do some preventive work and carry on: get a compression test, inspect turbo for play and oil seepage, clean or calibrate injectors, check clutch slip, refresh suspension bushes and dampers if tired, change engine and gearbox mounts if vibey, and listen for timing chain rattle. Replace coolant hoses, belts, fluids, and brake lines if due. Budget Rs. 60,000-1 lakh over the next 1-2 years for this tidy-up. If it passes these checks, keep enjoying it.

•2d

I am confused about which EV would be the best choice: the BMW iX1, a Volvo EV, or Mahindra XEV 9S. Are there any other EVs that I should also consider before making a decision? My only concern with the BMW iX1 is its interior.

•2h

The BMW iX1, Volvos and Mahindra XEV 9S are all quite different propositions, so the ‘best’ one really depends on what you value beyond interiors.The BMW iX1 is actually one of the more practical luxury EVs, with a spacious cabin. a genuinely premium feel and strong performance, which makes it very good value in the luxury EV space. If your only concern is that the interior doesn’t wow you visually, it’s still worth a serious look because the perceived quality, ergonomics and driving experience are all very strong.Assuming you’re referring to the Volvo EC40 and EX30, both offer very classy, minimalist cabins with high-quality materials and that typical Scandinavian design feel, but with almost everything controlled via the touchscreen. However, they are not very spacious; the EX30 in particular is tight at the rear, with limited legroom and a cramped benchThe Mahindra XEV 9S cannot match the Europeans for material richness or finesse of fit and finish, but it is fantastic value and absolutely nails space, comfort and features, especially if you need a proper family EV and possibly seven seats. If interior design “feel” matters more than outright luxury, the 9S may actually make you happiest in daily use, while the BMW is the better pick if you want a true luxury EV with strong dynamics.

I am confused between the Hyundai Venue and the Kia Sonet. My annual running is less than 8,000 km. Considering my relatively low usage, which of these two cars would you recommend?

•3h

It's hard to pinpoint a car without knowing more of your needs like importance of rear seat space, who will drive it, type of terrain - city highway etc. However, as an all rounder we would suggest you go with the Hyundai Venue. Its the newer of the two cars and has more interior room especially at the rear where the Sonet feels quite tight. The current Kia Sonet is also due for a replacement soon, thus buying the Venue would ensure you have a 'newer' car which would also help with the resale value.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

•2d

My average running is approximately 2,000km per month. I want to buy a normal small-segment hatchback EV as a second car for the family, which can significantly reduce my running costs and offer better resale value.

•4h

The Tata Tiago EV is a solid choice for your needs. Your 2,000 km a month will slash running costs if you charge at home, and the Tiago EV is a simple, normal 5‑door hatch that fits city life better than anything else electric at this price. It has proper rear seats and a usable boot for family errands, so it works well as a second car without feeling like a compromise. Resale should be decent too, since Tata EVs are in high demand.For daily 60-70 km, the Tiago EV 24kWh will handle a full day with AC on and still have a buffer. Overnight top‑ups on a regular 15A socket are easy, so you rarely need public charging.If you want a larger car and a bit more range, it is worth considering the Punch EV 30kWh.The only real catch with the Tiago EV is highway use. You’ll need to plan stops and keep speeds sensible to protect range, but you have your primary car for that.

Tata Tiago EV

Tata Punch EV

•1d

Hi, I am a resident of Bangalore and drive mainly in the city, with occasional highway drives. I am planning to buy a car that can handle both. Right now, my choices are the Honda Amaze IVT automatic and the Maruti Fronx CVT automatic. Please recommend the better of the two cars. Factors to be considered are mileage, service cost, spare part cost, driving comfort, and, of course, reliability. Also, please let me know if the Mahindra XUV 3XO torque converter automatic is a better choice compared to these two. I am looking for value for money, good mileage, longevity, and good performance.

•5h

A correction, first. The Maruti Suzuki Fronx does not come with a CVT. The base 1.2-litre petrol engine is offered with an AMT, while the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol gets a torque-converter auto combination. Both versions are fuel-efficient for their respective engine type. However, given your priorities, the Fronx AMT makes more sense. It isn't the slickest gearbox, but it is smooth enough for everyday city driving. What really strengthens the Fronx AMT's case is its fuel economy, which is comparable to that of a manual car. You will not have any issues with spare parts or service costs. The Fronx Turbo AT offers a smoother, punchier experience, but fuel economy takes a hit. The Honda Amaze CVT is very smooth and refined, making for a practical package. However, mileage isn't as good as the Fronx AMT, and long-term ownership costs will be higher than those of a Maruti, too.The Mahindra XUV 3XO with the torque-converter automatic is an exciting option, but doesn't fit your key requirements. The turbo-petrol engine and torque converter auto combo isn't particularly efficient.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Honda Amaze

Mahindra XUV 3XO