Latest questions answered by experts

I am a new rider and need an automatic car with 5-star safety rating under a maximum budget of Rs. 12 lakh (on-road). I require the car for driving mostly in city. I drive once or twice on highway and expressway in a month. I take one or two long trip in a year. My preference is safety, decent mileage, good service and cheap parts for family use. Please suggest.

•38m

For your needs, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Tata Punch are both good fits. Both cars have a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating and come with a comprehensive suite of safety features as standard.The Dzire is the more fuel-efficient of the two, with its 1.2-litre Z-series engine delivering an average of just over 15kpl in our real-world testing. It also has the more refined powertrain, while Maruti has a strong reputation for after-sales service.The Tata Punch offers a more SUV-like stance. You sit higher up, with a better view over the bonnet, which can help build confidence as a new driver. It also rides superbly for a small car, while the higher ground clearance is an advantage on bad roads. Service and parts costs are likely to be similar to those of the Maruti. However, Tata's after-sales service is known to be somewhat inconsistent, so we'd recommend checking your local dealer's reputation before committing.Overall, both cars are good choices for a new driver. Test drive both to see which one suits your needs better.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Tata Punch

I have finalised Sonet HTK plus and Hyundai Venue HX5. Please suggest me which one is better for city comfort, riding and overall is a better choice.

•1h

Between the two, the Venue has the more absorbent ride in the city. The Sonet's suspension is a bit firmer, which helps it feel more planted on the highway, but around town, it can feel harsh over sharp bumps. The Venue also has a longer wheelbase, which gives it a roomier rear seat than the Sonet.Overall, the Venue is the better choice since your priority is ride comfort in the city.

Hyundai Venue

Kia Sonet

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Hello everyone, I am very confused about buying a new scooter under Rs. 1.30 lakh. I want a comfortable scooter that should be in 125cc segment. It should have a planted/substantial feeling that delivers decent mileage and should have a sporty look. It should have a TFT display. Should I wait or choose from Activa 125, Dio 125, Jupiter 125 or Ntorq Race XP or something else?

•1h

There's no one product right now which will give you all of these attributes in one package today in the 125cc segment. The Suzuki Burgman will probably come closest but its not a heavy or substantial feeling machine - but we think that's a good thing considering you'll usually be using it in tight urban confines. If you want a 125cc scooter with 14-in wheels for added stability, the Hero Xoom 125 is one option we'd recommend. Its motor is fuel efficient and smooth, its styling is very modern and catchy and its suspension is pretty decent too. It doesn't have a TFT display and its boot is rather small because of its larger wheels, points to keep in mind before you go ahead with your purchase. The TVS Ntorq 125 is a great scooter which balances fun and practicality very well although, again, this is not a heavy-feeling scooter and like we mentioned earlier, this is a good thing. You should also consider the Aprilia SXR GT 125 because this scooter will have the "heavy feeling" you're after but it doesn't have a TFT display and from what we experienced on the SXR GT 175 when we reviewed it, its front suspension is not very comfortable over bad roads. Aprilia's dealer network is also far smaller than the bigger Indian brands and its aftersales and service cost has historically been on the more expensive side too. We'd recommend you take a test ride of the aforementioned options and see which one you gel with the most before you make your decision. We would also be remiss if we didn't recommend you at least take a look at and get a test ride of the Suzuki Access because while it may not be the flashiest option out there, it is really a sublime scooter which and its highest variant comes with ABS which no other mainstream manufacturer offers on a 125cc scooter.

Suzuki Burgman Street

Hi, I currently own a VW Vento petrol and am planning to buy a big SUV preferably Tucson or Tiguan. Unfortunately, both are unavailable and there is a dirth of cars in this segment. Hence, I am looking at 7-seater cars like VW Tayron, Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento. I am inclined towards Tayron but my brain is into Sorento. My usage is daily city drive and involves 3 to 5 long trips. I am quite unsure and confused with the future of petrol in india and also the longterm ownership of a hybrid. Look forward to your suggestion and take on this. Thanks.

•2h

The VW Tayron and the Skoda Kodiaq would both be more fun to drive. However, the Kia Sorento would be the more sensible buy with a well specced car at an attractive price. It would come down to what you want more from your new car. As for the future of petrol and hybrids, both are safe buys and should give you years of trouble free running. The hybrid system in the Kia is a proven unit too. The fuel issue if any is with diesel cars in Delhi where those cars older than 10 years are legally considered end-of-life vehicles.

I want to buy a sub-4 meter automatic car and my bugdet is between Rs. 10 to 11 lakhs (ex-showroom). Mostly, I use the car for trips on weekends. I am looking for a car that can be used for long term (around 15 years). I want a car that is reliable and has low cost maintainance car with good safety rating. I am trying to buy Kiger Emotion model. Is it the right choice? If not, suggest me a better car.

•2h

Yes the Renault Kiger is a good option. The car does meet your budget and gearbox requirements and it has a good safety feature list as well as a good 4-star crash rating in the GNCAP test. As for reliability and keeping it long term, here too the car should be fine. The SUV form factor will also give you a higher seating position with a good view outisde. An option would be the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, while it does not have the SUV body style benefits it too would meet your requirements of safety and reliability.

Renault Kiger

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

I need your advice to decide between Duster Hybrid and Byd Atto 3. Please note that I have a 9 KW solar plant at home.

•3h

Given their difference in the fuel, the choice between the two cars really comes down to what your usage is like. If you have some long drives out of the city then the Duster hybrid would be better as you would not have to plan your trips around EV chargers or have to wait in line or spend time charging. The hybrid offers you more flexibility in that sense, however is your drives as mostly short distances then the EV would make sense especially since you have a solar plant at home and on the few outstation trips just make sure you plan your rest breaks along with charging points too.

Renault Duster

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

I want to buy a car for limited travelling in small city where I live. I prefer to buy an automatic car with good fuel efficiency. Please guide which car should I buy under a budget of Rs. 5 to 10 lakh.

•3h

Since you live in a small city we would suggest you go with the Maruti Suzuki Celerio, you would definitely find a dealer and service very easily and at your budget you will be able to get the top end model and enjoy features like a touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and electrically adjustable and retractable ORVMs. The Celerio is also among the most fuel efficient cars available and driven in a normal manner would give you about 12 to 14kpl in light city traffic.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio

•3d

Should I go for Kawasaki Versys X300 or Z300?

•4h

If you are after an affordable, twin-cylinder Japanese machine, then the Kawasaki Z300 is a good option to consider. The newly-launched Kawasaki Z300 should be very similiar to the Ninja 300 in how it rides - an old but rev-happy engine with a basic chassis that still works decently more than a decade after it launched.The Versys-X 300 is the machine to look at if you intend to do long trips and venture out of the city. Its engine will have similiar characteristics but its handling will be more neutral and planted than the more eager feeling Ninja and Z. The Versys-X does have more ground clearance - and consequently, a taller seat - than its siblings which will be helpful over unpredictable Indian road conditions. A test ride of both as well as an objective evaluation of what you're looking to use the bike for will give you the answer to which one you should choose.

Kawasaki Z300

Kawasaki Versys-X 300

Kawasaki Ninja 300

•15h

Hi, I am keen on buying a petrol AWD. In case, the vehicle will be used for trips to mountains where there are kaccha roads with unmetalled surface and loose stones. Which would be a better choice between Victoris and Grand Vitara?

•4h

The Victoris and Grand Vitara are essentially the same vehicle with the only differentiation being their body style, and interior colour and design. The Victoris feels more modern, and its light grey and black coloured interiors look airier and more inviting than the Grand Vitara. It is also better-equipped, but that makes it around Rs 50,000 more expensive than the equivalent Grand Vitara. Overall, if you're not limited by budget, the Victoris AWD AT would be the one we'd recommend.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

•10h

Current car: 2020 Kia Seltos HTX Budget: Rs 35 lakh, but I can stretch it, as I plan to keep the car for more than 13 years. Usage: About 80 percent city driving, and around 5,000 km a year for the first five years. I want a large family SUV that feels special, offers strong value and can be owned confidently for 12-15 years without becoming a maintenance headache. I’ll be driving it myself, not a chauffeur. Ventilated front seats and a 360-degree camera are must-haves. I don’t want a diesel because of Delhi’s 10-year rule, and the idea of an expensive EV still worries me. So I’m looking at a petrol or a petrol-based strong hybrid, in the hope that E30 fuel never arrives. I’m also avoiding German brands, because of their high purchase price and very high maintenance costs. Cars I like that are currently on sale: Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7L: the value king, but almost everyone has one, so it may not feel special. Kia Sorento HTK+ Black Line: a next-generation global model may launch next year, which could make it look dated within a year. Toyota Innova Hycross: its taxi image is a drawback. Upcoming models I might like: I’ll be watching the global launch of the new Toyota Fortuner this December, and I could stretch to Rs 45-50 lakh for it if you strongly recommend it. When will the Hyundai Santa Fe launch? Also, I’ve had an extremely good experience with my Honda Jazz. Is Honda launching any model that matches my requirements?

•5h

The Kia Sorento strong-hybrid will be an ideal upgrade from your outgoing Seltos. It is larger in size, feels noticeably more premium, and it also gets a third row of seats, giving you that added flexibility of a seven-seater. The strong hybrid performs well, and the Sorento feels confident to drive from behind the wheel.Like you rightly mentioned, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is great value for money, but the petrol-automatic won't be very efficient, so that is something you might want to take into consideration.You could consider the JSW Combat (plug-in hybrid) for its strong road presence, expansive feature list and powerful powertrain. If you want your car to stand out and feel special, this is certainly worth considering before finalising. It is scheduled to be launched in December this year.Lastly, Honda has the ZR-V, which is a strong hybrid SUV. While it drives well, it feels simply too expensive for what it offers.

Slavia owner · 5,000 km

Hi, I have a 2014 Vespa S 125 and am planning to replace it with the Royal Enfield Flying Flea C6. Is it worth the switch? Also, what does your long-term report on the Flying Flea C6 say?

•5h

Royal Enfield's Flying Flea C6 is an unconventional yet thoughtfully engineered and well-developed electric bike. It's not a high-volume product in terms of sales, nor has it been on sale for very long, so its long-term reliability is a bit of an unknown at this point. From what we experienced, this is a lightweight and zippy electric bike with realistic range for long commutes and even a short Sunday ride - provided you have charging at your destination or somewhere along the way.The one big bugbear we have with the C6 is that its seat is just very uncomfortable for anything over 30 minutes, and unless you're really skinny, this will be a problem for you too. We'd suggest you take an exhaustive test ride and speak to other C6 owners if you can to understand what this machine is like to live with. If you find the C6's seating comfort isn't a problem, go ahead with your purchase. If not, its platform sibling, the Flying Flea S6 scrambler should launch in the coming months, and it promises a better seat and more rough-road-ready manners with similar weight, performance and range.

Flying Flea C6

•12h

What are Mahindra’s plans for an ICE SUV positioned above the XUV 7XO? Specifically, does Mahindra plan to launch any ICE SUVs in the Rs 30-40 lakh bracket?

•6h

Mahindra has not yet confirmed an all-new ICE SUV positioned above the XUV 7XO in the Rs 30-40 lakh bracket. However, there are some interesting developments on its future product roadmap. The company has outlined plans for 10 new ICE models by 2031, including nine new nameplates, with several expected to use its upcoming NU_IQ platform. The Vision X and Vision SXT concepts are among the products to watch, although their final positioning and specifications are yet to be revealed. A more immediate development is the possibility of a strong-hybrid version of the XUV 7XO, which Mahindra is evaluating and could introduce around 2027. This would potentially sit above the current petrol and diesel variants, offering better fuel efficiency and a more sophisticated powertrain. Mahindra is also working on a coupe-styled hybrid SUV, internally codenamed W623, which could arrive around 2028, although its positioning is not yet clear.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•10h

I’ve been driving a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz diesel manual for the last 9 years. I drive about 90 km a day, of which around 60 km is on the expressway and 30 km is in the city. I’m planning to buy an automatic compact SUV that’s comfortable to drive and fuel-efficient. I’ve been looking at something like a mid-spec Tata Sierra diesel. Which car would you recommend?

•6h

The Tata Sierra diesel automatic would be a good fit for your daily 90km commute, particularly with 60km on the expressway. It is comfortable and has strong highway cruising ability. The Aisin-sourced six-speed torque converter is smooth and well calibrated, making it easy to drive in city traffic as well. The Sierra also has a comfortable cabin and a well-sorted ride, which should make your daily commute less tiring. One drawback is that the diesel engine is not particularly refined, with noticeable engine noise and vibrations. The Kia Seltos diesel automatic is another strong option. It is more refined, has a better-quality cabin and offers a more polished overall ownership experience. Its diesel engine and automatic gearbox make it particularly well suited to your mix of expressway and city driving.Our recommendation would be the Sierra diesel automatic if comfort and highway ability are your priorities. However, if you value refinement, cabin quality and a more reassuring ownership experience, the Seltos diesel automatic is the one to choose.

Tata Sierra

Kia Seltos

•12h

I have a budget of Rs 15 lakh and am planning to buy either the Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXi AT or the Grand Vitara Delta 1.5 AT mild hybrid. Both are within my budget. I’ve recently heard that the Victoris has an AC leak issue. Is that true? Which of these would you recommend? I take five to six trips a year of more than 1,500 km each, and my city driving is around 400 km a month. Please advise.

•7h

The Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXi AT and Grand Vitara Delta AT are mechanically very similar, sharing the same platform, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, six-speed torque converter automatic and several key components. Therefore, the choice should largely come down to the deal you get, the design you prefer and the dealership experience. The Victoris is the newer product and has a more contemporary cabin with better perceived quality. However, its sloping roofline does compromise rear headroom slightly, which is worth checking if you regularly travel with adults in the back. The Grand Vitara has a more conventional SUV profile.Regarding the AC concern, there have been some owner reports of cooling-related issues with the Victoris, but it is too early to suggest that this is a widespread problem. The Victoris and Grand Vitara share much of their underlying hardware, including several components of the air-conditioning system, so there is no particular reason to assume that the Grand Vitara is immune to similar issues.Our recommendation would be to pick whichever dealership offers you the better deal. If you prefer the newer styling, cabin and Arena network, go for the Victoris. If you like the more conventional design and prefer the Nexa buying experience, the Grand Vitara is equally good.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

•12h

Hello, Would the Kia Sorento work with the Hyundai Tucson’s 1999cc naturally aspirated petrol engine (156 PS and 192 Nm)? And why didn’t Kia offer a naturally aspirated petrol engine, which would have brought the price down further?

•7h

The Hyundai Tucson's 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and refined, but its performance is fairly modest for a car in this price bracket. At 156hp and 192Nm, it isn't particularly strong, and fuel efficiency isn't its biggest strength either. While using this engine in the Kia Sorento would certainly have brought down the starting price, the Sorento is even larger and heavier than the Tucson, so performance and efficiency would have taken an additional hit. Buyers spending that kind of money would expect stronger performance. This is why the diesel and strong hybrid powertrains make more sense for the Sorento, offering a better combination of performance, efficiency and suitability for a large SUV.

Kia Sorento

•13h

I’m thinking of buying a hybrid. Which would be the better choice: the Honda City Hybrid or the new Renault Duster Hybrid? Setting aside the body style for a moment (one is a sedan and the other an SUV), which would you recommend for reliability and long-term ownership? In terms of interior comfort, both cars seem similar to me, apart from a few small differences.

•9h

Go for the Duster Hybrid for its excellent driving manners. If you are self-driven, the Duster will be the better pick; even during long drives, you will appreciate its high ground clearance and overall rugged feel over bad and broken roads. In comparison, the Honda City hybrid will feel more refined and smoother to drive, particularly in the city, and its real-world efficiency is likely to be better too. Further, the City has a comfier backseat and larger boot. The only downside being that the sole hybrid variant is priced Rs 2 lakh above the top-spec Duster hybrid, making it a bit hard to justify the premium.

Renault Duster

Honda City

•3d

Hello everyone, this is my first post here. I am currently in the market to buy a new car, with mileage and performance being my highest priorities. I am open to buying an EV, as I already own a 2021 Kia Seltos GT Line petrol. My budget is roughly Rs 23 lakh on-road, and I am confused between the Tata Sierra EV and any of its internal combustion engine (ICE) variants. I cannot purchase a Mahindra SUV because models like the XUV700 or Scorpio are too large for my community parking space. The Mahindra BE 6e is out because of its sloping roofline, which leaves very limited headroom for my 6-foot frame in the back seat. I am also ruled out from buying the Renault Duster Hybrid, as rear-seat comfort feels compromised in what is primarily a driver-focused car. Additionally, I have heard that the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara has a bumpy ride quality. However, I remain skeptical about Tata's after-sales service quality. Please suggest the right car for my requirements. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

If you like the Tata Sierra EV, go for it. It is a spacious and tough SUV that delivers strong performance. If you have home charging, it is worth going for - your running costs will be very low. The turbo-petrol is an impressive performer too, however fuel efficiency will be a bit low, so this might not meet your requirement of mileage. Yes, Tata's sales and service experience isn't consistent, and this is one aspect which the company is working hard to address. As a product though, this Tata car is excellent, and if you like it, go for it.

Tata Sierra EV

•3d

Hi Autocar team, I currently own a VW Tiguan TDI and absolutely love it, but I am considering upgrading to a Kia Sorento. Since I am not a fan of bulky SUVs, would the Sorento be a worthy replacement for the Tiguan? Also, considering my monthly running of 1,000+ km in the city alongside 4 to 5 long road trips of 1,000 km each annually, would you recommend the diesel or the hybrid?

Innova Crysta owner · 35,000 km

The Kia Sorento diesel will be a good upgrade from your Volkswagen Tiguan diesel, since your running is high. Although it won't be as engaging to drive as your Volkswagen car, the Sorento diesel makes for a fantastic long distance cruiser thanks to the strong 2.2-litre engine, comfy ride and spacious cabin. The third row of seats will also give you added practicality over your Tiguan. This Kia car diesel also feels sprightly and tractable from low speeds so it won't feel sluggish or bulky by any means.

Kia Sorento

Volkswagen Tiguan

•2w

I currently own a 2024 Toyota Innova Crysta and love taking long drives in it. I have a 6-year-old son and am now planning to replace the Crysta with a diesel automatic (preferably) or a hybrid SUV/MPV within a budget of Rs 35 lakh. My annual running is around 20,000 km, including 1 or 2 monthly long trips and 2 to 3 long family vacations every year. Please suggest a car that offers good reliability, a great driving experience, and hassle-free ownership. I have the Mahindra XUV700 AX7 L (7XO), Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid, and Kia Sorento in mind.