Latest questions answered by experts

Hi! I am looking for a car under Rs. 12 lakh and am willing to increase my budget by Rs. 20,000-30,000 if the car offers good value. I have been considering a few cars, such as the Skoda Kylaq, Mahindra XUV 3XO, and Hyundai Venue, but I am very confused and unable to decide. I want a car with good features, a premium feel, better comfort, strong safety, and reliability that doesn't give me trouble. Could you please help? Thanks.

•11m

Go for the Hyundai Venue. It has a five-star Bharat NCAP rating, good features, a quality cabin and good reliability, with a wide-reaching service network and reasonable costs. You also have two petrol engines to choose from a 1.2 naturally aspirated, and a more powerful 1.0 turbocharged, both of which are smooth and efficient. The Mahindra XUV 3XO also offers a strong feature list, 5-star safety rating, good ride comfort and a powerful 1.2 turbo petrol engine. However it is not as fuel efficient as the Venue, and Mahindra's aftersales and service experience isn't as well reputed as Hyundai's. Overall, the Venue is a better all-rounder.Do note, however, that on your Rs. 12 lakh budget, both these SUVs will only be available in their mid-range variants, so you won't get all the features they could have on offer. If you want maximum bang for your buck, check out the Nissan Magnite 1.0 Turbo. It's spacious, reliable, feature loaded, powerful enough and you can even get an auto gearbox in your budget.

I am planning to buy a car under 14L. I commute to work 25kms, 3-4 days a week. Looking for an automatic vehicle. Test drove Kylaq, Brezza and xuv 3xo. Dont want to buy Mahindra. Have liked Kylaq signature, brezza was also good. Not sure if there are better options out there or should I pick between the two. Want to check out the new brezza but Kylaq signature is relatively cheaper and was fun to drive with good security features Concerns remain about the petrol ethnol blending in future and potential cost of repairs and expenses of Skoda. Any advice would be highly appreciated

•2d

I am looking for a car with at least 4 -5 star safety rating. My preference is a 7-seater car as occasionally I travel with my extended family. My daily commute is from Dadar to Malad in peak traffic and I return late from work at night. We have a second house in Virar where we travel over the weekend and therefore I need a bigger car, mostly an suv. My average running is approximately between 700 km and 1000km. I am also concerned about the E20 fuel since I am planning to use the car for minimum 8 to 9 years. In worst case situation, I am ready to compromise to a 5-seater car with spacious rear seats and am giving serious thought to an EV as well. I currently own a 2021 Kwid RXT AMT petrol and need to upgrade as it is very small and it is difficult to travel to long distances with full load. Also, I am not sure whether ADAS would work in bumper-to-bumper traffic or highway, but at least a blind view monitor or alerts would be helpful. Please suggest best options as I am flexible to stretch my budget upto 22 lakhs at max.

•42m

Based on your requirements, the Kia Carens Clavis petrol DCT is the most sensible recommendation. Your running of 700-1,000 km a month does not justify a diesel, and the Carens is a comfortable 7-seater that will serve you well over an 8-9 year ownership period. The one downside with this powertrain is that the DCT can feel a bit hesitant, which you will notice on your commute.If you can install a charger at home, the Clavis EV is a superb fit for your needs. It has the same practical cabin as the ICE car, but the electric car will feel a lot better to drive in stop and go traffic. Your budget will only get you the 42kWh battery which should give you a real world range of around 300-320km.If you aren't going to use the third row that often then the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Strong Hybrid is a great choice for your needs. In heavy traffic it will run on EV mode cutting down fuel cost significantly. It is also very easy and smooth to drive in bumper to bumper traffic.On the E20 fuel concern, modern petrol engines are engineered to handle E20 blends, and there is no official roadmap beyond E20 at this stage. The main impact is a slight reduction in fuel economy.

Kia Carens Clavis

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Carens Clavis EV

•7h

I have been driving a Renault Triber RXZ AMT for a long time. However, the transmission feels sluggish, and the car feels underpowered. My driving is 80% on highways and 20% in the city, with an annual running of approximately 8,000 km. Safety is a major concern for me. Please suggest the best 7-seater family car options under Rs. 20 lakh.

•1h

Given your usage pattern of 80% highway driving, the Renault Triber's limitations are understandable. The AMT gearbox is not the most responsive and the engine does feel underpowered.Go for the Kia Clavis HTK+ Turbo DCT. It is a comfortable, spacious seven-seater which delivers strong performance that you will certainly appreciate on your long drives. The HTK+ is well-equipped too, and the interior feels quite premium too. As far as safety goes, the Clavis is equipped with all standard features like 6 airbags, ESP, hill-start assist, ABS with EBD, etc. Overall, it'll feel like a huge step up over your Renault Triber AMT.

Kia Carens Clavis

Renault Triber

•1h

Recently I am reviewing cars to buy, I often travel highways, and my daily routine to office use about 50 km, Kushaq 1.0 & 1.5 and Slavia 1.0 & 1.5 or should I go electric, as Petrol issues rises with cars in India. Please advise.

•22h

I have a 2021 Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Petrol AT and a 2025 Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 Petrol AT. We have decided to buy the Mahindra XEV 9S between December and February. The Kushaq has covered 31,100 km and is expected to reach around 33,000 km by then, while the XUV 3XO has covered 10,700 km and is expected to reach around 12,000 km by the time the XEV 9S arrives. Mahindra XUV 3XO is being sold for Rs. 14,30,000 and Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Petrol AT is being sold for Rs. 14,60,000. Can you suggest which one I should sell after buying the Mahindra XEV 9S? Please advise based on practicality and financial considerations. I would be glad to hear your advice.

•1h

Sell the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT and keep the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 petrol AT. The Kushaq is already four years old and will be around 33,000 km by the time the XEV 9S arrives, so you are already past the steepest part of the depreciation curve. The XUV 3XO is a much newer car with only 12,000 km on the clock, so you are still in the early years of ownership where depreciation is highest. From a financial perspective, it makes more sense to sell the older car and retain the newer one.From a practicality perspective, the XUV 3XO is also the better car to keep. It is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin that makes it a genuinely comfortable five-seater. It is also a very well-rounded car with good safety credentials and a strong ownership proposition. The Kushaq is slightly larger and more engaging to drive, but those aren't reasons enough to keep it over the 3XO.

I have a 2018 Fiat Punto and am planning to upgrade to an automatic SUV with good boot space. My daily city commute is around 50 km in heavy traffic. However, I'm unable to find an alternative that offers the same mileage and driving experience as the Punto. Please suggest.

•2h

Being a Fiat Punto owner, a Jeep Compass diesel-automatic would have been an ideal upgrade for you, however there are far better, more affordable options available in the market. You could consider a Mahindra XUV 7XO or even a Tata Harrier, for their solid build, and confidence-inspiring driving experience. The diesel-automatic versions of both these should return respectable fuel efficiency too.However, if you want something a bit more compact and more manageable in the city, consider the strong hybrid versions of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara or Maruti Suzuki Victoris. All three are essentially the same car underneath; their hybrid powertrain is very efficient; and dynamically they are very capable too. Between these three, choose the one you think looks better, and the brand you're comfortable with.

Jeep Compass

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Harrier

•2h

Kia seltos, tata sierra and Honda elevate. Petrol manual options. My usage is about 300Km per month, mix of city and highway. Speed is not the criteria.. Coz rarely drives at 100Kmph.

•3h

Hi i am planning to buy kia seltos gtxo dct petrol. With all this e20 thing going on in the country should i buy seltos or wait sometime.

•4h

Hi .this is ANANTHA RAO. I planning to buy one SUV PLEASE SUGGEST ME .MY NEED 90 % CITY DRIVING 10% HIGH WAY DRIVING.I AM SEEING CRETA. 7XO.GRAND VITARA or ELECTRIC SIERRA OR MAHENDRA 9S.PLEASE SUGGEST

•20h

I’m buying my first car and am still learning to drive. My monthly running will be around 500-600 km, with most of my driving in Mumbai city and occasional weekend highway trips. I plan to keep the car for the next 8-10 years. I was initially considering the Hyundai Venue HX 8 Automatic Petrol, but I dropped the plan because it does not offer a panoramic sunroof. Now I’m confused between the Hyundai Creta S(O) and the Kia Seltos HTK(O) 1.5 NA Petrol Automatic. The Creta S(O) is around Rs. 1 lakh cheaper than the Seltos HTK(O), but the additional features offered by the Seltos are tempting. Which one would you recommend for my requirements?

•4h

Go for the Kia Seltos IVT. It is based on a newer platform than the Creta and is bigger inside and out. For your usage and ownership plan, it is the sensible choice. The 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol paired with the IVT is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and as you mentioned, the Kia has the extra features you want. While it does cost more, it does give you more for the money. The Creta is also due for a full model change in 2027, so you are buying a car that is closer to the end of its lifecycle, but that is not a deal breaker given Hyundai's strong aftersales support and the fact that the mechanical package is proven and reliable.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

•1d

Hi, I am 30 years old and currently learning to drive. I am looking for a car with a good safety rating and reliable after-sales service. My maximum budget is Rs. 10 lakh. Most of my driving will be in the city, with occasional long-distance trips and highway drives. The car should be easy to drive and comfortably accommodate four family members, excluding the driver. Could you please suggest a few good options within my budget?

•5h

The best car for your needs is the Nissan Magnite, which is the best all-rounder you can get under Rs 10 lakh budget. It's got a 5-star Global NCAP crash test rating, is comfortable for five passengers, and though Nissan's service network isn't as wide as other brands, maintenance is efficient, reliable and inexpensive. This Nissan car comes with a fuel-efficient 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, which should fit in your budget, and it's also powerful enough for your occasional highway trips. It's an SUV with a high seating position, light steering and light transmission controls, so you should be able to learn to drive easily with it.Other alternatives are the Tata Punch, which has a good safety rating but isn't as fuel-efficient and whose aftersales service isn't as strong, and the Hyundai Exter, which is easier to drive but hasn't got a safety rating from any NCAP authority. Neither is as spacious as the Nissan Magnite.

I am currently using a 2018 Baleno Petrol Alpha. My usage is 4,000km monthly, with 85%-90% highway travel. The car is usually driven with a driver and two rear-seat passengers. I am looking for a new car with excellent mileage, 5-star safety, and good rear-seat comfort. I also have a 2019 i20 Asta for city commute and a 2017 XUV500 for family outings. I have no issues with buying a diesel or strong hybrid within a Rs 15 lakh budget.

•6h

Unfortunately, there are no strong-hybrids available within Rs 15 lakhs. Since you're usage is significant, and you're chauffeur-driven usually, we'll recommend you consider the entry-level diesel-manual variants of the Kia Seltos and Tata Sierra. Both of which will deliver impressive fuel efficiency, have comfy back seats and have secured a 5-star BNCAP crash safety rating. The entry-level variants of both these cars are equipped with ample safety kit, as well as the basics that you'd expect in a car of this price.If you want something a bit smaller, you can consider the Kia Syros diesel-manual too, which is surprisingly spacious for its size, and being a segment lower, you'll get more equipment too. What's more, the Syros' rear seats can recline to a very comfortable angle, and even slide back to free up more legroom. Even the Syros has scored 5 stars for its crash safety.

Which is better: the new Brezza ZXI Plus 6AT or the ZXI Plus 6MT Turbo?

•6h

Thanks to its more effortless performance, the 1.0-litre turbo Maruti Suzuki Brezza should be your choice if you frequently drive on the highway. Even for city drives, the 6-speed manual gearbox is smooth, and the clutch is quite light, which makes the Brezza rather easy to drive. The Turbo MT is also over Rs 2 lakh more affordable than the corresponding 1.5 AT version.Go for the 1.5 AT only if you absolutely need the convenience of an automatic, and you aren't on a tight budget. Otherwise, the 1.0 Turbo MT is a good option.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

•1d

Hi, I want to buy a car with a budget of Rs 10 lakh. Please suggest a car. I am confused between the Sierra and the Tata Curvv.

•7h

The Tata Sierra is priced well above Rs 10 lakh, so sadly it is not a realistic option within your budget. You will also have to stretch your budget by a couple of lakhs to get an entry-level Tata Curvv. If you're on a tight budget, consider the Tata Nexon instead.

I have a 2016 Hyundai Grand i10 Sportz. My daily running is about 20km and 100km on weekends. Now I want to go for either the Tata Tiago EV or the Punch EV. My budget is Rs 12 lakh. Please suggest the better option.

•7h

The Tata Tiago EV is more affordable, easier to live with in the city and offers enough range for your usage pattern. Also, being more compact, it will be easier to park and maneuver.But the Punch EV is a more premium product with better ground clearance, and thanks to its SUV-like stance, getting in and out is very easy. Between the two, the Punch EV's performance is better and so is its range. So, even though it is a bit more expensive, we'd suggest you pick the Punch EV.

Tata Tiago EV

Tata Punch EV

•1d

People say the Lexus ES is essentially a slightly more luxurious version of the Camry. Is it worth paying such a huge premium for the Lexus, and why? The Camry is a CBU, hence priced exorbitantly. Does Toyota plan to make it in India?

•8h

The Lexus ES and Toyota Camry do share the same basic platform and hybrid powertrain, but the ownership experience is very different. The ES, being positioned as a more premium product, has a more luxurious interior with higher-quality materials, and better sound insulation and refined levels. Lexus also offers a stronger brand image and a more exclusive ownership experience, which is a big part of what you are paying for.The Toyota car, on the other hand, is the more rational choice. It offers the same hybrid powertrain, it is still very luxurious, and has a very comfortable ride at a much lower price point.Just a quick clarification: Toyota has been assembling the Camry at its Bidadi plant in Karnataka since 2013, and like other gens, even this one is brought to India as a CKD, not a full import.

Lexus ES

Toyota Camry

•1d

I have a Volkswagen Polo and a Jeep Compass Petrol, and I'm looking for a luxurious sedan with a budget of Rs 40 lakh (before taxes) from a good brand. Please give me a few recommendations.

•8h

Sadly, there is no luxury sedan that is available in that price bracket. You will have to stretch your budget by at least Rs 10 lakh to get a BMW 2-Series or even a Toyota Camry Hybrid. If you're lucky, you might find a dealer selling an unsold Audi A4 at a heavy discount. However, chances are, you will certainly have to pay more than Rs 40 lakh for it.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

Toyota Camry

Audi A4

•18h

Hi! I am looking for a car under 15 lakh and also ready to increase 20-30 thousand if the car gives value. I have been considering few cars like Skoda Kylaq signature plus AT, Kia Seltos 6 MT HTK, Kia Sonet HTX 7DCT, Hyundai venue HX6 Turbo but I am very much confused and not able to decide. I want good features, good feel, moderate maintenance and reliable car which doesn't give me trouble. Could u please help. Thanks

•2d

After going through all the reviews and discussions, I have shortlisted the Tata Nexon EV Empowered 45 and the Mahindra XUV 3XO EV AX7L. Please suggest which one would be the better choice.

•18h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO EV AX7L. The Tata Nexon Empowered 45 is a strong product, but the XUV 3XO EV is the better all-rounder. It is the more spacious car, with a wider rear seat and a more comfortable cabin for five passengers. The ride quality is also better, and the car feels more premium overall. The Nexon EV is still a good choice, but the XUV 3XO EV is the more complete package.

Mahindra XUV 3XO EV

Tata Nexon EV

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