Latest questions answered by experts

Autocar India

•2h

Given your requirements, your best bet is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris VXI CNG. It falls well within your budget and has received 5-star crash test ratings from both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP. It's one of the very few midsize SUVs to be available with CNG, and thanks to an under-floor dual-cylinder CNG tank layout, you don't sacrifice too much boot space and practicality as you do in most CNG cars. Being a Maruti, you can expect great mileage and low running costs as well, and its controls are light, making city driving quite effortless. The only downsides are that it is not available in a higher trim than the mid-range VXI, so you miss out on some features from the petrol car, and though power from the 1.5-litre engine is adequate when running on petrol, it will feel a bit underpowered running on CNG.If you don't mind a slightly smaller car, the Tata Nexon i-CNG is another great option within your budget. It also uses an under-floor dual-cylinder setup and has a 5-star crash test rating. However, its turbo-petrol engine is a lot punchier, whether running on petrol or CNG, and the CNG version is available in many more variants - all within your budget - going up to a well-loaded Fearless + PS Red Dark. It is, of course, not quite as spacious as the Victoris, but it comes quite close.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•2h

First things first, E20 petrol is going to stick around for the foreseeable future, and while multiple higher ethanol blends are likely to be introduced later, E20 will be the baseline, which will be available predominantly at all fuel pumps in the country. Therefore, if you buy an E20-compliant vehicle, then you can safely use it for the coming years. Secondly, the CB300F Flex Fuel - as well as the standard E20-compliant variant - has been removed from Honda's website, and it is quite likely that the model has been discontinued, although perhaps some dealers may have leftover stocks depending on the region.

Autocar India

•3h

In terms of real-world functionality, the LCD screen on the base variant of the Suzuki Burgman Street can do pretty much everything the higher variant's colour TFT screen can do. In typical Japanese fashion, both displays are well laid out with all the pertinent information, but aren't cluttered. The only situation where the TFT dash will have a leg up over the LCD screen is in the fact that it will be easier to read when the sun is directly overhead. But the screens aren't the only area of difference. The top variant of the Burgman also comes with a nifty keyless ignition system, which comes in handy on a day-to-day basis. For the small difference in asking price, these feel-good features more than make up for it in the long run, and we'd recommend you stretch for them if you can. On the flip side, the lower variant has the same mechanicals, colours and styling, so if you are on a strict budget and have no need for these frills, saving some money and buying the base model is also a good idea. It entirely depends on what sort of experience you're after.

Autocar India

•3h

Pick the Honda Amaze automatic. Honda’s smoother automatic crawls and creeps cleanly in traffic, and the speed modulation will feel more natural, whereas the AMT can feel jerky at times.Your parents will be happier in the Amaze, too. The rear seat is wider with a longer cushion, and the backrest angle is friendlier, the big boot will also be handy for family trips.Over 10 years, Honda’s proven 1.2 petrol and simpler ownership have impressed. Service quality is more consistent, and routine upkeep tends to be lower, which matters when you plan to keep the car for a long time.Where the Punch might be better is with its smaller dimensions and slightly higher seating, which would be better for first-time drivers. But given the benefits the Amaze offers for your usage, we'd recommend it as you would soon get used to the slightly larger dimensions of the Honda.

Honda Amaze

Tata Punch

Autocar India

•4h

Stay with the Kia Seltos HTX IVT. Given you enjoy the Swift for its light clutch and ease of driving in city traffic, a big SUV, the Harrier or Safari, will feel cumbersome to drive. Their pedal effort and travel are noticeably more than a Swift's, the bite point sits higher, and the gearing needs more throttle to get moving, so crawling stop‑start is not as easy. Add their size and width, and you will work harder in tight lanes and parking.The Seltos is the easier daily driver. It's smooth, automatic takes the pain out of commutes, the steering is lighter, and the car’s smaller footprint is friendlier in crowded cities. You still get more than enough space and a more mature ride than a hatchback. The downside is that the IVT will not feel as engaging as a manual, but for mostly city use, it is the more sensible and stress‑free choice.If you really want a manual, you could look at the Seltos manual instead of switching to the Tata twins. It retains the light controls you’re used to and doesn't feel ungainly around town.

Kia Seltos

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Tata Harrier

Tata Safari