Lower Siang

•8w

Hi, my current vehicle is a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, which we bought in 2019, and now we are planning to buy a new car. The budget is around Rs. 50 lakh, and our priorities are comfort, regular city use, highway and road trips, reliability, low maintenance and good mileage. We are open to both 5-seater and 7-seater options. The cars we have shortlisted are the Toyota Camry and Skoda Kodiaq, but please let us know if there are better options or whether we should continue with one of these.

•8w

Both your shortlisted cars are excellent options, but given your requirements, the Toyota Camry is the better bet. The main consideration is mileage, and there is nothing quite like a hybrid to maximise that. Toyota has been a pioneer of strong hybrid tech for decades, and the latest Camry showcases the best of that know-how, with a smooth and efficient drive that uses the e-motor regularly to save on fuel. With a total system output of 230hp, it has more than enough grunt for highway use as well.

What's more, Toyota's reliability and low-maintenance reputation precede it, and you should be able to use the Camry for years without issue. Only possible downsides are that its ground clearance isn't as much as that of an SUV, and it isn't particularly exciting from behind the wheel, since you drive yourself.

The Skoda Kodiaq is a good option too, especially on the driving front, with its punchy 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and solid-feeling chassis. This Skoda car also has more space as well as better ground clearance, which should come in handy on road trips. However, on most other fronts, it can't hold a candle to the Camry, and that's especially true of mileage, which will be in single digits for the most part.

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Toyota

Camry

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Skoda

Kodiaq

from ₹41.80 Lakh

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•6d

I’m a first-time car buyer with very limited driving experience. I’ve only driven an SUV like the Mahindra KUV100 a few times in the past and have never driven a sedan before. I don’t really need a car for my daily commute, but I’d like to have one for long drives, convenience and occasional trips. I’m strongly considering the new Skoda Slavia or Volkswagen Virtus 1.0L MT because I really like both cars. Given my limited driving experience and the fact that I’ve never driven a sedan before, does it make sense to choose one of these as my first car? Would the Slavia or Virtus be manageable for someone with my level of experience, particularly when it comes to judging the car’s size, parking, manoeuvring in traffic and driving on highways?

•1d

Yes, the Skoda Slavia or Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 TSI manual is a perfectly sensible first car, even with limited driving experience. Both cars are well-balanced sedans with good visibility, predictable handling and a forgiving nature, which makes them easy to live with. The 1.0 TSI engine is punchy enough for highway driving but not intimidating, and the manual gearbox is light and easy to operate.The main adjustment will be the lower seating position compared to an SUV like the Mahindra KUV100, which can initially make judging the car's extremities a bit trickier, especially in tight parking situations. However, both cars are not excessively large, and with practice, you will quickly get used to their dimensions. Parking sensors and a rear camera, which are available on higher variants, will also help build confidence. If you are genuinely concerned about parking and manoeuvrability, you could consider the Skoda Kylaq or Volkswagen Taigun / Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI instead. However, if you spend time practising, the Slavia or Virtus will not be difficult to get used to.

Planning to buy a Mercedes GLE and currently getting a Rs 4 lakh discount on the current model. I read online that the new-generation GLE has already been launched abroad. Should I wait for the new model or buy the current one with the discount? I expect the new GLE to be more expensive and unlikely to have such discounts when it launches in India. If the new model is significantly better and worth the extra money, I’m willing to wait. So, should I buy the current GLE now or wait for the new one?

•1h

If you are getting a Rs 4 lakh discount on the current Mercedes-Benz GLE, we would recommend going ahead with the purchase rather than waiting for the new model. The new GLE has indeed been revealed internationally, but there is no confirmed India launch timeline yet, and when it does arrive, it will almost certainly be significantly more expensive and unlikely to attract any meaningful discounts initially. The current Mercedes-Benz remains a very strong product with a well-appointed cabin, excellent ride comfort and a proven ownership experience, so you are not missing out on a major generational leap. The newer GLE is merely a facelift, and will come with the same mechanical setup, engines and cabin. The only real differences are the exterior design, which features a more prominent grille and headlamps, connected tail-lamps and on the inside a new screen-heavy dashboard with Mercedes' newest MB.OS hardware and software. If you are happy with the car as it stands today, the discount makes it a far more compelling proposition than waiting and paying a premium for the new model.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

•4d

What are the best EV options in the Rs. 18-20 lakh price range? I need an automatic EV with a good AC system and spacious rear seats, especially for passengers with knee problems.

•2h

The MG Windsor is the best electric car option in the Rs 18-20 lakh range if rear seat space and comfort are the priority. It is an MPV rather than an SUV, which means it offers a genuinely spacious rear bench with excellent legroom and a more manageable entry height, making it easier to get in and out of the car and more comfortable for passengers with knee issues. The Windsor also has a strong air conditioning system and a smooth, quiet driving experience, which adds to overall comfort. The next best bet is the Kia Carens Clavis EV, which too is an MPV with a hugely spacious interior and easy-to-access, flexible seating. However, it belongs to one segment above and might stretch your budget beyond Rs 20 lakh. Overall, this MG car is the best package for your needs.

MG Windsor

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Popular discussions right now

•4d

I am getting the Venue HX8 Turbo automatic for Rs. 15.40 lakh on-road, the Creta SX(O) automatic for Rs. 18.14 lakh on-road, with a discount of more than Rs. 1 lakh, and the Seltos HTK(O) IVT for Rs. 18.50 lakh on-road. My budget is Rs. 19 lakh. Which one should I buy for driving in Bangalore and occasional trips?

•4d

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK (O) IVT at Rs 18.14 lakh on-road. Your budget of Rs 19 lakh gives you enough room to get a large, spacious and well-equipped midsize SUV, and the Seltos is the sweet spot. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to Bangalore traffic, while the 1.5 petrol is refined and reliable. The HTK (O) trim is feature-rich, so you are not compromising on equipment. The Seltos also offers better rear seat space and comfort than the others, making it a better choice for occasional family trips. The Creta SX (O) might sound like better value with a few more features, but the Seltos's larger size, better quality and new-age tech push it ahead overall. The Venue HX8 turbo automatic at Rs 15.4 lakh is a good deal, but it is a segment below, and you would be compromising on space and comfort.

I am looking to buy a car under Rs. 22 lakh. I want an automatic transmission, a diesel or turbo-petrol engine, and a feature-loaded, stylish interior.

•6d

Go for the Kia Seltos diesel automatic. It is the most balanced choice under Rs 22 lakh. The diesel engine is strong, efficient, and well suited to both city and highway driving, while the automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to live with. If your usage is limited and you are open to a turbo petrol, this Kia car also gets the 1.5-litre turbo petrol with a DCT. The Seltos also offers one of the most feature-rich and stylish interiors in the segment, with a premium feel that stands out. This diesel car is a genuinely well-rounded package that delivers performance, comfort and a strong ownership experience.The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is also worth considering if you need more space and a stronger feature list, but it is a larger Mahindra car and not as easy to live with in the city.Overall, the Seltos diesel automatic strikes the best balance between performance, features, and long-term ownership satisfaction.

Kia Seltos

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•2d

Suggest a car Requirements: Daily city driving in Bangalore, with lots of potholes. I am open to either an SUV or a sedan. My budget is Rs. 25-30 lakh on-road. ADAS, cruise control, and hill assist are must-have features. I want a car that offers a comfortable drive, feels luxurious, and is fun to drive. An automatic transmission is a must.

•2d

Go for the Kia Seltos 1.5 T-GDi DCT. It is the best fit for your requirements. The Seltos turbo is genuinely fun to drive, with strong performance and a well-sorted chassis that makes it enjoyable on both city roads and highways. The 1.5 T-GDi engine paired with the DCT automatic is a highlight, offering quick shifts and a responsive driving experience. At the same time, this Kia car is comfortable over broken roads and potholes, with a suspension setup that strikes a good balance between ride comfort and handling. It also feels premium inside, with a well-built cabin and a solid feature set that includes ADAS, cruise control and hill assist. The only thing to be aware of is that the DCT gearbox can feel a bit clunky in stop-and-go traffic, but overall it is a well-rounded package that delivers exactly what you are looking for. If you want something a bit larger, the Mahindra XUV 7XO turbo-petrol is a good alternative, but it will feel large and cumbersome in Bangalore city traffic, and its fuel economy is very poor.

Kia Seltos

Mahindra XUV 7XO

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