•1d

I own a 2016 Honda Jazz diesel, and my daily commute is 80 kms mix of city and highway. I am getting 22 kmpl average mileage. Ran 2.2 L kms till now. The vehicle is in good condition. If I want to upgrade/change vehicle, when will be the best time? I prefer price to investment return policy. If I want to upgrade/change vehicle, when will be the best time? Should I use the existing one up to its life (15 years) or change it with the best no-loss strategy?

•16h

Keep the Jazz for now, and run it till a big repair shows up or a rule forces your hand. At 80km a day, nothing beats a paid-off diesel giving 22kpl for rupees-per-km. With 2.2 lakh km already done, most depreciation is behind you, so selling today won’t fetch much anyway. You’re saving more by avoiding a new EMI and higher insurance than you’d gain from an early sale.

Since you're based in Telangana, where the age cut-off for diesels is 15 years, drive it to 12-13 years or until a single repair quote crosses roughly 20-25% of the car’s value, say Rs. 60-80k for things like injectors, turbo, clutch, AC or a full suspension job. That’s the point to exit.

The only real trade-off with keeping it is the rising downtime risk as parts wear. Do preventive upkeep, set aside a small repair fund, and sweat the asset. That’s the best no-loss strategy for your use and mileage.

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

•11m

Awesome suggestion @autocar.india

Want to sell your car?

Sell your car at the right price, without the stress.

Sell your Car

More questions on similar cars

•6d

I'm living in Delhi. My Spark is 14 years old, and I want to replace it. I have a sales job that requires travelling 70-80km at least 4-5 days a week. I also want a 7-seater to accommodate my family. I'm thinking about the Kia Carens diesel. Is diesel still relevant in Delhi today? I personally don't want to go for the Ertiga CNG. Please suggest.

•4h

Go for the Kia Carens diesel if you plan to keep the car 7-8 years. For your 70-80 km runs most days, its fuel cost will be much lower than petrol, and it is a true 7-seater with a usable third row and plenty of space when you fold it for luggage.In Delhi, diesel is still relevant, but remember the 10-year cap on private diesel registration. If you’re okay replacing or selling before that, the maths works. A new BS6 diesel is allowed on smog days that restrict older diesels, and your regular longer runs will keep the diesel particulate filter happy. If you want to keep the car 10+ years or you worry about policy swings, the Carens petrol is the safer bet, just expect higher monthly fuel bills.Pick the automatic if you often crawl in traffic. The manual is fine if you drive more on open roads. One honest catch with diesel in Delhi is that resale weakens after 7-8 years because buyers know the 10-year limit. If that’s fine, the Carens diesel fits your use very well.

Kia Carens

•6d

I was planning to buy a Maruti Ignis, but it’s been discontinued. I prefer small cars for city driving and office commutes, but I also need something highway-capable for an occasional 900 km trip to my hometown. It will mostly carry three of us (my spouse, child, and me), but needs to fit five people when my parents join. With a 12-lakh budget, what are the best compact cars that balance city manoeuvrability, highway stability, and occasional 5-seater comfort?

•5h

Pick the Maruti Fronx turbo within your Rs. 12 lakh budget, because it stays easy to park in the city yet feels secure on a 900 km run with enough room for five. The 1.0 turbo has decent mid-range for quick overtakes, and the suspension is absorbent and yet keeps the car steady at highway speeds. If you are opting for the automatic, then the Fronx torque converter auto is a very smooth unit and will make life much easier in the city.If you want an even smaller, lighter car with lower running costs, go for the Maruti Swift. It is smooth in the city, easy on fuel, has a usable boot for three, and will cruise comfortably at 100. It can take five in a pinch, but it will feel tight on shoulder room and lack the highway punch of the turbo Fronx.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Swift

•4d

I am planning to buy an EV. I am 55 years old, and I will be driving about 150km outside the city on ECR, Chennai, every other day. I am looking for a comfortable drive, particularly considering my age and the distance involved. Please suggest some options.

•1h

In the Rs 20-30 lakh price range, the Hyundai Creta Electric 51.4kWh is the best fit for your needs. For 150km, ECR runs every other day, it rides comfortably, has soft, supportive seats, and delivers 400-plus km of real-world range. That gives you enough charge to get to your destination and back with a healthy buffer. The steering is light in town but steady on the highway, and the driver aids take the strain out of longer stints.If you want something a bit larger, then the Mahindra XEV 9e 79kWh is worth considering. It brings a real-world range of around 480km, a larger cabin and more tech. However, if you don't see the benefit of the extra range, space and features, it would be worth sticking with the smaller and more manageable Creta Electric.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Mahindra XEV 9e

View all Posts

Curated collections

Diesel Cars

60 CARS

Honda Cars

7 CARS

Popular discussions right now

•1w

I am looking for a diesel automatic car for long-distance driving. My daily running is around 230 km, so I need something with good highway stability, reliability, and a proven track record. Kindly suggest which car would be the best fit for my requirements.

•6d

With a daily running of around 230km, a diesel automatic makes perfect sense and will be the most cost-effective option in the long run.Our recommendation would be the Kia Seltos Diesel Automatic. The 1.5-litre diesel engine is refined, fuel-efficient and well proven, while the automatic gearbox is smooth and easy to live with. It is also stable at highway speeds, comfortable over long distances and has built up a strong reliability record over the years. Given the distances you cover, the diesel's efficiency advantage will quickly offset its higher purchase price.Another option worth considering is the Tata Sierra Diesel Automatic. It offers more space and road presence and should be an excellent long-distance cruiser. However, the Seltos' powertrain is more proven, and it remains the safer recommendation today.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

•1w

I am very confused about buying my first car because of the petrol fiasco. I am leaning towards diesel. I'll have a monthly 600km trip. Plus city driving of 400km a month. The budget is around 13-14 lakh. Which automatic would be the best

•5d

Consider the Kia Sonet HTK Plus diesel automatic. It fits within your budget and gets a refined diesel engine paired with a smooth-shifting 6-speed torque-converter automatic. It also feels stable on highway trips and has enough performance for quick overtakes when needed.The downside is that the ride can feel a bit firm in the city, and rear-seat space is not the best in the segment. If that is a concern, then also try the Hyundai Venue diesel automatic, which offers a slightly roomier rear seat and a more pliant ride.Overall, if your priorities are fuel efficiency, highway ability and the convenience of a proper automatic, the Sonet diesel AT is a strong fit.

Kia Sonet

Hyundai Venue

•3d

My annual running is below 7,000 km, and I plan to keep my next car for 12-15 years. I am confused between Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Elevate, Creta, Seltos and Victoris. My priorities are reliability, a good balance of power and fuel efficiency, family comfort, low maintenance and long-term ownership. I am also concerned about India's future ethanol-blending policy (E20 and higher blends). Which of these would be the best long-term choice and why?

•2d

With an annual running of less than 7,000km, fuel efficiency should not be the deciding factor. Instead, you should focus on comfort, reliability, ownership experience and how well the car will age over the next 12-15 years. That's why we wouldn't prioritise the Grand Vitara, Hyryder or Victoris Hybrid. Their hybrid systems command a price premium that you'll struggle to recover with such low annual usage.Between the remaining options, the Kia Seltos strikes the best balance. It offers a refined and proven naturally aspirated petrol engine, a smooth IVT automatic, a spacious and premium cabin, excellent comfort and a strong ownership experience. It also feels newer and more upmarket than the Elevate, while the Creta is due for a generational update sooner.The Honda Elevate deserves a mention for its simplicity and reliability. If absolute mechanical simplicity is your priority, it is arguably the safest long-term bet. However, it doesn't feel as premium as the Seltos. The engine and CVT combination isn't quite as refined, and Honda's dealer network is smaller.As for ethanol blending, we wouldn't let it influence your purchase decision. While there is plenty of discussion around E25, E27 and E30 fuels, there is currently no confirmed roadmap for such a transition. More importantly, all of these cars are E20-compliant, and manufacturers have engineered a degree of tolerance beyond that. The most likely effect of higher ethanol blends would be a small reduction in fuel efficiency and slightly accelerated wear of certain fuel-system components over a very long period, not a major reliability issue.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

View all Posts

Posted on: 26 Jun 2026