Delhi

•8h

Dear experts, my budget is Rs. 20 lakh (on-road price) for a car that can be extended upto Rs. 25 lakh. I need a car except a sedan with powerful engine, bigger wheels and a good music system Please suggest a car that meets all these criteria.

•3m

With an on road budget of Rs. 20 lakh, stretchable to Rs. 25 lakh, the best fit is a compact or mid-size SUV with a punchy engine, large alloy wheels and a good factory-fitted sound system. The key is to choose a car that delivers all three without compromising ride comfort on Indian roads. A powerful engine and big wheels can make a car fun to drive, but the largest wheel option isn't always the most comfortable.

The Tata Sierra turbo-petrol automatic is the closest match if you want something distinctive, powerful and with a premium sound system. Its top variants get 19-inch wheels and a banging 12-speaker JBL system. The Kia Seltos is another good option, with an available Bose sound system and 18-inch wheels, while the Skoda Kushaq is worth considering if driving enjoyment matters more than sheer size or visual presence.

Before choosing, prioritise a test drive over the wheel size alone: larger wheels can make sharp bumps more noticeable.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.33 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.76 Lakh

Skoda

Kushaq

from ₹12.41 Lakh

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•2d

Hello, I regularly follow Autocar podcasts and episodes because I trust your reviews and opinions. I have been driving a Fiat Punto for over a decade, and I find it difficult to connect with Japanese cars, regardless of how feature-rich they are. There is a group of buyers like me who value the European driving experience, especially now that diesel options from the VW Group are no longer available. Do you think the Tata Sierra diesel automatic comes close to offering that European driving feel, and is it worth considering for long-term ownership, particularly given its relatively low sales numbers? Thanks in advance!

•1d

The Tata Sierra diesel automatic is worth considering if you are coming from a Fiat Punto and value that European driving feel. The Sierra’s diesel engine and automatic gearbox is well-matched, and the car has a solid, planted feel on the road that is reminiscent of older European cars. It also rides well and feels robust, which is something you will appreciate coming from a Punto. You can also consider the Kia Seltos, the diesel engine is stronger and more refined and the ride is quite planted. It may not be a European product but its built in a manner that does feel closest to one. If you really want to stick with a European car then consider something like a Skoda Kushaq or a Volkswagen Taigun. They are petrol driven but offer the most authentic European driving experience in the segment.

I’m planning to buy the 2026 Kia Seltos GTX (A) and am confused between the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol IVT and the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol DCT. The car will be used by two people. On weekdays, it will primarily be used for city commutes, where fuel efficiency, smoothness and reliability are important. On weekends, it will be used for a mix of city driving and occasional highway trips, where good performance and driving pleasure are also desirable. I’ve heard that the IVT is smoother and more stress-free in traffic, while the DCT offers significantly better performance but may face overheating issues in stop-and-go conditions. Which would you recommend for long-term ownership over 7–10 years, considering real-world mileage, reliability, maintenance costs and driving pleasure? Would you choose the IVT for greater peace of mind or the DCT for its turbocharged performance? I’d appreciate advice based on real-world ownership experiences. Thanks in advance!

•1d

Go for the Kia Seltos GTX(A) Petrol CVT 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol IVT. For your usage pattern, it is the more sensible and stress-free choice. The IVT is smooth, reliable and well-suited to daily city commutes, where stop-and-go traffic is the norm. It delivers decent fuel efficiency and is generally easier to live with over a long ownership period. The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol DCT is the enthusiast's choice, offering strong performance and a more engaging driving experience on highways. However, DCT gearboxes can get a bit jerky at low speeds and are not as happy in prolonged stop-and-go traffic, where they can heat up and become less smooth. For a 7-10 year ownership horizon, the IVT is the safer bet. It may not be as quick as the turbo, but performance is decent and consistent and dependable in everyday use. If you are looking for a balance between reliability, running costs and some driving pleasure, the IVT is the better fit.

Kia Seltos

•4d

I am currently driving a 10-year-old Hyundai i20 and am planning to upgrade to an SUV. My annual running is relatively low, at around 8,000 to 10,000 km, with approximately 70% city driving and 30% highway driving. My top priority is safety, followed by fuel efficiency. My budget is around Rs 22 lakh on-road, and I am not considering an EV. Given these requirements, which SUVs would you recommend as the best options?

•2d

With your running of 8,000-10,000 km a year and a 70% city usage, petrol is the right choice. Your budget of Rs 22 lakh on-road puts you in the midsize SUV segment, where safety and fuel efficiency can both be prioritised.The Kia Seltos is the most balanced recommendation here. It is one of the safest cars in the segment, with a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, and the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is efficient and well-suited to city driving. The IVT automatic is smooth and reliable, making it easy to live with in traffic. The Seltos also offers a premium cabin and a strong ownership experience.The Hyundai Creta is the alternative. It shares the same engine and gearbox, so the driving experience is very similar but the Seltos feels slightly more premium inside. The choice between the two comes down to personal preference on design and interior feel.If you are willing to stretch your budget slightly, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is worth considering. The hybrid system delivers excellent fuel efficiency, especially in city driving, and the car is well-equipped and comfortable. However, the Seltos and Creta remain the more balanced choices given your priorities.

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

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•4d

Dear Autocar Team, I currently own a Dzire diesel manual (2018) and now I am planning to buy a new car but I am very confused between Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kwh and the XEV 9S Pack Two Above 79kwh. Although, I love diesel cars but since I live in Faridabad, my biggest concern is about increasing bans and restrictions on diesel cars. My main usage is on highways and bit within the city. I have clocked 1.3 lakh km on my Dzire in 8-9 years. I am getting the exact Harrier EV model for Rs. 22 lakh (on-road) whereas the XEV 9S will cost around Rs. 27-28 lakh (on-road) and that is my biggest confusion. Should I spend this additional amount on the XEV 9S for Harrier ev because I don't want any hassles as an since I plan to keep the car for the next several years.

•3d

Since your choice is between these two exact models, go for the Tata Harrier EV Fearless Plus 75kWh at Rs 22 lakh on-road. It is a much better value proposition given the Rs. 5-6 lakh savings over the Mahindra XEV 9S. The Harrier EV is a solidly-built, hardy SUV that's comfy for 5 adults and their luggage.Sure, the XEV 9S gives you the flexibility of three-rows of seating; a lighter steering with a tighter turning radius; and with a larger battery and a more efficient electric powertrain, real-world range will be better. But since you don't specifically need a three-row SUV, the Harrier EV's lower price makes it the more sensible buy.

Tata Harrier EV

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•3d

I am looking for a petrol automatic car under Rs 12 lakh with good features. My first choice is the Honda Amaze, but I am concerned about its ground clearance and engine performance. Around 70% of my driving will be in the city. Would the Amaze be a good choice?

•2d

With 70% city driving, the Honda Amaze is actually a very sensible choice. The CVT automatic is smooth and easy to drive in traffic. The engine is reliable, and the car’s compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre and park.The only real drawback is that the engine is not particularly torquey, so it can feel a bit flat on highways or when fully loaded. However, for predominantly city use, that is not a major concern. The ground clearance at 172 mm is adequate for most urban conditions, but a fully loaded car can cause the rear suspension to compress significantly, requiring caution over large speed breakers. If you like the Honda Amaze petrol automatic for what it offers, go for it.

Honda Amaze

•3d

Hi Autocar team, I am considering the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Mahindra XUV 3XO and Maruti Suzuki Victoris. The 3XO offers more features and space than the Brezza, but I expect it to be less fuel-efficient. The Victoris is considerably more expensive. Is the 3XO a good choice, or should I consider other options?

•2d

Yes, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is a very good choice. 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 feature-rich and offers strong value for money. The only real drawback is the boot, which is one of the smallest in the segment, at least on paper; however, usable space is comparable to rivals.The Maruti Suzuki Brezza is the more sensible choice if you are prioritising reliability, low maintenance costs and Maruti's service network. It is also a comfortable five-seater with a good ride. The Mahindra car, however, feels like the more modern and better-equipped product.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

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