•4h

Hello Team, I am planning to buy my first car. I have come across many discussions regarding the future of E20, E27, and higher ethanol-blended fuels, and I often see the responses, "Don't let that concern influence your purchase decision." However, I have a hypothetical question. If the government were to mandate E30 fuel within the next five years, which car would be better equipped to handle it - the Maruti Suzuki Baleno or the Honda Amaze? My priorities are low maintenance, hassle-free ownership, and a comfortable suspension. If you think there is a better option than these two, I would appreciate your recommendation

•1h

Automobile manufacturers have all stated that their E20 cars have a material compliance tolerance for higher ethanol blends, though they have stayed away from specifying what that level is. Thus, it's hard to specify which brand is better suited to higher ethanol fuel blends. Do note, though, that with a higher ethanol blend, there will likely be a drop in efficiency; however, on the material front, you should be fine.

•13m

Also, Toyota service Also detoriated, after volumes increased they are not able to manage

More questions on similar cars

•1d

I am confused between the Tata Harrier and XUV 7XO. My yearly running is around 6,000- 7,000 km. I am also confused between the petrol and diesel versions of each model. My budget is Rs 25-30 lakh, plus or minus. My main concerns are service, reliability and maintenance costs. Will the price difference between petrol and diesel offset my yearly running costs?

•7h

With a yearly running of 6000-7,000 km, diesel does not make financial sense. The price premium for the diesel engine will take too long to recover at your usage, and modern petrol engines are efficient enough for this kind of running. Between the Tata Harrier and XUV 7XO, the Mahindra car is the one we recommend. It offers a more refined ownership experience, a more polished cabin and a better overall balance between comfort and driving dynamics. Mahindra’s service network is also strong, and the 7XO has a good track record of reliability.The Tata Harrier is a very capable SUV with excellent ride comfort, but Tata’s service consistency can still be variable depending on location. Go for the XUV 7XO petrol automatic. It will be the most sensible and satisfying long-term ownership choice for your usage and budget.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Tata Harrier

•1d

I have been driving a Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire Diesel for the last 14 years and am now planning to upgrade to a mid-size SUV. My monthly running is around 500 km, with an equal mix of highway driving and bumper-to-bumper city traffic for office commutes. I also undertake 2-3 long trips of around 350 km each every year. I am confused between the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Zeta (O) Petrol Manual and the Hyundai Creta S(O) Petrol Manual, as both are available at almost the same on-road price. I am not considering the Victoris because I do not like its back look, and I have ruled out the Skoda Kushaq due to its limited service network, as my job involves transfers to mid-tier cities. Which of these two SUVs offers better value for money and would be the more sensible long-term choice?

•2h

We'd recommend the Hyundai Creta S(O) Petrol Manual, though the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Zeta (O) Petrol Manual is an equally sensible choice if service reach is your top priority.Your monthly running of around 500km, split equally between city and highway driving, doesn't justify a diesel or hybrid, so a naturally aspirated petrol SUV is the right fit. The Creta stands out with its more premium cabin, better rear seat comfort, more composed ride and handling, and a driving experience that feels like a bigger upgrade from your 14-year-old Dzire. It is also a more refined highway cruiser for your occasional 350km trips.The Grand Vitara's biggest strength is its strong hybrid powertrain, and by choosing the regular petrol version, you miss its key advantage. That said, it remains an easy car to own, is likely to be slightly more fuel efficient and benefits from Maruti Suzuki's extensive service network.Since both are available at almost the same on-road price, we'd still choose the Creta S(O) Petrol Manual for its more premium overall package and superior comfort.

Hyundai Creta

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

•22h

I currently own a 2021 Hyundai Creta Diesel, which has covered nearly 2 lakh km without any major issues. I am now planning to buy a new diesel car/SUV with a budget of around Rs. 18 lakh (ex-showroom). My usage is primarily long-distance highway driving. I have shortlisted the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Tata Sierra, Tata Harrier, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Creta. Considering the current market and long-term ownership, which one would you recommend?

•3h

For your usage, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel is the best fit. You are doing very high mileage with long highway runs, so diesel efficiency and strong performance are the priorities. This Mahindra car is one of the most refined and powerful diesel SUVs in this price range, and it is also a very comfortable long-distance car with a spacious cabin - including a third row of seats - and a strong feature set. The Tata Harrier is also a good highway car with a strong diesel engine and a comfortable ride, but the 7XO is a more refined and better-rounded package overall. However, both these are in a higher segment, which means your budget will only get you a low- to mid-range variant. In the segment below, the Tata Sierra diesel is a newer product and looks very promising, but its diesel engine doesn't feel particularly strong considering its size and weight. The Hyundai Creta is just a facelifted version of your current car and hence won't feel as new, while the Seltos, though new and larger, uses the same engine as your Creta, and like the Sierra, doesn't feel as powerful given the SUV's size. Overall, the 7XO feels like the more premium and more complete product for your usage, but if you're not happy with the features on offer in your budget, try the Seltos instead.

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

I want to buy a low-maintenance car for my father, who is 65 years old. My budget is around 15 lakh. His daily commute is around 30-40km, and he also visits our farm 7-8 times a month. Which car would you recommend?

•5d

For your father, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol automatic is the most sensible recommendation. At 65, ease of use, reliability and low maintenance are far more important than outright performance or flashy features. The Brezza’s naturally aspirated petrol engine is simple, proven and well-suited to a 30-40 km daily commute, while the automatic gearbox makes city driving effortless. Maruti’s service network is the best in the country, which means low running costs and peace of mind over the long term.This Maruti Suzuki car also has enough ground clearance and a robust suspension setup to handle occasional farm visits without any fuss. It is not the most exciting car in the segment, but it is comfortable, easy to drive and built for hassle-free ownership. At Rs 15 lakh, it is one of the most dependable choices you can make for your father. Since the Brezza facelift is just around the corner, you can wait for that or try to get a good deal on the outgoing model.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

•2d

I am confused between the Toyota Innova Crysta and the Mahindra XUV 7XO. I am looking for a comfortable 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium interior, including a high-quality music system. My usage will be mostly on highways, with occasional city driving. Which one would you recommend?

•1d

Go for the Toyota Innova Crysta. Your usage is highway-heavy with occasional city runs, and you want a proper 7-seater with good luggage space and a premium feel. The Crysta is still the benchmark for this kind of requirement. It is genuinely spacious in all three rows, has a large and usable boot even with all seats up, and is built for long-distance comfort and reliability. The diesel engine is strong, refined and well-suited to highway cruising, and Toyota’s ownership experience and long-term reliability are hard to beat. The Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more modern product with a more premium-looking interior and a better sound system, but it does not match the Crysta for outright space, practicality or long-term peace of mind. If your priority is a proper 7-seater that will serve you well for years, the Crysta is the safer and more sensible choice. If you want a more premium cabin and a richer feature set, the XUV 7XO is the alternative, but it is not as practical as the Crysta.

Toyota Innova Crysta

Mahindra XUV 7XO

•5d

I am a senior citizen, 5'10" tall, and currently own a 2012 Maruti Wagon R. I am planning to replace it and am considering the Swift, Wagon R, and Exter. How is the Hyundai Exter Petrol AMT for my needs? My usage is limited to city driving with low annual running. Which one would you recommend?

•5d

Given your requirements, the Hyundai Exter AMT is the best fit. As a senior citizen with city-only driving and low annual kilometres, the Exter offers the right balance of ease of use, comfort and practicality. The higher seating position makes ingress and egress easier, visibility is excellent, and the AMT gearbox is smooth enough for city traffic. The cabin is more spacious than the Swift, especially in terms of headroom and rear seat comfort, and the ride quality is better over broken roads. Compared to the Wagon R, the Exter feels more premium, better built and more refined, while still offering the same ease of use and practicality. The Swift is a good car, but its lower seating position and tighter rear seat make it less suitable for your needs. The Wagon R remains a practical choice, but the Exter is a clear step up in comfort, safety and overall ownership experience. Go for the Exter AMT, and you will have a car that is easy to live with for many years.

Hyundai Exter

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Maruti Suzuki Swift

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Posted on: 22 Jul 2026

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