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    I want to buy a new car. I am a first-time buyer and need a car with good build quality, decent mileage, and strong safety features. Most of my travel will be on highways. My budget is ₹9 lakh, and I can stretch it by another ₹1 lakh. Can you suggest the best options for me?

    Asked by: Muthu kumaran
    The Maruti Suzuki Fronx would suit your requirements nicely. On your mostly highway drives, the ride will feel nicely planted and secure, and the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol delivers a good enough performance for the highway.
    We would have suggested the 1.0-liter turbo petrol unit, as that would deliver better on the performance front; however, turbo petrols are very sensitive to driving style, and often the real-world efficiency is much lower than claimed. In terms of safety as well, this Maruti car handles well and is well equipped with features like six airbags, ABS, and ESP.
    Answered by img img Autocar India Team img Dec 13, 2025
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    Asked by: Shruthik Reddy V We currently own a Nexon diesel and are very happy with it, but we now want to buy a seven-seater - most likely the Tata Safari - in a petrol version since the vehicle will be used rarely. The petrol variants of the Harrier and Safari were expected to launch today, but seem to have been delayed. Why was the launch postponed, and when can we expect the petrol models to be released? The launch of the petrol versions of the Tata Harrier and Tata Safari will happen this December for sure. We will also be driving both Harrier and Safari this month, and our full review will be out on our website and YouTube channel towards the 3rd week of this month, so do look out for that.   
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    Asked by: Abhishek K I’m looking to buy a new or used car with a monthly running of about 2,000 km (mostly city with a few Mumbai-Pune trips). The car will be mostly chauffeur-driven, so rear-seat comfort and smooth low-speed performance are important. Daily use will be for 2-3 passengers, but I need occasional seating for six. I prefer Hybrid, Diesel, or Electric. My priorities are comfort, reliability, low running costs, and strong service support. My budget is around 25 lakh. Please suggest 3-5 options and include used choices if suitable. With your extensive usage, we cannot recommend an EV, as you would have to charge it frequently, and that is not good for battery health. In your budget of Rs 25 lakh, there aren't any 6-seater hybrids, either; your only option there is to move up to the Rs 30-lakh-plus Toyota Innova Hycross or Maruti Suzuki Invicto - both of which are excellent choices. In your budget, the best option is the Kia Carens Clavis diesel. It's well equipped, comfortable and surprisingly spacious for its size. Plus, there are both six and seven-seat versions, so you can choose which configuration suits you best. 
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    Asked by: Nishaant Prasad I own a Kia Seltos turbo petrol (purchased March 2020) and use it for my office commute and out-of-station travel. My daily round trip is about 60-61 km. I currently carpool with my parents two to three times a week, but from next year, they will retire, and I will commute alone every day. Should I replace this car with a strong hybrid or switch to an EV? With less than six years under its belt, your Kia Seltos should still be in good condition, especially since you seem to use it sparingly. The ideal answer is to continue to use it and take care of it, so that you get the most out of it before selling it. If, after six months to a year of commuting 60km each day, you feel like the running costs of a turbo petrol are too high, you can always sell it then, and the difference in resale value won't be that much. If you do decide to get a new car, a strong hybrid is a good option, as it gives you the best of both worlds - smooth, refined driving with low running costs. Also, it will give you the freedom to travel long distances without the worry of charging. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is a good option, but Kia's own new Seltos will be getting a hybrid option, likely in late 2026 or early 2027, if you don't mind waiting for that.
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    Asked by: Shivaprakash S M I plan to replace my scooter with a new Honda Activa 125 or a Jupiter 125 very soon. Is it true that these vehicles will be available with ABS starting in January 2026? Should I wait for a few more weeks? There is a government circular that has been floating around on the internet saying that all two-wheelers will have to have ABS compulsorily come January 2026. However, neither the government nor the manufacturers has confirmed anything regarding this so far. You could wait a few weeks before finalising your purchase, and then choose between the Honda Activa 125 or the TVS Jupiter 125 if this rule does come into effect.
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    Dec 13, 2025
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