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•3d

Hi, I am Akshay and I currently drive a 2019 Fiat Punto Abarth. I'm hooked on the thrill it offers while driving. I also really appreciate how it stands out from the crowd, with people turning around to take a look at the car. I'm not too concerned about the fuel economy. I have my eye on the Škoda Octavia RS if it becomes available. Which other cars can offer a similar driving experience for a similar or slightly lower budget? I have no preference among a hatchback, sedan, SUV, or crossover.

Tap if an answer actually helped you decide.

•7m

The Skoda Octavia RS will seem like a natural upgrade from your Punto Abarth. Its 2.0 TSI delivers strong performance, and its handling feels sharp thus delivering a genuinely engaging driving experience, while also feeling more premium, more comfortable and more usable as a daily driver. Overall, the Octavia RS feels like a mature, sophisticated performance sedan, which lacks a bit of the Abarth's drama visually or as far as power delivery goes, it is a car that should rank high up on your shortlist.

If you're keen on something of a similar size with stronger performance and excellent (go-kart-like) handling, consider the Mini Cooper S. As far as practicality and value gom the Octavia RS is far better, but the Mini is a lot more thrilling to drive, and has a lot more character.

A Mini Countryman JCW All4 is a more expensive alternative, but if you're getting a good deal on one, it has the performance, sporty handling, drama and the practicality to be the right upgrade for you.

Lastly, if you're open to 2-3-year-old pre-owned options a Mercedes-Benz GLA 35 AMG under Rs 40 lakh, and a BMW M340i under Rs 55 lakh are excellent options, as far as performance and thrill of driving go.

Explore cars mentioned

Skoda

Octavia RS

from ₹66.05 Lakh

Mini

Countryman

from ₹55.34 Lakh

Mini

Cooper Convertible

from ₹68.74 Lakh

BMW

3 Series

from ₹89.83 Lakh

Mercedes-Benz

GLA

from ₹60.35 Lakh

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•1d

Hi, I recently test-drove the new Audi Q3 and was quite impressed. However, given Audi's relatively low market share right now, could resale value be a concern? Also, would the BMW 3 Series be a better buy? I certainly like the performance of the 3 Series, but its cabin feels much smaller. The Q3, on the other hand, feels newer. Any advice?

•4h

If you are impressed by the new Audi Q3, we would not let resale concerns hold you back. While Audi cars don't hold value as strongly as Mercedes-Benz or BMW cars, resale values are finally influenced by the condition, mileage and maintenance history. The new Q3 comes to India within a year of its global launch and has fresh appeal outside and inside. The Audi is great to drive and also scores well on ride comfort. The higher seating position, cabin's versatility and added ground clearance over a sedan like the 3 Series also counts for a lot. The BMW 3 Series, on the other hand, is the better driver's car, with sharper dynamics and a more engaging driving experience. Do note that the BMW 3 Series is nearing the end of its life, and this would impact resale value down the road.Ultimately, it comes down to your priorities. If you value driving engagement above all else, the 3 Series is the better buy. If you want a premium car that feels new and is practical, the Q3 is the right choice. Based on your feedback, the Q3 sounds like the better fit.

Audi Q3

BMW 3 Series

•6h

Kindly suggest me a car under a budget of Rs. 15-16 lakh running of around 4000km per month. I am confused between EV or diesel. Also, please let me know which car is reliable for maintainence?

•37m

With 4,000km a month, your running is extremely high, so low running costs become the top priority. The question is, do you have reliable home charging. If the answer is yes, then an EV is your best bet, with running costs being around Re 1 per km.Within your Rs 16 lakh on-road budget your best options are the MG Windsor EV Excite 38kWh, Kia Syros EV HTK Plus 42kWh and Nexon EV Creative 45kWh. Out of these, the MG Windsor is the biggest car with the roomiest cabin and largest boot. With a 38kWh battery, its real-world range will be the lowest between 260-310km. The Kia Syros EV is a surprisingly spacious EV, with high quality interiors, a sophisticated ride-handling balance and smooth, zippy performance. Its motor is very efficient, hence you can expect 320-340km of range. If you don't mind the way it looks, this is an EV you must seriously consider.The Tata Nexon EV has the largest battery pack and its real-world range of around 350km is the most too. It has been around for a while, and over the years, Tata has polished it and ironed out most inconsistencies, making it a mature offering.

CNG cars have usually been about saving money, but XUV 3XO CNG brings a turbocharged setup into the conversation. That makes it interesting for people who don't want to sacrifice driving performance just to save on fuel.

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•3d

Please advise which car would be the best choice for long-term ownership: the Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Volkswagen SUV, or any other suitable option. My priority is reliability, long-term durability, and hassle-free ownership over the next 10 years or more. I would appreciate suggestions based on real-world ownership experience, maintenance costs, spare parts availability, and after-sales support.

•2d

For long-term ownership, the Mahindra Scorpio N is the safest recommendation from your shortlist. It has a proven track record, robust mechanicals and a strong service network, making it a dependable choice for 5-10 years of ownership. The Tata Harrier and Tata Safari have improved significantly, but the Scorpio N still has the edge on long-term reliability and ownership confidence. The Jeep Compass is a good product, but it is now an ageing model and does not offer the same value proposition as the Scorpio N. If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It is a more modern product with a better balance of comfort, features and refinement, and it is a strong long-term ownership proposition as well. The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are excellent driver's cars, but they are smaller and do not offer the same level of space or road presence as the Scorpio N or XUV 7XO.

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a seven-seater car. I have test-driven the Renault Triber Turbo and Citroen Aircross X and was impressed by what both offer at their price points. However, the Aircross put a wide smile on my face. As a current Maruti Suzuki user, I did not consider the Ertiga because it feels similar to our Swift. I liked the Aircross X but am sceptical about Citroen's service network and spare parts availability. However, there are three Citroen showrooms within 45 km of my place. Please suggest which car I should choose. My budget: Rs. 15 lakh Current vehicle: Second-generation Maruti Suzuki Swift petrol (2017) Annual usage: Around 10,000 km, with a 50:30:20 split between town, highway and city driving Requirement: A seven-seater car

•5d

The Citroen's interiors feel more special, its engine is more powerful, and its ride-handling balance is outstanding; however, for seven adults, it won't be as comfortable as the Triber.In fact, the Triber's superb packaging makes it genuinely comfortable for passengers in all three rows, despite its compact sub-4-meter dimensions. The new turbo-petrol engine makes it an effortless performer, and its ride quality feels very mature too. Moreover, the Triber Turbo is also much more affordable in comparison, making it outstanding value for money. Yes, the Aircross X will appeal to your heart, but given Citroen's limited service network and cramped third row, the Triber Turbo is the more sensible choice.

Renault Triber

Citroen Aircross

•2d

I am planning to buy my first car. I want to have a 7-seater and need it for long term ownership. I liked the Citroen Aircross X design for 5+2. I am planning to choose a car with automatic transmission. I have couple of major concerns for which I would like your advice. First one is Mileage, I heard Aircross has a mileage issue and its real-world city mileage is 8 kpl while on highway it is 14 kpl. Is it the same for X version also? Second advice is for its service network. I have heard from the people that its service is slow. Regular servicing also takes around 2 days of time. I have a service center within 10 km from my home. My budget is Rs. 20 Lakh and I need an automatic transmission with rear and front parking camera or 360-degree camera since I am a new driver. Are there any 7-seater alternatives within this budget?

•2d

The Citroen Aircross X is a good-looking car, now with a premium interior. It is the only SUV in its category which offers a 5+2 seating configuration, and even though the third row is not particularly spacious, it works for occasional use. The real-world fuel efficiency figures as per our tests are 9.5kpl and 13.62kpl in city and highway conditions, respectively, which is quite decent given the strong and smooth performance this 1.2-turbo-petrol-AT delivers. What's more is that ride comfort is outstanding, perhaps the best among all midsize SUVs. So as far as comfort and practicality goes, the Aircross X is a good car.Citroen's service centre network is limited, but since you have a touchpoint close to your home, your vehicle's regular servicing and maintenance is likely to be taken care of smoothly. If you love the Aircross X for what it is, go for it - as far as value goes, it is an outstanding proposition. If you're looking for proper seven-seater alternatives, we'd strongly recommend the Kia Carens Clavis HTK+ turbo-petrol automatic version. All three rows are properly spacious, well-suited for adults. This variant will be within your Rs 20 lakh on-road budget, and it has front and rear parking sensors, as well as rear-view camera to make parking easy for you. Sure, it isn't an SUV, but it is a very sensible car, if you need a proper seven-seater.

Citroen Aircross

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