Mumbai

Latest questions answered by experts

Ganesh

I am buying my first new bike. My height is about 5′3″-5′4″, and my weight is 45 kg. My budget is ₹1.50 lakh. I plan to use the bike for at least 10 years, mostly on Tier-4 city roads. Please suggest a suitable bike that is comfortable for a single rider and a pillion.

Autocar India

•3h

Since you have mentioned you want a comfortable, long-lasting bike in a place where showrooms and service support aren't likely to be as advanced as in major cities, we'd recommend you go with the proven Honda Unicorn. The Unicorn has remained largely unchanged in the more than two decades it has been on sale, and procuring spare parts and common replacement parts should be an easy affair. The Unicorn also has a spacious single-piece seat that's not very tall and can easily accommodate two large people. So comfort should also be a non-issue. We'd recommend a test ride of the bike to see whether it fits you well before making a decision.

Honda Bikes Unicorn

Om Bhagwat Malawat

•3d

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to replace my 2012 Hero Honda CD Deluxe. My usage is strictly within the city, specifically a 28 km daily round trip for office and market chores. Interestingly, we already have two Hero Vida V1s at home (one Pro and one Plus). Since the V1 is quite feature-heavy, I don’t want to spend extra on premium features or performance for this new purchase. That’s why I have ruled out the Ather Rizta and TVS iQube. I am looking for a reliable, no-nonsense entry-level electric scooter. My current shortlists are: Hero Vida VX2 Go (3.4 kWh) TVS Orbiter Bajaj Chetak 2501 Since all of these offer the basic, essential features I need, which one would be the most practical choice for a daily city workhorse? Does sticking with the Vida ecosystem (VX2 Go) offer any real advantage, or should I consider the Orbiter or the all-metal Chetak 2501 instead?

Autocar India

•4h

Since you are intimately familiar with the Vida ownership experience, buying the Vida VX2 Go 3.4 will likely be your safest bet. This scooter also offers more range and performance than the TVS Orbiter and Bajaj Chetak C2501 models you have shortlisted. So, objectively speaking, you should stick with the Vida e-scooter.The Orbiter's USP is that it is one of the most spacious electric scooters around, while on the other end of the spectrum, you have the petite Bajaj Chetak C2501. Unless you have an unusually tall or shorter physique, we'd recommend sticking with the Vida. The only reason you should look at the others is if you want to change things up and switch to a different brand.

NKC

Should I buy the Royal Enfield Scrambler 400X now, or wait for a 350cc version to launch? If I wait, is there a possibility that cost cutting with a smaller engine might reduce the overall 400X experience? Please advise.

Autocar India

•4h

When Bajaj launches the downsized 350cc Triumph single-cylinder models, there are expected to be minimal or no changes to the chassis. Also, the feature-set and the quality of parts and materials used throughout. It is unlikely that Bajaj will reduce the quality of components used on the 350cc Triumphs, as they are aspirational and premium motorcycles from a fabled British brand. However, if you have your heart set on buying a Triumph Scrambler 400 X, we'd advise you to hurry. Because it has been reported that the 350cc Triumphs aren't a long way away, and this will be your only opportunity to own one.

Triumph Scrambler 400 X

Sitaram

•2d

I tried looking for the Mahindra Thar Roxx MX3 Petrol AT, but my parents refused because it hurts their backs, as both are 60+, and the Thar has noticeable body roll. I am now considering the Volkswagen Virtus 1.0L engine as an alternative. My core requirements are strong safety, a reliable vehicle, fun to drive, and good performance on a mix of highways, mountain roads, and bad roads, with very good power. My budget is below ₹18 lakh on road. Please suggest how I should go about this.

Autocar India

•5h

For your aged parents, the Mahindra Thar Roxx can indeed be uncomfortable. Getting in and out requires effort because of the high step-in height, and since it’s based on a body-on-frame chassis, the ride tends to be bumpy. There is noticeable body roll as well, which can make senior passengers uneasy, especially on rough roads.The Volkswagen Virtus 1.0 TSI is a sensible alternative within your ₹18 lakh on-road budget. It offers strong safety credentials, solid build quality and is genuinely fun to drive. The 1.0 turbo-petrol has good low- and mid-range punch, making it enjoyable both on highways and mountain roads. It’s stable at high speeds and feels planted in corners.On bad roads, you will need to be a bit careful, as it’s still a sedan, but the ground clearance is decent enough for most situations if driven sensibly. If your usage is a mix of highways, hills and occasional rough patches, and you want a safer, more comfortable and still engaging option, the Virtus is a well-balanced way to go.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Volkswagen Virtus

GIRISH SAHARE

•3d

My budget is around ₹12-14 lakh. I want to buy a sub-4-meter SUV. My weekly driving is around 100-120 km. I am considering the Kia Syros HTK Plus Turbo Petrol Manual variant and the Hyundai Venue HX5 Turbo Automatic Petrol variant. Which will be the better option?

Autocar India

•6h

In this comparison, we would recommend the Kia Syros as you get more car for your money. The Syros gets the same powertrain as the Hyundai Venue but gets the DCT gearbox, as it makes driving in city traffic a lot easier. The Syros is also a bigger car overall with more space in the cabin, rear seat and also a bigger boot. You also get premium features like a panoramic sunroof and alloy wheels in the Syros. The one area where the Venue is ahead of the Syros is the ride comfort, but apart from that, in every aspect, the Syros is a better choice. The HTK+ with the DCT will fit in your budget and is our recommendation.

Kia Syros

Hyundai Venue

Himakar

•1w

We are 5 people who goes on trips frequently, our journey will be on both highways and unpaved roads with potholes. We are looking to buy a car which meets below requirements 1. Having ADAS L2 2. 360 camera with blind spot detection 3. Torque min 260, higher the best 4. Min 120hp, higher the best 5. Boot space min 400 6. Good leg space in the back seat 7. Fog light and high beam detection mandatory We are ok with either manual or automatic gear, sunroof is not required. Looking for mid suv so suggest the best car which offers above under 17L. If we can get 7seater is also great.

Autocar India

•6h

For your budget of Rs 17 lakh, there isn’t a single SUV that ticks all your boxes. You’ll have to compromise somewhere. At this price, you can either get a spacious, powerful SUV that’s well-suited to rough-road trips but misses out on some premium features like ADAS and a 360-degree camera, or you can get a feature-loaded smaller SUV that won’t be as spacious or as strong mechanically. The third option, of course, is to stretch the budget, which honestly would make things much easier.Given that you are five people travelling frequently on highways and broken roads, the Mahindra Thar Roxx 4x2 diesel makes the most sense from a core SUV perspective. It’s spacious enough for five, has a strong 2.2-litre diesel with 152hp and solid torque, and its ladder-frame chassis and suspension are built to take a beating on bad roads. Boot space is decent, and rear legroom is usable for long trips.However, within Rs 17 lakh, you’ll only get the MX1 variant, which does not offer ADAS. To get Level 2 ADAS, you’ll need to stretch to the AX3 L variant at around Rs 20 lakh. Even then, it still won’t give you a 360-degree camera that’s reserved for the top AX7 L variant, which is closer to Rs 23 lakh.If you are absolutely firm on ADAS Level 2, 360-degree camera and high-beam assist within Rs 17 lakh, you’ll have to step down to a smaller SUV like the Kia Syros HTX Plus (O). It offers the tech you want, but you’ll compromise on outright space and performance. The 1.0-litre turbo petrol makes 118hp and 172Nm, which is well short of your torque requirement, and while it’s among the roomier compact SUVs, it’s not in the same league as the Thar Roxx for five-adult road trips or rough-road durability.Our advice? Stretch to the Thar Roxx AX3 L. You’ll get the space, toughness and performance that actually matter for the kind of usage you describe. A 360-degree camera can be added through a good aftermarket solution.

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Kia Syros