Latest questions answered by experts

Suggest to me between the Tata Nexon Diesel Automatic and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Petrol Mild Hybrid Automatic. My running is 30 to 50 kilometres a day.

•9m

The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Petrol Mild Hybrid Automatic would be the recommendation here.With a monthly running of just over 1000km, you're right on the cusp where a diesel's fuel-efficiency advantage starts becoming less compelling, especially if a significant portion of that driving is in the city. The Grand Vitara's naturally aspirated petrol engine and torque-converter automatic are smooth, refined and easy to live with, while the mild-hybrid system helps improve fuel efficiency in urban conditions. It also offers a more spacious cabin, better ride comfort and a more premium overall experience than the Nexon.The Tata Nexon Diesel Automatic will undoubtedly be more fuel efficient on longer journeys and offers strong low-end torque. However, it is still a modern diesel with a DPF, and if your driving includes frequent short trips or heavy city traffic, it may not be the ideal fit over the long term.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Tata Nexon

•21h

Hi, My height is 5 feet 3 inches. Now, I am planning to buy a bike. Should I buy the Meteor 350 or another bike? Just looking for a comfortable bike for a city drive. The budget is around 5 lakhs. Can u suggest plz thnks.

•1h

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 you have shortlisted would be the best machine within your budget for your use case. It has a charming, torque-rich engine with a heart-tugging soundtrack, a low seat height and pretty decent comfort (for a cruiser). You could also look at the Goan Classic 350, which has very distinctive styling and bright colours with similar strengths to the Meteor, like a low seat and a comfortable (ish) ride. We'd advise sticking with the RE 350s and not stepping up to the 650cc models because the bigger ones, which a shorter person like you will consider, aren't very comfortable and also they are quite heavy.Take test rides of both the Meteor and the Goan Classic before you make your decision.

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350

•1d

Hi, I am looking to buy the Guerilla 450 apex variant, but current fuel norms have got me worried about E30 petrol, as I believe current bikes are not compatible with the same. Should I halt my purchase or go ahead with it?

•1h

For the short to mid-term, E20 will be the current baseline blend of petrol available on a nationwide scale. Speaking strictly about material compatibility, E20 machines should be able to handle higher blends with the fuel tank, rubber seals, gaskets and hoses all ready to support the higher blend. What will need recalibration is the ECU to handle the higher ethanol content in the fuel, which is something that will have to come from the manufacturer. Be prepared for a drop in fuel economy because ethanol's energy density is much lower than petrol, although ECU recalibration will mitigate this to some extent.

•6h

I am comparing the Hyundai Creta King petrol IVT, Kia Seltos petrol GTX A IVT and Tata Sierra petrol accomplished turbo. The car will be required for long ownership, expected annual mileage of around 8-10000 kilometres with almost 70-80% in Delhi NCR limits. Please suggest which one is a better option.

•2h

The Kia Seltos GTX+ IVT would be the recommendation here. Given your annual running of 8,000-10,000km and predominantly city-based usage in Delhi NCR, a naturally aspirated petrol automatic is the right choice. That's why we'd suggest narrowing your decision down to the Creta IVT and Seltos IVT, rather than the Tata Sierra Turbo AT. While the Sierra is an impressive package, the turbo-petrol powertrain is likely to be less efficient and more expensive to run over the long term than the Hyundai-Kia 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol.Between the Creta and Seltos, the nod goes to the Seltos. It is the newer product, feels more premium inside, offers a slightly more spacious cabin and remains one of the most feature-rich SUVs in the segment. Ride comfort is also very good, and the IVT automatic is exceptionally well-suited to urban driving.Another factor worth considering is that the next-generation Creta is expected within the next year or so, whereas the Seltos has a longer lifecycle ahead of it, making it the safer long-term bet.

Am looking for a 7-seater SUV EV and am awaiting the Tata Safari EV launch. How will having the battery pack under affect seating comfort? Also, is the 3rd row usable or will it be suitable for short people and short trips? Will the AWD version be suitable for off-roading?

•3h

The Tata Safari EV certainly looks promising if you're after a 7-seat electric SUV, but some questions can only be answered once we get behind the wheel. Based on what we know so far, there are a few reasonable expectations. As with most modern EVs, the battery pack is mounted under the floor. Manufacturers usually compensate by raising the seating position slightly, so outright comfort shouldn't be compromised significantly. That said, there can be some impact on under-thigh support and seating posture, particularly in the third row, depending on how successfully Tata has packaged the battery.As for the third row, don't expect miracles. Like most three-row SUVs in this size class, it is likely to be best suited to children, teenagers or shorter adults on longer journeys. Average-sized adults should be fine for shorter trips, but if you regularly carry seven adults, the third row is unlikely to be as accommodating as the one in the Kia Clavis EV. The AWD version should offer noticeably better traction on loose surfaces, gravel, mud and rough trails than the standard model. However, it is important to remember that the Safari EV is still a monocoque family SUV, not a dedicated off-roader. It should be capable of handling mild to moderate off-road conditions and adventure touring, but serious off-roading won't be its primary brief.

Tata Safari EV

Kia Carens Clavis EV

•7h

Hi, Many thanks for your time and effort in answering the question. I want to buy an automatic car between Rs 11-12 lakh. The car should be comfortable for five adults. Running would be 70% in the city (Delhi), with 3-4 occasional intercity vacation trips annually, and my average monthly running is around 500 Kms. I am considering the Hyundai i20 Asta (o) ivtech, Kia Sonet HTK+(O) DCT and Sonet HTX DCT. If you have any better suggestions, then please give them.

•4h

The Hyundai i20 Asta (O) IVT would be the recommendation here. Your priorities are comfort for five adults, predominantly city driving and a smooth automatic gearbox. The i20 delivers very well on all three counts. Its rear seat is among the roomiest in the premium hatchback segment, the IVT automatic is exceptionally smooth in Delhi's stop-start traffic, and the overall driving experience is relaxed and refined. It is also easier to drive and park than an SUV in crowded urban conditions.The Kia Sonet HTK+(O) DCT and HTX DCT offer a more powerful turbo-petrol engine and a higher seating position, but the rear seat isn't as accommodating for three adults, and the DCT transmission isn't as seamless in heavy traffic as Hyundai's IVT.If you want an SUV, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza AT and Mahindra 3XO AT are the alternatives worth considering. Both have wider cabins and are among the best five-seaters in this price bracket. Importantly, both use conventional automatic gearboxes that feel smoother and more natural in everyday city driving than the Sonet's DCT. The Brezza scores well on refinement, efficiency and ease of ownership, while the 3XO offers a more premium cabin and stronger performance.