Mumbai

•4d

I am planning to buy the Kia Sonet and would like to know which variant would be the best option. I am particularly looking for a variant with a smooth automatic transmission that does not feel jerky while driving.

•7m

Go for the Kia Sonet 1.2 petrol with the manual gearbox. It is the smoothest and most jerk-free option in the range. The 1.2 naturally aspirated petrol engine is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox, which is very easy to drive in the city and delivers a smooth, linear power delivery without any sudden surges or hesitation. This makes it ideal for stop-start traffic and everyday commuting.

If you specifically want an automatic, the 1.5 diesel with the 6-speed torque converter automatic is the better choice. The torque converter is a traditional automatic gearbox and is much smoother than the 7-speed DCT offered with the 1.0 turbo petrol. The DCT can feel a bit jerky at low speeds, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic, whereas the torque converter diesel is far more refined and predictable.

The 1.2 petrol manual is the best choice if you want a smooth, hassle-free driving experience. The 1.5 diesel automatic is the best automatic option if you want a smooth gearbox and do not mind paying a premium for the diesel engine.

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•3d

Hi, I am currently using a 2021 Maruti S-Presso manual and am planning to upgrade to a new car. I am looking for a sub-4-metre SUV with an AMT. My budget is Rs 10-12 lakh. My annual usage is around 6,000 km, with 60% highway driving and 40% driving in Chennai city. I also plan to take one or two solo trips each year. Please suggest a good car with low maintenance, good mileage, and strong safety.

•20h

Given your usage of around 6,000 km a year with a 60% highway bias, consider the Skoda Kylaq or Mahindra XUV 3XO, both of which are available with powerful turbo-petrol engines and smooth 6-speed torque converters (automatic). Both these cars are excellent highway cruisers too, and if you maintain steady speeds, they will return respectable fuel efficiency too.Alternatively, you could consider the Kia Sonet HTK (O) DCT too. It is a very polished offering, and compared to the Mahindra and Skoda, it will be a bit more efficient too.

Hi, I currently own a Hyundai Venue petrol and am looking for a diesel automatic within a budget of Rs. 12 lakh. Please suggest some good options.

•2d

With a budget of Rs 12 lakh and a clear preference for a diesel automatic, you would have just two cars that you could look at: the Tata Nexon and the Kia Sonet. The Kia Sonet has the edge over the Tata when it comes to engine performance as well as the gearbox, which will be smoother in stop-and-go traffic, being a torque convertor unit. The Tata Nexon, on the other hand, is an AMT - automated manual, in which the shifts can be felt and at times feel jerky. Thus, if it's a lot of city driving that you will do, the Kia would offer a much more pleasurable experience. However, bear in mind that the rear space is quite cramped and not as much as the Nexon, which feels a bit better. Overall, though, we would lean towards the Kia.

Tata Nexon

Kia Sonet

•3d

Should I choose the Creta SX Premium Automatic or Manual? I live in a tier-2 city and drive in city traffic as well as on the highway for 1-2 days a week. Which transmission would be better for my usage? Need suggestions.

•22h

Go for the Hyundai Creta SX Premium automatic. Your usage pattern of city traffic combined with regular highway runs makes the automatic the more sensible choice. The Creta’s IVT automatic is smooth and reliable, making stop-and-go traffic far less tiring, while still being responsive and relaxed on the highway. In a second-tier city, where traffic can be unpredictable, the convenience of an automatic really comes into its own. The manual is a good gearbox, but unless you are a keen driver who enjoys shifting gears, the automatic will make daily driving much easier without sacrificing performance or efficiency in any meaningful way. This Hyundai car is a well-rounded SUV with good ride comfort, a refined cabin and strong ownership experience, and the automatic simply makes it easier to enjoy all of that every day.

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•5d

I want to purchase a 7-seater SUV. My options are the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO, and Scorpio N, and I am considering installing an aftermarket CNG kit for better fuel economy. Could you please suggest which one would be better suited for CNG?

•4d

We would strongly advise against installing aftermarket CNG on any of these SUVs. All three – the Tata Safari, Mahindra XUV 7XO and Scorpio N - are large, heavy vehicles with powerful turbocharged petrol engines. Fitting CNG to such engines is not recommended, as it can lead to drivability issues, increased wear and potential reliability concerns over time. More importantly, these SUVs are not designed with CNG in mind, and the installation can compromise safety and performance.If fuel economy is a top priority, opt for their diesel versions instead. The Mahindra and Tata offer strong torque, excellent highway efficiency and are well-suited to long-distance touring. If you are set on CNG, it is better to look at smaller, naturally aspirated petrol cars that are either factory-fitted or specifically designed for CNG use.Between the three, the XUV 7XO diesel would be our recommendation. It offers a more modern package, better ride comfort and a more premium cabin than the Scorpio N, while the Safari diesel is also a strong contender if you prefer Tata's design and feature set. But CNG should not be the deciding factor here.

I am a first-time buyer. My salary is Rs 4.2 lakh per year (CTC). Which company and which model would suit me?

•5d

With a CTC of Rs 4.2 lakh per year, the key is to keep the purchase affordable and running costs low. The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the most sensible starting point. It is reliable, easy to maintain and has excellent service reach, which is exactly what you want as a first-time buyer. The 1.0-litre petrol engine in this Maruti Suzuki car is efficient, and the car is easy to drive in the city.If you need a bit more space, the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a good alternative with its tall-boy design and larger boot. If you are open to a slightly higher budget, the Tata Tiago is worth considering for its stronger build and more premium feel, but Maruti's service network and lower maintenance costs make it the safer long-term choice at this budget. The Alto K10 is the most practical and financially sensible first car.

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•2d

I currently use a Skoda Slavia Ambition 1.0 automatic since last 4 years. Now, I am thinking of switching the car but I am confused between Honda Elevate V CVT petrol and Kia Seltos HTK iVT petrol.

•1d

Given that you are coming from a Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI automatic, the Kia Seltos HTK IVT petrol is the more natural upgrade. The Seltos offers a noticeably larger and more premium cabin, better rear seat space and a more substantial feel overall. The IVT gearbox is smooth and well-suited to city driving, and the car feels like a genuine step up from the Slavia in terms of comfort and overall ownership experience.The Honda Elevate V CVT petrol is a solid and reliable choice, but it does not feel like as much of an upgrade from the Slavia. The cabin is not as spacious or as premium as the Seltos, and the overall ownership experience is more about simplicity and reliability than about feeling like a significant step up.The only caveat with the Seltos HTK is that it is not the most feature-rich variant in the lineup. If you can stretch to a higher variant, the Seltos becomes an even stronger recommendation. If not, it is still the better choice over the Elevate because it offers a more substantial upgrade from your current car.

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