Autocar India
•19w

I am saving up for my first and maybe only luxury purchase in a couple of years. Confused between E220D, GLC300D, and 520D

Verified
•18w
Your shortlist today will almost certainly look different in a few years. By then, the current GLC 300d may well be gone, with an electrified or full‑EV GLC taking its place, so banking on that exact diesel variant being available is risky. BMW’s new‑gen 5 Series for India is now only offered as the long‑wheelbase 530Li petrol, so if you specifically want a diesel 520d, there isn’t one
That’s why the Mercedes‑Benz E 220d remains your best bet for your first and maybe only luxury purchase. The long‑wheelbase E‑Class continues to be the benchmark luxury sedan, with lounge‑like rear space, a calm, almost cocooning ride and outstanding long‑distance ease.
You do give up SUV‑style ground clearance and 4Matic traction, but the E-Class’s clearance is actually quite usable by Indian luxury‑sedan standards, and the way it rides and flows at a cruise is more relaxing than a taller SUV anyway.
Also in 2027 or early 2028, a facelift of the E-class is expected, and hence, it would be the right time to buy one, and hopefully, you would have saved up enough by then.
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•17w

Planning to buy a car under 25 lakh which should be an better option kia seltos or mahindra scorpion n

•18w

Hi Satish, a couple of months ago we were confused on similar options. We were considering E220d, 530Li or a Toyota/Lexus. Owning a Toyota for about 15 years we had enough confidence in the brand but the Camry and ES didn't speak the same luxury language as the Germans did. To begin with, experience at the BMW showroom was quite better than the Merc so we did incline more towards the 530Li (user experience matters). Design: I prefer the designs of earlier models of both the cars. But I have come at peace with the BMWs recent design language. I like the titanium accents that the have put in the 5 which goes well with the shades of blue. The long bonnet does take some time to get used to but looks really good. Ground clearance is an additional point for the 5 series, since I have scraped it twice I cant imagine what the damage would have been on a Merc as it rides considerably lower. Ride quality and handling: BMW has a softer suspension setup than the Merc and goes over bumps effortlessly. BMW being a more driver focused car could have had a firmer suspension but I am happy with the floaty ride on Indian roads. BMW also seems a tad bit quieter tbh. Interior: Both the cars have really good interiors and its a matter of preference. At our home we like driving ourselves to places, hence the rear seats are vacant 70% of the times. I also prefer physical buttons more than the touch screen and BMW has a lot more than the merc. I believe buttons are a cheap way to cut costs. I strongly dislike the extensive interior lighting in the Merc which feels gimmicky, BMW's simply seem more elegant by a mile. Engine: This is again a win for the BMW as the B48 petrol engine has around 250bhp which is about 25% more than the E Class. I does feel a lot quicker. Fuel economy in the city is around 9.8-10 km/l in the city and about 15kmpl on the highway. Not so sure about the Merc but since it is a diesel it would definitely be better. The petrol engine is very refined and quiet almost like an EV until floored. Cost: 530Li costs about 10% lesser than the E220d. The only things I find lacking in the 530Li are the blinds and rear seat functions. With all the additional stuff in the BMW it was an easy win for me. I was unable to wrap my head around the thought that these 2 things would cost 7-8 L and still be missing other benefits that BMW has. Overall, we ended up going for the 530Li.

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•21h

I am currently confused between the Hyundai Creta King Diesel AT and the new Kia Seltos Diesel AT. After discounts, the Creta King Diesel AT costs around Rs. 21.6 lakh, while a similarly specced Seltos Diesel AT is around Rs. 25 lakh. I may also be able to negotiate a further discount on the Creta, whereas Kia is not offering any discount as the Seltos has been newly launched. The Seltos is based on the K3 platform and has a 5-star safety rating, while I am not clear about where the current Creta stands from a global safety perspective. I have also heard that a new Creta based on the same K3 platform as the Seltos could arrive within the next 12 months. I am unsure how that might affect its pricing, features, and discounts. Considering the Rs. 3.4 lakh price difference, safety, long-term ownership, resale value, and the possibility of a new Creta arriving soon, which one would make more sense? I am confused about whether I should take the heavily discounted Creta now or spend more on the newer Seltos.

Verified
•10h

Go for the Hyundai Creta Diesel AT at Rs 21.6 lakh - and potentially less after further discounts. The Kia Seltos Diesel AT at Rs 25 lakh is simply too much more expensive for what is essentially a very similar car underneath. Both cars use the same diesel engine and the same 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The new-gen Seltos does have a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, while the outgoing-gen Creta has not been tested by BNCAP yet, but is not an unsafe car by any means. Hyundai has a strong global safety record, and the Creta is a well-engineered product. The next-gen Creta, built on the same K3 platform as the Seltos, is at least a year away from going on sale, and will see a similar - if not greater - price jump as seen on the Seltos. Similarly, these discounts you're getting on the current model will disappear, and frankly the benefits you're getting today are too good to ignore. If you simply must have the latest tech and a bit more space, get the Seltos, but the Creta with the same features at a far discounted price gives you far more bang for your buck.

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•2d

Hey, We are planning to buy a sub-4-metre SUV, and our main requirement is good suspension for Bengaluru’s pothole-filled roads, especially as my wife is pregnant. We have shortlisted the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Mahindra XUV 3XO, and Tata Nexon. Which one would you recommend for our requirements? I was also considering a larger SUV like the Honda Elevate, but a well-equipped variant costs around Rs. 18 lakh on-road, which is beyond my budget. Could you suggest some good options in both categories? I can stretch my budget up to around Rs. 15 lakh on-road if required.

Verified
•9h

Given your priorities, the Mahindra XUV 3XO is the best fit. It has the most comfortable ride in the segment, with a suspension that deals with broken roads and potholes better than the Brezza or Nexon. The wide rear seat and good cabin space will also make a difference for your wife and family. The Brezza is the more reliable long-term ownership proposition, but its ride is not as plush as the 3XO. The Nexon is a good all-rounder, but the 3XO has the edge on ride comfort and rear seat space.On the Honda Elevate, it is a solid, reliable SUV with a comfortable ride, but at Rs 18 lakh on-road for the well-equipped variants, it is not worth stretching your budget for. The 3XO gives you a better ride and more features for less money.Overall, the 3XO is the best balance of ride comfort, space and value for your requirements. Go for the petrol automatic variant for the smoothest city driving experience.

VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
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•1d

Hello all, I am looking to buy a new car with Rs. 10-12 lakh budget. I am confused between i20 IVT hatchback and mini SUV like the Kia Sonet DCA or Tata Nexon AMT. Most of my driving is 3000 to 4000km per month on the highway. I am in Bangalore.

Verified
•16h

Given your high running of 3,000-4,000km a month on the highway, the priority should be a car that is comfortable, stable at speed and easy to live with over long distances. The Hyundai i20 IVT is a good hatchback, but at that kind of running, a compact SUV makes more sense because of the higher seating position, better ground clearance and generally more comfortable ride over broken patches. Between the Kia Sonet DCT and Tata Nexon AMT, the Sonet DCT is the better fit for your usage. The DCT is a proper automatic gearbox, which is smoother and quicker to respond than an AMT, especially on highways where quick gear changes matter during overtakes. The Sonet also feels more refined, more premium and better put together overall. The Nexon is a solid car, but the AMT gearbox is not as smooth or as enjoyable on long highway runs. The only caveat with the Sonet DCT is that dual-clutch gearboxes can get a bit jerky in heavy stop-start traffic, but on highways, they are in their element. Overall, the Sonet DCT is the best fit for your usage and budget.

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•1w

I want to buy my first car, and I have a strict budget of Rs 10 lakh. I will not use the car on a daily basis; I will drive it occasionally, and I live in Kolkata.

Verified
•5d

For a car under 10 lakh budget and occasional use, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno makes sense. It is a genuinely spacious hatchback with a comfortable ride. It's easy to drive in the city and has a proven ownership record. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and reliable, and Maruti’s service network in Kolkata is excellent, which keeps long-term running costs low.For occasional use, you want a car that is easy to live with, dependable and does not demand much attention, and the Baleno fits that brief perfectly. It also offers a good balance of features and practicality within your budget.If you prefer a slightly higher seating position, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is worth considering.

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•1w

I am planning to buy the Tata Harrier Adventure X Plus Dark Petrol Manual, and I booked it two months ago. However, I am not sure whether I will receive the car within the promised timeline. Should I continue waiting, or should I start looking at other available options? Also, could you tell me the expected waiting period for the above-mentioned Harrier variant? My annual running is roughly 6,000 km, and the Harrier's size and space suit my requirements well.

Verified
•6d

With a running of just 6,000 km a year, a petrol engine is the right choice, and the Harrier petrol is a good fit if you like the size and space. The bigger question is the waiting period. Tata’s official waiting periods can vary by city and dealer, but for the Harrier petrol, it is not unusual to see waits of 2-3 months depending on demand and allocation. If your dealer is already saying it may not arrive on time, it is worth checking with other Tata dealers in your city to see if they have a shorter queue or a cancelled booking in the same variant.If you are happy with the Harrier’s space and comfort, it is worth waiting a few more weeks rather than switching to a different car. The only reason to change would be if you need the car urgently. In that case, the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol is the closest alternative.

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•6d

Comparing VW Virtus Highline Plus 1.0 TSI Automatic with the Tata Safari Pure X turbo petrol manual. I understand segments are different. I am not confused about which car to buy. I need advice about "Should I push for the Tata Safari as I'll get a big SUV with just 2 lakhs extra" User case: I have a Tata Tiago, which I'm going to keep as 2nd car. Daily running is 15km with moderate traffic (Manual is not a problem) and monthly 1 highway trip of 200-300 kms. Family of 4 adults and a kid. Looking for best value proposition, longterm ownership, Family comfort with driving pleasure.

Verified
•1d

Given your usage and priorities, the Volkswagen Virtus Highline Plus 1.0 TSI automatic is the better fit. Your daily running is low, and the occasional highway trips do not justify the additional size and complexity of the Tata Safari. The Virtus offers a more refined driving experience, better fuel efficiency and a more manageable ownership proposition over the long term. It is also a more comfortable car for a family of four plus a child, with a spacious rear seat and a large boot. The Safari Pure X turbo petrol manual is a good value proposition for those who need the extra space and road presence, but it is not the best choice for your usage pattern. The manual gearbox will become tiresome in traffic, and the larger size will make it less convenient to live with on a daily basis. The Virtus is the more sensible and enjoyable choice for your needs. You can expect the Volkswagen Virtus mileage to be around 9 to 12 kpl in the city and 15 to 18 kpl on the highway.

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Posted on: 2 Apr 2026