Mumbai

•2d

I am planning to buy a new touring car and want a naturally aspirated petrol manual. The cars I have shortlisted are: Suzuki Jimny, Honda Elevate, Tata Sierra (maybe diesel?), Hyundai Creta/Kia Seltos, and Suzuki/Toyota Grand Vitara. I need advice on the best price-to-value, and general service-related problems are not an issue (I usually service my car myself). If possible, please explain the compromises, both mechanically and feature-wise.

•19m

Of your shortlist, it comes down to the Honda Elevate, Maruti Suzuki Victoris/Grand Vitara, or Toyota Hyryder, and finally the Kia Seltos.

The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is simply not practical enough for the money, and its ride isn't suitable for touring. The Sierra's 1.5 NA petrol is its weakest engine, and the diesel is expensive, and between the Creta and Seltos, we'd pick the newer Seltos as it is more modern, larger and more spacious. And though we would recommend using the official service outlets, if you are interested in servicing the vehicle yourself, the naturally aspirated petrol manual is the best bet. The good news is that all these cars will fall comfortably within your budget, too.

The Maruti and Toyota SUVs are superbly reliable and incredibly efficient, though rear-seat space is not as good as the others. The power figure is not great either, and though sufficient in the city, for your highway touring use, you might feel it wanting slightly.

The Kia Seltos' 1.5-litre petrol engine produces slightly more power, but the vehicle is also heavier, so it does not feel dramatically quicker on the highway. It is larger than the others, though, offering noticeably more cabin space, better interior quality and a stronger feature list. While it costs roughly Rs 1.5 lakh more in higher trims, you do get more for your money.

In terms of outright value, though, the Honda Elevate strikes the best balance. It is more spacious than the Maruti/Toyota, cheaper than the Seltos, and has the most powerful engine, which is also fuel-efficient and legendarily reliable. The 1.5-litre i-VTEC remains tractable at low speeds as well as strong enough on the highway. It is also backed by solid ride and handling dynamics. Downsides are that refinement isn't as good as the others, and even in top-spec guise, the feature set is not as good, though you do get the essentials. We would recommend the Honda over the others for your needs.

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More questions on similar cars

•1w

For a family of three that will soon become four, along with two elderly family members over the age of 60, I am considering the following petrol cars for long-term ownership. This includes Honda Amaze ZX/VX CVT, Honda Elevate V Manual, Kia Syros HTK Plus MT and Maruti Suzuki Fronx Alpha MT. Keeping long-term ownership, comfort, practicality, reliability, and overall ownership experience in mind, which of these would be the best choice for my requirements?

•2d

From your shortlist, we would pick the Honda Elevate V manual. For a growing family with two elders, its higher seat, wide door opening and upright rear bench make getting in and out easy, and it has good interior space and a big boot for luggage on trips. The smooth, reliable and strong 1.5 naturally aspirated petrol and manual are proven, and should be relatively hassle free for 8-10 years, and it has good ground clearance too.The next best option is the Syros, whose space efficient design gives it surprising room for a sub-four-metre vehicle. Ingress and egress are good too, which will be helpful for your elder passengers, and the HTK+ variant will get you more features than the Elevate V. However, its engines, while stronger, aren't as smooth or hassle free as the Honda's 1.5, and will cost more in maintenance over time. Plus, its suspension and ride quality are quite firm, which will be bothersome over time.The Fronx and Amaze are excellent vehicles in their own right, but for a family of four, they just don't offer as much space and practicality as the others, and thus we'd skip them. All things considered, the Honda Elevate V MT suits your needs best.

I need a car for my mother, who travels regularly between Mumbai and Pune with a driver. Occasionally, we also use it for a long family trip once a year. What would you recommend?

•2d

The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Automatic would be the recommendation here.Since your usage is predominantly on highways, the Kushaq's strengths align very well with your requirements. It feels stable and confidence-inspiring at higher speeds, offers a comfortable ride, has strong safety credentials, and its turbo-petrol engine delivers a good balance of performance and fuel efficiency. It also feels like a substantial upgrade from the Hyundai Grand i10 that you own currently in terms of refinement, comfort and long-distance ability.Another strong option is the Honda Elevate CVT. It may not feel as sporty as the Skoda, but it excels in comfort, reliability and ease of ownership. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth and proven, while maintenance costs are likely to be among the lowest in the segment.

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•3d

I am currently driving a Honda Amaze (2022 model), and I really like its engine and CVT automatic transmission. However, I have been disappointed by its low ground clearance, which once resulted in the oil sump getting damaged. Another concern has been shock absorbers, as I had to replace it twice in four years. I also feel that the ride quality is not very smooth on pothole-ridden and rough roads. I am now looking to buy a new sedan or SUV that offers the strengths of Amaze, but with better ground clearance, a more comfortable ride on rough roads, and a 4 or 5-star safety rating. My budget is between Rs. 15 lakh and Rs. 18 lakh. Which models would you recommend?

•2d

The Kia Seltos 1.5 Petrol IVT would be the recommendation here. Since you've enjoyed the refinement and smoothness of the Amaze's petrol engine and CVT, the Seltos feels like a natural upgrade. The IVT automatic is smooth in city traffic, the cabin feels significantly more premium and the higher ground clearance means you won't have to worry about scraping the underbody or damaging the oil sump on rough roads. It also offers a comfortable ride and a much more feature-rich cabin than your current car.If you'd prefer to stay within the Honda family, the Honda Elevate CVT is also worth considering. It offers excellent ground clearance, a comfortable ride and Honda's reputation for reliability. However, compared to the Kia car, the engine and transmission combination doesn't feel quite as refined, and the cabin lacks the premium feel and feature-rich experience of the Seltos.

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I have a 5kW solar connection at my house. I would like to buy an EV with a range of 500km+ on a full charge, within a budget of Rs 25-28 lakh. Which is the best option?

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The Mahindra XEV 9S and XEV 9e would both be excellent choices within your budget. The key difference comes down to your space requirements. The XEV 9S is the one to choose if you need the flexibility of a 7-seat layout, while the XEV 9e is a 5-seater with a sleeker design and more emphasis on style. Beyond that, both models share the same battery packs and electric motors, so there is little to separate them in terms of performance, charging capability or range.While both have claimed ranges comfortably above 500km, in the real world you should expect closer to 450-470km on a full charge, depending on your driving style, speed and usage conditions. Even so, that remains among the best figures available in this price range.Your 5kW solar setup is an added advantage and should help keep charging costs very low over the long term.

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•1w

I was planning to buy the Honda Amaze CVT earlier, but due to uncertainty around a higher percentage of ethanol blending, I have decided to go with the Tata Altroz diesel. But now I read that the government is also planning to blend isobutanol in diesel. Should I buy a diesel vehicle or not? Will isobutanol adversely affect diesel engines and affect fuel economy?

•5d

There is no reason to avoid either a petrol or a diesel car purely because of future fuel-blending plans.Just as modern petrol cars are being engineered to handle higher ethanol blends, any future diesel blend regulations will be accompanied by corresponding changes from vehicle manufacturers. If isobutanol blending is introduced, it will be done in a controlled manner, and vehicles sold in the market will be calibrated accordingly. There is currently no evidence to suggest that such blends would cause adverse effects on modern diesel engines when used within the prescribed limits.The more important question is whether a diesel suits your usage pattern. If your running is high and includes regular highway trips, the Altroz Diesel remains a compelling option. However, if your usage is predominantly urban, the Honda Amaze CVT is still the more sensible choice. It offers a smoother driving experience, lower complexity and none of the DPF-related concerns associated with modern diesel engines.

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•4d

Hi, I am looking to buy the Renault Kiger mid-spec AMT. Is it a good choice, or can you please recommend any other car within a budget of Rs. 8.5 lakh?

•3d

The Renault Kiger AMT is a decent choice, but the naturally aspirated 1.0-litre engine paired with the AMT gearbox can feel a bit lethargic, especially when carrying passengers or during highway overtakes. It gets the job done, but it isn't the most refined or responsive package in the segment.At your budget, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta AMT is worth serious consideration. Its four-cylinder petrol engine is smoother, more powerful and more refined than the Kiger's three-cylinder unit. The AMT gearbox is also better calibrated, making the overall driving experience more pleasant in daily use.If you prefer the higher seating position and crossover-like stance of the Kiger, then the Hyundai Exter AMT is another strong alternative. It also gets a smooth four-cylinder engine paired with a well-sorted AMT, and it feels more refined in city driving.

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