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•13h

Dear Autocar team, I am planning to buy a petrol automatic SUV priced under Rs 20 lakh. I have been considering the Tata Sierra petrol automatic but am concerned about Tata's after-sales service. My key requirements are comfortable seating for four to five adults, a spacious midsize SUV rather than a compact SUV, strong safety standards and build quality, and modern features such as a 360-degree camera. Which options should I consider?

•17m

Based on your requirements, the Tata Sierra turbo-petrol automatic is a good fit. It is a genuinely spacious midsize SUV with a wide cabin that comfortably accommodates five adults. Plus, it offers a premium interior with a good feature set, including a 360-degree camera. Safety and build quality are also among its key strengths.

Your concern about Tata's after-sales service is understandable, and the experience continues to vary depending on the dealership.

If you are looking for alternatives, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is an excellent option. The petrol engine isn't as powerful, but Kia's ownership experience is generally more consistent compared to Tata's. The Hyundai Creta is due for a full generation change in 2027, so it is not the best time to buy one.

Overall, the Sierra turbo-petrol automatic remains the best fit for your requirements. If you are still concerned about after-sales, the Seltos is the safer ownership choice, but you will be compromising on cabin and boot space.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Sierra

from ₹13.33 Lakh

Kia

Seltos

from ₹12.76 Lakh

Hyundai

Creta

from ₹12.66 Lakh

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•2d

I'm planning to buy a new car with an on-road budget of up to Rs. 30 lakh in India. I want a car that offers excellent comfort, low running costs, and a relaxed driving experience for my daily commute. 1. My Driving Profile -Average monthly driving: 2,500 km -Driving conditions: 60% suburban roads and Highway and 40% city traffic -Long-distance trips: One or two trips per month -Current car: 2017 Maruti Suzuki Baleno, manual transmission 2. Comfort and Ergonomics I'm approximately 6 feet tall and currently experience fatigue and leg pain during my daily commute in my manual Baleno. My top priority is to find a car with: -An automatic transmission for easier driving, especially in traffic. -Excellent front-seat comfort and adequate legroom. -Good driving posture, lumbar support, and adjustable seating. -A comfortable suspension setup for daily commuting and long journeys. -Low cabin noise and minimal driver fatigue. 3. Running Costs and Powertrain -Low running costs and excellent overall energy efficiency are important. -I have charging facilities available at home, so I'm open to considering an electric vehicle (EV). -I'm also willing to consider petrol, diesel, or hybrid vehicles if they offer better overall value. -I want to compare energy or fuel costs, maintenance, insurance, and long-term ownership costs. 4. Family Requirements -The car will primarily be used for my daily commute. My family occasionally travels with me, so rear-seat comfort is also important. -I'm open to both 5-seater and 7-seater options, provided the car meets my comfort and cost requirements. 5. Budget and Ownership -Maximum on-road budget: Rs. 30 lakh -I want a reliable car that offers good value for money over long-term ownership. -I plan to use the car for several years, so durability, battery longevity (for EVs), resale value, and total cost of ownership matter. Please suggest a car.

•11h

Based on your requirements, the Hyundai Creta Electric is a solid choice. With a 2,500 km monthly running and home charging available, an EV makes strong financial sense, and the Creta Electric stands out for its comfort, refinement and ease of ownership. The front seats are well-cushioned with good lumbar support, the driving position is comfortable for taller drivers, and the suspension is well-tuned for both city and highway use. The cabin is quiet, the ride is comfortable, and the overall driving experience is relaxed and effortless, which will significantly reduce fatigue compared to your Baleno. Running costs are low, maintenance is minimal, and Hyundai's service network is strong. The Creta also offers a spacious rear seat and a practical boot, making it suitable for occasional family trips. If you prefer a petrol option, the Kia Seltos 1.5 IVT automatic is the best alternative. It offers excellent seat comfort, an efficient engine, and a comfortable ride, but the Creta Electric is the better long-term ownership proposition given your usage pattern.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Kia Seltos

•1d

Hi, I'm planning for a reliable car for my family for long term ownership. Mostly, I drive within the city with monthly average of 300-500 km and take 2-3 long trips in a year. I had shortlisted Seltos HTX petrol. However, I'm getting recommendations to go with Harrier base under my budget. Should I opt with Seltos or Harrier?

•16h

Go for the Kia Seltos HTX petrol. With your usage of 300-500 km a month and mostly city driving, petrol is the right choice, and the Seltos is a very well-rounded car. It is comfortable, easy to drive in the city, has a good feature set in the HTX trim, and Kia’s service network is strong. The Harrier base is a bigger, heavier car and is better suited to buyers who do a lot of highway driving or need the extra space and ruggedness. For your usage, the Seltos will be easier to live with, more efficient and a better fit overall. The only reason to consider the Harrier would be if you specifically need the larger size and more rugged nature, but for your requirements the Seltos is the smarter choice.

Kia Seltos

Tata Harrier

•5d

Hello Autocar Team, I’m planning to buy a Tata Sierra diesel and would really value your advice. I’ll be driving mostly in Hyderabad, with city traffic accounting for the majority of my usage and occasional highway trips. Could you please help me with a few questions? 1. Is the Tata Sierra a good buy right now? How is it performing in the market, and has it been a sales success or a flop? 2. What is its real-world diesel mileage in city traffic and on highways, based on your tests? 3. How are its build quality, reliability, and long-term ownership prospects? 4. How good are Tata’s service network, spare parts availability, and running costs, especially in Hyderabad? 5. Given my annual running of around 12,000-15,000km, is the diesel worth the premium, or would the petrol version make more sense? 6. How does it compare with rivals such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Mahindra XUV700 for my usage? Thank you for your time. I look forward to your guidance.

•3d

Given your usage of 12,000-15,000 km a year, the Tata Sierra diesel makes sense. It is certainly worth the premium over the turbo-petrol version due to its real-world fuel efficiency advantage. In our tests, the diesel-automatic version returned 11.5kpl in the city and 14.5kpl on the highway, but with smoother-flowing traffic, you could extract even better efficiency; the diesel-manual is likely to deliver even better numbers.To answer the second part of your question, this Tata car is well accepted by the market, and it is Tata's third-best-seller (after Nexon and Punch), even outselling the Tata Tiago hatchback in some months.The Sierra is a solidly built SUV, and Tata has made improvements in reliability over the past few years. That said, owners have report some niggling issues, and Tata's service experience isn't consistent and it can be a hit-or-miss. The engine however seems largely reliable, and mechanically, it seems sound.The Sierra stands out for its impressive road presence, excellent ride comfort, and spacious cabin and large boot, making it a better family car than the Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos. Its engine refinement isn't as good as its Korean rival, and it still lacks their finesse. The Mahindra XUV 7XO belongs to a segment above - it is larger in size, pricier, and its diesel engine is far more refined, punchier and overall it feels like a more sophisticated SUV. If the Sierra diesel has bowled you over, go for it - it is a good car. But if you can stretch your budget, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the better buy.

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

I want a foreign-made SUV. I currently own an Elevate and now, I want another one. Can you guide me whether I should go with Skoda Kushaq, Hyundai Creta or Volkswagen Taigun?

•6d

Since you already own a Honda Elevate and are looking for a foreign-made SUV, the decision really comes down to what you want from your second car. The Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are essentially the same car underneath, so the choice between them is more about brand preference and dealership experience. Both are excellent to drive, with strong turbo petrol engines and a more engaging driving experience than the Creta. The Kushaq tends to offer slightly better value for money, while the Taigun has a marginally more premium interior feel.The Hyundai Creta, on the other hand, is the safer, more rounded choice. It is more comfortable, has a wider service network and is generally easier to live with over the long term. It may not be as engaging to drive as the Skoda or Volkswagen, but it is the more sensible ownership proposition.If you are looking for a car that feels different from your Elevate and enjoy driving, go for the Skoda Kushaq. If you want a hassle-free ownership experience, the Hyundai Creta is the better choice.

Please advise which car would be the best choice for long-term ownership: the Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Volkswagen SUV, or any other suitable option. My priority is reliability, long-term durability, and hassle-free ownership over the next 10 years or more. I would appreciate suggestions based on real-world ownership experience, maintenance costs, spare parts availability, and after-sales support.

•1d

For long-term ownership, the Mahindra Scorpio N is the safest recommendation from your shortlist. It has a proven track record, robust mechanicals and a strong service network, making it a dependable choice for 5-10 years of ownership. The Tata Harrier and Tata Safari have improved significantly, but the Scorpio N still has the edge on long-term reliability and ownership confidence. The Jeep Compass is a good product, but it is now an ageing model and does not offer the same value proposition as the Scorpio N. If you are open to alternatives, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is worth considering. It is a more modern product with a better balance of comfort, features and refinement, and it is a strong long-term ownership proposition as well. The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are excellent driver's cars, but they are smaller and do not offer the same level of space or road presence as the Scorpio N or XUV 7XO.

Hi Autocar Team, I am planning to buy a seven-seater car. I have test-driven the Renault Triber Turbo and Citroen Aircross X and was impressed by what both offer at their price points. However, the Aircross put a wide smile on my face. As a current Maruti Suzuki user, I did not consider the Ertiga because it feels similar to our Swift. I liked the Aircross X but am sceptical about Citroen's service network and spare parts availability. However, there are three Citroen showrooms within 45 km of my place. Please suggest which car I should choose. My budget: Rs. 15 lakh Current vehicle: Second-generation Maruti Suzuki Swift petrol (2017) Annual usage: Around 10,000 km, with a 50:30:20 split between town, highway and city driving Requirement: A seven-seater car

•4d

The Citroen's interiors feel more special, its engine is more powerful, and its ride-handling balance is outstanding; however, for seven adults, it won't be as comfortable as the Triber.In fact, the Triber's superb packaging makes it genuinely comfortable for passengers in all three rows, despite its compact sub-4-meter dimensions. The new turbo-petrol engine makes it an effortless performer, and its ride quality feels very mature too. Moreover, the Triber Turbo is also much more affordable in comparison, making it outstanding value for money. Yes, the Aircross X will appeal to your heart, but given Citroen's limited service network and cramped third row, the Triber Turbo is the more sensible choice.

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