Delhi

•4h

Hi, I am considering a petrol automatic SUV under Rs 18 lakh. My daily office commute in Panipat is around 6km each way, with occasional trips to my hometown, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, and other tourist destinations. My annual running is around 6,000-8,000 km. My priorities are reliability, a 5-star safety rating, hassle-free servicing, good value for money, cruise control and enough seating space for five people. I do not want a sunroof, although it is not a deal-breaker if the car has one. What are my options? Please rank your top three recommendations.

•4m

We would recommend the Kia Seltos HTK IVT. It fits the budget and offers a good combination of a smooth petrol automatic, spacious cabin, useful features and a five star Bharat NCAP safety rating. The HTK variant also gets cruise control, which is an important requirement. Its naturally aspirated 1.5 litre petrol engine and IVT gearbox should work particularly well for the short daily commute, while being comfortable enough for occasional highway trips.

The Honda Elevate CVT would be our second choice for its straightforward powertrain and practical cabin, while the Hyundai Creta IVT takes third place as a comfortable, well-equipped alternative.

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Kia

Seltos

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Honda

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from ₹13.69 Lakh

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•1d

Hi team, I plan to drive around two or three times a year, covering nearly 1,200km one way to reach my hometown. I will be travelling with four family members, including senior citizens. I am looking for an automatic car that offers a comfortable ride for everyone, ideally without having to stop along the way. What would you recommend?

•1h

You haven't mentioned your budget, so it'll be difficult to give you an accurate response. Given that you're upgrading from a Fronx, you could consider the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Strong Hybrid. It is a comfortable car, and its hybrid powertrain is exceptionally efficient too. In theory, with a 45-litre fuel tank and claimed 28.65 kpl mileage, it is possible to drive 1,200km non-stop.Alternatively, you could consider a Kia Seltos diesel-automatic, although with its 47-litre tank and claimed 17.8kpl, you will have to stop to refuel, at least once along the way. Ideally, we would recommend that you take periodic stops on such long drives, particularly to avoid driver fatigue.Both of these cars are comfortable four-seaters.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

•1d

Kia dealers are giving 40 thousand discounts on Seltos currently. Are you people getting more somewhere?

•3d

Hi team, I am planning to buy my first car and am looking forward to your recommendation. My budget is Rs. 20 lakh (on-road) that I can stretch slightly for clearly more value. I need a 5-seater that I can keep for more than 10 years. My running is around 8,000-10,000 km annually which is mostly within the city and I also travel occasionally on Ajmer-Noida highway (around 420 km one way). My hometown is Ajmer where I have my own parking and rooftop solar (6 kW sanctioned load). The car will stay there most of the time and will be registered in Rajasthan. But I have a doubt. I work in Noida where I have no parking or charging at home or at the office. I am not sure where my next job will be and I might have to take the car may move with me in a few years. My priorities are safety, reliability, low long-term ownership cost and good service support. Features come second in priority. I'm in no hurry to buy the car and can wait a few months. For this usage, which powertrain makes the most sense for an ownership of over 10 years among petrol, strong hybrid or EV? Which car and variant would you advise in this budget? Should I buy a car now, or is there an upcoming launch worth waiting for?

•1d

For your usage, a strong hybrid like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris makes a lot of sense. You won't have to worry about charging in Noida or during your long highway trips, while the hybrid system should help you save a considerable amount on fuel, given that most of your driving is within the city.Maruti has the widest service network in India, so no matter where your job takes you, a service centre shouldn't be too far away. Maruti also has a strong reputation for reliability, which is important since you plan to keep the car for a long time. The Renault Duster Hybrid is another excellent option. Although the brand's limited service reach could be an issue if you're transferred to a remote location.Among upcoming cars, the Kia Seltos Hybrid also fits your requirements, although it may stretch your budget. Overall, the Victoris is the best fit for your needs at this time.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Kia Seltos

Renault Duster

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•2d

I’m a first-time car buyer and I’m confused between the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Delta (Rs 12.7 lakh on-road), the Brezza VXi automatic (Rs 11.4 lakh) and the Brezza ZXi manual (Rs 11.5 lakh). I’m not sure how much of my driving will be in the city and how much on the highway. If I choose the automatic, I’ll miss out on many features that come with the Brezza ZXi and the Grand Vitara Delta. Is it okay to give up those features and choose the VXi automatic?

•2d

It is a tricky choice, but we would lean towards the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi automatic. In today's increasingly congested traffic conditions, the convenience of an automatic transmission is something you will appreciate every day. The additional features on the Brezza ZXi manual or Grand Vitara Delta may seem attractive initially, but over the years, the ease of driving an automatic is likely to matter more.The Brezza VXi AT is not poorly equipped either. It gets a touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, six airbags, ESP and hill-hold assist. You will miss out on features such as cruise control, a rear parking camera and a sunroof, but some convenience features can be added later through accessories.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

•3d

Hi team, I’m confused between the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT and ZXi MT. Both are within my budget and cost the same through the CSD (Canteen Stores Department). I drive around 700-1,000 km a month, mostly in the hills and on highways, with very little city driving. Which one should I choose?

•2d

Given your usage, we would recommend the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi manual over the VXi automatic. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, but it isn't particularly peppy. The six-speed manual makes better use of the engine's performance and gives you greater control on hilly roads, particularly when climbing or overtaking on steep gradients. The torque converter automatic is more convenient in city traffic and relaxed highway cruising, but the manual is better suited to your predominantly hilly usage.There is another option worth considering: the Brezza Turbo ZXi manual. Its 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 110hp and 170Nm, offering stronger mid-range performance and better flexibility on climbs and highway overtakes. Its low-speed response and clutch operation are also quite manageable. We would suggest test-driving both manual versions, but the Turbo would be our pick if performance is a priority.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

•1d

Hi Autocar India team, I would appreciate your advice on choosing a used automatic car for around Rs 12 lakh. I currently own a 2009 Maruti Alto LPG, which has covered 1.1 lakh km. My annual running is around 7,000km. My village is about 350km away, so I make two to three highway trips there every year. I have a family of four and want to keep my fuel expenses within Rs 5-6 lakh over the next 10 years. My priorities, in order, are an automatic gearbox, good road presence and reliability, followed by maintenance costs, as I have a close friend who is a mechanic. I want to avoid diesel cars, DCT gearboxes and gimmicky features. The Nexon, Venue and Punch feel a little too small for my needs. I would also prefer to avoid 1.2-litre three- or four-cylinder engines, as I don't want too much vibration at highway speeds. My shortlist, with all these cars test-driven and available for around Rs 12 lakh, includes the Hyundai Alcazar 2.0, Maruti Grand Vitara mild-hybrid, Hyundai Creta/Kia Seltos IVT and Honda Elevate CVT. I am also open to MPVs and sedans as a last resort. I have a few questions: 1. Which of these would you pick, and why? 2. If E30, E85 or E100 petrol is introduced, would retrofitting the Alcazar with a CNG kit make sense? I do not need the third row. 3. Are there any other used cars I should consider? 4. Would a 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid be worth considering at around Rs 6-9 lakh? 5. What about a Toyota Innova Crysta for around Rs 9 lakh? 6. Should I consider EVs? I would love to hear your opinion.

•3h

Since you don't need the Alcazar's extra third row, why not consider a Hyundai Creta 1.5 IVT instead? It is a smooth, spacious, comfortable and sensible choice. You should get a 2022-23 manufactured, well-maintained example in your Rs 12 lakh budget.Alternatively, in case you're looking for road presence, you could also consider a used Jeep Compass diesel-automatic. It is an excellent highway car, and the 2.0-litre diesel and 9-speed torque converter automatic combination will ensure that your fuel costs are in check compared to its petrol-automatic version.

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