Siwan

•11h

We are planning to buy a petrol car but are unable to make a concrete decision due to the ongoing ethanol blending crisis. I belong to a middle class family and I wish to own the car for long term but there is an uncertaininty due to the government policies regarding Indian oil market in the near future. There is no in-built garage in our house and no CNG refilling pump is available in our locality at the moment. Therefore, petrol car is the only option left. What can be the fate of the E20 compliant petrol engines in a situation when fuels with more than 20% ethanol blending will be the norm. According to that, suggest me which car should I buy and when should I buy it?

•3m

Do not let the ethanol blending policy delay your purchase. India is currently at E20, and there is no official roadmap or timeline for blends beyond that. Modern E20-compliant petrol engines are engineered with sufficient tolerance for E20, and the impact is largely limited to a small drop in fuel efficiency. There is no evidence to suggest that E20-compliant engines will suddenly become unreliable or unusable if the government were to increase the blend in the future.

Your situation is clear: no home charging, no CNG pumps nearby, and a desire for long-term ownership. Petrol is the right choice. If you are concerned about running costs, consider a hybrid like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid or Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid. These cars deliver significantly better fuel efficiency in city driving and reduce your dependence on fuel price fluctuations.

Buy the car that best suits your needs today. Do not wait for hypothetical policy changes. The current E20-compliant petrol cars are designed for long-term ownership, and there is no reason to believe they will become obsolete in the near future.

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Toyota

Urban Cruiser Hyryder

from ₹13.09 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Victoris

from ₹12.18 Lakh

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•2d

I stay in Hyderabad and travel 25-30 km daily. I go out once in a month covering approximately 600km. I have recently sold my XUV 700 diesel and am confused whether I should go for an electric car or hybrid petrol. My budget is approximately 20 lakh (can extend it by 2 lakh). Please guide.

•1d

With a 25-30 km daily commute and a monthly 600 km highway trip, the decision comes down to charging convenience and long-term ownership. If you have reliable home charging, an EV like the Tata Nexon EV or Hyundai Creta Electric makes strong financial sense. Your daily running is well within their range, and the low running costs will add up over time. The Creta Electric is a proven product and offers a more modern cabin and a more premium feel than the Nexon EV.If you do not have home charging or are not comfortable planning charging stops on your monthly highway trips, a hybrid is the safer choice. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the best fit in your budget. It delivers excellent fuel efficiency in the city and on the highway, and you never have to worry about charging.Given your usage, the EV is the better financial decision if home charging is available. If not, the Victoris Hybrid is the more practical long-term ownership proposition.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Creta Electric

Tata Nexon EV

•3d

My budget is approximately Rs. 15 lakh, and I want to go for an automatic car. Most of my driving is in city traffic in the NCR. Please advise me between the Brezza and the Victoris. Which variant offers the best value for money?

•2d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza automatic. With a budget of around Rs 15 lakh and mostly city driving in NCR, the Brezza is the more sensible choice. The naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the six-speed torque converter automatic is smooth, reliable and well-suited to stop-start traffic. This Maruti Suzuki car is also a proven product with Maruti's extensive service network, which is a big advantage for long-term ownership in NCR.With the Victoris, you get a larger car, but your budget will only allow for the VXi, which lacks some features compared to the Brezza ZXi. If space is more important to you than features, then the Victoris is a solid choice. If not, the Brezza is a better balance of features and value.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

•1d

First heavy rain of the season and the panoramic sunroof on my Victoris let in a small amount of water near the seal. Booking a service appointment before it becomes a bigger issue.

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•3d

I am planning to buy a new car under 20-25 lakh for the next ten years. I have considered two cars Seltos DCT GTX(A) and Kushaq 1.5 Monte Carlo DSG but am afraid of the mileage and if I go with an EV, I am afraid that infrastructure will not be that good. I drive daily for 10-15 km and take 2-3 trips in a year on highway. Should I buy the car now or wait for Seltos Hybrid? Will it cost an additional 2-3 lakh or will it be value for money for my driving. Should I consider another car?

•2d

With a daily running of just 10-15 km and only a few highway trips a year, fuel efficiency and long-term reliability should be your top priorities. The Seltos DCT GTX+ and Kushaq 1.5 DSG Monte Carlo are both excellent cars, but their turbo-petrol engines and dual-clutch gearboxes are not the most efficient or the most stress-free choices for predominantly short city runs. The DCT/DSG gearboxes are at their best on open roads, and in stop-start city traffic they can feel a bit jerky and are not as smooth or as durable as a torque converter automatic over the long term.The Seltos hybrid is worth waiting for if you are not in a hurry. It is expected to be priced roughly Rs. 2-3 lakh above the equivalent petrol variant, and for your usage pattern it will make more sense than the turbo-petrol DCT. Hybrids deliver their biggest efficiency gains in city driving, and over a 10-year ownership period the fuel savings and smoother driving experience will more than justify the premium.If you want to buy now, the Kia Seltos IVT (naturally aspirated petrol with CVT) is the better choice for your usage. It is smooth, reliable and well suited to city driving, and you will not be paying a premium for performance you will rarely use. The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the torque converter automatic is another good option if you prefer a more engaging driving experience, but the Seltos IVT is the more refined and hassle-free choice.EVs are not the right fit for you at the moment given your concerns about charging infrastructure and your low daily running. The savings are not significant enough to justify the compromises.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

•3d

I’m planning to buy my first car and would appreciate some suggestions. My budget is around Rs. 13-15 lakh ex-showroom, and I’m planning to register the car under the BH series. Safety is my top priority, so I strongly prefer a car with a 5-star safety rating, preferably from Global NCAP. An automatic transmission is a must. The car will mainly be used for weekend family trips and highway drives rather than daily commuting. Since it will be a family car, I’d prefer something that looks classy and elegant while offering good comfort. A premium-looking interior would be a plus, and features such as leather/leatherette upholstery and ventilated seats would be nice to have, but they aren't deal-breakers. At the same time, I don’t want a car that is purely comfort-oriented. I enjoy driving, so I’d like something with a good engine, enjoyable handling, and a fun-to-drive character. Good rear-seat comfort and reasonable luggage space for family trips would also be appreciated.

•2d

Based on your requirements, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the recommendation. It strikes the right balance between safety, driving enjoyment and family usability. The 1.0 TSI engine is strong, the handling is engaging, and the car feels solid and confidence-inspiring on the highway. The interior feels premium, and while it may not be the largest in its segment, overall comfort is quite good. If you prefer the look of the VW Taigun, it offers largely the same experience as the Kushaq. The Renault Duster 1.3 DCT is also a strong alternative, offering excellent driving dynamics and a larger cabin. Overall, though, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is the car that best aligns with your requirements.

Hi Experts! I am a first-time car buyer and a new driver. I want to buy a sub-4-meter SUV. My daily usage will be between 25- 30 km. It is mostly for city driving in Delhi NCR. I intend to buy an automatic and like the Kylaq as an option. But my understanding is that it is expensive to maintain. Among other options that I am considering are the Venue and the 3XO. However, Venue has DCT, which I understand is not great for city driving. Could you give me some more guidance on maintenance of the Kylaq and, generally, if I have to choose among these 3, what should be the best option? To clarify, my budget is 12-15 lakhs. I have already looked at the Brezza as an option but did not like the feel of it. Sonet has been disregarded because there is a new Sonet coming next year. Thank you for your input!

•6d

Go for the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI automatic. This Skoda car is the best fit for your usage and budget. The Kylaq uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic, which is smooth, reliable and well suited to stop-start traffic. It is not a DCT, so you do not have to worry about overheating or jerkiness in city conditions. The 1.0 TSI engine is proven and has a good ownership track record. Skoda's maintenance costs are not significantly higher than Hyundai or Mahindra, especially with service packages available. The Kylaq is also one of the best driver's cars in the segment, with a solid, planted feel and good ride quality.The Hyundai Venue DCT is a good choice but not ideal for your usage, as DCT gearboxes are not ideal for heavy city traffic. The Mahindra XUV 3XO is a strong alternative. It is spacious, feature-rich and has a good torque converter automatic gearbox, but it does not feel as engaging to drive as the Kylaq. Since you have already ruled out the Brezza and Sonet, the Kylaq is the clear recommendation. It will give you the best ownership experience and driving enjoyment over the next 5-10 years.

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