I earn a take-home salary of Rs 80,000 and currently own a 2014 Alto 800. Which car should I upgrade to for better safety and modern features?

Autocar India

•4d

It really depends on how much down payment you are comfortable putting in, because your EMI target of Rs 15,000 to 20,000 can get you very different cars depending on the loan tenure and upfront payment.That said, for a first car that is easy to drive, safe, comfortable and still feels special, one of the strongest picks today is the Skoda Kylaq Signature automatic. Skoda’s official pricing puts the Signature automatic in a range where, with roughly Rs 2.3 down payment and a 7 year loan, your EMI can sit broadly in your target bracket. The turbo petrol engine feels punchy without being intimidating, the torque converter automatic is smooth and fuss free, and the size is just right for a first time buyer.If you want to spend less and prioritise maximum ease of use, the Hyundai i20 IVT is another excellent first car. It is easier to drive than most SUVs, the IVT automatic is extremely smooth in traffic, and ownership is straightforward. You give up the higher seating position of an SUV, but for urban use, it is arguably an even easier first car.

Skoda Kylaq

Hyundai i20

Autocar India

•1d

From a pure product perspective, Audi’s cars like the A4, Q3 and the Q7 remain genuinely strong. Cabin quality is excellent, refinement is top-notch, quattro-equipped models are hugely capable, and the overall ownership experience can be perfectly satisfying. Where Mercedes and BMW currently have the edge is brand momentum, product freshness and showroom pull. Mercedes has the broadest luxury portfolio, while BMW arguably has the more engaging cars to drive in several segments. Audi, by comparison, has felt quieter in recent years, with fewer headline launches and slightly less buzz.Audi India remains committed, and service support for existing owners is not a concern in the way people sometimes fear.

Audi A4

Audi Q5

Audi Q7

Autocar India

•3d

The low ground clearance of BYD Seal is something you can live with, especially if you're used to driving sedans. Its nose sits low and the distance between the wheels is long, so tall, badly built breakers and sharp ramp crests can make it touch, especially with four or five people and luggage. However on regular speed breakers, it is likely to clear if you slow right down, and you don't necessarily need to take them at a slight angle.The underbody and battery are protected, so even if it scrapes a few times, it should not be a cause of concern, however, it will feel gut-wrenching to hear the underbody scrape over the unscientifically-built speed humps.Before finalizing, if your daily route has extra-tall breakers or a tricky ramp, take a test drive on that exact path. If it clears there, you’ll be fine in regular use.

BYD Seal