Is really the clutch of bigger cars like Carens, Alcazar, XUV 700 are hard. I own a Kia Carens 2022 turbo petrol, with stop & go traffic of chennai my leg is hurting like i ran a marathon. My service centre person is saying it is common among all the carens & other bigger cars

Autocar India

•38m

Generally speaking yes, bigger, or more accurately more powerful engines can end up with a heavier clutch however it varies between models as manufacturers work on the system to lower clutch pedal effort.

As for your particular car we would recommend asking the workshop to compare your clutch pedal effort with a new Carens manual, side by side. Drive them both and this will help your pinpoint if there is a problem with your particular car. If that is the case ask them to change the clutch fluid, check the pedal bush and spring, and inspect the pressure plate and release bearing. If any of these are worn or damaged, the pedal can feel much harder than normal.

Kia Carens Front Right Three Quarter — Kia Carens

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Sumanth RJ

•25m

Hyundai, Kia cars are the smoothest ones, that is they have light clutch. So get your clutch checked, if everything else fails, ask for, change of clutch plates. It will be expensive but your left leg will thank you. Even more expensive option would be to buy an automatic.

Recommended questions for you

Prashanth G

•7h

Road grip on wet and sand surfaces is really bad on my new xev 9e. Oem tyres are good year. Are there any better alternatives in the market which can provide better grip with out disturbing the company warranty.

Autocar India

•4h

What you’re experiencing is not unusual with EVs like the Mahindra XEV 9e. The standard Goodyear tyres are tuned more for efficiency and low rolling resistance, which helps maximise range, but that does come at the cost of outright grip, especially on wet roads and loose surfaces like sand. This is further amplified by the nature of the car itself — it is a relatively powerful, rear-wheel-drive EV, and the instant torque delivery means it is quite easy to overwhelm the rear tyres if you are not very progressive with the throttle in slippery conditions.The good news is that you can upgrade tyres without affecting your warranty, as long as you stick to the same size, load index and speed rating recommended by the manufacturer. Moving to a more grip-focused tyre will make a noticeable difference in wet braking, traction and overall confidence.Do keep in mind that while better tyres will improve grip, they will not completely eliminate the characteristics of a powerful rear-wheel-drive EV. Smooth throttle inputs and careful driving in low-grip conditions will still be important. That said, upgrading from the stock tyres is a worthwhile step if you are looking for more confidence and safety in challenging conditions.

Mahindra XEV 9e

RAMDAS KAMATH

•11h

I am one of the early owners of the Mahindra XUV400, which I purchased in March 2023. So far, I have driven approximately 1,17,000 km. Apart from a few minor BMS software-related issues, the vehicle has been trouble-free, and I have not noticed any significant drop in range even after 1 lakh km. Having gotten used to driving an EV, I now find it difficult to switch back to ICE vehicles. My daily running exceeds 100 km, which also helps keep my running costs low. However, I am concerned about the future maintenance costs and resale value, as many buyers seem hesitant to purchase used EVs due to uncertainty around long-term maintenance. In my opinion, EVs are generally easier to maintain compared to ICE cars. Given this, what does the future look like for used EVs in the market?

Autocar India

•6h

The used EV market is still evolving, and while your experience with the Mahindra XUV400 has been very positive, it is important to note that battery health and long-term performance can vary depending on usage patterns, charging habits and operating conditions. Covering over 1.17 lakh km with no noticeable range drop is encouraging and reflects what many modern EVs are capable of, but it may not be identical for every user. That said, EVs do have fewer moving parts than ICE cars, which generally makes them simpler to maintain over time.At present, the biggest challenge for used EVs is buyer perception. There is still uncertainty around battery health, replacement costs and long-term reliability. It is largely because there is no widely standardised, easy-to-understand battery health certification in the resale market. This lack of transparency makes buyers cautious and affects resale values. However, as EV adoption increases, this is expected to improve with better diagnostics, longer warranties and more structured resale ecosystems.Given your high daily running, you are in a use case where EV ownership typically makes strong sense from a running cost and ease-of-use perspective. In such a scenario, it is usually more practical to continue using the vehicle and extract maximum value rather than focus on near-term resale. While the used EV market is still maturing, it is likely to become more stable and transparent over time, which should improve buyer confidence gradually.

Mahindra XUV400

Siddhaant singh

•1d

I am currently facing difficulty upgrading from a 2021 MG Hector Petrol DCT (top variant). My parents own this car and are looking for a meaningful upgrade within a budget of around ₹35 lakh. They have test-driven the Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, and Tata Sierra but were not impressed with the overall quality and comfort. They are also open to considering smaller cars, as size is not a major concern.

Autocar India

•5h

Go for the Mahindra XUV 7XO AX7 L petrol automatic for your parents, it feels like a true step up from the MG Hector in smoothness, ride comfort and overall finish, while staying within your Rs 35 lakh budget. Coming from the Hector DCT, they will straight away notice the gearbox feels calmer in slow traffic. The seats are supportive, the suspension takes bad roads well, and the cabin stays quiet, which makes long drives easier. It also brings stronger safety and driver-assist tech, a clearer 360 camera and a more modern screen setup, and Mahindra’s service reach is wide across India.One thing to be aware of is that the size of the XUV 7XO will make it a bit more cumbersome to manoeuvre in traffic than the Hector.If third row comfort matters more, look at the Toyota Innova Hycross VX(O) Hybrid. It is very quiet, easy to drive, and the third row is more usable than the Mahindra's, though it can have a long waiting period.On the test drive, do a 20-minute loop with slow stop-go traffic and a rough patch to judge the low-speed smoothness and how well the car takes bumps.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

MG Hector

Toyota Innova HyCross

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