Hello, I own a Tata Nexon petrol (P) XM+(S) BS6 (January 2023), which comes with stock size of 195/60 R16 tyres. I have driven around 54,000 km. A few months ago, one tyre got punctured, and unknowingly my father drove 27–30 km on a flat tyre, causing multiple sidewall punctures. It was repaired at the time. Later, during alignment and balancing in February 2026, I decided to replace the replaced tyre with my unused stepney (from 2023) and bought one new tyre, placing the new tyre at the front and old one at the back. The very next day, the car started showing unusual vibrations from the pedal side along with noise that remained consistent even after one week of driving. Despite trying multiple tyre rotations at different shops, the issue persisted. I was advised that changing only one tyre could have caused this, and I should replace all tyres. On further advice and after watching multiple YouTube videos, I upgraded to 215/60 R16 tyres (as seen in higher Nexon variants), replacing two tyres due to budget constraints. The noise reduced, but pedal vibration remained. A mechanic then diagnosed worn front wheel bearings and disc rotors, which I replaced. However, after 3–4 days, a new “kat-kat” noise started coming while braking, along with a whistling sound during light braking. This noise appears after driving 7–8 km in the city but became constant during a hill trip to Bhimtal, even without braking. The suspension has been checked and is fine. Please advise whether this issue is tyre-related or if I should visit Tata service for a detailed diagnosis.

Autocar India

•1d

With around 1,000 km a month, two young kids and a cap of ₹14 lakh on-road, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 is the one that fits your brief best. It rides comfortably over broken city roads and speed breakers, and the rear seat is more than spacious enough for your kids. Safety is a strong point too, with a solid feel, good driver aids for this price, and mounts to fix child seats in the back. It also fits your budget in a well-equipped trim, so you are not forced into a bare-bones version. A trade-off to note: The boot is not the biggest in this price range, so if you often carry a full-size stroller plus luggage, do a quick fit check. If you prefer a more contemporary looking cabin, the Tata Nexon Creative Plus is your alternative from your list. It offers a slightly roomier boot and a very nice interior, and is easy to drive in the city, but the petrol engine feels a bit less smooth at low speeds and Tata service quality can vary by city. The Skoda Kushaq facelift would be a good pick, but only if you can stretch your budget, as within ₹14 lakh you’ll only get the base manual model, and Skoda’s service reach is smaller. Overall, for your family use and budget, the XUV 3XO AX5 lines up best.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Tata Nexon

Skoda Kushaq

Autocar India

•1d

Given a 2018 Hexa XTA with 71,000 km and repeated turbo and so‑called DPF trouble, plus the hassles you’ve had getting parts, I would not plan to keep it for the long run. The Hexa is lovely to travel in, but Tata no longer sells it, and parts for items like the turbo, differential bits, and some trim are already in short supply. As the car crosses 80,000-100,000 km, more components wear out on a big diesel and an older automatic, which can mean longer downtime and higher bills if parts are not readily available.Before you decide, please note that a 2018 Hexa is BS4 and therefore does not normally have a DPF. If someone has called it a DPF issue, get a second opinion at a strong Tata workshop or a trusted diesel specialist. Many owners see similar symptoms from a clogged EGR, faulty sensors, or exhaust parts, not a DPF. A proper scan with the right tool can save you from chasing the wrong fix.If you still love the car and can live with waits, you can hold on, but set it up for fewer surprises. Get the turbo and intercooler pipes pressure-checked, clean the EGR and intake, refresh the automatic gearbox oil if not already done, and note exact part numbers so you can pre-order likely items. Even then, delays will remain.

Autocar India

•3h

Go for a turbo petrol SUV, and shortlist the Tata Sierra and the new Kia Seltos mid variants which just about fit in your budget. Both suit your usage well, but the decision comes down to driving feel versus long-term peace of mind.The Tata Sierra turbo petrol automatic is the better choice if you prioritise comfort and smoothness. It feels more relaxed to drive, the engine is punchy without being aggressive, and the torque converter gearbox is smoother in daily city use as well as on highways. This Tata car is also larger and more comfortable, which makes a difference during longer drives.The new Kia Seltos turbo petrol DCT is the more proven and dependable option overall. The powertrain is well-established, refinement is strong, and importantly, Kia has built a wider and more consistent aftersales network across India, which gives better ownership peace of mind. While individual experiences can vary, Kia’s service consistency across cities are generally considered more reliable than Tata’s, where service quality can still differ from dealer to dealer. The DCT gearbox of the Kia car also feels quicker and can be efficient in steady traffic, though it is not as smooth as a torque converter in stop-go conditions.So the difference is clear. The Sierra feels smoother and more comfortable to drive. On the other hand, the Seltos feels more sorted as a long-term ownership package, especially because of its more established service ecosystem.

Kia Seltos

Tata Sierra

Autocar India

•6d

Between the three, the Skoda Kylaq is the best automatic for the money. It doesn’t use an AMT but a proper 6‑speed torque-converter with the 1.0 TSI, which is smooth, robust and easily the nicest for your occasional highway runs.The Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.0 turbo also gets the same 6‑speed torque-converter auto, and while it is refined and efficient, it doesn’t have the same solid, European feel or driving dynamics as the Kylaq. However, from an overall cost-of-ownership point of view - price, fuel efficiency and service, the Fronx is likely to work out cheaper.The Tata Nexon in your budget doesn’t get a torque-converter. You mainly have a 6‑speed AMT, which is convenient but nowhere near as smooth or quick as a proper automatic. There is also a 7‑speed DCA dual‑clutch option, which is noticeably better than the AMT, but still not as seamless as the autos in the Kylaq and Fronx, and it can push the price higher.For 11-13 lakh, 1,000km a month in the city and the odd long drive, we would pick the Kylaq auto. If budget discipline and running costs are top priority, go for the Fronx 1.0 turbo automatic.

Skoda Kylaq

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Tata Nexon

Autocar India

•2d

Between the two, the Tata Safari does a great job of projecting toughness. It feels solid, has that reassuring heft, and its suspension setup really shines on broken roads and you can carry speed with confidence and it just shrugs off rough patches.That said, the Mahindra XUV 7XO is the more rounded package overall. Its 2.2-litre diesel is not just more modern, but also noticeably smoother and stronger than the older Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre unit in the Safari. It delivers better drivability in everyday conditions, which makes a difference in city use as well as on the highway.Mahindra car has also worked well on the suspension, and the improvements show. The 7XO feels more composed, offers better ride comfort over a wider range of surfaces, and is simply easier to drive. It has lighter controls, better balance, and a more user-friendly nature overall.Where the Safari still holds an edge is in the third row. It’s more usable and accommodating, whereas the 7XO’s last row is quite tight and best reserved for occasional use.So unless third-row space is a priority, the 7XO stands out as the better all-rounder. It’s more refined, easier to live with, and ultimately the more modern SUV.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Autocar India

•6d

Go for the Tata Sierra torque converter. The key difference lies in how these gearboxes behave in the real-world conditions. The Seltos turbo-petrol DCT is quick and exciting, but in slow, crawling traffic, it can feel hesitant and slightly jerky, as it constantly works the clutch. This is not ideal for long-term ease in heavy city conditions. The Sierra’s torque converter is the opposite. This Tata car is smoother at low speeds, more forgiving in stop-go traffic, and generally better suited to this kind of usage, making daily driving far less tiring.There is a trade-off, though. Torque converter automatics are typically less fuel efficient than DCTs, and in a large, heavy car like the Sierra, you will notice this in real-world mileage. So, you are essentially choosing smoothness and durability over outright efficiency.

Tata Sierra

Kia Seltos