Will the Tata Punch facelift have a CNG AMT variant?

Autocar India

•1d

No, do not add water to the radiator and coolant in the bottle separately. The radiator and the coolant bottle are part of the same closed system, so they mix anyway. You should use the same mix in both places, as per your owner’s manual - most cars need a 50:50 mix of coolant and distilled water. The easiest way is to buy premixed coolant and top up only with that.Many newer cars don’t want you to open the radiator at all; you top up only in the coolant bottle to the MAX line when the engine is cold. Check your manual.If you must top up in a pinch, use clean distilled water, but if you can only use tap water, use only enough to get you home. Then get the system drained and refilled with the correct mix soon after. If the level keeps dropping, there is likely a leak or a weak cap - get it checked. When you buy coolant, stick to the type your car brand recommends.

Autocar India

•35m

Choose the Kia Carnival 7-seat Limousine variant for a chauffeur-driven family; it gives you the most space and comfort with a truly big boot within your budget. Coming from a Crysta, you will feel a clear step up in rear-seat comfort, a lower walk-in height and a quieter cabin. Also, the list of features your family will use every day, like power sliding doors, sunblinds, and a strong rear AC. The second-row lounge chairs are great for long city runs and for your 600-700 km trip every few months, and the boot can take large suitcases even with all three rows up, which is the main win over your current car. Kia’s service reach in Chennai is wide, so upkeep should be straightforward.One thing to be aware of: the Carnival is a very large vehicle, so tight basements and narrow lanes will require careful driving. Also, running costs in heavy traffic will be higher than those of your Crysta.The MG 9 is a good option too, but only for the city, and for your long trips, you will have to rely on public charging infrastructure, which can slow you down and spoil your trip. We would suggest you stick to the Carnival simply because of your long-distance runs, where you want peace of mind.

Kia Carnival

MG M9

Autocar India

•1h

Go for the Toyota Innova Hycross VX Hybrid 7‑seater for your father’s highway plans and comfort needs, it is the most relaxed, spacious and easy-to-drive choice in your list. The strong-hybrid setup makes city and highway driving very smooth and quiet, and the automatic is an e-CVT. It is a type of automatic that doesn’t shift gears in steps, so there are no jerks in traffic. The high seat, light steering and clear view out make it friendly for a senior driver, and the second-row captain seats (in the 7‑seat) are truly lounge-like on long days. The third row is usable for adults, and Toyota’s wide service network and proven reliability mean low stress over the years. It is also the only petrol option here that consistently meets your 15 kpl aim in mixed use; the diesels can match that mainly on highways. We feel it's worth stretching your budget for the hybrid trims If you want a stronger highway punch and don’t mind diesel, the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic is a fine long-distance cruiser with lots of features, but its third row is cramped, and it's not as nimble in town. If Toyota wait times or pricing are a concern, look at the Maruti Invicto Hybrid. It drives the same way as the Hycross, with a simpler feature set, and you could get some discounts on it. Given the frequent highway usage, we don't think an EV is a good idea. Fast chargers on many routes are patchy, and stops take longer, which adds planning and stress your father does not need.Given your past low yearly use but future highway plans, the hybrid is the most sensible pick here

Toyota Innova HyCross

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Maruti Suzuki Invicto