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Asked by: Aishwarya

Hi, I’m confused between the Honda Elevate and the Honda City. My basic requirements are safety, comfort and reliability, especially on highways. I have heard that the Elevate has high NVH levels, while the City’s ground clearance and narrow tyres could be problematic. I don’t plan to do any off-roading but want to drive comfortably on ghats and long distances. I am very confused and would appreciate any advice.

Yes, NVH levels in the Honda Elevate are quite high, and thus, if it's only the ghats and long drives that you are considering, the Honda City will do just fine. Moreover, the City will be more fuel efficient than the Elevate, even more so if you get the hybrid version, thus you will save on fuel bills during your long-distance travels. The only downside of the City is that its ground clearance is low, which can be a problem on bad roads. However, if you are not going to go off-roading and the roads in your area are generally in good condition, this should not be a deal-breaker.
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Autocar India team
18 Dec' 25
Asked by: Chethan h

I am 5 ft 11 in tall and currently own a 2018 Dominar 400. I plan to upgrade to a Bear 650 for my daily commute of about 60 km each way to an office on the Outer Ring Road. I am attracted to the Bear 650’s performance but am concerned about maintenance costs. Please advise whether the Bear 650 is the best choice, and suggest other 650 cc bikes with lower maintenance.

We would advise you to look at other options than the Royal Enfield Bear 650 because we found the rear suspension to be very stiff in our time with it. This means that on less-than-perfect city roads, your back will bear the brunt of the bumps, which won't be ideal given your long daily commute.Instead, we would recommend you look at the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 because it has much better suspension comfort and will have exciting performance while also fitting in your price range. If your heart is set on a 650cc bike, then the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is the best bet for city use with its supple suspension, neutral ergonomics and creamy smooth engine. Take a test ride and decide before you buy.
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Autocar India team
18 Dec' 25
Asked by: Arshad Mohammed

I love bikes and currently ride a 2019 FZ-25 in good condition with 26,000 km on the odometer. I want a more comfortable bike for highway touring with a reliable engine and better headlight visibility at night. Please suggest suitable options.

Since you haven't specified your budget, we'll give you some options from both the same segment as well as one above. In a similar displacement and performance range as the FZ25, the Bajaj Pulsar N250 and TVS Apache RTR 200 4V are good options, and the Pulsar in particular has a great headlight spread. You should also look at the KTM 250 Adventure because it has more performance than your FZ, good highway manners and a bright headlight too. If you are open to stepping up to a 300cc machine, the TVS Apache RTX 300 will be a great option. It has even more performance than the aforementioned KTM. Moreover, its Top and BTO variants come with a very bright LED headlight that also has good spread and throw.We recommend exhaustive test rides and seeing the headlight performance of each of the bikes you shortlist for yourself before going ahead with the purchase.
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Autocar India team
18 Dec' 25
Asked by: Manindra Mukherj

I currently own a 2016 Ford Figo diesel manual with around 62,000 km on the odometer. My annual usage is about 8,000-10,000 km, mostly in bumper-to-bumper Mumbai traffic, with occasional highway trips two to three times a year. Given the traffic conditions, I am considering switching to an automatic. However, after test-driving a few petrol cars, I felt they lacked the torque and handling I am accustomed to in the Figo. Should I retain my current car for a few more years or upgrade to a new one? If upgrading, please suggest an SUV that offers strong performance with decent mileage.

If you are happy with the Ford Figo and it is running fine, you could hold on to it, however it will get progressively difficult to maintain it. Thus, if you can change it might be a good idea to do so now. Consider the Maruti Suzuki Fronx / Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor. The car will feel similar in its fun-to-drive character to your Figo, and you could opt for either the turbo or the naturally aspirated engine. The 1.0 litre turbo will be more peppy and fun to drive but given that turbo's are very sensitive to driving style, you will likely see real world efficiency figures than quote. In this regard, the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine will be better, though at a lower performance level. Test drive the two and see which you prefer.
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Autocar India team
18 Dec' 25
Asked by: Vamsi

I am a regular Autocar follower and need your guidance in choosing my next motorcycle. The bike will be used mainly for city commuting, though not in heavy bumper to bumper traffic. I have previously owned an Activa and a Honda Unicorn. I am 36 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall, and occasionally ride with a pillion and my children. I am not very focused on looks or features and am primarily looking for a comfortable, reliable motorcycle for long term ownership. Budget is not a constraint.

If you are open to the idea of a larger, premium machine, then bikes like the TVS Ronin, Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and Honda CB350 will be the options we recommend. If you want to instead go for a commuter bike, there are loads of great options in the 160cc space, such as the Honda Unicorn / SP160, Bajaj Pulsar N160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Suzuki Gixxer. Take a test ride of all the bikes you shortlist with a pillion to see what suits you best.
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Autocar India team
18 Dec' 25
Asked by: Dr shitol

I have been using a Swift Dzire diesel for 20 years and am very happy with its performance. I drive about 40 km daily, mostly local. I want to buy a new car with a slightly larger boot (around 600 litres). My requirements are minimal, but essential daily-use features are a must. My budget is under ₹16 lakh on road. Please suggest suitable options.

The Tata Sierra is an excellent option for you, keeping your big boot space requirements in mind. The Sierra boasts a boot up to 622 litres (up to the roof), which should serve your needs well. Moreover, it is a spacious car, and the Sierra Pure 1.5 Petrol MT variant that'll fit within your budget gets the basics like a touchscreen, electric mirror adjustment, keyless entry, rear AC vents, etc. Another option that you can consider for its expansive boot space is the MG Hector.
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Autocar India team
18 Dec' 25
Asked by: Sohail

I have been using a Discover 125 ST (2012 model) for the past 10 years, and my daily commute is around 30 km. I am now looking to buy a new bike and would appreciate your expertise. My requirements are good suspension to manage back pain, a comfortable seat, and good handling, as I am 6 feet tall and weigh 80 kg. I want a 125cc bike with good mileage, and braking performance is my top priority. My budget is ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh.

Taking your requirements into account, you can consider the TVS Raider and the Hero Xtreme 125R. Both are comfortable and spacious machines with decent handling capabilities. Both also gained some new variants recently. The Xtreme 125R got a new variant with dual-channel ABS, while the Raider was updated with a new variant that has single-channel ABS and a rear disc brake too. We would advise you to choose between these as braking performance is a priority for you.
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Autocar India team
18 Dec' 25
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