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Asked by: Cedric Carvalho Hi. I own a 2017 TUV300 T6 Plus (9-seater), and I’m looking to upgrade. My requirements are- solid safety, ample space for 4-5 passengers with luggage (a roof carrier is an option), good driving ergonomics on bad roads and rough terrain (not necessarily 4x4), reasonable running and maintenance costs, and a relatively smaller vehicle. The T6 Plus is a beast and becomes difficult to manage on narrow rural roads, so I want something more practical. Considering all your requirements, the Tata Nexon would be a good option to consider. It has strong safety with a 5-star crash test rating, a roomy cabin for 5 passengers and a big boot as well. The driving ergonomics are good too, with a light steering and smooth powertrains and should you opt for the diesel, you can expect low running costs as well. The Nexon is a sub-four-meter SUV, so it has a small footprint, but the ride and suspension cope very well over bad and broken roads. Asked by: Dr T Durganna I want to purchase a 7-seater automatic with good ride comfort, strong suspension, and top safety. I’m considering the Innova Crysta, Innova HyCross, and XUV700. Which is the better choice? Both the Toyota Innova Hycross and the Mahindra XUV700 are good options considering your requirements. Between the two, however, the XUV700 would have the edge with respect to your two requirements for ride comfort and safety. Do bear in mind, though, that a facelift is due next month, and thus, if you are going in for the Mahindra Car, we would advise you to wait. Asked by: Aravindhasamy I bought a Kia Seltos 1.5D AT in January 2024 and have driven 30,000 km. After the recent 30K service, the DPF failed. The service centre will replace it under warranty, but I want to know whether all BS6 diesel vehicles face DPF issues or if it’s mainly seen in Kia diesels. Also, can this problem occur again in the future, even though around 25,000 km of my usage is highway driving? This isn't a problem with Kia cars alone. All engines equipped with a DPF have to undergo a DPF regeneration cycle regularly. This typically happens automatically when the exhaust temperature is high enough, typically when the car is driven for 20 to 30 minutes at speeds around 60kph and above, typical of a highway drive. If this does not happen, the car will alert you via the instrument cluster, and you will have to conduct a complete cycle as instructed. The failure can occur if the warnings are ignored or due to some manufacturing defect. In any case, it is good that the dealer is replacing the DPF under warranty. Going forward, if you have frequent short trips, try and include one 30-minute highway drive at least once a week. Also, avoid long idling periods, make sure you pay attention to all alerts - in case you have ignored any - and fill fuel from a reputable pump. Asked by: Dinesh Shah I want to change my car and am considering a compact SUV with a petrol CVT automatic. My annual running is 10,000-15,000 km (about 80% city, 20% highway). My budget is up to ₹20 lakh, and the car should have the latest safety features. What is the best option? The Honda Elevate ZX CVT (Elite Pack) will be the right choice for you as it will suffice your requirements. It has a sorted petrol-CVT powertrain and is excellent to drive in the city. The ZX trim also gets good safety tech like automatic braking, lane departure, 6 airbags and more. Moreover, the ride comfort is good, and the cabin feels plush as well. It also gets an air purifier, a reversing camera with sensors and wireless connectivity, along with a large 10.2-inch touchscreen. Also, being a Honda car, it scores high on reliability, too. Asked by: Rishab garg I have just learned to drive and am buying my first car. My usage will be about 30 km daily in the city and one 500 km (one-way) trip each quarter, mostly on the highway. My priorities are safety, then cabin comfort (good seats, rear AC vents), and then mileage. Diesel is not an option. I’m deciding between the Mahindra 3XO and the Tata Nexon and am leaning toward the Nexon Pure+ S CNG. Please advise. If you've got your heart set on the Tata Nexon iCNG, go for it. It is a very practical car, and the variant that you've selected spells good value for money. The turbo-petrol-CNG combination is quite smooth, and performance is respectable too. Do keep in mind that if your daily commute includes frequent stop-and-go traffic, city efficiency could be on the lower side - around 13.4km/kg; however, on the open road, you could easily achieve around 24km/kg. Asked by: varun sachdev I am looking to buy a petrol automatic car with a budget of up to ₹8 lakh. I travel about 90 km daily in heavy city traffic (Gurgaon–Noida). Is the Hyundai Exter a good option, or can you suggest a better alternative, as mileage is a priority? I’m not interested in cars as small as the Celerio. The Hyundai Exter is a good all-rounder and will be a nice upgrade from your existing Maruti Wagon R. However, considering you drive a lot in peak traffic, an automatic would be ideal, so you could consider stretching your budget for the automatic version of the Exter. However, if you want to stick closer to your 8 lakh budget, consider the Renault Kiger 1.0-litre naturally aspirated engine. The automatic version would be only slightly above the 8 lakh mark, but you will get a car that is compact enough for the city, spacious inside, and has a good ride.In both cases, the gearbox will be an automated manual (AMT), so there will not be a significant mileage difference compared to the manual versions. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts 
