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Asked by: Piyush Mohanty I am looking to buy my first car, a 7-seater, within a budget of ₹20 lakh. Most of my driving will be within the city, around 500km per month, with about 1,000km of highway driving annually. The car should be easy to drive and nimble. Please suggest a suitable option. The Kia Carens Clavis is the best pick for you. It's an easy-to-drive MPV that offers comfortable seating for 7 passengers. Given your usage, we'd advise you to consider the Clavis with a petrol engine. The standard 1.5 naturally-aspirated petrol engine will be sufficient for your requirements.However, your budget allows for the more powerful turbo-petrol engine, whose added performance will come in handy, particularly on highway drives. The turbo-petrol is available with a manual gearbox, and you could also consider the dual-clutch (DCT) automatic variant for more convenience. To keep within your budget, you'll have to opt for a lower trim version of the DCT automatic, though. Asked by: Amol Deore I need a car for my family under 15 lakhs. My height is 6 ft, so smaller cars are uncomfortable for me. I would like to go for a safe & reliable car. My running is under 500km monthly, with 80% city and 20% highway. I'm okay with a pre-owned car/SUV as well. Thanks! Given your height, we feel a compact SUV will best suit your requirements. Among the models within your budget, the Kia Syros is the roomiest and will be very comfortable for your build. There's a lot of space at the back too, and the luggage room is also good.This Kia car comes packed with plenty of safety kit as standard, and has the added reassurance of a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. It is easy to drive, though the ride quality can feel slightly firm.Of the other new options within your budget, the Nissan Magnite Turbo, Renault Kiger Turbo, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and lower trim versions of the Honda Elevate and Hyundai Creta are also worth a look. Asked by: Saeesh Gawde I am a proud owner of a Renault Duster, which has now completed 9 years. The car is solid and running well, but I am thinking of upgrading. I really like my Duster. My monthly driving is around 600km. Should I wait for the new Duster or consider the XUV 7XO? You are not alone in your interest in the new Renault Duster. The original Duster has a loyal fan base, and many owners like you are keen on the new model. While we are yet to drive it, the new Duster promises the same robust build and tough suspension that differentiated the original model. The interior will also retain the hardy character, though modern features will make it a nicer place to be.What remains a question mark for now is the powertrains. The new Duster will not be offered with a diesel engine, and the only options will be a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol. How these engines work with the Duster is something we'll only know when we drive the SUV in the latter part of January 2026. Stay tuned for our review!As for the Mahindra XUV 7XO, it's essentially an updated version of the current XUV700. The model will get a new look and feature upgrades, like a three-screen layout on top versions. The powertrains will be carried forward from the XUV 700, which is no bad thing because Mahindra's petrol and diesel engines are very impressive. Just how good the package is is something we'll know in early January over our test drive. Again, do stay tuned for the review! Do note, the Duster and XUV 7XO sit in different segments. The XUV 7XO is significantly larger, will be roomier and also offers a third row of seats. The Duster, on the other hand, will be easier to live with in congested city conditions by virtue of its smaller size. PS - A three-row version of the Duster is also being readied for India for launch later in the year. Asked by: Vivek Bhargav Hello, I'm a Honda fanboy and looking to buy a new vehicle in 2026. Inclined towards a subcompact SUV. Will Honda launch the WRV? I have checked the Elevate and really liked it. But the automatic variant is above my budget. My regular usage will be on the highway, going to my hometown and back. Plus, once or twice a month 200 km one-sided and basic city runs on the weekends. While there are plans for Honda to eventually re-enter the compact SUV segment, they are unfortunately very far away. While Honda is reportedly planning 10 new model launches for India by 2030, the compact SUV will likely be one of the last of these. Honda plans to first launch CBU-imported halo products, followed by a localised midsize electric car based on the Honda Zero Alpha, then new-gen ICE and hybrid replacements for the City and Elevate on a new platform. Finally, after these, there is a chance this new platform could be scaled down to a compact SUV once the development costs have been absorbed, but given the expected launch cycle, this won't be before 2028-29.If you're really a fan of the Honda Elevate, see if you can stretch your budget to buy one new. Or better yet, check out the used market for a lightly-driven example that's not too old, which you should get at a better price. Check out Spinny for vetted and approved used examples. Asked by: Piyush I currently own a Tata Nexon XZ+ petrol manual. My daily run is about 20km. Additionally, I travel around 350km fortnightly to my parents' place. After the introduction of E20 fuel, mileage has dropped from 13-14 kmpl to 10-11 kmpl. I am planning to upgrade to a hybrid. Based on my running, could you suggest the best options below 20 lakh? We would suggest opting for the Maruti Suzuki Victoris ZXi variant, as it falls just under Rs 20 lakh on road in Vadodara, where you are based. The Victoris is very well priced, and even though the ZXi is a mid-spec variant, it comes well-equipped with all the essential features.More importantly, in terms of Victoris' mileage, you can expect over 20 kpl not just in the city but on the highway as well, which is almost double what you are currently getting with your Tata Nexon.Do note that this Maruti car does not come with a spare wheel as standard and instead gets a puncture repair kit, with a space saver spare available as an optional extra. The boot space is also slightly compromised due to the hybrid battery mounted under the boot floor. Asked by: Abhinav Sharma I have been using a Verna Diesel 1.6-litre for the past 8 years, and it has served me well in terms of fuel efficiency. My average monthly running is around 2,500km. Due to the diesel ban in Delhi NCR and the need for a more comfortable car, I am now looking to switch to an EV (XEV 9S or the Harrier EV). I am not very particular about having too many features. I have been waiting for bookings to open for the XEV 9S, but with the launch of the new Seltos, should I consider that as well? We would recommend taking a test drive of the Mahindra XEV 9S before making a final decision, as its suspension can feel a bit too soft on undulating roads.Since you are also considering the Tata Harrier EV, which is a 5-seater, it makes sense to look at the XEV 9E as well. The Harrier EV is comfortable to drive and rides well, and the dual motor AWD option is available at a lower price than the XEV 9E. The Mahindra XEV 9e, however, stands out with more features, more comfortable seats, a larger boot, better range, and faster charging.The new Seltos is a well-rounded product, but given your requirements, the running costs of the petrol automatic will be significantly higher than the electric cars you are considering. If you are keen on a Kia EV, the Carens Clavis EV is also a strong package. While it does not offer the same range as the XEV 9E or the Harrier EV, it is a polished EV with a comfortable ride, adequate performance, and a third row that is spacious and comfortable enough for adults as well. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts 
