Latest questions
Asked by: S CHATTERJEE I’m choosing between two cars - the MUV Kia Carens Clavis and the SUV Mahindra Thar ROXX. My ownership horizon is 5 years with an annual running of 10,000-15,000 km, and I have a family of five. I like both vehicles, but need advice: which one would you recommend and which would you avoid, and why? Please consider practicality, space and comfort for five passengers, running costs, safety, and long-term suitability. As I'm sure you know, these are both very different vehicles, but the good news is that each one is very capable in its own right. Both offer petrol and diesel engines, as well as manual and automatic gearboxes, so you should be able to find a variant that suits you. The Kia Carens Clavis is the more sensible option, with more fuel-efficient engines, a more spacious cabin - even if you only use 5 of the 7 seats - and better features. However, it's not very exciting. The Mahindra Thar Roxx, on the other hand, is the more emotional choice, with more power and performance, and great road presence. However, its ride is not comfortable, and because of its high floor height, entering and exiting is not easy for elderly people. Your usage is not extremely high, so you could choose the Thar if you are prepared to live with its shortcomings. Asked by: Piyush Kanthak Hello Team Autocar, I currently own a 2007 Maruti SX4 (manual) and want to upgrade to an automatic car within ₹25 lakh on-road (Bangalore). My driving is 90% city, so I need a smooth, reliable, and comfortable car for family use. Must-haves: 360° camera (for my dad), panoramic sunroof (for my mom), and light-coloured interiors. I also enjoy driving and care about performance, but I’m unsure whether to choose a turbo-petrol DCT (performance) or stick with NA / IVT / torque-converter AT for long-term reliability. Which automatic options would you recommend and why? Given your budget and requirements, the Hyundai Creta turbo-petrol DCT would be a good option for you. It's got the features you're looking for (360-degree camera and panoramic sunroof). Also, the cabin is comfy, and the top-spec Creta King also comes with light coloured interiors. It's powered by a punchy 160hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, so you'll enjoy the performance too. This Hyundai car has been proven to be stress-free to live and new-age dual-clutch automatic gearboxes are also reliable, so that shouldn't be an issue. The Creta can also be had in the sportier N Line guise, which gets styling tweaks inside and out and some minor mechanical tweaks. Asked by: Siddharthan I currently own a 2020 Toyota Vellfire with ~65,000 km on the clock, and I’ve received an offer for ₹65 lakh. I’m considering selling it to buy the MG M9 EV MPV, which costs ₹75 lakh. My annual usage is just 2,500-3,000 km, mostly intercity trips to Chennai, Bangalore, etc. Would you advise me to sell the Vellfire and switch to the MG M9 EV, considering costs, depreciation, and suitability? It really depends on why you want to sell the Toyota Vellfire, because moving to the MG M9 would not seem like a big upgrade. The Vellfire is very comfy and well-equipped, as is the M9; thus, buying the MG car would feel more like a lateral move than a step up in this regard. Moreover, a mileage of 65000 km on your car isn't a lot at all, especially for a Toyota car. Thus, you could keep the Vellfire, assuming there are no other issues with it. Where the M9 would be feel better is with the electric powertrain, which would give you lower running costs and a refined and silent drive. Asked by: Kaustubh Warde I’m planning to buy a new car for my elderly parents, and I’m confused between the Honda Elevate, Toyota HyCross, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Slavia, and Honda City. Which car would you suggest??? The Toyota Innova HyCross is a six or seven-seater, available at a much higher price point than the other options listed. If your parents are solely chauffeur-driven, then go for the Toyota Hycross. If they are self-driven, the Honda Elevate and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder are both good options, for their high seating, which makes getting in and out easy, as well as their user-friendliness. The Elevate's slightly stronger engine performance and smoother CVT give it an edge over the Hyryder Petrol-AT, when it comes to driving pleasure. Asked by: Bhupendra Charan My monthly running is around 1,600 km, and I’m torn between getting a Victoris CNG or a Tata Nexon EV. Which one is a better buy considering running cost, maintenance, and long-term value? Choosing between a CNG and an EV is largely dependent on your driving environment. If you are driving predominantly in the city, an EV would be a lot more affordable and convenient. However, if your driving includes highways and out-of-station trips, an EV presents several challenges, such as charging time, waiting, and uncertainty about charger functionality. A CNG would be a better buy if you frequently drive out of the city, where chargers are not frequent. If so, the Tata Nexon CNG would be a better option. While the Maruti Victoris is larger in size, the Nexon has more features and equipment for a lesser price. The dual-cylinder design on the Nexon results in just as much boot space as the Victoris, and the CNG tank capacity is more too. What also helps the Nexon is the more powerful engine, a 6-speed manual gearbox and a better-equipped cabin with panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, a larger touchscreen and better audio. The Fearless Plus variant will offer a well-rounded package Asked by: Sai Kumaran I currently own a 2015 Hyundai i10 Sportz (IRDE2) with 40,000 km on the clock. After 10 years I want to upgrade to a petrol SUV (budget under ₹15 lakh). I prefer a non-turbo petrol car with cruise control, automatic climate control, rear defogger, ORVM indicators, and LED lights. My driving is mostly city with occasional highway trips. Which SUV offers the best build quality and after-sales service that meets these requirements? The Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol MT S (O), which costs Rs 13.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Chennai), would be ideal for you. It fits within your budget, comes with all the features you want, and it has a refined 115hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. Since you own a Hyundai car, you'll also be familiar with the brand's good after-sales service and stress-free ownership. Apart from the features you've mentioned, the Creta S (O) also gets alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, 6 airbags, TPMS, an 8-inch touchscreen and much more. Asked by: Nitin Vaswani I want to buy a new automatic car within an on-road budget of ₹12–14 lakh. My monthly running is around 200 km in heavy city traffic, with only a couple of highway trips each year. I prefer a car with good interiors, reliable service support, and features like a 360° camera. Which models should I consider? The Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT and Tata Altroz 1.2 petrol DCT, both get excellent, smooth automatic transmissions, as well as a 360-degree camera. Between the two, the Tata car gets our vote for its spaciousness, value, and overall robust build. The Toyota Taisor Turbo AT and Maruti Fronx Turbo AT with the 360-degree camera will be relatively pricier. However, these brands have a better reputation for service and maintenance. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts 
