Mumbai

Latest questions answered by experts

Nipen

Please share your views on the best car for city driving between the Kia Seltos HTK(O) CVT and the new Kushaq facelift automatic. My average daily drive is around 40km in the city.

Autocar India

•2h

Go for the Kia Seltos HTK(O) IVT (CVT) for city duty. With 40 km of daily driving, it’s the smoother choice that keeps stop‑go fatigue low.Given 40 km a day (about 1,200 km/month) in traffic, the IVT’s step‑less delivery feels calmer at 10-25kph, avoiding the small 1–2-3 shifts the new 8-speed AT makes. That means fewer throttle corrections, fewer head nods, and easier gaps. The naturally aspirated engine’s linear response makes speed‑breakers and U‑turns smoother.The one thing you give up is mid‑range punch. The Kushaq’s turbo feels stronger for quick gaps above 40kph and feels livelier if you enjoy brisk 60-100kph bursts.If you prioritise a smaller footprint and a stronger mid‑range for quick overtakes, consider the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Ambition AT.On test drives, do a 0-20 kph crawl and a basement-ramp start. Compare creep, throttle-tip-in, hill‑hold smoothness, and steering effort at parking speeds in both cars.

Kia Seltos

Skoda Kushaq

Rajendra Chitara

•1w

I had selected the Kia Seltos IVT to buy, but now the Duster DCT turbo 1.3 has been launched. Is the Duster a good choice? I have heard that it comes with a wet-clutch DCT that does not heat up. Is this gearbox good and suitable for all types of driving conditions? Please guide me on overall performance in traffic, highway, hills, mileage, etc. My driving conditions are mixed.

Autocar India

•3h

Go for the Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo DCT. For your mix of city, highway, hills and bad roads, it combines strong punch, planted suspension and a heat‑resistant wet‑clutch gearbox.Your concern about DCT heating is valid in dry‑clutch units. The Renault Duster’s wet‑clutch design is oil‑cooled, so it tolerates prolonged crawling and hill starts better. The turbo motor helps on steep climbs with passengers, and overtakes at 80–100 kph feel effortless. The Duster’s long‑travel suspension shrugs off broken roads that unsettle softer crossovers.The one thing you give up is the Kia Seltos IVT’s ultra‑smooth low‑speed creep. Below 10kph, the DCT can feel a touch jerky and needs gentler throttle modulation while parking.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Marisetty Venkata VIdyadhar

•3d

I own a Ford EcoSport Titanium diesel manual transmission 2015 model. I would like to upgrade to a new automatic petrol car. Please suggest a car that has very good build quality and has a 5-star safety rating. I stay in Hyderabad and need to go through bumper-to-bumper traffic. I have heard of DCT/DSG heating problems in heavy traffic, so I am considering a torque converter, CVT, or wet-clutch DCT. I am not sure if this is the correct decision, but I need a good, durable, and efficient automatic transmission that is smooth in slow-moving traffic. My usage is 70% city and 30% highway, so highway performance, stability, and good handling are also important. I am also looking for a car I can keep for 10-15 years, so durability and relevant features are important. I am not looking for very high-end tech, but I do want useful safety and comfort features. I also considered a 7 seater so that I can use the third row for luggage room, or occasionally, when my family members grow after a kid's marriage, maybe we would use the third row seating for a city outing. However, I am also fond of good boot space. So, not able to decide here. My budget is 25 lakh. Can you please suggest a car that is strong, safe, robust, and reliable in the above budget?

Autocar India

•4h

Go for the updated Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI with the new 8-speed automatic. It has a five-star crash rating, a robust build, and a smooth 8-speed torque-converter automatic, along with good stability and handling for your 70:30 city–highway mix.Your bumper-to-bumper driving will benefit from the torque-converter’s low-speed smoothness, avoiding the DCT/DSG heat concerns you mentioned. It is a five-star safety-rated car with six airbags, ESC and ISOFIX mounts for long-term peace of mind. Highway stability is confident at triple-digit speeds, while 188mm of ground clearance and a 385-litre boot keep it practical. For 10-15 years of ownership, the 1.0 TSI engine is tried and tested, and the automatic is a safer bet than dual-clutch units. Do opt for the maximum extended warranty available.The one thing you give up is advanced driver assistance. The Kushaq doesn’t offer ADAS features like adaptive cruise control or lane-keep assist, so keep that in mind.If you genuinely need a third row, consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO instead. It is also a five-star safety-rated vehicle and uses a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic. However, fuel efficiency from the petrol engine in the city will be lower, and its larger size means it is not as easy to drive in traffic.During the test drive, crawl at 5-10kph with the AC on to judge smoothness from the gearbox, and also do an 80-100kph highway run.

Skoda Kushaq

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Amit Deshmukh

•9h

I have a Maruti Baleno (2016) as our family car, which is good, but I am looking to replace it with a newer SUV. Although I read your column regularly, I am confused about which car to buy. I have a tight budget of ₹16-17 lakh and am looking to get maximum value for my money. So out of Seltos HTK, Duster (2026), Sierra, and Elevate, which one should I consider? My usage is 70% in the city and 30% on highways.

Autocar India

•4h

Pick the Kia Seltos HTK IVT as it best suits your requirements.Your city-heavy usage benefits from its smooth and seamless powertrain, light controls and settled low‑speed ride, which make driving in traffic and parking less tiring. For weekend highway runs, it feels confident at 80-100 kph cruising speed and has enough room for 4 adults plus luggage. Within your budget, the Kia Seltos HTK gives you the core safety and convenience features without forcing you into pricier trims. The one thing you give up is advanced driver assistance (ADAS) on the HTK; those features start higher up the range.Alternatively, if you prefer a simpler, no-frills package and prioritise easy ownership over features, consider the Honda Elevate V CVT.

Kia Seltos

Honda Elevate

Pramod Kumar

•1w

Toyota HyCross GX(O) vs Maruti Victoris ZXi(O) strong hybrid vs Tata Sierra Accomplished Plus turbo petrol. Which is best for long-term usage under ₹30 lakh?

Autocar India

•7h

For long-term usage, the Toyota Innova HyCross GX (O) and the Maruti Victoris ZXi (O) strong hybrid are safer bets than the Tata Sierra Accomplished+ Turbo Petrol. Both come with a solid reputation for reliability and strong after-sales support, which is what really matters over 8-10 years of ownership.Between the Toyota HyCross and the Victoris, the HyCross is the more comfortable and practical choice. Its very spacious cabin, better third-row usability and comfortable ride make it a nicer long-distance family car. The 2.0-litre petrol engine is simple and proven, and its relaxed highway manners are a big plus if you do a lot of intercity trips.The Maruti Suzuki Victoris strong hybrid scores on efficiency and smoothness thanks to its hybrid powertrain, which is especially nice in traffic and helps keep running costs low. However, the boot is smaller, and the cabin is the least spacious of the three, so it’s not as versatile for full-family use. If you mainly drive yourself with only occasional passengers, the Victoris, which is also the most compact and city-friendly of the lot, is the easiest to live with in daily urban driving.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Tata Sierra

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Shashank

•1w

Hello experts, I want to know if the new Duster 1L turbo engine will be good for city driving, or if it will feel underpowered, as my driving is 85% in the city.

Autocar India

•8h

The new Renault Duster 1.0 turbo-petrol should be acceptable in the city, but it is not the most effortless choice for predominantly urban use like yours.The 1.0 turbo makes about 99hp and 160-166Nm, and the torque comes in from around 2,000rpm, so performance at low revs will feel merely adequate rather than strong. You will need to work the gearbox to keep the engine in its power band, especially with a full load or on inclines, and that can get tiring in bumper‑to‑bumper traffic. The good bit is that the clutch is light and the engine reasonably refined, so it won’t feel cumbersome or heavy in daily use.However, there is no automatic with the 1.0 turbo. It comes only with a 6‑speed manual, which is a drawback for an 85% city‑running profile. If you prioritise smoothness and ease over outright punch, an automatic CVT in this segment will suit you better.The Kia Seltos 1.5 iVT offers seamless, jerk‑free power delivery and feels very smooth and responsive in typical city driving. Similarly, the Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol CVT, which has the same gearbox as the Seltos, is another good option. Both the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta make urban driving more relaxing, even if performance is only adequate rather than exciting.

Renault Duster

Kia Seltos

Hyundai Creta