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Latest questions answered by experts

Rudra

I am a first-time buyer and was confused about which car to choose (budget under ₹10 lakh). I don’t want to go for the top variant; a variant with decent features would be sufficient. I visited Tata dealerships and checked out the Altroz and Punch. In the Altroz, there was very little headroom left (just about 3-4 fingers), so I moved to the Punch, which gave me more confidence. I am planning to purchase in the next 2-3 months. Are there any suggestions other than the Punch?

Autocar India

•45m

The Tata Punch is a good option, and as you have stated, it does indeed offer more headroom than the Tata Altroz. Since it appears that this is of priority to you, another option would be the Hyundai Exter. The tall stance liberates a lot of interior headroom, and like the Tata Punch, the Exter too has a compact overall footprint. The Exter would also fit well within your Rs 10 lakh budget, especially a mid-level variant, which you have said that you are open to and would prefer instead of a top model.

SUMIT NARANIYA

I have been driving a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz diesel manual for 10 years. It offers comfort, stability, elegance, and more. My monthly commute includes 40% city driving and weekly highway drives on bad roads. The only issue with sedans in India is their low ground clearance. For my elderly parents, which vehicle should I choose that offers a comfortable ride with minimal undulations as the top priority? My budget is ₹18-20 lakhs, but I can extend it if my criteria are met. Also, we travel with a lot of luggage (Ciaz has a 510-litre boot space).

Autocar India

•1h

If you're after a sedan alone, go for the Volkswagen Virtus. With the comfort of a sedan and ground clearance of 179mm, you get the best of both worlds here. Moreover, it has a 521-litre boot, so transporting all your stuff should not be an issue either. They've tuned the Virtus's suspension very well, so while it retains Volkswagen's typically sharp handling, it's incredibly comfortable as well. It remains flat and composed over a variety of surfaces, more so as speeds rise. Sadly, no sedan in this segment offers diesel anymore, but VW's TSI turbo petrols can be fuel-efficient if driven carefully. If you'd prefer an SUV, check out the Kia Seltos, which is spacious too and has a supple ride quality. Plus, it's got sufficient ground clearance, while not being so high off the ground as to make ingress and egress difficult for your elderly parents.

Volkswagen Virtus

HARMANDEEP SINGH

•1d

Hello Autocar India, I am planning to buy a car for daily driving, 95% in the city, but I am confused between a small petrol automatic and the Tiago EV.

Autocar India

•2h

Go for the Tata Tiago EV. With 95% of your usage in the city, its silent and smooth automatic drive, along with a 200 to 230 km real-world city range, will suit your daily urban commutes best. This is, of course, assuming you have access to charging at home or your workplace, as relying on public chargers is not very convenient.While the medium-range variant would also suffice for your city's needs, you could consider the long-range instead if your budget allows. This way you will need fewer charges per week, and it would be more handy on the odd occasion when you do travel outside the city. Furthermore, as batteries age, their capacity and thus the car's driving range will drop. With the Long Range variant, this would be better offset.

Tata Tiago EV

Abhishek

•6d

I want to buy an SUV within ₹20 lakh. I am confused between Seltos, Urban Cruiser, and Sierra. My preference is automatic. I am presently using a Honda City ZX automatic, Gen V.

Autocar India

•2h

If you are considering NA versions, the Kia Seltos’ CVT is a better choice than the Tata Sierra’s DCA. The CVT is seamless in operation, similar to your Honda City’s CVT, and works well with the 1.5-litre engine, particularly in the city. While the Sierra’s DCA shifts are smooth, it can be slow to respond, with a noticeable pause between shifts.Within your budget, you can opt for the HTX trim of the Kia Seltos, which comes well-equipped with features, like a 12.3-inch HD infotainment touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, ventilated front seats and a Bose premium audio system. Do take a test drive before you decide.

Aayush gupta

I am planning to buy an EV car for my daily travelling of 100 km on the highway with 3 to 4 passengers and 200 kg of luggage. I am looking for a safe, low-maintenance, and efficient car. Budget is below ₹25 lakh. I am confused between the Tata Harrier EV, Mahindra XEV 9S, and Maruti e Vitara 61 kWh. Please suggest or recommend any other option, considering efficiency and safety.

Autocar India

•3h

For your needs, the Mahindra XEV 9S makes the most sense. Go for the Pack One trim, but opt for the larger 79kWh battery pack. During our real-world tests, the XEV 9S 79kWh version delivered a combined range of 477km, but since your usage is primarily on the highway with four passengers and 200kg of luggage, expect that figure to drop noticeably. That said, your 100km commute should be no problem at all with the larger battery.Since you will be carrying a heavy load, you will appreciate the large boot and flat loading lip. The Tata Harrier EV, in comparison, has a smaller boot and a slightly raised floor to accommodate the rear motor. Before you make your final decision, do take a detailed test drive.

Mahindra XEV 9S

Tata Harrier EV

Santosh Gaikwad

•5d

I want to buy an automatic car with a ₹12 to ₹14 lakh budget. Engine reliability and performance matter for long-term use. The car will be used on highways as well as in the city. Kindly suggest.

Autocar India

•3h

Since long-term use and reliability are your main priorities, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is your best bet. The top Alpha trim with the Boosterjet petrol engine and automatic gearbox fits within your budget and is a smart choice overall. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine offers decent performance, is pleasantly responsive at low speeds, and has minimal turbo lag, thanks in part to the mild-hybrid system’s ISG motor. Fuel efficiency is good, too.The 6-speed Aisin-sourced automatic is also very smooth in operation and reliable. Cabin space and overall comfort are good, and while the ride quality is firmer than the Baleno, it is not uncomfortable, with stability also being reassuring. Before you decide, do take a detailed test drive.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Maruti Suzuki Baleno