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Latest questions answered by experts

S Sinha

Is it advisable to buy the diesel automatic of the XUV 7XO over its petrol automatic to save fuel costs, given my annual mileage would be below 10,000 km? The diesel automatic 2WD costs about ₹2 lakh more than the petrol automatic, which I can recover in 2 years, but I am confused because of potential DPF issues. My driving would be 80% in Bengaluru, which is notorious for traffic.

Autocar India

•22m

With under 10,000 km annual running and 80% driving in Bengaluru traffic, we would strongly suggest going for the Mahindra XUV 7XO petrol automatic. The biggest concern with diesel in your usage is exactly what you mentioned, DPF-related issues. Since most of your driving will be in slow, stop-and-go traffic, the engine may not get the kind of sustained runs it needs for proper regeneration, which can lead to inconvenience over time.Also, while on paper it may seem like you can recover the Rs 2 lakh price difference in 2 years, in reality, the gap is not that significant. The diesel automatic is not exceptionally efficient, and the real-world difference between petrol and diesel will not be huge, especially in city conditions. With your running, the actual savings will take much longer to justify the higher upfront cost.The petrol automatic, on the other hand, will be smoother, quieter and more hassle-free in everyday city driving. It will simply be easier to live with, given your usage pattern.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Asim

•3d

I need to buy a 7 seater, budget is not a constraint. I can afford a luxury car as well, but my only point is that I will be driving the same car for the next 10 years. Should I wait for new launches or buy now, and which one to buy? Can u please advise me?

Autocar India

•52m

If you are planning to keep the car for the next 10 years, it makes sense to buy a car with a proven track record, reliability and strong after-sales support. New launches will always keep coming, but for long-term ownership, a well-established product is always the safer choice.In that context, we would suggest going for the Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid ZX (O). It is one of the most sensible long-term buys in the 7-seater space. Toyota’s reputation for reliability and low-maintenance ownership is unmatched, which is exactly what you need if you plan to keep the car for a decade. The hybrid system is also smooth, efficient and well-suited for both city and highway use.In terms of comfort, the HyCross offers a very spacious cabin with excellent second-row comfort, especially with captain seats, and the third row is also genuinely usable. It is an easy car to live with, whether you drive yourself or are occasionally chauffeur-driven.If you are considering luxury options, you can look at cars from German brands, but over a 10-year period, maintenance costs, complexity and long-term reliability can become concerns compared to something like the Toyota.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Sreejith R

•3d

Hi Autocar, I would like to buy a mid-size SUV under a budget of ₹25 lakh. We drive mostly on highways. I have the Harrier in mind. Can you suggest if that is the best option, as many say that Tata is bad in after-sales service? Please guide me if I am wrong, and also suggest good options I can consider within my budget. Thank you.

Autocar India

•1h

If your usage is mostly highway driving, the Tata Harrier is a very good choice. It offers a strong diesel engine, excellent high-speed stability and a comfortable ride, making it a capable long-distance SUV. On highways, it feels planted and confident, and overall, it is one of the better cars in this segment for covering distances comfortably.However, your concern about after-sales service is valid. Tata has improved over the years, but the experience can still be inconsistent depending on the dealership. Some owners have a smooth experience, while others do face issues with service quality and turnaround time. It is therefore important to check the reputation of your nearest service centre before making a decision.If you want something with a more consistent ownership experience, you can also consider the Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel. It is also a strong highway car, offers good performance thanks to its refined diesel engine, and is a proven and solid product with a good track record.

Tata Harrier

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Jak

•3d

I am presently driving a Kia Sonet diesel AT. My monthly driving is 1,200 km, 90% of which is in the city. I am looking to upgrade, with mostly two members travelling. Should I consider a petrol or diesel automatic car? My budget is ₹20-22 lakh.

Autocar India

•1h

Considering your monthly running of around 1,200 km with 90% city usage, it makes more sense to move to a petrol automatic.In heavy city driving, petrol cars are smoother, quieter and easier to live with, and you also avoid potential issues related to diesel emission systems that typically require longer, steadier drives. Since most of your usage is in stop-and-go traffic, a petrol will simply feel more refined and stress-free on a daily basis.For your budget of Rs 20-22 lakh, we would suggest looking at the Kia Seltos 1.5 NA petrol with IVT/CVT. The engine is very refined, and the CVT gearbox is silky smooth, which makes it ideal for city driving. It will also feel like a proper upgrade from your Kia Sonet in terms of space, comfort and overall driving experience.If you want something similar, you can also consider the Hyundai Creta 1.5 NA petrol IVT, which shares the same engine and gearbox and offers a similar smooth and easy driving experience.

Nagaram

I tried a test drive of the Baleno vs Punch 2026. I felt the Baleno was more comfortable to ride in, and the engine was very smooth. I could really feel the vehicle, whereas the Punch felt boxy, with some body roll, and I couldn’t feel the engine as much, though the overall package is good. I am a family of five, and this will be my first car. Which one should I choose? Are there any other cars I should consider? I felt the Hyundai i20 might be pricey and lower in mileage, so I didn’t check it.

Autocar India

•2h

Based on what you felt during the test drive, we would suggest going for the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. The fact that you found it more comfortable and the engine smoother is very important, especially since this is your first car. The Baleno is easier to drive, feels more natural and refined, and for daily use, that makes a big difference.For a family of five, the Baleno also works better. It offers a more spacious rear seat, feels wider, and overall comfort for passengers is better than that of the Tata Punch. The Punch, as you noticed, feels a bit tall and boxy, and the body roll you experienced is normal because of its higher stance.The Punch is a good car in terms of package and build, but it is better suited if you prioritise bad roads and a higher driving position. For regular city use and comfort, the Baleno is the more sensible choice.Regarding the Hyundai i20, you are right that it is more expensive and slightly lower on efficiency. However, it is also a very refined and premium option. If your budget allows, it is worth a look, but it is not necessary since the Baleno already fits your needs very well.

Balaji

Hi, I am in the market for buying a compact SUV. I am a proud Kia Carens 1.5 TGDi owner as well. I have shortlisted the Kia Seltos NA 1.5 IVT (HTK or HTK(O)) to drive in Bengaluru (a lot of traffic). I personally like the new Duster as well. I have test-driven the Seltos and am yet to see the Duster in action. Being a Kia owner, I really like the new Seltos, but I have postponed the buying decision because of the Duster. I would happily choose the Techno+ or Iconic variant. My only concern is that the Duster has a DCT (wet clutch), but I am not sure about its reliability in the long run. Seven months of standard warranty gives some peace of mind, but I still have concerns about overheating issues in DCTs (like Kia’s). Kindly share your suggestions on choosing a reliable car. Thanks!

Autocar India

•2h

For your usage in Bengaluru traffic and focus on long-term reliability, we would suggest going ahead with the Kia Seltos 1.5 NA IVT (HTK/HTK(O)) rather than waiting for the new Duster. The Seltos’ naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with the IVT/CVT gearbox is one of the smoothest combinations in this segment.In heavy stop-and-go traffic, it feels very easy and predictable to drive, with none of the hesitation or heat-related concerns that are sometimes associated with dual-clutch transmissions. Since you already own a Kia Carens, you are also familiar with Kia’s after-sales experience, which adds a layer of confidence for long-term ownership.That said, the new Renault Duster is a very interesting option and worth considering. On paper, it looks like a strong package with a more powerful turbo-petrol engine, expected to offer strong performance, a solid ride quality and a more rugged overall character. We would suggest test-driving the Duster before making a final decision.

Kia Seltos

Kia Carens

Renault Duster