Latest questions answered by experts

autocar.india

•5h

From what you've described, it seems like the TVS Apache RTX 300 would be a good fit for your needs. The RTX is spacious, comfortable, loaded with features and has decent performance and fuel economy too. The downside here is that RTX waiting periods are on the higher side and since this is still a fairly new product, you may experience teething issues. Fully loaded with luggage and a pillion, its performance will also be quite modest. If you are open to extending your budget to account for the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, we would strongly suggest you go down that route. The Himalayan has excellent suspension, gutsy performance and is a proven commodity today. The only real downside is it's heft and size but since you and your partner both are on the taller side, chances are, you should be able to make your peace with it or even welcome the added space on offer. Take rest rides of both machines and see which one you guys lean towards more.

autocar.india

•6h

Since you have said you want to start riding long distances in addition to your daily commutes, buying a machine with good performance for highway rides would be a smart move. Therefore, we'd recommend choosing between the 350cc Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, TVS Apache RTX 300 and 350cc KTM 390 Adventure. The Guerrilla 450 and Speed 400 will offer you a traditional roadster experience wherein they are easy to manage 'standard' bikes with good performance and comfort to handle your needs. If you plan to do a lot of solo riding, these bikes make good sense. If, instead, you want space for a pillion and luggage, and the ability to simply shrug off bad roads without giving it a second thought, then the RTX and 390 Adventure are the way to go. The KTM will offer more performance and is the machine that has been around much longer but the RTX is the better rounded product of the two. In the city, these ADVs can feel a little big and cumbersome, especially at slower speeds although in time you would get used to it. They also have big windscreens which will block cooling air coming to the rider, another hindrance in our climate. Lastly, the Scrambler 400 X is a jack of all trades sort of machine wherein it is good fun to ride it both in a spirited and laidback fashion, as your mood changes and it will give you a similiar amount of comfort and space to the ADVs but will lack the weather protection. Coming to why your palms were hurting, all of these bikes have very upright riding postures so it's unlikely to have anything to do with the rider's triangle. If you are to grip the handlebar tightly and stay like that for an extended duration, you will experience this. On your next ride, pay special attention to this. Based on your needs, it would be wise to pick between the Scrambler, Speed and Guerrilla, depending on which one fits your budget and personal case the best.

autocar.india

•7h

Given your requirements, the focus should be on ease of use, comfort and long-term reliability rather than performance. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is the most sensible choice here. It is easy to drive, has a comfortable ride, a spacious cabin and it is easy to get in and out of. It is also extremely reliable and inexpensive to maintain, which is important for long-term ownership. The petrol engine is smooth and efficient, and with your low low monthly running, there is no need to consider diesel, hybrid or EV options. If you prefer a slightly higher seating position for better visibility, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is a good alternative, offering the same reliability and ease of ownership in a more SUV-like package. Both cars are easy to manoeuvre in the city, comfortable on occasional highway runs and backed by Maruti’s extensive service network, making them ideal for your usage.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

autocar.india

•8h

The MG Hector petrol CVT is a comfortable and feature-rich SUV, but its fuel efficiency is a known weakness, especially in city driving. However, switching to a used Skoda Kodiaq is unlikely to solve your mileage concerns. The Kodiaq is a larger, heavier SUV with a 2.0 TSI turbo petrol engine, and while it is more powerful and engaging to drive, it is not significantly more fuel efficient in real-world conditions. In fact, depending on your driving style and usage, it could even be thirstier than the Hector.The bigger issue here is the financial hit. Rs. 13 lakh offer on a 2023 top-end Hector is a steep depreciation, and moving to a used Kodiaq will likely require a substantial additional outlay. Unless you are genuinely unhappy with the Hector beyond just fuel efficiency, it is not a financially sensible move.If mileage is your primary concern, the better approach is to adjust your expectations or driving habits, or consider a hybrid or diesel SUV in your next purchase cycle. The Hector remains a comfortable and well-equipped SUV, and it is worth holding on to unless there is a stronger reason to change.

Skoda Kodiaq

MG Hector

autocar.india

•9h

At 10,000-11,000 km a year, the decision between petrol and EV comes down to your usage pattern rather than just the annual distance. If most of your driving is within the city and you have reliable home charging, an electric car can make sense because the running costs are significantly lower, EVs are a joy to drive, and the ownership experience is very smooth. However, if your usage includes regular highway trips or you do not have easy access to home charging, a petrol car is the safer and more flexible choice. At this annual mileage, the fuel savings from an EV will take a longer time to offset the higher upfront cost, so the decision should be driven by convenience and usage rather than purely financial calculations. If you are leaning towards an EV, make sure your charging situation is sorted first. Otherwise, a petrol car remains the more practical and hassle-free option.

autocar.india

•10h

Yes, you can still buy the Toyota Innova Crysta with confidence. The Crysta is a proven, reliable MPV with a strong ownership track record, and Toyota’s service and parts support will continue well beyond the end of production. The key point is that this Toyota car is being discontinued in March 2027 due to the upcoming CAFE 3 regulations, not because of any issue with the vehicle itself. Toyota will continue to support the car with parts and service for many years, and the Crysta’s reputation for durability and low running costs remains unchanged. If you need a dependable, comfortable family MPV with strong resale value, the Crysta is still one of the best diesel car options on the market.

Toyota Innova Crysta

autocar.india

•11h

For your requirement of a semi-sleeper recliner setup, the Toyota Innova HyCross is the best fit. The HyCross is available with a 7-seat configuration that features captain seats in the second row with a genuine ottoman function. This allows the seat base to extend and support your legs, creating a semi-sleeper position without needing to use the front seat as a footrest. At 6ft tall, you will appreciate the generous legroom and the ability to recline comfortably on long journeys. This Toyota car is also a very practical family car with excellent reliability, low running costs and a comfortable ride for daily city use. If you want a more premium experience, the Kia Carnival is worth considering as it offers even more space and a more luxurious cabin, but it is significantly more expensive and not as easy to live with in the city. The HyCross strikes the best balance between comfort, practicality and ownership experience.

Toyota Innova HyCross

Kia Carnival

autocar.india

•12h

Rs 16.5 lakh for a 2024 Tata Curvv EV Empowered+ A 55 with 45,000km on the clock isn't very tempting, and you should definitely negotiate further. The car has covered a fair distance in a short time, so the price should reflect that. The Empowered+ A 55 is a well-equipped variant, and you are not missing out on anything major compared to the Series X - it gets some cosmetic tweaks and minor feature updates, but the core mechanical package remains the same.The back seat of this Tata car has been a point of discussion, mainly due to the sloping roofline, which affected headroom for taller passengers. If you do not have tall passengers regularly sitting at the back, it is not a deal-breaker. The seat itself is comfortable enough for long journeys, but the headroom limitation is something to be aware of. In terms of known issues, the Tata Curvv EV has not thrown up any widespread reliability concerns so far. Before buying used, check the battery health report, ensure the car has been serviced at authorised Tata workshops, inspect the tyres and brakes for wear, and look for any signs of accident damage or paintwork inconsistencies. Also, check that all charging cables and accessories are present.Overall, it is a good car, but push for a better deal given the mileage.

Tata Curvv EV

autocar.india

•13h

If you can charge at home, the MG Windsor EV would be our first choice under your budget. This MG car offers a spacious cabin, excellent ride comfort, and feels like a car from the segment above, making it one of the best value-for-money EVs currently on sale. If home charging isn't practical, we'd recommend a strong hybrid car instead. At this budget, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Strong Hybrid would be our pick. It shares its mechanicals with the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid but offers better value and a more premium cabin. It delivers excellent fuel efficiency without requiring any charging and is easy to live with over the long term.

MG Windsor

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

autocar.india

•14h

Yes, the Skoda Kylaq Classic Plus is a very good choice under Rs. 10 lakh for a first-time buyer with your usage. At 700- 800 km a month, a petrol SUV is the right call, and the Kylaq is one of the best value-for-money options in the segment. It is safe, well-built and genuinely enjoyable to drive, with a strong turbo petrol engine and a solid, planted feel on the highway. The service network of Skoda is not as wide as Maruti or Hyundai, but it has improved significantly in recent years, and the Kylaq itself is a relatively simple, proven package. Overall, your choice is a good one.

Skoda Kylaq