BMW Cars in India (24)

autocar.india

•10h

We would wait for the upcoming Audi Q3, whose launch is just around the corner, before making this decision as it promises to be the most contemporary of its peers in the segment. Audi wants to make up for lost time with the new Q3 and we understand the brand is leaving no stone unturned with this new model, equipping it with the 2.0 TFSI engine and Quattro AWD. It also promises to have the brand's latest tech, as well as a long features list, to make it attractive in this competitive segment. While the A4 sedan is a good deal right now at the end of its life, it may feel a bit too dated, and the new A5 will arrive by the end of the year. As for the X1, unless you're chauffeur driven, it isn't the best choice here. As you're coming from a CLA, the new CLA EV might be a good option, as your usage could fit within the constraints of an EV, and the CLA EV has exceptional range. It will, however, push slightly past your Rs. 60 lakh (on road) budget. Either way, we would recommend waiting for the India-spec Q3 before making a call, as it could be the best fit for you.

Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric

Audi A4

Audi A5

Audi Q3

BMW X1 LWB

autocar.india

•1d

With 1,500-2,000 km a month, the E 220d is financially justified, but in NCR the 10-year diesel rule is a deal-breaker. Even if you drive enough to make diesel “paisa vasool”, the car is effectively worthless after 10 years, and that wipes out any savings. DPF is less of a concern at your running, but the NCR rule is the bigger problem.The E 200 petrol is the safer choice. It gives you the same luxury experience, is extremely comfortable in the rear, and is still enjoyable to drive. The BMW 5 Series is the driver’s car of the three, but the E-Class is the better all-round luxury car, especially if you spend time in the back.If you were outside NCR, the E 220d would make sense. In NCR, go for the E 200 petrol. It is the best balance of comfort, performance and long-term ownership. The 5 Series is the better driver’s car, but the E-Class is the better luxury car.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

BMW 5 Series LWB

autocar.india

•1d

Audi is offering some very tempting deals on the A6 and Q5, and for obvious reasons. Both models are now well into their lifecycles and feel dated next to newer rivals, so the only way Audi can move them out of showrooms is with substantial discounts. That said, if you're getting a good deal, both are well worth considering.Yes, the cabins have aged and the tech is no longer cutting edge. The infotainment systems are a couple of generations behind what you'll find in the latest BMWs and Mercedes, and the overall cabin ambience doesn't feel as fresh or as richly appointed. But if you can live with that, these Audis remain superbly engineered cars. The 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engines are smooth, refined and genuinely fantastic, and both cars drive beautifully. Ride quality, in particular, is excellent, and better than what the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW 3 Series offer.Within your Rs 65 lakh budget, our pick would be the A6. It's a segment above the 3 Series, and with current discounts it slips comfortably into your price range, which makes it exceptional value. It rides with a suppleness the Germans rarely match at this price, is impressively quiet and relaxed, and drives very well indeed. The GLC and 3 Series are better equipped and have plusher, more modern cabins, but they don't drive with the same polish or offer the same space and comfort. As a first luxury car, the A6 at a discount is hard to beat.

Audi A6

Audi Q5

BMW 3 Series

Mercedes-Benz GLC

autocar.india

•6d

Yes, a brand-new 2025-manufactured Audi A6 Technology at Rs 56 lakh on-road (BH) is a good deal, but try knocking off a couple more lakhs. The A6 is a well-rounded luxury sedan in the segment, offering a refined petrol engine, excellent ride comfort and a genuinely premium cabin experience. At this price, you are getting a significant discount over the usual on-road price, which makes it a strong value proposition.Your usage pattern of 10,000 km a year with 70-80% highway driving with a family of four suits the A6 very well. The car is comfortable, stable at speed and has enough space for long family trips. The fact that it is a 2025-manufactured, unregistered car means you are not compromising on age or warranty either.Alternatives at a similar price point would belong to a lower segment, such as the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. However, neither is likely to be available at this level of discount.Overall, at Rs 56 lakh on-road, the A6 Technology is a strong buy.

Audi A6

BMW 3 Series

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

autocar.india

•1w

The Skoda Superb is a front-wheel-drive car globally, including in international markets. There is no rear-wheel-drive version of the Superb. The confusion may come from the fact that some premium sedans in the same segment, such as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, are rear-wheel drive, but the Superb itself is not. The Superb is available in some markets with AWD (all-wheel drive), but that too is a front-biased system with the rear wheels driven only when needed.The difference between FWD and RWD is most noticeable in driving dynamics. In a front-wheel-drive car, the front wheels are responsible for both steering and putting power down, which can lead to understeer (the car does not turn as much as intended) and torque steer (the car pulls to one side on its own) when pushed hard. In a rear-wheel-drive car, the front wheels steer while the rear wheels deliver the power, which generally results in better balance and a more engaging driving experience, especially in performance driving.Weight distribution refers to how the car's mass is spread between the front and rear axles. A 50:50 weight distribution is often considered ideal because it helps the car remain balanced during cornering. This is not exclusive to rear-wheel-drive cars, but it is easier to achieve in RWD layouts because the drivetrain components are more evenly distributed along the length of the car.It is not correct to say that RWD is always better than FWD or AWD. Each layout has its own advantages. FWD is more space-efficient, cost-effective, and better in slippery conditions; RWD offers better driving dynamics; and AWD provides the best traction in all conditions.On the engine front, a 4-cylinder twin-turbo can produce impressive power and torque, and tends to be lighter, but an in-line 6 or V6 is inherently smoother and more refined. A larger-capacity engine tends to also be more effortless than a boosted low-capacity engine making the same power output. The choice between the two depends on the application: the 4-cylinder is lighter and more efficient, while the inline-6 offers a more premium and refined driving experience.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

BMW 5 Series LWB

Skoda Superb