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Asked by: George I’m really impressed with the practicality of CNG cars, even though they require compromising on boot space. But why are there no automatic variants in CNG cars? Please correct me if I’m wrong, in case any models are available. Is this because of the power loss in CNG mode? CNGs cars and SUVs have come a long way in the past few years. Carmakers like Tata, Hyundai and Maruti Suzuki all offer models with underbody CNG tanks, which means you don't have to compromise on boot space. As for CNG automatics, there are currently three models for sale in India in three different body styles. The Tata Tiago CNG AMT (Rs 7.23 lakh-8.07 lakh, ex-showroom) is a hatchback, the Tata Tigor CNG AMT (Rs 8.19 lakh-8.74 lakh, ex-showroom) is a compact sedan, while the Nissan Magnite CNG AMT (Rs 6.89 lakh-9.70 lakh, ex-showroom) is a compact SUV. Asked by: Sagnik Sarkar Hello Team Autocar, I own a 2019 Maruti Swift ZXI (MT) and have been driving it happily for six years. Due to Mumbai’s bumper-to-bumper traffic, I’m planning to switch to an automatic. I drive about 1,000 km per month in the city and roughly 1,500 km every two months on the highway. Please suggest an automatic car within a ₹13 lakh budget, prioritising comfort and mileage. Given your requirements, you should consider the Maruti Suzuki Brezza. It falls within your budget, it has a comfortable and spacious cabin and being a Maruti Suzuki car, you'll appreciate the familiarity with your current car and the stress-free ownership experience it comes with. The Brezza is powered by a refined 103hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine that's mated to a smooth, 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The SUV also comes with Maruti's Smart Hybrid system, which includes auto engine/start stop as well as torque assist to aid performance and boost fuel efficiency. As such, the Maruti Brezza mileage for petrol-AT is 19.80kpl (company claimed). Asked by: Nitin Vaswani I want to buy a new automatic car within an on-road budget of ₹12–14 lakh. My monthly running is around 200 km in heavy city traffic, with only a couple of highway trips each year. I prefer a car with good interiors, reliable service support, and features like a 360° camera. Which models should I consider? The Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT and Tata Altroz 1.2 petrol DCT, both get excellent, smooth automatic transmissions, as well as a 360-degree camera. Between the two, the Tata car gets our vote for its spaciousness, value, and overall robust build. The Toyota Taisor Turbo AT and Maruti Fronx Turbo AT with the 360-degree camera will be relatively pricier. However, these brands have a better reputation for service and maintenance. Asked by: Soumya Sinha I have followed your writing for two decades and now request your advice: Among hatchbacks and crossovers with 1.2 NA engines — from MS (Ignis, Swift, Baleno, Fronx), Hyundai (Grand i10 Nios, i20, Exter), Tata (Tiago, Altroz, Punch), and Citroen (C3 1.2 NA) — which is the most fun to drive? I personally feel that the older Swift with its 1.2 K12 engine was best, but with the current Z-series 3-pot engine things are less exciting. Considering performance, is Ignis perhaps the best of the lot now, thanks to its light weight and decent road manners? The Maruti Suzuki Ignis and Baleno share the 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine, which is known for its smoothness, refinement, free-revving nature and fuel efficiency. The Ignis is relatively smaller in size than the Baleno, and with its light controls, will be a touch easier to drive and park in tight spaces. That said, the new Maruti Suzuki Swift is still an excellent, fun-to-drive option, with a nicer steering (it returns to centre more naturally than the Ignis' unit), and its darty nature. Its 3-cylinder petrol engine is also very good in terms of drivability; yes, it doesn't revv as freely as the 4-cylinder 1.2 unit, but if you don't regularly spin the engine beyond 4000rpm, it'll keep you satisfied. Do drive the new Swift once, it might just be the one for you. Asked by: Sai Kumaran I currently own a 2015 Hyundai i10 Sportz (IRDE2) with 40,000 km on the clock. After 10 years I want to upgrade to a petrol SUV (budget under ₹15 lakh). I prefer a non-turbo petrol car with cruise control, automatic climate control, rear defogger, ORVM indicators, and LED lights. My driving is mostly city with occasional highway trips. Which SUV offers the best build quality and after-sales service that meets these requirements? The Hyundai Creta 1.5 petrol MT S (O), which costs Rs 13.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Chennai), would be ideal for you. It fits within your budget, comes with all the features you want, and it has a refined 115hp, 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. Since you own a Hyundai car, you'll also be familiar with the brand's good after-sales service and stress-free ownership. Apart from the features you've mentioned, the Creta S (O) also gets alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, 6 airbags, TPMS, an 8-inch touchscreen and much more. Asked by: Kaustubh Warde I’m planning to buy a new car for my elderly parents, and I’m confused between the Honda Elevate, Toyota HyCross, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Slavia, and Honda City. Which car would you suggest??? The Toyota Innova HyCross is a six or seven-seater, available at a much higher price point than the other options listed. If your parents are solely chauffeur-driven, then go for the Toyota Hycross. If they are self-driven, the Honda Elevate and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder are both good options, for their high seating, which makes getting in and out easy, as well as their user-friendliness. The Elevate's slightly stronger engine performance and smoother CVT give it an edge over the Hyryder Petrol-AT, when it comes to driving pleasure. Asked by: srinivas somayaj I currently own an automatic Fortuner used mainly for highway runs and need a new automatic car (strictly ₹15 lakh on-the-road, Chennai) for family use. My driving will be 70% city / 30% highway. It must be a wide, proven car that comfortably fits 2 adults + 1 teen in the rear, from established brands (no risky new marques), with strong safety and dependable performance. I’m deciding between GV, Victoris, Hyryder, and XUV 3XO - sub-4-metre cars won’t meet my rear-seat space needs. Which should I choose? The XUV 3XO you have shortlisted is a sub-4-metre SUV, but don't rule it out as it has a wide and spacious back seat. In fact, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, which is also a sub-4-metre SUV, also has a wider back seat and more headroom than its larger siblings, the Maruti Victoris and Grand Vitara, while having the same petrol engine and 6-speed AT.What's more, you will get a fully loaded Brezza ZXi+ AT for the same price as a lower spec Victoris VXi AT, and within your budget of Rs 15 lakh, on road. If you're fine with Kia as a brand, and don't mind the polarising exterior look, the Kia Syros 1.0 T-GDi HTX DCT is an excellent option in your price range, with superb interior space. Asked by: S CHATTERJEE I’m choosing between two cars - the MUV Kia Carens Clavis and the SUV Mahindra Thar ROXX. My ownership horizon is 5 years with an annual running of 10,000-15,000 km, and I have a family of five. I like both vehicles, but need advice: which one would you recommend and which would you avoid, and why? Please consider practicality, space and comfort for five passengers, running costs, safety, and long-term suitability. As I'm sure you know, these are both very different vehicles, but the good news is that each one is very capable in its own right. Both offer petrol and diesel engines, as well as manual and automatic gearboxes, so you should be able to find a variant that suits you. The Kia Carens Clavis is the more sensible option, with more fuel-efficient engines, a more spacious cabin - even if you only use 5 of the 7 seats - and better features. However, it's not very exciting. The Mahindra Thar Roxx, on the other hand, is the more emotional choice, with more power and performance, and great road presence. However, its ride is not comfortable, and because of its high floor height, entering and exiting is not easy for elderly people. Your usage is not extremely high, so you could choose the Thar if you are prepared to live with its shortcomings. Can’t decide which car to buy? 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