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Asked by: Jagannath Nayak I am a first-time buyer and do not have much idea about cars. Upon research, I feel a hybrid (petrol and EV) is a good option to go with. My budget is Rs 12-14 lakh, and my top priorities are safety, mileage, and comfort. I feel the Maruti Suzuki Victoris might be the right option, but I am not sure about its boot capacity. Looking at the launch of the Tata Sierra, I am also attracted to its modern features at a similar budget. Please help me decide. Or is there any other option I should be considering? Unfortunately, there isn't any hybrid vehicle in the Rs 12-14 lakh range. You will get the petrol versions of the Victoris and Tata Sierra in your budget.While the Maruti Suzuki Victoris shares a lot with the Grand Vitara, it is likely to be an efficient, reliable option. The Tata Sierra is an all-new vehicle with a new engine; hence its reliability is still unproven.If you want to buy a car immediately, go for the Victoris. Otherwise, if you can wait, we'll be putting the Sierra through our efficiency and other real-world tests in the coming weeks, and the results will be published on our website, for you to take a more informed decision. Asked by: Manikandan I already own an 8-year-old Mercedes-Benz GLE diesel and an 11-year-old Alto as a beater car. I have a Rs 30 lakh budget for a new car. I am inclined towards an EV as well as the Innova HyCross. The Sierra was my childhood dream, but the EV variant may take time. My monthly travel is around 2,000 km, out of which 800 km is in the city. I want to retain the Benz for another three years. I may use this car primarily for city use as well as long-distance travel, which can be around a 1,200 km round trip once a month. Kindly suggest a suitable car. The new Mahindra XEV 9S is a great option for you. Besides the fact that it is modern, feature-packed, and packs in three rows of seating (should you need it), you will enjoy driving it. The electric motor of this Mahindra car is peppy, smooth and very refined, and its ride comfort is excellent, for city and highway, both. Alternatively, the Toyota Innova HyCross isn't as exciting as the new-age Mahindra EVs; however, it is a proven product known for its space, comfort and the hybrid's impressive fuel efficiency. It is one of those cars you just can't go wrong with. Asked by: Vinod My dad currently drives a 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire Diesel manual, which has run around 1.2 lakh km. He is 65 and mostly drives in the city. We are planning to switch to an automatic for better comfort and convenience. 1. Should we retain the existing Dzire for a few more years or sell it now, considering running cost, age, and expected resale value? 2. If we go for a replacement, is the Maruti Fronx AMT a good upgrade? Any other automatic options (under ₹10–11 lakh on-road) that would be. If you have a need for a second car, it makes sense to retain the Maruti Suzuki Dzire. However, if the vehicle is going to be parked for extended periods of time, minor issues could arise, leading to recurring maintenance costs. As far as resale value goes, you might want to get your vehicle from a reputed used car platform such as Spinny to find out its fair price.The Maruti Suzuki Fronx AMT is a good replacement - its engine is peppy, AMT (automatic) is smooth by segment standards, and the overall experience is likely to be quite trouble-free. You could also consider a Hyundai i20 IVT for its smoother automatic transmission and refined engine. Asked by: Anil Akerkar I have been driving a 2016 Maruti Wagon R VXi for nine years and want to upgrade. My budget is ₹10-11 lakh. I need an automatic car with good mileage, sturdy suspension, and comfortable seating for five. I drive about 1,000 km per month (mostly city) with rare highway trips every six months. Please advise. That is quite a tall order to fit into your budget of Rs 10-11 lakh. However, given your requirements, we would recommend the Nissan Magnite or the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. Both compact SUVs give the option of a fuel-efficient naturally aspirated petrol engine with an AMT auto gearbox at a good price, or a more powerful turbo-petrol engine with an auto gearbox that's not as fuel-efficient, but much smoother. Both have robust suspension that should be capable both in the city as well as on the highway. That said, while both can fit 5, the back seat will be a tight squeeze for 3, but at this budget, almost every car would be. Here, the Nissan Magnite has the edge on space, and overall, it is more affordable and a better value, too. Hence, it would be our pick for you. Asked by: Nishant Hi, I am confused between the Kia Clavis NA and turbo petrol engine options. My monthly running is around 500 km in the city and on the highway, with a yearly long trip of around 5,000 km round trip. For long-term reliability, does the NA engine feel underpowered with a full load? The Kia Carens Clavis Turbo has the clear power and torque advantage and, money no object, is the better pick if you plan to frequently travel with 7 passengers onboard.That said, the Carens Clavis’ 1.5 NA petrol engine also delivers reasonable performance. It won’t be as responsive as the turbo, and you’ll feel the lack of pep on climbs with a full load, but in ordinary city and highway driving, it works just fine. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts 
