Latest questions

Asked by: Sahil I currently own a 2020 Duster AWD and am planning to buy the new Sierra. My car is used occasionally, and when it is used, about 70 percent is in city traffic and the rest on the highway. Could you suggest which engine option would be best suited for me, considering I am coming from a diesel AWD? Also, are the terrain modes in the Sierra relevant to sleet and slush conditions? The Tata Sierra 1.5 GDI turbo-petrol + AT seems to be a smooth and punchy option. Our detailed review will be out on 8th December, 2025, which should give you more clarity on how the car is.

Autocar India Team

Dec 16, 2025

Asked by: Rahul Prashant S I am about to buy an automatic, petrol, 7-seater car, keeping the next 12 years in mind. Based on my budget, I have shortlisted the XUV700 AX5 and the Hyundai Alcazar Prestige (DCT). I am a moderate user; my current car has done only around 35,000 km in the last 12 years. My usage is a mix of highway and city driving. If I choose mileage, I feel the Alcazar is better, but in terms of build size and looks, I prefer the XUV700 AX5. I am a bit puzzled between these two. Any suggestions? The Mahindra XUV700 is more spacious and has a punchier engine. Since you plan to hold on to your cars for a long time, we'd recommend you wait till the first quarter of 2026, when Mahindra brings in the updated XUV700 with the latest in terms of tech and features.Another option which you may consider is the upcoming Tata Safari petrol AT - as a seven-seater, it is likely to be comfier than the XUV700 and Hyundai Alcazar.

Autocar India Team

Dec 16, 2025

Asked by: sridhar Hi, I am looking for a new car with a budget of Rs 10 to 11 lakh with an automatic transmission. I have test-driven the Fronx Delta Plus 1.2, Nexon Pure Plus, and Hyundai Exter. My monthly driving will be around 1,000 km, mostly in the city. Is the AMT transmission a good option under my budget if I plan to use the car for around 10 years? The Maruti Suzuki Fronx petrol AMT is likely to be smoother and more efficient than the other two options you have listed. This is the one we'd pick for a better driver experience. That said, the Tata Nexon, on the other hand, is great value for money - it is better equipped, is more spacious and feels tougher than the others.

Autocar India Team

Dec 16, 2025

Asked by: Vishwanath Iyer I am looking for an automatic car for city commuting. My average monthly running will be around 1,000 km. My budget is around Rs 10 lakh. I have shortlisted the Honda Amaze VX, Hyundai i20 Sportz, and Hyundai Nios. Please suggest which one I should buy. We suggest the Honda Amaze VX or the Hyundai i20 Sportz automatic, as both use smoother and more premium CVT transmissions compared to the basic AMT in the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios.Between the two, the Hyundai i20 IVT is the better pick. It feels more premium and, as a hatchback, is more practical with folding rear seats for added luggage space. It is also spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped in the Sportz variant you are considering.

Autocar India Team

Dec 16, 2025

Asked by: Dhruv I am from Himachal and currently own a 4th-gen Honda City. It is very comfortable but sometimes hard to manage in the mountains. I am looking to upgrade to a rugged SUV/Jeep. I test-drove the Thar Roxx and loved the go-anywhere feel, but the lack of thigh support at the front is a deal-breaker for me. The Innova HyCross offers ideal comfort for my family and me, but an MPV feels too large for my liking, and I do not need the extra two seats. Please give some recommendations. If you are happy with the Honda experience, you should consider the Elevate. It scores very well on seat comfort and also has other pluses like good ground clearance and a robust build. The suspension can also take quite a beating and is something that you will appreciate, especially on rough roads in the hills.  The engine is adequate but doesn’t have the punch of a turbo engine in case.Alternatively, you could wait for the new Renault Duster that will go on sale in early 2026. The Duster is a tough amd hardy crossover, and the new one that will be offered with turbo-petrol engines should also satisfy with performance.

Autocar India Team

Dec 16, 2025

Asked by: Henry Hi, please advise which is the best petrol considering the current E20 fuel situation. The manual says 91 octane and above is recommended. Moreover, petrol pumps also do not mention the blend clearly. I mostly fuel with Shell, assuming it is 100% petrol, but I recently heard they also mix E20. Please advise which one will be best and most trustworthy. We note you have a 2021 Honda City so you really don’t need to worry about using E20 petrol. Honda has officially stated on its website that "All Honda cars manufactured in India since 1 Jan 2009 have been E20 Material Compatible and customers can use the E20 fuel in their existing Honda cars without the need of changing any part in the car”  From our lab tests, Shell petrol currently has a slightly lower ethanol percentage but it too will eventually move to a full 20 percent blend as supply stabilises. E20 has less energy than pure petrol, so you can expect some drop in fuel efficiency, but there is no evidence that it will cause significant damage to a 2021 City’s fuel system or engine, and the issue has been unnecessarily overblown on social media. The best advice is to tank up at a reputable outlet and continue using your car as normal.​ Don’t worry about any E20 damage.

Autocar India Team

Dec 16, 2025

Asked by: Shreenivas Kandukuree Hi Team, I drove a Hyundai Grand i10 diesel for 10 years and, due to the unavailability of the Venue, bought a Kia Sonet Diesel HTX last month. I am 5.5 feet tall and am having difficulty with the clutch reach. I had severe calf muscle pain for a few days. I have no issues on the highway and have already covered nearly 2,000 km. I have been using a Frido seat cushion for a week, and it feels 50 per cent better with the reach. I tried various height and seat adjustments, but I am still facing clutch reach issues. I have heard from others that compact SUVs have this issue. It would be disappointing not to find a comfortable driving position in your new Kia Sonet. While you have tried different positions, a high seat set closer to the steering wheel should give you a comfortable seating position.An ideal seating position should keep you at a comfortable distance from the steering and put the pedals within easy reach. This is not a known issue on other compact SUVs.

Autocar India Team

Dec 16, 2025

Asked by: Ansari I want to purchase a new car and am conflicted between the Maruti Brezza and the Sonet petrol 1.2. My main concern is fuel efficiency. I have heard that the 1.5-litre engine is more efficient than the 1.2 on the Sonet. My monthly running is around 1,000-1,200 km, and I am also considering the Sonet diesel. What should I do? The Maruti Suzuki Brezza’s 1.5-litre engine is known to deliver good fuel economy and also offers more power and performance than the 1.2-litre unit on the Kia Sonet. The Brezza will be the better petrol option for you.The Sonet diesel will be more efficient than the Brezza, but your running of 1000-1200km a month doesn’t justify the extra spend on a diesel. Also, modern BS6 diesels need extra care with a long drive every couple of days to help the diesel particulate filter (DPF) regenerate. Failure to do so can cause engine trouble.We’d suggest you go for the Brezza, which will be a hassle-free option for your needs.

Autocar India Team

Dec 16, 2025

Asked by: Jayesh Shinde I want to buy a new Mahindra XUV 3XO but am confused between the petrol and diesel variants. My monthly average run is 400-500 km. Which fuel option should I choose? Since your running isn't high - only around 6,000km a year - it would make sense for you to opt for the petrol. The higher purchase price of the diesel won't be justified given your usage. For reference, the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7L for the petrol-manual variant costs Rs 12.75 lakh and Rs 13.43 lakh for the diesel-manual (ex-showroom), and the price delta will only be greater when it comes to on-road prices.  

Autocar India Team

Dec 16, 2025

Asked by: Vishal sinha I’ve been driving a 2019 Dzire ZXi AMT (BS6) with 66,000 km on the clock. The engine is smooth but not peppy, and the AMT feels jerky. I’m looking to upgrade to an automatic non-AMT car under ₹10 lakh (used is fine). My monthly driving is about 1,200 km in the city, with one annual 1,500 km outstation trip. I prefer good suspension and handling, and a city mileage of around 12-14 km/l. Please suggest options. Given your requirements, you should consider the Citroen C3 X. It's powered by a punchy 110hp, 205Nm 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine mated to a smooth 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, and that, coupled with its superb ride and handling balance, means you'll enjoy driving it. In our real-world fuel efficiency tests, the C3 X turbo-petrol automatic returned 8.46kpl in the city and 13.38kpl out on the highway. Citroen C3 price for turbo petrol-auto is Rs 9.05 lakh (ex-showroom). Alternatively, you could also consider the Nissan Magnite turbo petrol-CVT, which has a higher real-world mileage of 9.5kpl in the city and 15.22kpl on the highway. Nissan Magnite price ranges between Rs 9.14 lakh to Rs 10.76 lakh (ex-showroom).

Autocar India Team

Dec 16, 2025

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