Latest questions
Asked by: Rakesh God I currently own a Grand i10 diesel manual, which has been a very good car with excellent mileage. However, I now want to shift to an automatic transmission as most of my driving is in city traffic. My monthly running is around 1,200 km, with an outstation trip once every three months. My budget is ₹13-14 lakh. Please suggest a suitable automatic car. I am confused about whether to choose diesel or petrol. We can understand that after driving a diesel car, you appreciate the great mileage they offer. However, if you want to switch to a diesel automatic, consider the Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO diesels, which provide automatic transmissions and are within your budget.However, both the Tata and Mahindra diesels come with an AMT automatic transmission, which is not very smooth and has a noticeable lag when changing gears. On the highway, you have to plan your overtaking manoeuvres.If you are not too fixated on diesel, we suggest looking at the Honda Amaze, which has a CVT gearbox that is much smoother for city driving, good enough for the highway, and reasonably efficient. Asked by: Hemant Kakarla I am looking to buy a new car with a budget of up to ₹30 lakh. I live in a town and have my own parking space both at home and at the hospital. My daily driving is less than 10 km, but I go on long drives once a month, usually within a 500 km range. I am looking for a car that offers an excellent driving experience and high comfort levels. A good sound system and effective air-conditioning are important to me, but I am not interested in flashy interiors or excessive features. I want a car that makes me fall in love with driving every time I get behind the wheel. Since you have your own parking at home and the hospital, you can indulge in the luxury of having a large vehicle and get a big SUV. Based on your budget, we believe the Mahindra XUV 7XO, launching next month, is the right choice for you.Firstly, it is expected to come with a fantastic audio system, which is essential to you; the air conditioning is good as always, and lastly, the suspension is new, so for long-distance trips, you can expect a more comfortable ride. Since you drive a long distance every month, it's best to choose the diesel option, which offers a good balance of performance and efficiency. Asked by: Karthick Hi, I’m looking to buy my first car with an on-road budget of around ₹10 lakh in Chennai. I average about 500 km per month and also do trips to Coimbatore 3-4 times a year and occasional long drives, so comfort, features, reliability, and low maintenance are important. I’m considering the C3X Shine, 3XO, Baleno, Glanza, and Fronx, but I’m open to other suggestions that fit my usage and budget - please recommend the best choice. We would lean towards the Citroen C3X Shine with the 1.2 turbo engine and six-speed AT. It's a little above your budget but will suit your needs best as it is extremely comfortable, has a superb suspension and the best powertrain for the price. For highway driving, it is the best of all the options you have shortlisted because of the brilliant engine and dynamics. However, we have added that Citroen’s dealer network is not the best, and hence, after-sales service could be a worry. If you want to play safe, go for the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, it's well equipped, reliable and comes with low-cost maintenance. It’s just that for your budget, you will get the 1.2 petrol mated to an AMT, which is nowhere near as nice to drive as the C3X. Asked by: Vijay I am planning to buy my first new car with an automatic transmission and expect to drive around 20,000 km annually for the next 10 years. It will be mainly used in Mumbai’s bumper-to-bumper traffic with daily office commutes of about 80 km, weekly family outings, and occasional long trips. I am also considering the future risk of diesel restrictions like those in Delhi NCR. While I like the Victoris' strong hybrid top trim, the rear seat comfort is a concern for my family. Although I find the Syros, Kylaq, and 3XO top trims comfortable. I am unsure about their long-term cost effectiveness - which option would be the right choice for me? Firstly, we don’t think you should worry about diesel restrictions on new cars in Mumbai. The current diesel engines are quite clean, and if there is a ban in the future, it will only be the older diesels that will be taken off the road. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris hybrid would have been a good choice. But as you said and we have pointed out too in our tests, the boot space is compromised because of the hybrid batteries, and the rear seats are not very spacious. The other cars you have listed are all turbo-petrol petrol, so they won’t be economical and will burn a hole in your pocket if you drive 80km every day. Since you have shortlisted some compact SUVs, we suggest you look at the Hyundai Venue diesel. It has just been launched, so it's very fresh and will age well over a 10-year lifecycle, and the diesel engine is very efficient and keeps your running costs under control. Asked by: Amar Joshi I am seeking expert advice on DPF management for the Mahindra 3XO Diesel AT, as my daily usage is 13 km each way in heavy Powai traffic in Mumbai. How often should I drive on the highway, and what are the ideal speed or RPM range, trip distance, and monthly frequency required to ensure effective soot regeneration? Yes, you are right, your short drive in Mumbai traffic won’t allow the diesel particulate filter (DPF) of Mahindra XUV 3XO to reach the temperatures. It needs to ‘light-off or regenerate properly to burn off the soot which will accumulate in your DPF and trigger a malfunction warning. The way to raise the exhaust temperature and subsequently heat the DPF to its ‘light-off’ point is to run the engine under a steady load. You should plan a long drive at least once a month, with around half an hour of continuous driving at around 50-60kph. Use a gear that keeps the engine between 2,000 to 2,500 rpm and drive steadily without hard acceleration or braking. The aim is to drive consistently so that the exhaust temperatures can stabilise and you can complete the regeneration process without interruption. Since you live in Powai, the Eastern Expressway is not far away and can be a convenient stretch for you to clear your DPF periodically. Asked by: Rajesh I am looking for my first EV car. My requirements are a spacious cabin, a usable 3rd row, and good storage space that can fit a folded wheelchair, along with reliable service - please suggest suitable options. Thank you. Given your requirements, the only options that are not wildly expensive are the Mahindra XEV 9S and the Kia Carens Clavis EV. Both are three-row SUVs that are pretty spacious and practical, but they differ in what they offer.The Mahindra car comes across as the more premium of the two. It’s larger, has an imposing road presence and comes packed with technology and features. It wins the spec-sheet war and is a very comfortable, compelling option. However, once you consider how the car will be used, the Kia Carens EV could be the better everyday car.One of the most significant factors is access to the cabin. The Carens Clavis EV sits lower, making getting in and out easier. Your requirement for a wheelchair suggests that someone with limited mobility will be using the car, and this is why the step-in height becomes something you notice every single day and a very important factor.Also, the third row, too, is slightly more practical and usable in the Kia car. When the third row is folded down, the boot is spacious enough to accommodate a wheelchair. The lower floor also makes loading a wheelchair easier.On the ownership side, Mahindra’s EVs have made rapid progress and the products are far more polished than before, but some owners still report software-related hiccups. Kia’s EVs, by comparison, are better sorted, suggesting a more predictable ownership experience.Both cars are easy to drive; the XEV 9S offers a better ride and is more refined, but the Carens Clavis EV feels less cumbersome in tight spaces. Can’t decide which car to buy? Ask our experts and get answers to all your car related queries. Ask experts 
